Ionic reflection

English translation: containing a ceramic element which emits negative ions

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:ionic reflection
Selected answer:containing a ceramic element which emits negative ions
Entered by: Charles Davis

09:43 Feb 16, 2012
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Cosmetics, Beauty
English term or phrase: Ionic reflection
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.
Erika Burdeniukaite
Lithuania
Local time: 17:45
containing a ceramic element which emits negative ions
Explanation:
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".
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 16:45
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +3containing a ceramic element which emits negative ions
Charles Davis
Summary of reference entries provided
ionic delivery system, ionic ceramic
Stephanie Ezrol

Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
ionic reflection
containing a ceramic element which emits negative ions


Explanation:
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".

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 16:45
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
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 :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


2 hrs
Reference: ionic delivery system, ionic ceramic

Reference information:
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...

Stephanie Ezrol
United States
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
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