There are several methods for straightening hair, and the best approach will depend on your hair type, desired results, and hair health.
If your hair is giving you a fit to straighten, rest assured, you’re not alone. Millions of women face the same issue. This article is going to show you how to straighten natural hair in four easy steps.
The thing is, you want to straighten your hair without damaging it or experiencing shrinkage.
To get your hair ready to be straightened, you need to take these preparation steps:
- Wash your hair thoroughly
- Use the right brush so your hair can dry
- Section your hair
Here Are 4 Ways To Straighten Your Hair
First of all, we just want to say: You’re gorgeous as you are. Your beauty is not dependent on your hair! That being said, you have every right to change up your hairstyle when you want.
To protect your hair, use a heat sealant. Here are some good ones based on reviews:
- HSI professional Argan Oil Heat Protector
- ArtNaturals Thermal Hair Protector Spray
- Sauce Beauty Hot Sauce Heat Protector
- FoxyBae Cool AF Heat Protector
- Anti Frizz Healing Heat Protectorant
There are more than four ways to straighten your hair, but we’ll be covering the four most popular ways.
1. Flat Iron
Flat irons, also known as straightening irons, are popular tools for achieving straight hair. Apply a heat protectant and work with small sections of hair, slowly running the flat iron from the roots to the ends.
Take care not to use excessive heat or pass the flat iron over the same section multiple times to prevent heat damage. Sectioning your hair can help ensure even straightening.
If you choose to use a flat iron, blow dry your hair first. That way, you can be sure that the wetness is completely out of your hair.
With a small tooth comb, part your hair into sections. That way, it will be easier to manage as you do one section at a time.
Pass the flat iron through your hair in a downward motion. Don’t let the flat iron stay on one part of your hair for long, or else you’re burn it.
2. Rollers
The #1 benefit of using rollers to straighten your hair is that it allows for easier styling.
Hair rollers also lend themselves to certain styles more than others, so your grooming preparation should be much shorter.
It’s best to use a styling cream with this method as well.
3. Blow Dryer
You can use a blow dryer to straighten your hair to achieve the desired effect. Pass the blow dryer back and forth over your head, taking care not to leave in one spot too long.
As you blow dry your hair, in your other hand use a flat paddle brush to gently brush your locs.
4. Keratin Treatments
Keratin treatments are semi-permanent treatments that can help reduce frizz, soften curls, and make hair more manageable. These treatments typically involve applying a keratin solution to the hair, followed by heat application with a flat iron to seal the product into the hair strands.
Keratin treatments can provide smoother, straighter results that gradually fade over time. Here are some great products to try:
L’ANZA Keratin Healing Oil Intensive Hair Masque for Damaged Hair
L’ANZA Keratin Healing Oil Treatment
5. Relaxer
Perhaps the most enduring way to straighten your hair is to use relaxer.
Chemical relaxers are products that permanently alter the hair’s structure to achieve straightness. This process typically involves applying a relaxer cream or lotion to the hair, which breaks down the protein bonds, allowing the hair to be reshaped
It’s important to note that relaxers can be harsh on the hair and scalp, so it’s crucial to follow the instructions carefully and consider consulting a professional stylist.
Nothing straightens hair like the chemicals in a relaxer. The negative thing about relaxing your hair is that the process strips all of the nutrients out of your hair.
If the stylist is not careful, they could cause damage also by chemically burning your scalp.
6. Hot Comb
Here’s How To Straighten Your Hair Without Heat
If you choose to straighten your hair without heat, that’s actually the healthiest option.
As you well know, heat damages your hair, and can cause it to thin and break off. So we want to talk briefly about how to straighten your hair without heat.
Here are some ways to do it:
- Use magnetic rollers
- Use jumbo rollers
- Wrap your hair wet and let it dry
- Use a styling gel
Final Word
It’s very important that you know that what works for one might not work for another. Despite general appearances, humans are incredibly diverse, from hair texture, follicle dexterity and more.
The Atlanta hair industry is one of the largest in the Southeast, with more than 8 million people getting groomed each month.
But you can do it yourself. All you need are some quality shears and some high-performance clippers to get the job done. Check out our Beauty Page for other ways to get shaped up.