Straightening Hair Tips
Products that are used to straighten hair on a permanent basis are referred to as either "relaxers" or "straighteners".
When thinking about straightening your hair, a little extra knowledge about the process and any contraindications can be of invaluable help.
What does it involve?
Straightening is a way of chemically altering the structure of your hair so as to break the bonds that keep it curly, then reforming your hair in a straighter or less curly form. The process is very similar to having a perm (not that you would have had one if you have naturally curly hair but your friends might)!
Firstly, a lotion is applied for anything from 5 to 30 min on average, this is then rinsed away and a second lotion applied for another 5 to 10 min. Finally lots of conditioners are applied. Times vary depending on products used and this information is given only as a guide to help you feel more comfortable. However if concerned, don't just sit in the chair like a stunned mullet expecting the hairdresser to work out telepathically that you have a problem. Speak up!
You will need about 2 hours salon time to get this done and a haircut will need to be added to that. The cut should not be missed as the shape that worked in the past was for curly hair and your new straighter hair will not suit the old shape.
Get your hairdresser to recommend aftercare products or consult our Diagnosis section. Chemically straightened hair will need more intense products to keep it healthy than it did before.
The result is as permanent as the time it takes for new hair to grow. It does, however, relax or get a little less straight over time as the straightened bonds in the hair can reform, to a small degree, making your hair more wavy than when first done. This can be seen as a positive, as a curly or afro regrowth and "dead pan" straight ends can look a little funny.
Colouring/Bleaching and Straightening in combination:
Having your hair coloured and using a straightener could result in damage to your hair. It's not that either of these are dangerous or damaging by themselves, but when they are combined, they can be simply too much for your poor old hair to handle.
VirtualHairCare would not recommend the following:
· A mix of bleach (all over or in highlight form) and straighteners.
· A mix of permanent tint and straighteners.
VirtualHairCare would recommend that you try:
· Semi or demi permanent colour that lasts for 6 to 8 weeks with your straightener.
· Temporary or wash-in/washout colour, which will often last a few washes over, straightened hair (check out the colour section for detailed information).
Try booking a consultation with a straightening specialist and getting an opinion on whether a straightener would work with what is already on your hair. A professional hairdresser will often take what is called a "test strand" (basically a clipping of your hair) and pop it in to a bowl with the chemical straightener to assess its ability to remain in good condition. If the result is that you should not try this on your hair please take this advice. It is always possible to find a less professional hairdresser who will do what you want and the result could be that you end up with the new "emergency short look", so please don't take our warning lightly!
Too straight after a relaxer or straightener?
If you find yourself in this position it is often because too strong a straightener was used for your hair type. Try a cut with a few layers next time and make sure you tell your hairdresser that your had a problem so that they don't use the same product again.
VirtualHairCare.com is the only place to find out everything you would ever need to know about your hair. From the latest looks and styles and how to maintain them, through to practical stuff like how to get the best out of your next salon visit, what products are best for you and medical conditions of the hair and scalp. For all the latest about hair, check out on VirtualHairCare.com
Try Bio Ionic Hair Straightening through www.girl.com.au/bio-ionic-hairstraightening.htm
Bio Ionic Hair Straightening Products - www.girl.com.au/bio-ionic-hairstraightening.htm
When thinking about straightening your hair, a little extra knowledge about the process and any contraindications can be of invaluable help.
What does it involve?
Straightening is a way of chemically altering the structure of your hair so as to break the bonds that keep it curly, then reforming your hair in a straighter or less curly form. The process is very similar to having a perm (not that you would have had one if you have naturally curly hair but your friends might)!
Firstly, a lotion is applied for anything from 5 to 30 min on average, this is then rinsed away and a second lotion applied for another 5 to 10 min. Finally lots of conditioners are applied. Times vary depending on products used and this information is given only as a guide to help you feel more comfortable. However if concerned, don't just sit in the chair like a stunned mullet expecting the hairdresser to work out telepathically that you have a problem. Speak up!
You will need about 2 hours salon time to get this done and a haircut will need to be added to that. The cut should not be missed as the shape that worked in the past was for curly hair and your new straighter hair will not suit the old shape.
Get your hairdresser to recommend aftercare products or consult our Diagnosis section. Chemically straightened hair will need more intense products to keep it healthy than it did before.
The result is as permanent as the time it takes for new hair to grow. It does, however, relax or get a little less straight over time as the straightened bonds in the hair can reform, to a small degree, making your hair more wavy than when first done. This can be seen as a positive, as a curly or afro regrowth and "dead pan" straight ends can look a little funny.
Colouring/Bleaching and Straightening in combination:
Having your hair coloured and using a straightener could result in damage to your hair. It's not that either of these are dangerous or damaging by themselves, but when they are combined, they can be simply too much for your poor old hair to handle.
VirtualHairCare would not recommend the following:
· A mix of bleach (all over or in highlight form) and straighteners.
· A mix of permanent tint and straighteners.
VirtualHairCare would recommend that you try:
· Semi or demi permanent colour that lasts for 6 to 8 weeks with your straightener.
· Temporary or wash-in/washout colour, which will often last a few washes over, straightened hair (check out the colour section for detailed information).
Try booking a consultation with a straightening specialist and getting an opinion on whether a straightener would work with what is already on your hair. A professional hairdresser will often take what is called a "test strand" (basically a clipping of your hair) and pop it in to a bowl with the chemical straightener to assess its ability to remain in good condition. If the result is that you should not try this on your hair please take this advice. It is always possible to find a less professional hairdresser who will do what you want and the result could be that you end up with the new "emergency short look", so please don't take our warning lightly!
Too straight after a relaxer or straightener?
If you find yourself in this position it is often because too strong a straightener was used for your hair type. Try a cut with a few layers next time and make sure you tell your hairdresser that your had a problem so that they don't use the same product again.
VirtualHairCare.com is the only place to find out everything you would ever need to know about your hair. From the latest looks and styles and how to maintain them, through to practical stuff like how to get the best out of your next salon visit, what products are best for you and medical conditions of the hair and scalp. For all the latest about hair, check out on VirtualHairCare.com
Try Bio Ionic Hair Straightening through www.girl.com.au/bio-ionic-hairstraightening.htm
Bio Ionic Hair Straightening Products - www.girl.com.au/bio-ionic-hairstraightening.htm
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