Are you tired of having to use the straightener every day? Has your hair already started looking damaged? Do you want straight hair without having to iron it daily? Here are three ways to always have your hair the way you want it by doing a home treatment or by contacting a hairdresser.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: At Home with a Kit
Step 1. Choose a straightening treatment
Many perfumeries and hairdressing stores have a variety of options when it comes to hair straighteners. You can also try other products in your salon or at its supplier. But the real choice is limited to between a straightener containing caustic soda and one that doesn't.
- Caustic soda products are more popular when it comes to home applications. The disadvantage of this treatment is that it can leave your hair dull or damaged (like when you straighten your hair normally every day).
- Make sure you know what you're getting into! Once you've smoothed your hair with a specific treatment, you won't be able to wave or curl it, especially since these hairstyles won't hold. If you want to create them every now and then, you don't want to opt for this long-term solution!
Step 2. Put on the proper protection
You will want to protect your skin, clothes and hands while using this product. Put on a home-only shirt, disposable gloves (they should be part of the kit), and an old towel over your shoulders.
Step 3. Mix the product
Generally, these kits contain several bottles of creams or solutions. Follow the instructions you find in the package. Use a wooden spatula if you have one available.
Let the product rest for a few minutes before starting to use it. This allows everything to combine and merge
Step 4. Apply petroleum jelly to the hairline and neck, but also near the ears
You should protect your skin from contact with chemicals. A thin layer along these areas will suffice.
It is important that the straightening product does not come into contact with other parts of your body besides your hair. It is not good for the skin and, of course, it should not be ingested and you must avoid that it ends up in the eyes
Step 5. Test one strand
Don't spread this chemical solution all over your head without having a try first! What if I have an allergic reaction? This is why you should take a small section of hair hidden behind the neck and do an experiment.
Apply the straightener to this section (unless it has recently been treated with another similar product). Leave it on according to the instructions or until you notice results. Wash off the straightener and dry it. Do you notice any breakages or damage? If everything is ok, go ahead. If not, do not use this product at all
Step 6. Set the timer
It is incredibly important to let the straightener work for the appropriate amount of time. Respect that indicated by the instructions: it is during this time interval that the hair becomes impregnated with the product. Overcoming it could cause serious damage.
Step 7. Apply the straightener to 6 cm wide strands
Now that the experiment is over, you can start spreading it all over your head. Work on small sections, starting at the roots and ending with the tips, as evenly as possible. Do not let it come into contact with the scalp!
Only work on hair that hasn't been recently treated. If you are only doing a touch up of the roots, do not go beyond this area
Step 8. Once you have finished applying it, spread it further with a comb
If you have a wide-toothed plastic comb, run it through your hair to apply the straightener evenly. This allows you to make sure that each strand is impregnated with product on all its sides, from roots to ends. However, always look at your watch!
Step 9. Rinse, shampoo and rinse again
When the time runs out, rinse your hair thoroughly, getting rid of all the straightener. Some products are colored, so you can easily see where they have been applied. Afterwards, wash your hair with the shampoo from the kit and rinse it again.
Take a good look at the result when you think you're done. Did you wash every part of your hair well? If there are still residues, they could cause damage, so be careful
Step 10. Apply conditioner
Many products include a leave-in conditioner in the kit. This product will help seal hair and prevent damage. Make sure you treat all layers of hair! Next, pat them dry with a towel.
Step 11. Style them as usual
Voila! The hair is straight! It was all too easy, wasn't it? Now, all you have to do is learn lots of new hairstyles suitable for this lock of hair.
Method 2 of 3: Brazilian ironing
Step 1. Find a salon that offers Brazilian ironing
They might also call it Brazilian keratin treatment. In addition to this option, L'Oréal presents a new procedure, X-Tenso, which promises smooth hair for up to six months. Brazilian ironing can normally last between two and four months.
With this method, the stem structure is completely broken and will gradually return to its natural state. In other words, it is much better for your hair and the contrast with the regrowth will be less noticeable. Contrary to when you use harsh chemicals, you can still style your hair however you want, then curl it too
Step 2. Find out if your hair type tolerates this type of straightening
Very thin or very damaged hair may fail the test. You should ask the hairdresser if you can try it or not. Hopefully he is honest with you.
Some hairdressers may only think about the income they will make from it. Try asking a professional you trust or a friend who is an expert on this topic
Step 3. Decide what kind of effect you want
If you want straight hair like spaghetti or a natural straight, be sure to explain this to the hairdresser, who may have some ideas you haven't considered.
Some treatments contain formaldehyde. The quantity is not toxic, but the substance can still be present. If you are worried, talk to your hairdresser
Step 4. Proceed with ironing
The hairdresser will apply the product, blow dry the hair and straighten it (possibly more than once!). Then, you Not you will have to wash them for the next three or four days. The salon process typically takes a couple of hours.
Depending on where you live, this treatment could be quite expensive. It is common for hairdressers to charge hundreds of euros for this procedure
Step 5. Enjoy your fresh straightening hair
After this treatment, you will need to blow dry your hair and maybe do some touch-ups, but your daily routine will be much shorter.
Slowly, but surely, your hair will return to its normal state. Think of them in terms of Hermione Granger, but with a reverse and accelerated process
Method 3 of 3: Thermal Reconditioning
Step 1. Find out what it is
Thermal reconditioning (also known as Japanese hair straightening) is a process that smoothes the hair by breaking up the original structure of the shaft. You will get super smooth hair that won't curl. It is the most effective method for hair that is neither straight nor curly or medium wavy, not for whimsical ones.
Are you still interested? This procedure may cost you dearly, but that depends a lot on the salon
Step 2. Find an experienced professional
This is a difficult process to effectively maneuver. You don't want to rely on a student who has never done this before. Go around the city to find a hairdresser who can do it even with your eyes closed.
If things go wrong, the hair could be seriously damaged. Don't go to the first hairdresser you come across for this treatment. Your hair deserves the best
Step 3. Spend a day in the beauty salon
You could stay there for a full working day (eight hours), depending on your hair type and quantity. When you go for the touch-ups, you could instead stay there for three or four hours. During this time, the hairdresser will spread a chemical solution on the hair, rinse it, wash it, dry it with a hairdryer and pass the plate to finish the treatment.
So, take a good book with you! Or, better yet, a friend
Step 4. Do not wash your hair or do a ponytail for the next three days
In practice, the hair needs to be left as it is. Nothing will have to stress her out or dull the effect of the chemicals. Easier said than done, but hold on!
Step 5. Become a goddess of absolute smoothness
Don't waste time using the curling iron or curlers - they won't work. But you will have super straight hair in any weather! As if it were a miracle. Get out of bed, take a shower and you are ready! The other girls will be green with envy!
Advice
- Your hair may lose quite a bit of its shine or healthy look when the effects of the treatment wear off. Apply masks for damaged hair, don't use the straightener too often, spread a smoothing lotion / serum / gel and buy some good conditioners.
- Only perm straighten if you have healthy hair. The chemicals are pretty bad, so your hair will literally look burnt if it doesn't look the best already. Is your hair like that? Let it grow until its length is twice its current length. In the meantime, do not do anything harmful (pass the plate, dye it, etc.). After reaching a certain length, cut all damaged hair. Now you can definitely smooth them out.
- Try a cut that flatters your new look. One of the many benefits of straight hair is that it can withstand hundreds of cuts and styles.
- Typically, you have to wait for a couple of weeks after treatment before you can dye them.
- There are other options besides the permanent straightening of curly hair. Before taking a drastic step, you might consider learning how to manage your hair. Read How to Care for Curly Hair and How to Care for Curly Hair.
- Whichever procedure you choose, the roots will grow back normally. You can't change your genes.
Warnings
- These treatments can damage your hair and burn your scalp, so consult an experienced professional.
- The Brazilian method has various levels of effectiveness depending on the different types of hair. Your hair may not come out as smooth as you wanted it to be. In this case, talk to your hairdresser.
- If your hair has already been chemically treated in the past, it will be damaged even more if it undergoes permanent straightening. This can cause them to break apart and lead to a long recovery period.
- Chemically straightened hair requires more care because it is drier and more brittle. Make sure you feed them deeply and don't subject them to other treatments.
