7 Sure Ways To Straighten Your Hair
Straight hair is in. And people with curly or wavy hair will pull, blow, iron, treat or do practically anything else to get straight hair. That can’t be good for your hair health, right?
Some treatments aren’t even good for your personal health as Del over at Are You A Beauty recently reported in her piece about the Brazilian hair straightening system.
We here at the Beauty Brains thought it would be helpful for you to know the 7 most common ways to straighten your hair and the pros and cons of each.
Seven Ways to Straight Hair
1. Hairdressings & Silicone Creams. This is a classic hair product based on oily materials like petrolatum, mineral oil, and lanolin. Silicone creams work the same way but contain materials like dimethicone or cyclomethicone. Apply the product all over your damp hair and comb straight. The oils coat your hairs preventing them from curling up when they dry. The most famous of these types of products is VO5 Hairdressing
Evaluation: Incredibly effective on all types of hair. Non-damaging and relatively inexpensive. The downside is that your hair will feel greasy, get dirtier faster, and can look weighed down. The effect will last until you wash out the product.
2. Brushing and blow drying. As hair dries, it tends to curl up. This is a direct result of the water content and the chemical bonds existing in the hair fiber proteins. If you can hold your hair straight with a comb and blow dry it, it will hold that position. It’s a bit like using an iron to straighten the wrinkles in clothes.
Evaluation: This method is simple, moderately effective but depends heavily on the skill of the person doing it. It’s much easier for a stylist to do than for you to do it on your own hair. It is slightly damaging, will not work on extremely curly hair, and frizzes out in humid weather. It will leave your hair feeling more natural than hairdressings or styling products. So, if you don’t want to spend much money, get a good hair dryer
3. Flat Iron. If you have really curly hair and the blow-drying + combing method doesn’t work, try using a flat iron. After washing your hair, you comb it and use a flat iron to get it dry and straight. It uses the same principle to get your hair straight but it is more intense and effective on nearly all hair types. Here’s a short video showing how to straighten hair with a flat iron.
Evaluation: Flat irons will work with almost any hair type. If you know what you’re doing it can be done relatively quickly. Unfortunately, it is more damaging to your hair than a blow dryer and will frizz out when humidity is high. Once you’ve bought your flat iron
4. Styling products. If you don’t like the greasy feeling of hairdressings and don’t want to take the time required for flat ironing, then styling product straightening might be for you. These products coat the hair with polymers that rigidly hold the hair straight. Things like hairsprays, gels, mousses, and putties can all be used.
Evaluation: Styling products are effective but require some skill in applying and shaping your hair. They will hold the hair straight better than the blow drying or flat iron methods. The effect will last only until the products are washed out. The primary downside is that your hair may not look and feel natural.
5. Brazilian Hair straightening. This method is the hottest new hair styling treatment in salons. It even made it into a story in the New York Times. Your stylist applies a keratin protein formula and uses a flat iron to get your hair straight. Theoretically, the protein will crystalize on your hair and keep it in a straightened state. You are then encouraged not to wash your hair as frequently because you’ll reverse the effect.
Evaluation: This procedure works but at $150 it hardly seems worth it. If you wash your hair a few times the protein will come right off and your hair will return to it’s natural, curly state. There’s also the issue of a significant amount of Formaldehyde being included in the formula. It shouldn’t be a problem for you but I certainly wouldn’t want to be the stylist who gets exposed many times a day. This procedure works but you can get the same effect using a flat iron, styling products and less frequent hair washing.
6. Japanese straightening system. This is a more permanent way to remove the curls from your hair. At >$500 per treatment, it is the most expensive of all the methods outlined here. For the Japanese straightening system the stylist applies a special formula all over the hair. Then they use a flat iron and neutralizing solution to get the hair straight. With proper care the effect should last for 6 months.
Evaluation: The high price of this procedure has kept most people away from repeat procedures. While we haven’t been able to see the exact formula the description of how it’s applied sounds suspiciously like a hair relaxer. The fact that a neutralizing solution has to be used suggests a bond-breaking, chemical reaction. Kudos to the inventor for convincing people to spend that much money on a less harsh version of a hair relaxer. This procedure will permanently get rid of those curls but it’s expensive and incredibly damaging to your hair.
7. Relaxer. If you want straight hair there is no more effective method than getting your hair relaxed. In this procedure a caustic chemical is applied to your hair and a chemical reaction occurs. The hair is then physically straightened and a neutralizing formula is used to reform the chemical bonds in the new straight shape. You can even do this to your own hair at home using a product like Affirm relaxer
Evaluation: There’s no doubt about it that this method will permanently take the curls out of your hair. It will also be more effective and cheaper than either the Brazilian or the Japanese systems. However, it will also be the most damaging treatment you can do to your hair. Your hair will break more easily and will feel dry. Eventually, your curly hair will grow back so you’ll need to continue to relax hair if you want it straight.
We get so many questions here at the Beauty Brains demonstrating that everyone wants what they don’t have. People with straight hair want curly hair, those with curly hair want it straight. Fortunately, clever cosmetic chemists have come up with ways to give people whatever they want.
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Sage Says:
I have curly hair and I (finally) like it. Trying to straighten it just made me feel frustrated and fake. I can honestly say I no longer want to straighten my hair, and man, is it a relief. And look how much I’m saving on products, processes, and procedures!
dcbearden Says:
i have wavy hair and as a girl straight was in. back then ways to staighten were to actually iron it, VO5, or older straightening irons that more burned it than straightening it. after years of fighting the wave i gave in and accepted it. i have had more compliments on it in its natural state than i ever did when i straigtened it. it is healther, softer, and way easier to style, takes less time, and i am 48. people say i look like i am 30.
Judy Says:
I use a cocktail of calming cream and a silicone product. Works pretty well on my naturally curly/greying hair.
As a teen I had my hair chemically straightened which was kind of awful and certainly not completely successful.
Sandy Says:
I have curly hair and almost nothing works. I have a very hard time straightening it. I will have to try some of these.
Kimmie Says:
STOP telling those of us that are curly that we need to “fix” our hair by straightening it!! There is nothing WRONG with curly hair, and those of you who are curly and think it makes you ugly, STOP IT NOW. Learn to love your curls, and your curls will love YOU!!
Kate Says:
It’s pretty sad what people will do to have hair that’s “in.” Curly/wavy hair is beautiful - too bad some people can’t see this.
Leila Says:
This is why most girls are so insecure. To be ‘in’, you have to have straight hair, be underweight, and destroy yourself completely. I’d rather have healthy, natural curly hair and not be stylish than fried straight hair. Just sayin’.
Melissa Says:
I would recommend reading the October Allure articel on Brazilian hair straightening. It’s dangerous to the person getting it and the stylist. There was even a reported death in Brazil from it. Just be happy with your curls. My hair is stick straight and won’t hold a curl for longer than a few hours. Be happy with the fact that you can make it straight by blow drying it when you want, but still go back to curly.
LeAnne@hairsmystory.com Says:
Um… Okaaaaaaay.
Well, Great post. Ilyana Lanai did it and got great results. She also said she used the Formaldahyde-free brand.
I get relaxers and my hair is fine. There’s nothing wrong with straightening hair and nothing wrong with wearing it curly, kinky, coily or nappy. Hair looks great regardless.
Jeez
Hairs My Story.com
Karen Says:
I have curly hair and like the fact that I can style it either way with two entirely different looks when I’m done.
I do have to say that the results from styling my hair straight seem more consistent. It looks identical each time I style it straight. However, when I go curly, it’s unpredictable. I can have some great hair days but also some bad hair days. And forget going to bed with it curly and expecting it to look reasonable in the morning. It’s always a mess!
At least, that’s my experience.
LeAnne@hairsmystory.com Says:
Kate:
Go for it! I bet you look wonderful either way. At the end of the day, ladies… its just hair.
Hairs My Story.com
Sarah Says:
I’m a curly-head with no particular feelings for or against straightening my hair. I don’t do it anymore because I finally have a cute, low-maintenance curly cut, and I’m too cheap to go to a hairdresser for the necessary procedures.
As for Brazilian hair straightening, I found online that there’s a lot of debate over the pros and cons of the process.
According to Time Out New York, Advanced Keratin Treatment is the only Brazilian straightening solution available now that contains a theoretically healthy level of formaldehyde — 0.2% or below:
One hairdresser’s blog says that the “formaldehyde-free” Brazilian hair straightening system actually uses 2% ether, which is an anesthetic that can cause lung irritation and nausea.
My take on it? Do some research, be careful, and don’t hurt yourself for your hair!
Sherry Says:
To strength the hairs we can use this but if we have curly hairs it looks beautiful. Using ‘minutecurls’ we can make our hairs curly.
heather Says:
Great article !!! nice ways are given to strengthen the hairs..
Lucy Says:
Hey.
Do you have any suggestions for frizzy hair?
I have tried alot of shampoos & conditions such as Garnier,Pantene and Sunsilk but nothing seems to be working.
I have to straighten my hair 5 days a week to stop it being frizzy, whereas everyone else already has straight hair and only have to tie it back! So unfair!
Sarah Says:
WOW! I for one happen to be naturally skinny and thin because i EXERCISE! AAAAANNNNNDDDD, I have gorgeous naturally straight hair! All I use is straightning conditioner! YAY!
Lauren Says:
I was fine with my wavy hair, until people began to harass me about it. I am so self concious about my hair now. I went out and bought a 200 dollar flat iron just to get people to leave me alone. It still doesnt work on humid days, I walk the whole day thinking i look horrible. Although people have stopped making fun of my hair, i still feel it isn’t good enough. Anyone have suggestions for keeping your hair style during humid days?
Nicole Says:
Regarding Lauren’s comment, I sugguest on humid days you blow dry your hair brushing it staight then use a flat iron. And if you want to wear your hair wavy without the frizz, I suggest you deep condition it over night. First wash and use a regualar condtioner. Then apply the deep conditioning treatment. Leave the treatment in over night by sleeping in a shower cap. This will give your hair the added moisture it needs and prevent it from being so frizzy.
Kay. Says:
Well i have naturally thick, curly hair and i have to say;; MAKE THE MOST OF IT!
Loads of people on here have said it themselves.
I tend to go highly outragous with my hair and LOVE IT! ( i get compliments about it too)
A good thing to do is to wash/wet your hair then put them in rags/rollers overnight, they look lovely in the morning.
and for frizzy hair i recommend: Glossing serum from ‘The body shop’
michelle Says:
whats ironic is that ppl with straight hair wants curly hair..n ppl with curly hair wants straight hair..lol..for me i naturally have straight hair n i always try to make it curly..lol
dvg Says:
I have curly hair too. I just spent over an hour straightening it the other day with a flat iron. While it looked wonderful straight and was a nice change, it was hot and alot of work.
I have a question, do you think for an interview - which looks more professional, curly or straight?
I appreciate the feedback!
thebeautybrains Says:
@dvg
Great question but not really a beauty science question. It’s a perfect question for the Beauty Brains forum however so I started a topic thread there. Check it out to see what the rest of the community says. You can read it here
Bee Says:
japanese straightening is a relaxer, but it uses thio, not the hydroxides which is MUCH better. it’s a lot of money, but the maintenance is not much. i had super curly hair, which could never be straightened and tangled a lot. everyone says make the most of what you have, yeah so i straighten it. i have tight curls, tighter than most of the pro curl ppl on here i bet. but, depending on the brand, you still have to blow dry it after washing to seal the cuticle, but you don’t REALLY have to, many women just airdry anyways lol. oh ps, it is like pin straight, sorta wavy depending on what you get, FOREVER, but the new growth is what keeps you going back. there are many brands and it can cost $300 (@ prive in BH) and up. it just depends. you can be a hair model and get it for free too. look on the makers’ website lol. it does sound like a rip, but trust someone who had it done in sept, it rocks harder than relaxers and any method.
Hair Relaxer and Flat Iron Straightening | The Beauty Brains Says:
[...] Great question Monica. A quick answer is that Relaxers lead to more hair loss than Flat Irons. Read on for why. If you want some additional options to flat irons and relaxers take a look at this post we did on 7 ways to straighten hair. [...]
Flat Iron or Relaxing - Which Damages Your Hair More | Beauty Secrets Blog Says:
[...] Great question Monica. A quick answer is that Relaxers lead to more hair loss than Flat Irons. Read on for why. If you want some additional options to flat irons and relaxers take a look at this post we did on 7 ways to straighten hair. [...]
Flat Iron or Relaxing - Which Damages Your Hair More | 1800blogger Says:
[...] Great question Monica. A quick answer is that Relaxers lead to more hair loss than Flat Irons. Read on for why. If you want some additional options to flat irons and relaxers take a look at this post we did on 7 ways to straighten hair. [...]
Malarie Alanis Says:
I have done every hair trick in the book to get my hair straight, since i was a little girl. Four years ago i came across a website, http://www.beautydeals.net and i found a flat iron. The Farouk Chi. OH MY GOD! Best $109 bucks i’ve ever spent. I have seriously curly, gloria estefan curls going on…and this not on made my hair straight, but made it soft. As i kept using it, it actually looked like it was reducing my breakage and humidity was NEVER A PROBLEM! I dont know what it is! Now mind you, if i were to go out at night and it was really cold, my hair would frizz, humidity my hair frizzes. Not ONCE after i got this flat iron. I can curl, wave, do everything to my hair with this iron. I still have it and it works great.
Ashley Says:
I am a stylist and the Japanese Hair Straightening System straightens hair permanently, you only have to straighten the re-growth. When done by a stylist who is knowledgeable in how to do this procedure, hair can look healthier than before.
Selena Says:
I have naturally straight(with a few waves) hair but it got really damaged from blow drying it everyday. So I started taking showers at night and letting my hair air dry and then I would straighten it in the morning. Recently it has gotten really wavy, bad wavy from air drying. I dotn really want to blow dry it again and staighting it takes longer and really damages it. I just dont know what to do…
Mati Says:
What about wavy hair? Wavy hair is impossible to deal with when you want to keep it short and have absolutely no desire of growing it out (even though that’s the only way it looks good on its own).
I don’t wish to damage my hair. I don’t want to deal with wavy hair that I like better when it’s short and a little straighter.
So I’m stuck . . .
Cesar Milian Says:
Yes I agree straighten hair can be cute
but it is so boring. curly hair gives
you an edge, it makes you stylish and bouncy and fun. if your naturally curls
are puffy as mine, just find some products at your hairdresser that makes them enhanced and perfect.. not liek an afro.
Does Bodiphier Relaxer Safely Straighten Hair? | The Beauty Brains Says:
[...] Beauty Brains have blogged before about how to straighten your hair (see 7 Ways to Straighten Your Hair for more details) but I’ve never heard of this Bodiphier product until now. Unfortunately, it [...]
Does Bodiphier Relaxer Safely Straighten Hair? | Beauty Secrets Blog Says:
[...] Beauty Brains have blogged before about how to straighten your hair (see 7 Ways to Straighten Your Hair for more details) but I’ve never heard of this Bodiphier product until now. Unfortunately, it [...]
Does Bodiphier Relaxer Safely Straighten Hair? | 1800blogger Says:
[...] Beauty Brains have blogged before about how to straighten your hair (see 7 Ways to Straighten Your Hair for more details) but I’ve never heard of this Bodiphier product until now. Unfortunately, it [...]