Permanent Hair Straightening: Everything You Need To Know

Know this famous hair styling technique's nitty-gritty to go ahead confidently.

Reviewed by Madison Dufour, Barber & Cosmetologist
July 28, 2022 By Arshiya Syeda

Permanent Hair Straightening: Everything You Need To Know

Thanks to permanent hair straightening, you can bid farewell to your daily hairstyling routine. This treatment makes your hair easy to manage and style and look oh-so-fabulous and chic. But, as with every hair treatment, there may be a few questions on your mind. Will this treatment damage your hair? Are there any side effects? This article explains the nuances of permanent hair straightening. Scroll down for more information.

In This Article

Is Permanently Straightening Your Hair Safe?

Yes. But this also depends on the products that you use. The process involves applying a chemical solution, which affects the hair proteins and changes their structure. If not used in the right way, this solution can severely damage your hair.

Note: As a precautionary measure, pregnant women and new mothers are advised against permanently straightening their hair.

Did you know that you can permanently straighten your hair in multiple ways? Check out the next section to explore everything about them.

Different Ways To Permanently Straighten Hair

There are three major techniques to straighten one’s hair permanently:

1. Hair Rebonding

This form of permanent hair straightening restructures the shape of the strands by relaxing, breaking, and reshaping the bonds. The process takes about 3-8 hours, depending on the length of your tresses.

Procedure

The stylist will shampoo your hair and divide it into sections.
They will apply a thick layer of relaxant to the hair and hold it in place with a thin plastic board. The relaxant is left on the hair for 30-45 minutes.
Your locks are steamed anywhere between 10-40 minutes, based on their structure and curl type.
The stylist then rinses out the relaxant and deep conditions your hair to boost moisture.
Keratin lotion is applied to the strands, and special care is taken to keep it well saturated.
The stylist will wash your hair after 30 minutes with cold water.
Finally, your hair will be blow dried and permanently straightened with a flat iron.

2. Japanese Thermal Reconditioning

The Japanese hair straightening method uses heat and chemical solutions to change the hair’s curl pattern.

Procedure

The stylist will wash your hair and divide it into sections.
They will apply a chemical solution to each section and leave it on for 30-45 minutes. This solution breaks the protein bonds and restructures your hair’s natural texture.
The stylist will rinse out the solution with cold water and shampoo your hair.
Your hair will be exposed to heat for some time until it is straightened.
The stylist will apply another chemical to your hair to retain its new shape.
After three days, you have to repeat the process to lock the bonds permanently.

3. Brazillian Or Keratin Treatment

The keratin/Brazilian treatment is one of the safest permanent hair straightening methods. It also comes with the added benefit of protecting your hair from the sun.

Procedure

The stylist will wash your hair and divide it into sections.
They will apply a keratin solution to each section and leave it on for 2-5 minutes.
The stylist will run a flat iron over your tresses, smoothening and locking your straight hair structure.

Straightening your hair permanently can be time-consuming. While getting it done at a salon is always a great option, you can do it easily at home. Here’s the correct way to go about it.

How Do You Straighten Your Hair At Home?

You Will Need

Oil or petroleum jelly
Relaxer
Gloves
Plastic rat-tail comb
Clips

Directions

Divide your hair into four sections with the rat-tailed comb. Use a plastic comb and not a metal rat tail comb, as the metal will scratch the scalp, and the chemical relaxer will burn even light scratches on the scalp. Hold each section in place using the clips.
Divide one of the sections into 4-6 equal parts.
Wear the gloves and apply some oil or petroleum jelly to the hair roots and the hairline to prevent the solution to run into your eyes.
Add the relaxer to the first part of the sectioned hair with a comb or your hands. Ensure that the hair is completely saturated and coated with the creme. Be sure that each section is completely straight and flat. If there is even a small bump, the chemical will shape the hair strands with the bump.
Repeat the same with all the sections of the hair.
Leave the relaxer on your hair as instructed on the package.
Rinse off the relaxer with lukewarm water and gently cleanse your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. This will boost the pH levels of your hair and moisturize it.

Now that you know how to permanently make your curly hair straight, let us look at some tips to ensure a smooth process.

Tips For Permanently Straightening Your Hair

1. Consult A Professional

Due to the strong chemicals, straightening your hair permanently may lead to thinning and hair fallout, especially if your hair is weak or fragile. Hence, it is recommended to consult a professional who will suggest which process to follow based on your hair type.

2. Do Not Use Shampoo

Your scalp becomes sensitive after a hair wash and requires some ’rest’ time to regain its strength. If not given enough time to rest, it can negatively react with the chemical hair straighteners and cause a burning sensation. Thus, do not shampoo or condition your hair a week after straightening your hair.

3. Detangle Your Tresses

If your curls are extremely knotted or frizzy, it might get difficult to coat your hair with the straightening solution. Hence, detangle your locks before straightening them permanently.

4. Opt For A Neutralizing Shampoo

The relaxer might burn your hair and scalp even after been rinsed out. A neutralizing shampoo helps combat this and prevents overprocessing your hair.

5. Condition Your Straightened Hair

The permanent hair straightening treatment can dry out your tresses. Therefore, apply a conditioner every time you shampoo to replenish the lost moisture of your hair. Go for a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week.

Let us discuss some other concerns related to permanently straightening the hair.

Is Regrowth After Permanently Straightening Your Hair Bad?

No. Using the right straightening products and deep conditioning your hair frequently can ensure your regrowth is manageable.

The texture and state of your regrowth depend on how you permanently straighten your hair and take care of it. For instance, overprocessing your curls can burn and damage your follicles, resulting in a weak, thin, and dull regrowth.

Unfortunately, permanently straightening your hair is not a one-time process. Repeat the process as your hair grows to maintain a sleek appearance.

How Long Does Permanent Straightening Last?

Depending on your growth pattern, the permanent hair straightening treatment lasts between 4-6 months. During this period, the curly roots will grow, and you need to go for touch-ups to eliminate frizzy hair.

Wondering whether straightening the hair permanently is a good idea or not? Scroll down to explore the benefits and side effects of this process.

Pros And Cons Of Straightening Your Hair Permanently

Pros

When done at home, permanently straightening your hair is quite cost-effective.
It can be easily done at home, and your hair becomes more manageable.
Store-bought relaxers tend to be less concentrated than the ones used in the salon. They can provide similar results without putting your strands at risk.
It lasts for a relatively long time (4-6 months).

Cons

This treatment can cause split ends, hair loss, and breakage if not done properly.
You need to avoid coloring your hair to retain its straight shape.
Depending on the process you choose, your hair may not turn pin-straight.

Permanent hair straightening involves using chemical solutions that can damage the hair if not used correctly. Also, it is better to consult a professional to find out if your hair can withstand the chemical treatment. Already weak and brittle hair can suffer severe damage, so people with such hair should ideally avoid permanent straightening. Moreover, taking care of straightened hair is crucial as it becomes prone to dryness after the harsh chemical treatment. So, condition your hair each time you shampoo it. You can also straighten your hair at home. However, you may end up triggering hair loss and breakage if not done properly. So, practice caution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we apply oil after permanent hair straightening?

Avoid oiling hair for the first week post the permanent hair straightening treatment as the chemicals require the initial few days to take their full effect. But, after that, you can regularly oil your hair to keep it moisturized.

Does rice water straighten hair?

Rice water decreases hair’s surface tension and enhances its elasticity. While it may make your hair manageable and straight, it may not straighten your hair permanently.

Does coconut milk straighten hair?

You may achieve naturally straight hair by applying coconut milk. However, it wouldn’t straighten your permanently.

How do you sleep with straightened hair?

Satin and silk limit friction and keep the straightened mane from springing out. So, wrap your hair with a silk or satin head scarf while sleeping.

Key Takeaways

You can permanently straighten your hair using a chemical solution that relaxes and breaks the protein bonds and restructures your hair.
Japanese thermal reconditioning or Brazilian treatment are different ways to straighten your hair.
You can also straighten your hair at home with petroleum jelly, a relaxant, and a comb, without burning a hole in your pocket.
It is important to use a neutralizing shampoo and condition your hair to keep it hydrated and nourished.
Hair straightening can last up to 4 to 6 months, but repeated treatments can cause hair loss and damage.

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