About IONTEC - the secret of shiny, smooth hair

What are ions?
Ions are atoms or molecules that have either gained or lost an electron. Positive ions have lost an electron and negative ions have gained an electron.
Because they have an electron too many or an electron too few to be stable they are constantly trying to get to a neutral state again, always in a state of flux, ready to react with materials around them including hair fibres. (They do this by spontaneously giving up the extra electron to another molecule or by taking it from another molecule in their proximity).

Why are ions important in hair care?
Hair has its own surface charges that lead individual hair strands to repel each other – a phenomenon we know as static or flyaway (the simplest analogy is to picture two magnets repelling each other then imagine taking away the forces that repel them, so that they meet effortlessly together).
Once ions start to interact with the individual hair strands they enable any flyway or unruly ones to sit next to each other again without pushing each other apart – no sticking out! The result - significantly boosted shine and restored smoothness whilst diminishing unruliness and frizz.

Why do ions make my hair smooth and shiny?
Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that have lost or gained one or more electrons and have thus become negatively or positively charged. Positive ions are created through friction – like brushing your hair. They repel each other - making your hair static, frizzy and dull-looking. Negatively charged ions are attracted by positively charged ones, immediately neutralizing them and leaving your hair static- and frizz-free.

Will the negatively charged ions damage my hair if I don’t have any positively charged strands?
No, not at all. Ions are completely natural – they are atoms or groups of atoms that have lost or gained one or more electrons and have thus become negatively or positively charged. In fact, ions are found everywhere in the environment. Plus, there is always some degree of static charge in your hair, and the negatively charged ions will only be attracted by those strands that are positively charged. Strands without static charge will not be affected by the ions.

What is Braun IONTEC?
Braun IONTEC is a combination of ion technology and specially designed product features unique to Braun that together offer maximum hair care. Features such as the seamless bristles of the Satin Hair™ brush with IONTEC, the nano – glide ceramic floating plates and superior heat control settings of the Satin Hair™ straightener and the unique Satin Hair™ dryer’s protect drying technology with balanced heat protection and air flow are all breakthrough Braun innovations.

How is the amount of ions controlled, how can be I be sure I won’t end up with too many on my hair?
Braun Scientists researched the optimum amount of ions it would take for the brush to have maximum benefits for the hair. Clearly this number depends on how badly damaged the hair could be, and how many ions actually get to where the hair most needs them.
It may sound easy but it is a highly complex undertaking as ions react with their environment. Many have tried before to deliver ions to the hair so they would have a real impact, but failed because the bulk of the ions react with their environment and “lose their identity”, they simply have stopped being ions before they reach the hair. That’s why the Braun Scientists and Designers have put so much effort into designing Braun IONTEC to truly deliver what they promise: great benefits for the hair.
The scientists joined forces with the design team who designed ‘magic bullet’ ion channels in the brush of just the right size and in the perfect location to guide this optimum quality and quantity of Braun ions to the hair fibres.

Are there any other extra benefits to Braun IONTEC?
Braun IONTEC also works very much like a conditioner in reducing friction, meaning your hair requires as much as 4 x less force when brushing. When hair becomes more and more positively charged during brushing the forces between the hair fibres build up more and more, too. Braun IONTEC works just like a conditioner: the ions continuously minimise the build-up of charges and therefore keep the friction between hair fibres down.
Braun IONTEC also encourages weak and damaged hair to hold onto essential moisture supplies meaning hair looks smooth, shiny and healthy.

What is the difference between Braun IONTEC and other ion technology?
All too often brands claim ion technology is being used in products when in fact the benefits are barely visible. The reasons for this are varied: for a start, you need to generate the right type of ions - they have to be negatively charged in order to give hair the benefits it needs. Also, the number of ions has to be spot-on: it is difficult (and expensive) to generate the right amount of ions and deliver them to where the hair needs them.
Many studies have shown that the number of ions generated with different products and brands varies hugely, from a beneficial (maximum) amount to almost nothing at all.
Braun IONTEC was designed with these factors in mind, assuring you the optimum ion benefits in today’s market by using a patented system to deliver the right number of ions in the shortest time possible. This ensures your hair is treated to the perfect scientific formula to help it looking and feeling beautiful, shiny and healthy.

What Braun appliances use Braun IONTEC?
The Braun Satin Hair™ range of heated appliance with IONTEC includes a hair dryer, a styler and straightener. The Satin Hair™ Brush with IONTEC is the first non heated product to use Braun IONTEC.

What causes static in hair?
Hair is a non conductor which means it doesn’t allow electrons to travel across it. This in turn means that the positive charges on the hair fibres build up, cannot easily escape and create an overall positive charge to the hair. As a result of all hair fibres having the same positive charge (as with two magnets that repel each other when bought together with the same pole) the hair fibres push each other away instead of aligning with each other.