Ohio Cosmetology License Practice Exam

The flat iron is specifically designed to apply pressure to the hair during thermal styling. It consists of two heated plates that press together to straighten or smooth the hair as it passes through. This method effectively alters the hair's texture by breaking down hydrogen bonds within the hair shaft, allowing for a sleek and polished finish. The ability to regulate temperature and the direct pressure applied make the flat iron particularly effective for achieving various styles, especially straightening.

Other tools like curling irons and round brushes serve different purposes. Curling irons are primarily for creating curls or waves by wrapping hair around a heated barrel rather than applying flat pressure. Round brushes help with volume and smoothing when blow-drying but do not apply the same kind of consistent pressure across the hair as a flat iron does. A diffuser is used with a blow dryer to distribute heat more evenly, particularly for curly or wavy hair, and does not provide direct pressure to the hair strands. This makes the flat iron the most suitable choice for the purpose of applying pressure during thermal styling.