Every hair type has its advantages, but straight hair is easy to style and maintain! When you've got curly hair, it's not unusual to want to straighten it for a change of head or to make everyday life easier. But how can you do this without damaging your hair? What are the tips for a natural look? We take a look.  

If you have wavy to curly, frizzy or even afro hair, you may sometimes feel like changing your look. Although keeping your hair natural is the best thing you can do to preserve it, there's nothing to stop you from going for a good old-fashioned straightening! But beware: regular straightening (whatever your hair type) can damage the hair fiber, making it dry and brittle. 

How can I get straight hair without damaging it? 

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

Tip 1: always use a thermal protector.

That's the basics! Before using heated styling tools such as straightening irons or curling irons, always apply a thermal protector to the lengths to protect them from the heat by preventing the hair scales from opening. Thermal protectors are available from hairdressers or supermarkets. You can find them in cream, gel or spray form (the most practical). Some can only be applied to damp hair before blow-drying, while others can be applied to dry hair. 

Tip 2: Choose a high-quality straightening iron 

It's much better to invest in a good-quality straightening iron than to buy a cheap one that will damage your hair. Make sure you choose a model with an adjustable temperature. This prevents hair from overheating! Last but not least, always choose a straightening iron with ceramic plates, as this feature distributes the heat evenly over your hair and limits damage.

Tip 3: Never straighten wet hair

If you're going to use the plates, it's obviously forbidden to do so on wet hair, unless your appliance allows it, which is still very rare. Wet hair is more sensitive to heat and can therefore be more easily damaged or even burnt... It's essential to wait until hair is completely dry before straightening, or to blow-dry it first. 

Tip 4: Avoid straightening your hair every day

To avoid irreversible damage, hair straightening should only be done once a week... Try to limit straightening to once a week if possible.

Tip 5: Don't tighten the straightening iron

It's best to avoid squeezing the straightening plates too hard on your hair strands. This can cause damage and breakage to strands already weakened by the heat. The plates are applied gently, always moving from the top to the bottom of the strand, in a regular motion. 

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

The useful hair routine to adopt when straightening your hair 

If you're the type of person who straighten their hair regularly (for whatever reason), you need to be extra vigilant and put extra effort into your hair routine! Make sure you have the right products on hand, but also the right reflexes: 

- Use a conditioning, moisturizing shampoo. Straightened hair tends to be drier and more brittle, so using a moisturizing conditioning shampoo helps keep your hair healthy and supple.

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

- Take care of your scalp: it's the new rule for beautiful hair, and it's a good one! There's nothing like a healthy scalp to help your hair stand up to 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 a straightening iron? 

Hot plates don't always get everyone's approval, but fortunately there are alternatives so you don't have to get out the straightening iron every day and still have soft, supple, smooth hair. 

Brazilian straightening 

Brazilian straightening is a popular hair treatment designed to make hair smoother, softer and more manageable. Unlike temporary hair straightening methods, such as the use of straightening irons, Brazilian straightening is a semi-permanent treatment that can last up to several months, depending on the hair's natural texture and the care provided after treatment.

Natural solutions 

And if, contrary to everything we've just seen, you're more interested in curling your hair, we've also got the perfect little guide: how to curl your hair.