Every hair type has its advantages, straight hair is easy to style and low-maintenance! When you have curly hair, it is not uncommon to want to straighten it for a change of look or to make your daily routine easier. But how to do it without damaging your hair? What are the tips for a natural result? Let's take stock.  

If you have wavy to curly, coily or even afro hair, you may sometimes want a change of look. Although keeping your hair natural is the best thing to do to preserve it, nothing stops you from giving in to a good old straightening! But beware, regularly resorting to straightening ( whatever the nature of the hair ), can damage the hair fiber, make it very dry and brittle. 

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

Tip 2: choose a good quality flat iron 

It is really better to invest in a good quality flat iron rather than getting a cheap flat iron that damages hair. Make sure to choose a model with adjustable temperature. This prevents the hair from overheating! Last but not least, always choose a flat iron with ceramic plates, this feature allows heat to be distributed evenly on your hair and to limit damage.

Tip 3: never straighten wet hair

If you plan to use a flat iron, 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... You must wait until your hair is completely dry before straightening it or blow-drying it beforehand. 

Tip 4: avoid straightening your hair every day

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

Tip 5: do not clamp the flat iron too tightly

It is better to avoid clamping the straightening plates too tightly on your hair strands. This rough action can cause damage and breakage to strands already weakened by heat. Pass the plates gently, always from the top to the bottom of the strand, in a steady motion. 

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

The useful hair routine to adopt when straightening your hair 

If you are the type to straighten your hair regularly (whatever the reason), you need to redouble your vigilance and efforts in your hair routine! Make sure you have the right products on hand but also the right habits: 

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

- Do not neglect the nourishing treatment: at each shampoo, take the time to apply a nourishing hair treatment. Like a hair mask or a leave-in oil. At least once a week to deeply hydrate and nourish your hair, or even more if the hair is really damaged.

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

- Hydrate your hair regularly: for shiny and supple hair, hydrate it as often as possible using dedicated moisturizing products, such as moisturizing sprays, hair lotions or plant-based hair oils like black seed oil. Always apply treatments to the lengths, avoid the roots at the risk of making them greasy. Furthermore, long hair requires even more care, so think about doubling the doses in that case.

What are the alternatives to a flat iron? 

Heated plates do not always have unanimous approval, fortunately there are alternatives so you don't have to take out the flat iron every day and still have soft, supple and straight hair. 

Brazilian straightening 

Brazilian straightening is a popular hair treatment designed to make hair straighter, softer and easier to manage. Unlike temporary hair straightening methods, such as using flat irons, Brazilian straightening is a semi-permanent treatment that can last up to several months, depending on the natural texture of the hair and the care provided after the treatment.

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