Charlotte’s coiff question: I like to wear my hair straight but I’m afraid of chemically damaging it. I want to try Frederic Fekkai’s new Coiff Controle, an ironless straightening balm that has a non-chemical formula to help hair go straight while drying. But if it’s free of chemicals, how does it work? The Left Brain’s fickle for Fekkai:

Is Fekkai’s Controle really chemical free?

Charlotte, honey, NO hair care product is “chemical free.” You have to understand that non-chemical and chemical free don’t mean the same thing in this case. The formula certainly is not chemical free; it contains at least 3 silicones (cyclopentasiloxane, phenyl trimethicone, and dimethicone) as well as hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, and polyurethane-14. (Every hair care ingredient is SOME kind of chemical.)

How do chemical hair straighteners work?

When Fekkai says this product has a non-chemical formula, what he really means is that it’s free of chemicals that react with the hair to straighten it. Chemical straighteners, like relaxers and permanent waves, break down and then reform the protein bonds in the hair. While they do permanently change the shape of hair they are also very damaging.

How is Fekkai’s Controle different?

Controle works a completely different way. It uses silicones and styling resins to coat the surface of the hair and seal out moisture. I’ve seen these types of products give amazing straightening results when applied properly. (You need to use a blow dryer and a round brush.) But washing your hair will remove the product and your hair will become frizzy again.

Is Controle worth a try?

At $25.00 for 3.40 fl. oz it’s expensive, but if you’re looking for a temporary, non-damaging effect and if don’t mind spending that kind of money it could be worth a try. You can get some right through this Fekkai Controle link.

Of course, you could also look for a drug store or supermarket straightening product that has cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone listed at the beginning of the ingredients.