Hair straightening is a hair styling trend believed to have been growing more and more popular day by day. And it’s now unsurprising that a good number of women can’t live without having and using a hair straightener at home. Hair straightening flattens and streamlines frizzy hair, giving it a smooth and sleek appearance. Therefore, it makes it easy to handle your hair by managing volumes, giving you a tidy and well-presented look.ย
However, keep in mind that various hair types respond differently to specific styling products or equipment. That being the case, using the wrong units can cause more harm than good to your hair. For instance, old or damaged irons can burn or pull your hair locks out and that can be frustrating. Itโs recommended that before straightening your hair, see the list of four key things to consider below to ensure the process is seamless.
The Equipment To Use
The primary tool for hair straightening is the hair straightener. Looking back, in the 1800s, icon Madam C.J. Walker invented the hair-straightening comb that made many black women pique interest in doing hair straightening. But with the advancement in technology, there have been more developments in the haircare industry, bringing about more efficient straightening tools with outstanding features.
So, as you prepare to straighten your hair, choose a quality straightener that can keep your hair safe from heat damage. Before settling on one, examine the following:
- The temperature settings: The straightener should allow you to adjust the temperatures to suit your hair type and prevent the risk of damage due to excess heat. Professional hair stylists advise using lower temperatures for thin and naturally wavy strands. For thick and coarse locks, you may have to use a slightly higher temperature.
- The plates: A straightener with thinner plates is ideal for a type of hair with curly roots as it has a greater reach.
The other tools to select include straightening brushes and hair clips. A nylon brush is better for smoothing and polishing, unlike plastic brushes which can be difficult to use. On the other hand, clips allow you to section your hair so you can straighten the tresses, each layer at a time.
The Hair Products To Apply
Before anything, determine the right products for your hair depending on your hair traits and history. If you’re uncertain, it’d be best to seek professional advice from your hairstylist. Ask your salon specialist to do an in-depth analysis of your hair’s texture, elasticity, curl patterns, density, and overall health. Afterward, they can recommend the perfect hair care products. On the whole, below are some guidelines to note:
- Go for a gentler formula.
- Avoid excessive treatments as it can cause further hair breakage, especially in the finer areas.
- Understand each product’s side effects. For instance, when you apply some hair treatments, you ought to avoid heating for some days so as not to fry your hair.
- Consider applying hair smoothing treatments to your hairline last.
Your Preferred Type Of Hair Straightening
There are two types of hair straightening, permanent and temporary. For that reason, you may want to determine your needs first. If you want a long-lasting solution to your frizzy hair, then long-term hair straightening is the right pick. But remember, permanent chemically straightened hair is irreversible. So, if you hate it, you’ll have to wait for quite some time before getting your curls back because you need to accumulate regrowth first. Permanent hair straightening methods include:
- Hair rebonding involves the reconstruction and relaxation of hair bonds.
- Thermal reconditioning involves the use of heat and chemicals to straighten your hair permanently; and
- Keratin treatment is a hair straightening process that uses keratin.
On the contrary, if you plan to switch your styling options, from wearing your hair straight to maintaining the natural curls, it’d be best to do temporary straightening. This way, you can always get your normal hair back with just a wash.
The Technique To Prep Your Hair
There are pre-straightening rituals you must perform before hair straightening. These are the best practices to prepare your strands for success. The following rules of thumb can help you during the prep work:
- Wash your hair thoroughly;
- Apply smoothing products to moisturize your hair;
- Use microfiber material to towel-dry your hair;
- Make sure your hair is bone dry before straightening;
- Don’t straighten damp hair; and
- Use a heat protection spray before exposing your hair to heat.
Conclusion
With healthy hair straightening techniques, you can always achieve a gorgeous look and appreciate your hair in a new way. Hence, be sure to prepare well before proceeding to action. Consider your type of straightening tools, the products to use, if you want it permanent or temporary, and the prepping techniques. Also, to eliminate probable damage to your hair, avoid excessive chemical straightening and regular heating.
