Apparatus and method for styling hair

Abstract

A straightening device and a method for using a straightening device for treating coarse, thick, ethnic, or curly hair. The straightening device includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled at proximal ends. The arms have opposing surfaces that may be heated or contain features that are specifically dimensioned and aligned.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair device, comprising:
 a first arm extending along a first longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the first arm further comprising a convex styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the first arm;   a second arm extending along a second longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second arm pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the first arm, the second arm further comprising a concave styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the second arm; and:
 a) a first series of features on the convex styling surface of the first arm, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis, or 
 b) a first series of features on the concave styling surface of the second arm, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the second longitudinal axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a) a first series of features on the convex styling surface of the first arm, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second series of features on the outside surface of the first arm or on the outside surface of the second arm, wherein the second series of features are larger compared to the first series of features. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first series of features and the second series of features are comprised of ridges, wherein a middle portion of each ridge is greater in height than a side portion of each ridge. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first series of features and the second series of features have rounded tops. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the second series of features is positioned in the direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis or to the second longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first series of features spans the entire length of the convex styling surface. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each feature of the first series of features is about 1 mm to about 5 mm in width, with about 1 mm to about 5 mm between each feature. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein each feature of the second series of features on the outside surface of the first arm or the second arm is about 1.5 mm in width, with about 2 mm between each feature. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position aligns the convex styling surface of the first arm to contact the concave styling surface of the second arm. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one heating element configured to heat the convex styling surface and the concave styling surface to at least one programmed temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a first, a second, and a third programmable temperature, wherein the first temperature is the highest temperature and the third temperature is the lowest temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a switch configured to set the at least one heating element to the at least one programmed temperature. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface are sealed from moisture. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface are ceramic, titanium, aluminum, steel, tourmaline, other metal, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the second series of features covers less length than the first series of features. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises b) a first series of features on the concave styling surface of the second arm, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the second longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the first series of features are comprised of grooves, wherein a middle portion of each groove is lower in height than a side portion of each groove. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the first series of features of features has rounded edges. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first series of features does not span the width of the concave styling surface. 
     
     
         21 . A method for using a hair device to straighten hair, the method comprising:
 providing a hair device, the hair device comprising:
 a first arm extending along a first longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the first arm further comprising a convex styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the first arm, 
 a second arm extending along a second longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second arm pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the first arm, the second arm further comprising a concave styling surface opposite an outside surface on the distal end of the second arm, and 
 a first plurality of features on the convex styling surface of the first arm or on the concave styling surface of the second arm, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis or to the second longitudinal axis; 
   heating the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface to a programmed temperature;   providing a section of hair having a first end, a second end, an underside, and a topside;   positioning, in an open position, the first arm on the underside of the section of hair at the first end;   positioning the second arm on the topside of the section of hair at the first end;   pivoting the first arm and the second arm to a closed position with the section of hair between the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface; and   sliding the hair device from the first end of the section of hair to the second end of the section of hair.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first end of the section of hair is located closest to a user's head and the second end of the section of hair is farthest from the user's head. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the programmed temperature may be between approximately 240 degrees Fahrenheit to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 heating the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface to a second programmed temperature;   positioning, in an open position, the first arm on the underside of the section of hair at the first end;   positioning the second arm on the topside of the section of hair at the first end;   pivoting the first arm and the second arm to a closed position with the section of hair between the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface; and   sliding the hair device from the first end of the section of hair to the second end of the section of hair.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 heating the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface to a third programmed temperature;   positioning, in an open position, the first arm on the underside of the section of hair at the first end;   positioning the second arm on the topside of the section of hair at the first end;   pivoting the first arm and the second arm to a closed position with the section of hair between the concave styling surface and the convex styling surface; and   sliding the hair device from the first end of the section of hair to the second end of the section of hair.   
     
     
         26 . A hair device, comprising:
 a body extending along a longitudinal axis, with a proximal end and a distal end,   a cylindrical styling surface the distal end, and   a series of features on the cylindrical styling surface, the features positioned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the series of features are comprised of ridges, wherein a middle portion of each ridge is greater in height than a side portion of each ridge. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the series of features spans the cylindrical styling surface. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising at least one heating element configured to heat the cylindrical styling surface to at least one programmed temperature. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the cylindrical styling surface is ceramic, titanium, aluminum, steel, tourmaline, other metal, or a combination thereof.