Types And Techniques Of Hair Straightening

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Hair Straightening

Today’s post is all about the types and techniques of HAIR STRAIGHTENING. When it comes to talk about personality of a female, no matter what age she is at, Hair plays imperative role in defining one. Like her face, she takes care of her hair and always tries to look fabulous with curly, wavy or straight hair. As per the survey in several countries, straight hair has wins the race by being desired of 4 out of 5 girls.

We all dream to have super shiny, smooth, silky and frizz free hair but beyond that, we wish to have pin straight long hair. Our heart melts when we see other women with sleek straight long hair, isn’t it ? Straight hair are easy to manage, gorgeous to flaunt and certainly best for the personality that boost the confidence from inside. Straight hair can be worn free flowing or styled in numerous ways.

There are abundant options and technique available in market to straighten tresses. Let’s see !

HAIR STRAIGHTENING HAS TWO TYPES

  • TEMPORARY HAIR STRAIGHTENING (Heat and Heatless)
  • PERMANENT HAIR STRAIGHTENING (Chemical treatment)

Temporary straightening stays for couple of days or until next hair wash whereas permanent straightening makes you feel good about your hair for a year and few months.

TEMPORARY HAIR STRAIGHTENING ( WITH HEAT )

HOT IRON STRAIGHTENING

There are countless hot irons straightening appliances available in market to choose. It is advised to choose the one with ceramic plates and temperature control with display on it. Ceramic plates stay gentle on your hair and give super shiny finish. You can get straight hair look by following simple steps using hot iron:

  • Clean your hair with Shampoo and then condition your hair generously. Wash with cold water to lock the moisture of your hair.
  • Towel dry your hair and do not rub towel ruthlessly on your hair as rubbing towel on hair will make your hair more fragile and invite split ends and dryness.
  • Apply hair serum or heat protectant on your hair and comb it through so that the product will spread evenly to your hair. Leave it for 5 min before you start the straightening process for better absorbent of product.
  • Detangle your hair starting from the end with wide tooth comb or with paddle brush and going up till the roots. Section your hair into 4 (2 at crown area and 2 at the back). Clip the 3 sections away so that it will not disturb the whole process and let you work on the section with concentration. It is advised to start from the back then move to the front.
  • Now take 1 inch of section and comb it nicely to make sure there is no tangle and put the strand of hairs in between the iron from the roots and slowly bring the iron down to the end of your hairs. Make sure you run your comb along with the iron to distribute the heat evenly on hair. If require, you can repeat the step once more but not more than twice to avoid overheating to your lovely hair.
  • Let your hair cool down completely and then apply hair serum to give extra shine to your super straight hair.

Hair Straightening Techniques

BLOW DRY

It is second preferred method for hair straightening. This method does not give very sleek straight look but with blow dry technique, one can get straight, voluminous and bouncy hair. This technique is preferred and recommended as it does not give direct heat to your hair. The result can be achieved even using blow dryer on cold setting. The steps to get the desired result with blow dry are:

  • First four steps will be same as mentioned above in ‘hot iron straightening’.
  • You can use a roller brush or paddle brush to do hair straightening. If you are using roller brush then place the roller under the strand of your hair. Place the dryer at the distance of 6 inches at least and keep on moving the roller down and roll it outwards while bringing it down to the ends of your section. You can repeat the step twice or thrice as per your desire.
  • Use hair serum at the end of process to get the shine on your hair and lock the straight hair look.

STRAIGHTENING COMB

This is the laziest technique to do hair straightening with heat. Just switch on the straightening comb and comb your hair the way you always do. For better result hold your hair from the end little tight so that the curls or wave from hair disappear and heat from the comb can work better to straighten your hair.

ADVICE

It is always advised to use heat protectant before using any heat method to protect your hair from the harmful heat as it will damage your hair immensely. Aloe Vera can be a good alternate to those costly heat protectant available in market.

TEMPORARY HAIR STRAIGHTENING ( HEATLESS )

There are two techniques which don’t give sleek and perfect straight look but it solves the problem of frizzy and stubborn curls. These techniques are good for long term as there is nothing which damages your hair.

USING BOBBY PINS

This is simple yet time taking technique to get daily routine straight hair. For this you need lots of bobby pins and lots of time. The steps for this techniques are:

  • Wash your hair with regular shampoo and condition them well.
  • Towel dry your hair and apply hair serum to smooth out your hair.
  • Detangle your hair with paddle brush or wide tooth comb.
  • Comb your hair smoothly and tightly in desired side. Secure the hair with couple of bobby pins.
  • Leave your hair like this overnight or until it dries completely. You will get nicely straight hair once you remove all the bobby pins. Brush your hair and again apply hair serum to have shiny straight hair.

Hair Straightening Using Bobby Pins

COMBING AGAINST THE FAN

This technique is simplest of all and quick to do when you not have hot iron or time for bobby pin method. Though the result will not be too great but hair will be manageable for styling. The steps for this technique are:

  • Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner which suits your hair the most.
  • Towel dry your hair and apply hair serum.
  • Brush your hair to make them tangle free.
  • Use paddle brush and let your hair dry against the fan or cooler. You need to keep on combing or brushing your hair until your hair is completely dry.
  • Complete the look by applying hair serum.

PERMANENT HAIR STRAIGHTENING ( CHEMICAL TREATMENT )

Permanent Hair Straightening can be a great long term solution to tame that frizzy, curly mane of yours. The popularity of these systems has been on the increase in recent times and there is a broad range of options in the market. But you should be aware that various methods come with various disadvantages and advantages, thus ensure you carry out thorough research to determine the method that will work best for you.

In general, most permanent hair straightening techniques involve treating your hair using certain chemicals as well as applying strong heat to seal the chemicals in. This can be done at professional Salon by paying heavy amount or you can do it yourself at home as well. Following is the process which is common for either of the ways.

PROCESS OF PERMANENT HAIR STRAIGHTENING

  • Wash your hair with shampoo and do not apply conditioner on your hair as it creates a layer to your hair.
  • Blow dry your hair and straighten them hot iron so that the chemical spread easily on your hair and reach to the detail.
  • Apply the straightening cream on your hair with the help of brush and comb so that hair is thoroughly treated. Leave it for 20 – 30 minutes without covering or heating the hair. If you are doing the process at home, make sure you comb your hair after every 10 min as your hairs tend to move back to its natural curls. To have super straight hair, take help of your friend to place your hair straight over the hard board.
  • Rinse your hair after 30 minutes with water thoroughly so that the complete chemical runs out with water. Squeeze out extra water and towel dry your hair.
  • Now, you can again blow dry and use hot iron to get the sleek straight look. If you wish to have natural straight hair then you can skip this step and directly move to next step.
  • Apply Neutralizer evenly on your hair with brush and comb your hair straight. Make sure you comb your hair several times with a wide toothed comb. Let it create magic on your hair for about 15 – 20 min.
  • Rinse your hair with enough water so that the developer completely washes off from your hair.

The entire procedure might take several hours however once it has been completed, you will get permanently straight hair.

Permanent Hair Straightening

ADVICE

You’re not supposed to tie/pin/tuck your hair in any way using clips/band  or anything at all for 3 days and not let them get wet because the chemicals are still acting on them for 3 days. After 3 days, the salon will give you the first hair wash after which you can wash your hair every 2-3 days by products specially meant for your hair type. It is also advised not to use oil for at least the first 15 days.

TYPES OF PERMANENT HAIR STRAIGHTENING

  • REBONDING
  • KERATIN
  • SMOOTHING

Process done for permanent straightening is almost same for all types ( Keratin, Rebonding and Smoothing ). Basic difference lies in its key ingredient or the chemical used.

REBONDING

In terms of straightness and smoothness, rebonding does a much better job. But it breaks the bonds in natural hair and  goes to a much deeper level, thereby altering their natural form. This makes the hair weak and lifeless sometimes. If not done properly, the hair also loses its elasticity. It harms the hair the most as compare to smoothing and  keratin treatment as the chemicals used are very harsh and smells a lot. That is why post treatment care is very essential after rebonding.

KERATIN

It is the healthier and safer alternative to rebonding. It breaks the bond in hair and the gaps in the bonds are filled with ‘keratin’. Keratin is basically a protein which is present in hair, skin and nails. An infusion of natural keratin into the hair cuticle results in the reduction of frizz and curl by up to 95%. It is the protein that makes your hair shiny and smooth. By adding natural keratin to your hair, you coat the cuticles and also fill in the damaged areas. It adds volume and makes your hair heavier, too, so it gets pulled down making your hair appear straighter. Moreover it gives the scented fragrance like that of coconut oil.

SMOOTHING

Hair smoothing primarily is a hair care treatment that leaves hair smoother and silkier than before without changing the natural hair type. It is just an alignment technique. If you have dull, frizzy hair with split ends and want to make them manageable, this is the perfect option.

Best part is chemicals used in smoothing are not that harsh. This is the reason smoothing doesn’t give the super straight look but at the same time, it is not harmful for hair.

So what are you waiting for ? Go and flaunt your straight hair !