Do You Really Need a Nanoe Straightening Iron? Thinking About How to Use the Panasonic EH-HN50

If my hair dryer is Nanoe, I feel like my straightening iron should be Nanoe too, or it feels incomplete. But on the other hand, isn't having both be Nanoe just buying extra features that overlap?

That was the first thing that bothered me when I heard that even the iron was equipped with Nanoe. I looked into the Panasonic EH-HN50 because I wanted an answer to that simple question.

*PR

■ The Nanoe in the iron seems to have a different role than the Nanoe in the hair dryer

To conclude, my impression after researching is that the "situations" in which they are applied are fundamentally different.

The Nanoe in a hair dryer is applied throughout the entire hair-drying process. On the other hand, an iron is a tool that directly clamps the hair with high-temperature plates.

According to the official explanation, the heat from an iron creates "dry spots" where moisture is lost from the hair, making it prone to dryness. The manufacturer explains that the EH-HN50's high-penetration Nanoe & Minerals replenish moisture to these dry spots during the heat application phase and balance the moisture levels.

The official site doesn't explicitly say "the roles are different" by comparing it to a hair dryer. However, if you categorize them by the situation in which they are applied, you can organize it as the hair dryer being for the drying process and the iron being for the heat application process. It can be read that even though it is the same Nanoe, the situations they are responsible for are separated.

■ Five temperature settings. Designed to allow you to choose from lower temperatures

The EH-HN50 has five temperature settings ranging from approximately 130 to 200°C, and it is notable that you can choose from lower temperatures.

Approximately 130/155/170/185/200°C. The startup time is said to be about 20 seconds (to reach about 100°C).

The plates feature a 3D cushion function that follows the irregularities of the hair. It is designed to allow for styling even at lower temperatures, rather than just straightening everything at once with high heat.

■ The weight of 430g and the slim body

Looking at the numbers, the mass is about 430g. It becomes about 445g when the cap is attached.

430g. As something you hold every day, it is not the type that markets itself as lightweight.

However, the body is slim at 28.7 cm high, 6.0 cm wide, and 3.6 cm deep, and it fits comfortably in your hand when held. If you are only running it through your bangs or hair ends for a few minutes every day, there are many situations where ease of handling outweighs the weight.

The cord is about 1.7m long and rotates 360°. The power turns off automatically after about 60 minutes, so you are less likely to worry about whether you turned it off after you leave the house. Those who want to use it while traveling should be aware that it is not compatible with international voltage.

■ In the end, if your hair dryer is Nanoe, do you not need a Nanoe iron?

This is the answer to the point that bothered me at the beginning.

As far as I have researched, this is a matter that depends on "whether or not you use an iron every day."

If you only use an iron occasionally, the drying process can be covered by the Nanoe in your hair dryer. Even if an iron has Nanoe, it only works when you are using the iron. If it doesn't get much use, it won't be very effective.

Conversely, if you are someone who has been concerned about dry ends every time you run an iron through your wavy bangs in the morning, that 'heat application phase' is exactly when your hair is most prone to damage. Whether or not you have a feature that replenishes moisture during that daily phase changes how you perceive the tool.

It is easier to see when you separate the categories. Straighteners come in two types: those that 'straighten quickly at high temperatures' and those that 'carefully shape at lower temperatures.' Models without Nanoe are usually the former, often emphasizing speed through high temperatures and plate glide. The EH-HN50 is the latter, allowing you to choose from lower temperatures and positioning itself to replenish moisture during the heat application phase.

It is suitable for those who use an iron every day, are concerned about hair dryness or frizz, and don't mind taking time at lower temperatures. It is not suitable for those who use it only occasionally and want to finish quickly with high heat.

■ For those who thought it was 'redundant'

The initial concern I had about whether it was 'redundant with a hair dryer' settled into the conclusion that 'they aren't redundant because they are used at different times. However, whether it is effective depends on how you use it.'

Every time you run the iron through your hair, you are adding moisture to a situation where heat tends to strip it away. If you feel that this approach suits your hair care routine, I encourage you to take a look at reviews to see how others with the same concerns have received it.

Specifications and prices are subject to change.
Please check the official website for any points you are concerned about.

※ Created based on information at the time of research.

If you are choosing a hair iron based on high temperature and speed, look here.

If you are torn between other Panasonic straighteners, look here as well.