If you're spending time with a straightening iron every day to tame your curls, consider a hair-straightening treatment. this what you need to know.
you’re blessed with curls that cascade down your back in flowing ringlets, lucky you. But if “frizz” more accurately identifies your natural locks, and you’re using your straightening iron as much as your cell phone, you might want to look at hair-straightening treatments. Salon treatments can leave your hair straight and sleek, eliminating (or at least cutting back) on the need to manually straighten your hair.
To start, talk to your stylist about the appearance you’re aiming for. He or she can determine if straightening is a good option for you. Straightening treatments use chemicals, and hair that’s already been colored, highlighted, or damaged by excessive heat might not hold up to the abuse. Also, there are different straightening formulations, and your stylist will know what best fits your needs and your hair’s condition.
When you go in for a straightening treatment, your stylist will likely apply a solution that will break down the bonds in your hair that create the curls and frizz. The solution will work on your hair for a few minutes, then your stylist will rinse it out and apply a neutralizer that stops the chemical action, protecting your hair from overprocessing and setting your hair straight. A follow-up with conditioner can help keep your hair from getting damaged.
Afterwards, your newly straightened locks will be fragile, so treat them gently. Use conditioner every time you shampoo, and treat your hair to a deep conditioner once a week or so. Relaxed hair is more porous, so take special care to thoroughly rinse out shampoo and any styling products that might dull your hair’s shine. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to work out any tangles, since a brush can cause breakage.
Other hair-straightening options. There are a few variations on the traditional hair-straightening technique:
Thermal reconditioning. This process, said to originate in Japan, is a time-consuming, labor-intensive straightening method that can cost from $300 to $1,000. It involves at least two chemical applications and two separate passes with the straightening iron. Enthusiasts claim that it leaves your hair iron-straight permanently, unlike some straightening techniques that still require touch-ups with the iron. If you opt for this type of straightening, be sure to find an experienced stylist. Done improperly, it can lead to hair breakage.
Brazilian hair straightening. If you choose this straightening treatment, ask questions beforehand. While the process uses keratin (a natural protein), formaldehyde is also involved, often in levels considered unsafe by the FDA.
straightening treatments. There are home straightening treatments on the market, but experts warn against straightening your hair yourself, since mistakes can lead to breakage. Some women choose to have professional straightening treatments, and then touch up the roots at home as needed. If you go this route, be sure to apply the straightener to the new growth only — an application on the already straightened hair could cause breakage.
If you’d like to say good-bye to frizz permanently — or at least until your hair grows back in from a perm — talk to your stylist about straightening.
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