“Hair Straightening vs. Natural Texture: Exploring Variances, Potential Side Effects, and Expert Care Tips”
Many women prefer straight or silky hair. It has a beautiful shine and is easy to keep clean. Wavy and curly hair is very beautiful but requires regular care. Although consistent hair care can be helpful, not all of us have time to maintain hair with oil sessions and hair treatments. For this reason, hair straightening and straightening treatments help you change the structure of your hair and make it more manageable. Although both treatments provide smoother hair, there are small differences between them.
Hair straightening came about before hair straightening. Hair straightening was first performed on African hair. This treatment was developed to help people with shaggy hair but immediately became fashionable. Hair straightening, often known as Brazilian keratin treatment or Brazilian blowout, was invented in Brazil in 2003. There are a number of other differences between these two techniques. Read on to find out more.
What is hair straightening?
There are two types of hair straightening treatments: permanent and temporary. Temporary straightening is done using heat styling tools such as hot irons or hot combs. Cohesive and adhesion forces act in a highly viscous system to keep the fibers parallel. The straight hair you get from these procedures is temporary. Washing your hair returns its natural texture.
Permanent hair straightening is a process that changes the structure of your hair to give you straight hair. The chemical relaxers used in this procedure permanently break the bonds in your hair shaft. Heat is applied to restructure your hair and other chemicals are used to seal the newly formed bonds. The alkaline agent in the chemical relaxer breaks the keratin bonds in curly/wavy hair to stretch and straighten it (1).
This study examined African American women’s lifetime hair product use and its association with socioeconomic status (SES). Of the 1,555 participants, most women reported ever using chemical relaxers/straighteners (89%), with frequency increasing from childhood through adolescence and decreasing in adulthood. Similar patterns have been observed when using leave-in/leave-on conditioners. Latent class analysis identified three patterns of hair product use in adulthood, with higher SES being associated with more frequent use of multiple product types. These results highlight the need to consider nuanced patterns of hair product use beyond a simple “never” classification, as these may vary by SES.
How does it work?
Basic straighteners contain 1-10% sodium hydroxide (lye relaxer), lithium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide or a combination of these ingredients. The high pH of these chemicals helps open the hair cuticle and penetrate the hair fibers. When these chemicals come into contact with the cortex, they react with keratin, breaking the disulfide bonds and rearranging them to straighten them, giving you straight hair (1).
Although this process causes more damage than hair straightening, it can straighten even the frizzy hair and is permanent. This will keep the treated hair smooth until your natural hair grows back (1). Permanent hair straightening is also known as “Japanese straightening”.
When can you choose this method?
Hair straighteners work on all hair types, from wavy to kinky curly hair. Depending on the hair structure, the procedure must be repeated every 8-12 weeks. It is important to remember that permanent straightening uses hydroxides or thioglycolates, which are incompatible with bleached hair.
Side effects of hair straightening
Chemical relaxers should not be applied to the scalp as they can burn the skin. For this reason, it is recommended to apply some petroleum jelly along the hairline and on the ears before using the relaxer to prevent alkaline burns (1).
Incorrect technique can lead to scalp burns and hair breakage (1).
The swelling of the hair fibers and the opening of the cuticle can make the hair vulnerable to friction, reducing its resilience and strength (1).
The most commonly reported side effects of permanent hair straightening are: frizzy hair, dandruff, hair loss, thinning and weakening of the hairHair, graying of hair and split ends (1).
What is hair straightening?
Hair straightening is a temporary treatment that some people consider to be a procedure under hair straightening. This professional treatment improves the manageability and appearance of your hair. In this process, you soak your hair in a formaldehyde solution, then dry it out and fix your hair in a straight position with a straightener (1). However, the chemicals used to straighten hair are not as strong as those used in hair straightening treatments. This makes this treatment less damaging, but not suitable for all hair types.
Brazilian Keratin treatment has become very popular because the procedure is compatible with bleached hair and gives the hair a naturally smooth, soft and shiny feel that cannot be achieved with chemical relaxers.
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How does it work?
First, a formaldehyde solution is applied to the hair. The water in the solution breaks the hydrogen bonds of the keratin molecule. It is then blow-dried smooth (you can also use a straightening iron). The redesigned keratin stays straight because the formaldehyde crosslinks the keratin filaments in perfect alignment. This makes the hair comparatively smoother and shinier (1).
When can you choose this method?
The effect of hair straightening lasts between 2 and 5 months. It is especially recommended for wavy or frizzy hair. This is because it doesn’t change the structure of your hair so much as it puts it in the right alignment. If your hair is extremely coarse, thick, or curly, the treatment is unlikely to be very effective.
Side effects of hair straightening
Previously, when formaldehyde was used in Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT), consumers complained of burning eyes, strong odor, and burning mouth and nose. However, the ingredients are not based on formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. Formaldehyde releasers such as methylene glycol or glyoxylic acid are now used (1).
BKT (hair straightening) uses formaldehyde releasers. Formaldehyde has been linked to reactions such as eye problems, nervous system problems (e.g., headaches and dizziness), respiratory problems, nausea, chest pain, vomiting, and skin rashes (2).
One study showed that formaldehyde could increase the risk of asthma (3).
Excessive use of heat (flat irons) when straightening hair can damage your hair (1).
Note: African people’s hair has less volume and density than Caucasian people’s hair. Your hair is also more prone to breakage and dryness because the scalp produces less sebum. Therefore, when they straighten their hair, it may appear as if they are suffering from hair loss (1).
Why hair straightening instead of hair straightening?
This decision is simply based on the client’s hair type and desired result. Most people want a natural finish without making their hair look straight. Although hair straightening is temporary, it serves this purpose with less damage.
The highlight of hair straightening is that it can be carried out on bleached, permanently colored and relaxed hair. It is also great for improving shine and suppleness (1).
Hair straightening involves breaking the hair bonds and then rebuilding them. This causes some hair damage. While your hair can be repaired, it requires intensive care and regular touch-ups and cuts as the natural hair grows back (1).
Why hair straightening instead of hair straightening?
While frizz can be tamed by hair straightening, it doesn’t do much to straighten truly curly hair. For difficult hair types like thick and frizzy hair, hair straightening is preferred if the customer wants straight hair.
While straightening your hair can transform your curls into frizz-free waves, the chances of them becoming straight are slim. You are more likely to achieve the results you want if you choose permanent hair straightening.
Note: Check whether you have any chemical allergies, hair loss or other serious medical conditions before undergoing any of these hair treatments. Have a hair test done at a hair salon. If you experience discomfort or hair loss, consult a doctor before proceeding.
So what should you do?
Hair Straightening vs. Hair Straightening – The Final Verdict
Both procedures have their advantages and disadvantages. Both must be done in a salon by trained hairdressers. Remember that both procedures require regular maintenance to maintain the hair texture and structure.
Before you make your decision, you should ask yourself the following questions:
Do you want permanent or temporary treatment?
Do you want straight hair or something that looks more natural?
Are you just trying to combat frizz, or is straight hair the end goal?
These are some of the questions you can ask yourself to help you decide which treatment is likely to be the best option for you.
Repeated chemical treatments can damage hair. How can you protect your hair after these procedures? Here’s how!
Hair care for straightened or straightened hair
Use silicone-based hair care products to rejuvenate your hair. They are known to protect the hair shaft from abrasive influences and increase its thickness (1).
Avoid using products with artificial colors, fragrances, chemicals, and other harsh ingredients that could affect hair smoothness.
Massage your hair and scalp with oil (coconut, sunflower, mineral). A study has shown that coconut oil can reduce protein loss in damaged hair (4).
Use a leave-in conditioner and hair masks to moisturize and strengthen your hair.
Limit the use of heat styling tools on your hair for the first few weeks until your hair regains its moisture and strength.
Use a wide-tooth comb to get the hair free of tangles.
Infographic: Key Differences Between Hair Straightening and Straightening
Hair straightening and hair straightening are two different hair treatments. But often people confuse them and do the wrong thing. To help you, we have highlighted the key differences between the two treatments to help you decide which to choose. Check out the infographic below to learn more!