Achieving tangle-free, silky, straight, and beautiful hair has now become easy with permanent hair straightening treatment. However, this treatment comes with some downsides if not done with precautions.
Keep reading this guide on the permanent hair straightening side effects for a safe and better experience with this hair styling technique.
What is Permanent Hair Straightening?
Permanent hair straightening includes the chemical process to eliminate waves and curls from your hair and is a game-changer for your look. This part can broadly be divided into two parts: Its types and step-by-step process.
Types of Permanent Hair Straightening
There are many types of hair straightening treatments to make your hair straighter.
Keratin Treatment: Also called Brazilian Blowout treatment, a coat of chemicals with keratin as the main substance is applied to your hair, and the chemical is then fixed using a straightener.
Japanese / yuko straightening ( thermal reconditioning): The chemicals used in the process help hair to naturally lose its wavy texture.
Professional permanent straightening: It breaks apart the natural bonds of your hair follicles and then works towards rebuilding the bonds into a distinct shape.
Hair Rebonding: It is a chemical process that makes use of a neutralizer, formaldehyde, to redesign the structure of your hair.
Permanent Hair Straightening Treatment -Step By Step Process
Here are some sequential steps that work wonderfully to make your hair sleek, straight, and silky :
Step 1: Consultation
Taking into account the history and condition of your hair is important for the success of hair straightening treatment. For the best suggestion, consult with a hairstylist to decide the best solution for your hair.
Step 2: Shampoo
The initial step is to clear your hair by applying shampoo to make sure that it absorbs the treatment. The step effectively eliminates dirt and oil from hair.
Step 3: Applying Protections
Protection creams will be applied to your hair if it is required.
Step 4: Applying the solution
The step includes section-by-section applying the solution, keeping a distance of about ½ inch from your scalp. The solution applied helps break down the protein bonds and restructure the hair shape.
Step 5: Rinse
Once your hair is coated well with the solution, it’s time to rinse off the solution completely with water.
Step 6: Flat Ironing
This step restructures the bonds of your hair and helps provide it a straight texture. This step includes blow-drying your hair completely and re-dividing it into sections to set the stage for flat ironing.
Step 7: Neutralizer
This includes applying a neutralizer to the hair for maintaining its PH balance and to lock in the straight bonds, to make sure that the hair remains in straight form.
Step 8: Rinsing the neutralizer
This step includes rinsing the neutralizer completely. To balance your hair condition, an after-treatment solution will be applied. Your hair will be rinsed once more and blow-dried.
Permanent Hair Straightening Side Effects
The following are some common permanent straightening side effects that one might face after hair straightening:
- Itchiness: Chemicals used in straightening treatments can irritate the scalp, leading to itchiness.
- Regrowth of Unsightly Roots: As hair grows, naturally textured roots become visible, creating a contrast with the straightened lengths.
- Slower Hair Growth: Some harsh treatments may damage the scalp or hair follicles, potentially slowing down hair growth.
- Itchy Scalp: Chemical exposure or product buildup can dry out the scalp, causing itchiness and discomfort.
- Breakage: Hair straightening weakens hair structure, making strands more prone to snapping and breakage.
- Split Ends: The heat and chemicals together cause your hair to lose moisture, leading to dry, frayed ends.
- Permanent Hair Loss: In rare cases, repeated chemical exposure might damage the hair follicles, leading to irreversible hair loss.
- Hair Fall: Weak, damaged hair may shed more than usual after straightening treatments.
- Traction alopecia: Frequent hair straightening and tight hairstyles might put stress on the hair follicles, causing hair loss along the hairline.
- Respiratory issues: Applying formaldehyde to hair and inhaling its fumes might cause side effects, including respiratory difficulties, nose and eye irritation, skin redness, increased risk of breast cancer.
- Other health concerns: Some people report headaches, nausea, dizziness, and other health concerns after using hair straightening products.
Tips to Prevent Permanent Straightening Side Effects
Given the permanent hair straightening side effects discussed above, it is wise not to rely solely on a permanent hair straightening method and explore the other best alternative straightening options, like :
1 ) Non-chemical way of strengthening your hair
- Straightening brushes: It combines the best features of both flat irons and hair brushes. Brushing your hair with the device simply will help detangle your hair locks. Easy to use and applies less direct heat.
2 ) Alternative salon methods
- Amino acid treatments: A healthier hair straightening treatment that includes organic compounds for making the hair smooth and silky.
3 ) Natural DIY hair straightening methods
- Hot Oil Treatment: Uses natural plant-based oils to seal your hair cuticles and stop breakage.
- DIY Milk Spray: This DIY method combines coconut oil, jojoba oil, and other essential oils .DIY coconut milk spray is very useful for hair health.
- Lemon juice and coconut water: Massaging your scalp with this DIY is another natural hair straightening method.
- Eggs and olive oil masks: It is a classic natural way to achieve soft and straighter hair strands. Apply a good scented shampoo and conditioner after rinsing off this mask.
Does Permanent Straightening Damage Hair?
Yes, permanent hair straightening can damage hair, often causing dryness, breakage, and split ends.
Here’s a more detailed look at the potential issues:
Chemical Damage: Permanent straightening treatments use chemicals like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to break and restructure the hair’s protein bonds, leading to weakened hair.
Heat Damage: High heat from hair straighteners can further damage the hair, causing it to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.
Scalp Irritation: Some chemicals in straightening treatments can irritate the scalp, potentially causing redness, itching, or even burns.
Hair Loss: While not a direct result of straightening, weakened hair from chemical and heat damage can increase the likelihood of hair breakage and shedding, which might appear as hair loss.
Loss of Natural Texture: Permanent straightening can alter the natural texture of your hair, making it difficult to revert to your original curl pattern once you’ve grown out the treated hair.
Increased Frizz: Some individuals experience increased frizz after permanent straightening, which may be due to the altered hair structure.
Long-Term Care: Maintaining straightened hair often requires specialized products and regular touch-ups, which can add to the overall cost and effort.
Tips to Minimize Damage:
Choose the Right Treatment: Consult with a qualified stylist to determine the best permanent straightening method for your hair type and condition.
Protect Your Hair: Use heat protectant products before straightening and consider Keratin treatments, which can be gentler than other methods.
Post-Treatment Care: Follow your stylist’s recommendations for aftercare, which may include using specific shampoos and conditioners.
Regular Trims: Trim your hair regularly to remove split ends and promote healthy growth.
Conclusion
After hair straightening, taking care of it is equally important to negate the permanent hair straightening side effects. As part of post-care tips and to minimize risks, always perform a patch test to rule out allergic reactions to the chemicals involved. Deep condition your hair before and after the treatment. Lastly, consult with a hairstylist to differentiate between fabulous and failure.
FAQs
Is permanent hair straightening good for hair?
While good for a long-lasting straight look, permanent hair straightening is not considered good for hair health because of the harsh chemicals and heat used in the process.
How do I get back to normal hair after permanent straightening?
Getting your natural hair back to its natural state is primarily achieved by letting the new, natural hair grow out and trimming away the chemically treated hair.
Which is better, permanent or temporary hair straightening?
Permanent hair straightening is better as it provides long term short hair with minimal effort. Temporary straightening is good for those who prefer a more reversible and less damaging approach.
How long do permanent straightening effects last?
The results of hair straightening can last anywhere from 4-6 months, up to a year or more.
Is permanent straightening good for hair health?
While permanent hair straightening can provide sleek, manageable hair, it’s not good for hair health in the long run.
How do I get straight hair permanently, naturally?
To achieve a straighter look permanently and naturally, you can apply various natural methods and follow a consistent hair care routine.
Which permanent hair straightening method is the best?
Japanese hair straightening is the safest and most permanent hair straightening method to achieve a straighter texture.
What is the cost estimate of permanent hair straightening treatment?
The cost differs as per the length and thickness of your hair. The average cost revolves around INR 3,000 to 15,000.
Which is the least damaging hair straightening treatment?
Keratin treatments are the least damaging as they use keratin and gentle ingredients that respect the natural structure of hair.
Can I iron my hair after permanent hair straightening?
Avoid using heat tools on your hair after permanent straightening to protect its health.
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