It doesn't mean that you can never use straightening iron on hair. You have to give better care for your hair while using hair straightening. Brush your hair gently, avoid other damaging methods and condition your hair in well manner. Always avoid straightening wet hair as it boils the water in the shaft. Basically there are two types of hair straighteners; metals and ceramic.
Though both are good and best in use, most high quality and high end hair straightener is ceramic. It offers quick heating, better temperature control etc while straightening your hair. You have to make sure that your hair straightener is not so hot as to burn the hair. Hair straighteners with ceramic plating offers best quality heating elements which result in faster heating time.
Most of hair straighteners are made of alloy coated with ceramic layer. Compared to metal plates, ceramic plates create less rough edges or damage to hair. Hair straighteners are also available in solid ceramic plates. You can select hair straightener as per your hair type. If you are with a thick hair, you will need more heat and wider plate to straighten your hair. Cooler plate is adequate for those with fine and naturally straight hair. You have to replace your hair straighteners on a frequent time basis. Generally hair straighteners are lasting for 12 months or a half of it. Replacement plates are available for almost all irons. You have to replace it periodically.