Smoothing cream can be used to tame and straighten curly or frizzy hair.
A straightening treatment is a type of cosmetic procedure used to remove natural curls and waves from the hair and give it a soft, smooth appearance. The process generally works by using chemicals that affect the molecules in the hair and break the bonds that give strands of hair their wave or curl. There are a variety of different types of hair straightening treatments that vary in effectiveness, cost, and potential damage.
Irons are used to straighten hair.
One of the most common types of hair straightening treatments is keratin straightening, also known as Brazilian straightening. Keratin hair straightening involves the use of keratin, a type of protein that occurs naturally in hair follicles. The protein combines with formaldehyde, a chemical that helps the keratin protein bind to molecules in the hair and straighten them. The results of keratin straightening typically last about two months, after which it will usually be necessary to reapply the treatment to keep the hair straight.
While there may be many ways to get straight hair, some hairdressers and health experts warn that this style isn’t worth the complications it can cause.
Thermal reconditioning is another of the most widely used hair straightening treatments. The treatment is also known as Japanese straightening. A chemical solution is applied to the hair and washed, then dried with a hair dryer and straightened with an iron. The exact combination of chemicals used can vary by manufacturer and many of the formulations are protected by patents. They are considered effective in straightening, breaking down the molecular structure of the hair so that it maintains the appearance of the hair after drying and straightening. The effects of thermal reconditioning are usually permanent, meaning the hair texture remains smooth until new hair grows.
Keratin straightening results usually last approximately two months.
Chemical relaxers are generally considered one of the cheapest and least damaging types of hair straightening treatments. These types of treatments often use chemicals that soften and break the bonds of hair molecules, but in a gentler and less drastic way than keratin heat straightening or reconditioning treatments. For example, straighteners can transform tight curls into softer waves or straighten frizzy hair so it’s easier to control, but they usually don’t produce the straight look of other treatments that use harsher chemicals. Relaxing treatments may need to be repeated every two months to maintain texture.
Some hair straightening gels promise to smooth damaged or frizzy hair.
Hair straightening treatments can have certain potentially negative or dangerous consequences. Hairdressers often warn their clients that the chemicals used to make the hair look smooth can also damage the hair and cause it to dry out or break, especially if the hair is also treated with a treatment. These chemicals, especially formaldehyde, can also cause health reactions, such as a runny nose and eyes, headaches, or shortness of breath, in some people.