Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

ionic reflection

English answer:

containing a ceramic element which emits negative ions

Added to glossary by Charles Davis
Feb 16, 2012 09:43
12 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term

Ionic reflection

English Other Cosmetics, Beauty
Taken from the ceramic curling iron description: "black ceramic barrel with ionic reflection". Basically I need to understand the meaning of "ionic reflection" and its working principle.
Change log

Mar 1, 2012 07:13: Charles Davis Created KOG entry

Discussion

Erika Burdeniukaite (asker) Feb 16, 2012:
Yes, this is a translation. Basically, the source text is coming from the outsourcer located in Belgium. I suppose it was translated from French or Dutch. I could highly agree on the mistranslation concept.
B D Finch Feb 16, 2012:
Is this a translation? Very odd, could it be a mistranslation from another language?

Responses

+3
2 hrs
Selected

containing a ceramic element which emits negative ions

This sounds to me like the kind of pseudo-scientific, or semi-scientific, language which is rife in the beauty industry, designed to impress the customer but possibly spurious.

I can only summarize what I have found in non-scientific sources; the validity of what is claimed can only be properly assessed, and the precise process explained, by someone with more scientific knowledge than I have.

I don't know whether something has been lost in translation here, but "ionic reflection" is found in relation to a particular make of hair curler, called Sibel, manufactured by Ultron, and advertised here, for example, by Amazon:

"Sibel Professional Curl & Go Tourmaline 38mm Tourmaline Barrel with Ionic Reflection
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sibel-Professional-Tourmaline-Barrel...

Ultron's own presentation of its "Gold Ceramic Curling Iron" refers to "negative ion reflection for improved hair softness and shine"
http://www.ultrononline.com/products.asp?pr=1670&rf=3471
Ultron is a German company and its original German presentation speaks of "Reflexion negativer Ionen".

An ion, as I recall from school, is an electrically charged particle, "an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge" ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion ). The negative ions, by all accounts, are the good ones from your hair's point of view. Allegedly they "reduce the size of the water molecules allowing moisture to penetrate the hair shaft"
http://www.elchimusa.com/pages/ionic.html

Here is another series of claims about what these wonderful negative ions do to your hair:
"Negative ions are atoms that can stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, etc., resulting in healthier hair and scalp. Negative ion energy is powerful enough to break apart clusters of water molecules. The smaller water molecules penetrate into the hair shaft by slipping between the cuticles, adding plumpness/volume to hair. The bombardment of negative ions also closes the hair cuticle, which is very good for the health and appearance of the hair"
http://www.flatironexperts.com/Metropolis-T-Ion-Tourmaline-C...

Whether all this is true is secondary. The point is that "ionic reflection" involves bombarding the hair with negatively-charged ions. Tourmaline is "a precious stone that generates a vast number of negative ions upon heating"
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-ionic-hair-straightener.h...

So this curling iron works by having an element which, when heated, emits a large number of negative ions. I do not understand the sense of "reflection", Perhaps the ions are somehow reflected and concentrated by the curling ion, but I suspect it simply means "emission".
Peer comment(s):

agree B D Finch : Amazing, and there I was thinking Greek columns!
2 hrs
Ah, that's more my sort of thing! Thanks very much, B D
agree Lindsay Spratt : Yes, and I bought a hairdryer once which said it emitted negative ions.
3 hrs
Ionic hairdryers seem to be all the rage. They reduce frizz, apparently, or so it's claimed. Thanks, Lindsay :)
agree eski
5 hrs
Many thanks, Eski :)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."

Reference comments

2 hrs
Reference:

ionic delivery system, ionic ceramic

There are several references to ionic hair dryers and hair straighteners.

This one has the closest to an explanation:

X5 Superlite Nano Tourmaline + Ionic Ceramic Ionic Curling Iron

X5 Dual Ceramic Heaters instantly heatup and maintain constant heat for faster curling effect and healthy, silky shiny curls.

Negative ions and penetrating far infrared energy speed up curling while delivering the longest lasting results without damage.
http://www.drugstore.com/x5-superlite-nano-tourmaline-ionic-...

Here is another:

Ion Shine®: 1875-Watt Styler Silver
model: SD6IS

1875 watts
Double port ionic delivery system
http://www.conair.com/ion-shine-1875-watt-styler-silver-p-33...
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