Before you use a ceramic hair straightener, it is important to follow a few helpful tips, to prevent unnecessary damage or breakage to your hair. Most consumers know how to flatten their hair, but few know how to do it correctly. Here's how.

First, you'll want to clean your hair by washing and drying it. You'll want to towel dry your hair, and then let it air dry, or blow dry. Use a brush to gently pull the hair while you're blow drying it. This will preliminarily straighten your hair.

Next, use a hair protective spray, to coat the hair to be ironed. This is a crucial step that most users skip. Applying a serum to the hair will, will protect it from excessive heat, as you flatten the hair. Just rub it in your hands, and smooth onto your hair from roots to tip. You can actually do this step prior to blow drying for better results.

Once your hair is dried and protected, plug up ceramic hair straightener, and let it warm up. In the meantime, get some ponytail holders, and section your hair into 4 sections. Using a small tooth comb, with a rat tail, section a small piece of hair being held by the ponytail holder. Start at the base of the neck, and work the iron quickly and smoothly from roots to tip, until all sections are completed. Repeat if necessary.

Once all of your locks have been flattened, it will be shiny and full of body. For a more polished look, even off the ends by clipping with sharp scissors.