Each hair type has its advantages; straight hair is easy to style and maintain! When you have curly hair, it's not uncommon to want to straighten it to change your look or make everyday life easier. But how can you do it without damaging your hair? What are the tips for a natural look? We'll take a look.

If you have wavy, curly, frizzy or even afro hair, you may sometimes feel like changing your look. Although keeping your hair natural is the best thing to do to preserve it, there's nothing stopping you from falling for a good old straightening treatment! But be careful, regularly resorting to straightening (whatever the type of hair) can damage the hair fiber, making it dry and brittle.

How to have straight hair without damaging it?

If you choose to straighten your hair at home, there are certain rules to follow to do it properly and preserve your mane.

Tip 1: Always use a heat protectant.

It's the basics! Before using heated styling tools such as straighteners or curling irons, you should always apply a heat protectant to the lengths to protect them from the heat by preventing the hair cuticles from opening. Heat protectants are sold at hairdressers or supermarkets. You can find them in cream, gel, or spray form (the most practical). Some are only applied to damp hair before blow-drying, while others are applicable to dry hair .

Tip 2: Choose a good quality hair straightener

It's actually better to invest in a good quality hair straightener rather than buying a cheap one that damages your hair. Make sure to choose a model that allows for adjustable temperatures. This prevents your hair from overheating! Last but not least, always choose a hair straightener with ceramic plates; this feature helps distribute heat evenly throughout your hair and limits damage.

Tip 3: Never straighten wet hair

If you plan to use flat irons, it is obviously forbidden to do so on wet hair, unless your device allows it, which is still very rare. Wet hair is more sensitive to heat and can therefore be more easily damaged or even burned... It is imperative to wait until the hair is completely dry before straightening it or using a hairdryer first.

Tip 4: Avoid straightening your hair every day

Hair straightening should really be done occasionally to avoid irreversible damage... Try to limit straightening to once a week if possible.

Tip 5: Do not tighten the straightener

It's best to avoid applying the straightening irons too tightly to your hair. This harsh action can cause damage and breakage to strands already weakened by the heat. The irons should be moved smoothly, always from the top to the bottom of the strand, in a smooth motion.

By following these tips, you can straighten your hair without (too much) damage. However, it's important to always keep in mind that heat damages hair, even when used responsibly! It's therefore essential to take breaks from straightening, to regularly treat your hair with moisturizing and nourishing treatments, and above all, to love and pamper it as much as possible, naturally.

The useful hair routine to adopt when you straighten your hair

If you're the type of person who straightens your hair regularly (for whatever reason), you need to be extra vigilant and put extra effort into your hair care routine! Make sure you have the right products on hand, as well as the right habits:

- Use a conditioning and moisturizing shampoo. Straightened hair tends to be drier and more brittle, so using a moisturizing conditioning shampoo helps maintain the health and suppleness of your hair.

- Don't neglect nourishing treatment: With each shampoo, take the time to apply a nourishing hair treatment. Such as a hair mask or a leave-in oil. At least once a week to deeply moisturize and nourish your hair, or even more if your hair is really damaged.

- Take care of your scalp: it's the new rule for beautiful hair, and it's very useful! Nothing beats a healthy scalp to help your hair cope with anything. Don't hesitate to exfoliate your scalp at least once a week, apply a revitalizing, nourishing, or growth hair serum , and massage it regularly!

- Moisturize your hair regularly: for shiny and supple hair, moisturize it as often as possible using dedicated moisturizing products, such as moisturizing sprays, hair lotions or vegetable hair oils like black seed oil . Always apply treatments to the lengths, avoid the roots at the risk of making them greasy. In addition, long hair requires even more care, so remember to double the doses in this case.

What are the alternatives to hair straighteners?

Hot plates aren't always a unanimous choice, but fortunately there are alternatives so you don't have to take out the straighteners every day and still have soft, supple, and smooth hair.

Brazilian straightening

Brazilian blowouts are a popular hair treatment designed to make hair smoother, softer, and more manageable. Unlike temporary hair straightening methods, such as using flat irons, Brazilian blowouts are semi-permanent treatments that can last up to several months, depending on your natural hair texture and post-treatment care.

Natural solutions

And if, contrary to everything we've just seen, you're looking to curl your hair, we also have the perfect little guide: how to curl your hair .