Get a Permanent Hair Straightening

Are you tired of having to use the straightener every day? Has your hair already started to look damaged? Do you want straight hair without having to style it every day? Here are three methods to read up on -- from doing it yourself at home to getting it pin straight with a stylist.

Steps

At Home with a Kit

  1. Select a Hair Relaxer. Any make up or hair supply store will have a variety of choices when it comes to hair relaxers. You could even try your salon (or their supplier) for access to other products. But what it really comes down to is choosing between a relaxer with lye and a relaxer without lye.
    • Products without lye are most commonly found when it comes to home applications. The downside of this product is that it can leave your hair dull and damaged (like normal, everyday straightening).
    • Make sure you know what you're getting into! Once you straighten your hair with a relaxer, it will not be able to hold much of a curl. If you want to have super curly hair sometimes, this is not the way to go!
  2. Wear protective gear. You'll want to protect your skin, clothes, and hands as you handle this product. Throw on an old t-shirt, disposable gloves (should come with your kit), and an old towel over your shoulders.
  3. Mix the product. Usually hair relaxer kits come with a couple different packets of creams or pastes. Follow the directions on yours. Use a wooden spatula if you have one available.
    • Let the product sit for a few minutes before you start using it. This helps everything combine and fuse.
  4. Apply petroleum jelly around your neck, hairline, and ears. That's Vaseline, by the way. You want to protect your skin from soaking in the chemicals. Just a thin layer on all edges of your hairline will do the job.
    • It's important that the relaxer doesn't get anywhere other than your hair. It's not good for your skin, and definitely not good to eat or get in your eyes!
  5. Do a strand test. You don't want to slather a chemical all over your head without doing a test first! What if you had a reaction? So grab a small section of hair at the bottom of your neck and do an experiment first.
    • Apply relaxer to the section (not including parts that have already been treated in the past). Leave it on per the instructions or until you see results. Wash off the relaxer and dry. Do you notice any breakage or damage? If all is well and good, continue. If it's not, do not use this product any further.
  6. Set the timer. It's incredibly important that you only leave the hair relaxer on for the appropriate amount of time. Whatever it says on the box is the maximum amount of time the relaxer should be soaking into your strands. Any more could do serious damage.
  7. Apply the relaxer in 1/4" (.6 cm) sections. Now that your experiment is over, you can start applying to your whole head. Work in small sections, starting at the root and going to the tip, applying as evenly as possible. Don't get any on your scalp!
    • Only work with hair that hasn't been previously treated. If you're just doing a root touch-up, just work with the roots.
  8. When finished applying, smooth through with a comb. If you have a wide-toothed, plastic comb, go through your tresses, evening out the relaxer. This helps make sure every strand is getting its due on all sides, and from start to tip. Keep your eyes on the clock, though!
  9. Rinse, shampoo, and rinse again. When the time is up, rinse your hair well, getting rid of all the relaxer. Some relaxers takes on a color so you can easily see where it is. Then, shampoo with the shampoo from the kit, and rinse that out, too.
    • Take a good look when you think you're done. Did you get everywhere? If you didn't and there's still residue, it could cause damage -- so be thorough!
  10. Apply conditioner. Many products include a leave-in conditioner with the kit. This will help seal the hair and prevent damage from rearing its ugly head. Make sure to get all the layers of your hair! Then, towel dry.
  11. Style as normal. Tada! Straight hair -- almost too easy, huh? Now all you've gotta do is learn a whole bunch of straight-hair styles.

A Brazilian Straightening

  1. Find a salon that does Brazilian straightening. They may call it a Brazilian Keratin Treatment or a Brazilian Blowout. In addition, L'Oreal has a new procedure called X-Tenso that promises straight hair for up to 6 months. However, most Brazilian straightens normally last around two to four months.[1]
    • With this method, the bonds in your hair aren't completely broken and your natural texture will gradually return. In other words, it's much better for your hair, but the contrast will be less stark. You can still style your hair and it may still hold a curl, unlike the results when you use harsh chemicals.
  2. Find out if your hair type allows this type of straightening. Very thin or very damaged hair may not pass the test. You should ask the hairstylist whether you can try it or not. Hopefully, they'll be honest with you.
    • Some hairstylists may just see money signs when you ask. Try to ask a stylist you trust -- or a friend that knows a lot about this topic!
  3. Decide how strong do you want the effect to be. You may want pin-straight hair or just naturally straight, so make sure you mention this to the hairstylist. They may have ideas for you that you haven't considered.
    • Do know that some treatments are said to contain formaldehyde. It's not in toxic amounts or anything, but they're there.[1] If you're concerned, mention this to your stylist.
  4. Proceed with the straightening. Your stylist will apply the product, blow-dry your hair, and flat iron it (possibly the last time for a while!). Then, all you need to do is not wash it for the next three or four days. The process at the salon usually takes a couple of hours.
    • Depending on where you live, this could cost a pretty penny. It's normal for salons to charge a few hundred dollars for this procedure.
  5. Enjoy your freshly straightened hair! With this treatment, you'll still have to blow dry your hair and maybe do a few touch-ups, but your daily routine will be cut down massively.
    • Slowly but surely your hair will return to normal. Think of it as Hermione Granger but in reverse and sped up.

Thermal Reconditioning

  1. Get the facts. Thermal reconditioning (otherwise known as Japanese hair straightening) is a process that straight up breaks the bonds of hair. You'll be left with pin straight hair that will not curl. It's most effective on medium or wavy curls, not kinky hair.
    • Still interested? The process could set you back anywhere from $500-$1,000, depending on your salon.[1]
  2. Find a seasoned professional. This is a difficult process to maneuver effectively. You do not want to undergo this with a student who's never done it before. Scope around your town for a stylist that could do it in her sleep.
    • If things go awry, your hair could get seriously, seriously damaged.[2] Don't cut any corners with this one. Your hair can't afford it.
  3. Spend a day at the salon. You could be there for an entire work day (8 hours), depending on your hair type and how much hair you have. When you go in for touch-ups, that'll take 3 or 4. During this time, the stylist will saturate your strands with a chemical solution, rinse, wash, blow dry, and flat iron until the cows come home.
    • So bring a good book! Or even better, a friend.
  4. Don't wash your hair or wear a ponytail for the next three days. Basically, your hair needs to be left as is. Nothing that will put a kink in it or take away from the powers of the chemical. Easier said than done, huh?
  5. Be a straight-haired goddess. Don't bother getting a curling iron or hot rollers -- they won't work. But you will have super straight hair in all weather at all times! Like a miracle, ain't it? Roll outta bed, shower, and you're ready? The others will be green with envy.

Tips

  • Only get a permanent hair straightening on healthy hair. Chemical straightening is quite damaging too, so that your hair will look literately burned up if you relax damaged hair. If your hair is damaged, first let it grow until it's twice its present length. In the meantime, do not do anything that damages it (flat ironing, dyeing etc.). After it has grown, cut out all the damaged hair. Now you can relax it.
  • You usually have to wait a couple of weeks before you can dye it again, after you do this.
  • With all processes, the roots will come back as normal. You can't change your genes.
  • Your hair will pretty much lose its shine and healthy look after this. Apply masks for damaged hair, don't use a straightener too often, apply smoothing lotion/serum/gel/whatever and buy good conditioners.
  • There are other options besides straightening curly hair. Before taking a drastic step like this you may want to consider learning how to manage natural curly hair.
  • Try getting a new haircut that is flattering for your new look. One of the many advantages of straight hair is that it can support hundreds of haircuts and hairstyles.

Warnings

  • These processes can cause damage to the hair and scalp burns so be sure to have it done by an experienced professional.
  • The Brazilian method is varying levels of effective for different types of hair. Your hair may not come out as straight as you wanted it to be. If this is the case, talk to your stylist.
  • Chemically straightened hair requires more care as it will be dryer and more fragile. Be sure to deep condition regularly and be wary of product build up.[3]
  • If your hair has already been chemically treated before it will become even more damaged if permanently straightened. This can lead to a major break down in the hair and a long period of recovery.[3]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.oprah.com/style/The-Truth-About-Hair-Straightening-Treatments
  2. ↑ http://www.kidzworld.com/article/18934-japanese-hair-straightening
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip086.htm
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