Hair Straightening Treatment

Straight and smooth hair always looks glamorous and fascinating. However, everyone is not blessed with this type of hair. But, with the emergence of several hair styling and hair straightening products, it is now possible to get that straight hair quite easily. Some products like flat irons or hair straighteners can help to get rid of frizz and curls only temporarily. However, hair straightening method can give a more permanent result that can last for several months and sometimes even years. The treatments that have gained widespread popularity in this regard are, Brazilian keratin treatment and thermal reconditioning treatment.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment
This treatment is more commonly known as Brazilian hair straightening, as the method relies on keratin to smoothen and straighten curly and frizzy hair. Keratin is the naturally occurring protein found in hair, nails and skin. In this keratin is infused in the hair cuticle with the help of formaldehyde, in order to give the hair a straight look. Before infusing keratin, the hair is washed, dried and divided into several sections. The keratin solution is then applied to each section thoroughly, so that every hair strand is covered with it. Then a flat iron is used several times to straighten the hair strands, which in turn helps to infuse keratin solution into the hair cuticle. After about 72 hours, hair is washed again with a sodium free shampoo and then conditioned.

This process does not bring about any change in the internal hair structure or bond. But, it helps to smooth out the curls and repair any damage of the hair cuticle, as keratin is the natural protein found in hair. The result however, lasts for about 2 to 3 months. But, hair treated in this way stays soft and healthy for a long time. However, this hair treatment uses a small percentage of formaldehyde, which raises certain health concerns. Though many are of the opinion that such a small percentage of formaldehyde may not pose any serious health hazard, people highly sensitive to formaldehyde should better talk to an expert or professional before going for this hair treatment.

Thermal Reconditioning Method
Also commonly known as Japanese hair straightening, it is a hair treatment that can make hair permanently straight and smooth, by changing the chemical bonds of hair. The process relies on chemicals and application of heat to bring about a change in hair's chemical bonds. The result is permanent and only the new growth needs to be treated in subsequent period. First, hair is washed with a sodium free pre-treatment shampoo, after which a chemical solution is applied to the hair strands, which changes the hair structure. After some time, hair is rinsed, blow-dried and then divided into several sections. Each section is properly straightened with the help of a flat iron, after which another solution is applied on hair. Finally, the hair is rinsed again and then straightened with a flat iron. The whole procedure can take several hours, but the end result will be completely straight and smooth hair. The downside of the procedure is that hair may become so straight that it can look a bit stiff, while some people can experience hair fall and hair dryness following the treatment.

Straightening Your Hair at Home
One can use some natural or homemade products to smooth out their frizzy hair. These natural substances can take some time to straighten hair and they may not be able to completely change your hair structure. But, with regular application, you can expect a lot of improvement in your hair quality, as the natural remedies would nourish and moisturize your hair.

• The easiest way to smooth out your curls is to give your hair hot oil treatment prior to shampooing. For this, you can use any oil, though coconut oil, olive oil and almond oil are more frequently used for this purpose. For giving your hair a hot oil treatment, you need to heat the oil slightly and massage your scalp gently with this warm oil. Then wrap your head with a hot towel for a few hours, before washing your hair with a mild shampoo.
• Use milk to straighten your hair. It can also condition your hair deeply. To make it more effective, add a few drops of honey to it. Both honey and milk will nourish your hair and make it healthy and shiny.
• Make a natural hair straightening recipe by mixing coconut milk and lemon juice. To extract coconut milk, grind a coconut in a blender, and then add lemon juice to it. Mix both the ingredients thoroughly, and keep this mixture in the refrigerator for about a few hours, until a creamy layer of foam settles at the top of the container. Take out this creamy layer and apply on your hair and cover your head with a hot towel. After an hour, wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
• Beat two eggs and mix olive oil with it. Apply this mixture to your hair, leave for a few hours, before shampooing and conditioning your hair as usual.

The natural approach to hair straightening can take some time, but would improve hair quality in the long run. The thermal reconditioning and Brazilian keratin methods on the other hand, can give instant results in terms of completely straight hair. While the former can give permanent results, the effects of latter treatment can last for about 2 to 3 months. However, it is important to find out an expert professional who can perform these procedures correctly. Also discuss with the professional to know whether such treatments can cause side effects like, excessive dryness of hair, damage and hair fall. As far as the cost is concerned, it can range between $250 to around $1000, depending on your locality, hair type and length.