It’s Time to Straighten Your Hair Naturally

A lot of girls can attest to the desire to have silky, long straight hair. But because not everyone is blessed with this, they try to do whatever they can to be able to achieve having straight hair.

Different Hair Straightening Procedures

For some people, the process can be simple and temporary such as using a flat-iron to straighten hair. But for others, a more intense and powerful hair straightening process needs to be followed to achieve their hair goals. If you are one of the many women who have resorted to straightening your hair with a chemical product, there are some things you need to know.

Flat-Iron

One of the easiest, fastest and less damaging options you can use to make your hair look straight and strong is to have a flat-iron go through the strands. With this machinery, frizzy curls can instantly be turned into silky, long straight hair. Unfortunately, this is only a temporary solution. After a few hours, your hair will go back to its natural state. This is why there are some women who turn to the use of salon straightening treatments to help with their hair care.

Relax

Another option is to have your gone through a relaxer so it can soften up the tight, coarse curls in your hair. This treatment makes use of strong chemical compounds that ultimately damage the hair. After application of the solution, it is left on the hair for about 20 minutes before it is rinsed and neutralized. This will cost you around $50 to $250.

Thermal Reconditioning

This hair straightening process, also called Japanese straightening, may be done on women with medium wavy curls. What the procedure does is that the hair will be saturated with a chemical solution containing ingredients that are able to break bonds that give the shape of the hair strand. After application, the hair is rinsed, blow-dried and flat-ironed meticulously. A neutralizer will then be applied so that the hair can remain in this new, straighter structure.

Often, this procedure takes up to eight hours. After getting the procedure, you won’t be able to wet your hair or tie it up in a ponytail. This hair salon treatment will set you back around $500 to $1,500.

Recognizing the Dangers

The sad news about having these treatments is that they can be very dangerous and may even lead to permanent damage to the hair. Even though hair salons and experts have expressed their utmost care about the procedure, the side effects of hair straightening are still there. Since the bonds in the hair are broken down by the chemical, they can permanently change hair structure. To remedy the procedure, you will have to continue doing them regularly or have your hair grow out.

Side Effects of Chemical-based Hair Straightening Treatments

As a general rule, any external and unnatural agent used on the body may lead to side effects. Though it won’t be a serious issue, hair straightening does not exempt itself from this rule. With the many different types of brands available, you can never be sure of the product that your hair stylist is using on you.

Depending on the quality and type of hair, a number of side effects may be experienced after getting your hair straightened. Here are some of the side effects:

Allergies

If it is your first time to have your hair straightened, your stylist needs to check if you would be allergic to some of the compounds in the product being used. Otherwise, it could lead to more problems in the future such as redness of scalp, itchiness on skin and scalp, rashes, red eye, and eye itching.

Boredom

Boredom with straight hair is also a common result out of hair straightening. Since you cannot tie your hair or use any other product on it, you won’t be able to style it other than the way it already is.

Dryness

Among the most common side effects that you can encounter is excessive dryness in your hair. Since your hair strands are stripped off their natural moisture, your hair will become very dry. As a result, it will look frizzy and dull.

Dandruff

Dandruff growth is another side effect known for those who have their hair straightened. Because of your dry scalp, it starts to flake and cause itchiness. If not amended, it could lead to the growth of dandruff in your hair.

Hair Fall

Severe hair fall can be another side effect of hair straightening. This is most likely experienced by those that have used poor quality chemicals and employed improper hair straightening techniques. With this, the hair follicles turn weak.

Respiratory Problems

It can also start causing skin and lung-related problems. Since hair straightening products make use of a compound known as aldehyde, you may be exposed to it when you have your hair straightened. This could lead to respiratory system related problems in the future.

How to Care for Damaged Hair from Straightening

There are a number of ways you can take care of damaged hair brought about by hair straightening chemicals. One way you can do this is to have a professional hair stylist help you take care of your damaged hair. You need to make sure that the products used on your hair have been approved by a dermatologist so that it does not further create a problem. It may take time but by working together with a dermatologist, you can ensure that the damage will be taken care of.

Natural Hair Straightening Options

Another way you can care for your hair is to opt for a natural approach to hair straightening. Here are some homemade and natural ingredients that you can use to help take care of your damaged hair:

• Mix lemon juice with coconut milk. Use as a cream conditioner.
• Mix two eggs with olive oil. Massage into your hair and leave on for an hour or so.
• Mix a cup of milk with 2 tablespoons of honey and freshly mashed strawberries. Leave on your hair for at least two hours.
• Apply warm castor oil onto hair and leave covered for 30 minutes.
• Mash equal portions of banana and papaya. Add a tablespoon of honey and use as a hair mask until it dries completely.
• Mash 2 overripe bananas with 2 tablespoons of honey, natural yogurt and olive oil until it turns into a paste. Apply as a hair mask for 30 minutes.
• Whip eggs until they turn smooth. Leave on hair and scalp for 30 minutes.
• Add a few drops of vinegar into a mug filled with water and use this to rinse your hair after washing it.

After all of these tips, make sure to rinse your hair with clean water or shampoo. These will give you smoother, straighter hair without having to worry about the harmful side effects of chemical-based products.

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