Hair Straightening Treatment

Straight and smooth hair always looks glamorous and fascinating. However, everyone is not blessed with straight and silky smooth hair. But with the emergence of several hair styling and hair straightening products, it is possible to get straight hair quite easily.

Some products like flat irons or hair straighteners can help you get rid of frizz and curls only temporarily. But hair straightening treatments can give a more permanent result that can last for several months, and sometimes for years.

This treatment is more commonly known as Brazilian hair straightening, and it relies on keratin to smoothen and straighten curly and frizzy hair. Keratin is the naturally occurring protein found in hair, nails, and the skin. In this treatment, keratin is infused into the hair cuticles with the help of formaldehyde.

Before infusing keratin, the hair is washed, dried, and divided into several sections. A keratin solution is then applied to each section thoroughly, so that every hair strand is covered uniformly. A flat iron is then used several times to straighten the hair strands, which helps infuse the keratin solution into the hair cuticles. After about 72 hours, hair is washed again with a sodium-free shampoo and then conditioned properly.

This process does not change the internal structure of the hair. But it helps smooth out the curls and repair the hair cuticles. The result however, lasts for about 2 to 3 months. But hair treated in this way stays soft and healthy for a long time. However, this hair treatment uses a small percentage of formaldehyde, which has raised a few health concerns. Though many are of the opinion that such a small percentage of formaldehyde may not pose any serious health hazards, people highly sensitive to formaldehyde should better talk to an expert or professional before going for this treatment.

It is also known as Japanese hair straightening. This treatment can make hair permanently straight and smooth by changing the chemical bonds of hair. The process relies on chemicals and heat to give a permanent result. Only the new growths need to be treated in the subsequent period.

First, hair is washed with a sodium-free, pre-treatment shampoo, after which a chemical solution is applied on the hair strands, which changes their structure. Then the hair is rinsed, blow-dried, and divided into several sections. Each section is properly straightened with the help of a flat iron, after which another solution is applied on hair.

Finally, the hair is rinsed again and then straightened with a flat iron. The whole procedure can take several hours, but it can make your hair completely straight and smooth. The downside of this procedure is that hair may become so straight that it can look a bit stiff. Some people can also experience hair fall and dryness following the treatment.

You can also use some natural or homemade products to smooth out your frizzy hair. These natural substances can take time to straighten your hair, but they do not change the structure of your hair. However, with regular application, you can expect an improvement in your hair quality, as these natural products would nourish and moisturize your hair.

• The easiest way to smooth out your curls is to give your hair a hot oil treatment prior to shampooing. For this, you can use any oil, though coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil are more frequently used for this purpose. For giving your hair a hot oil treatment, you need to warm the oil, and massage your scalp gently with it.

Now, wrap your head with a hot towel for a few hours, before washing your hair with a mild shampoo.

• Use milk to straighten your hair. It can also condition your hair deeply. To make it more effective, add a few drops of honey to it. Both honey and milk can nourish your hair and make it healthy and shiny.

• Make a natural hair straightening recipe by mixing coconut milk and lemon juice. Mix both the ingredients thoroughly, and keep this mixture in the refrigerator for a few hours, until a creamy layer of foam settles at the top of the container.

Take out this creamy layer and apply it on your hair, and cover your head with a hot towel. After an hour, wash your hair with a mild shampoo.

• Beat two eggs and mix olive oil with it. Apply this mixture to your hair, and leave it for a few hours before shampooing and conditioning your hair as usual.

This natural approach can take time, but it would promote the healthy growth of hair in the long run. The thermal reconditioning and Brazilian keratin methods, on the other hand, can give you instant results. While the former can give a permanent result, the effects of the latter can last for about 2 to 3 months.

However, it is important to find out an expert professional who can perform these procedures correctly. Also find out whether such treatments can cause side effects, like excessive dryness and hair fall. As far as the cost is concerned, it can range from $250 to around $1000, depending on your locality, hair type, and the length of your hair.