The hair straightening process usually involves the use of products that contain chemicals that can damage the hair. If you have recently straightened your hair, follow some of the instructions on how to care for your hair in this article to prevent unwanted effects.
Step
Step 1. Straighten your hair every 6-12 weeks, depending on your needs
Don't rush to straighten your hair every time you see new hair growing. Too often straightening the hair can damage the hair and scalp. A week after straightening your hair, use a hair reconstructor instead of the regular conditioner you use when washing your hair. Aphogee products can be an effective choice for reconstructors and shampoos. After a week, you can return to using shampoo and conditioner that contain moisturizers. Keracare can be a great option.
Step 2. Wash and dampen your hair once or twice a week
We recommend using a mild, gentle shampoo and conditioner that contains a lot of moisture and is specially formulated for chemically treated hair. If you have sensitive skin, consider a shampoo that doesn't use Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Paul Mitchell's hair care products can be an excellent choice for damaged or chemically treated hair. Using a deep conditioner that contains protein and moisturizer once a week is ideal for hair. You can try Paul Mitchell Hair Repair. Hair that has been treated with chemicals should always be treated with a leave-in conditioner after every wash. Motions Nourish can be an option for this purpose. Comb wet hair with a wide-toothed comb as damp hair is very fragile and prone to breakage.
Step 3. If you need to wash your hair more than 1-2 times a week, “CO-washing” (Conditioner Only washing) can be an ideal alternative to washing/moisturizing your hair
CO-washing is washing your hair with a mild conditioner that can moisturize your hair so you don't need to use shampoo, which can make hair very dry if used too often on damaged or chemically treated hair. You can even do CO-washing every day. For best results, simply wash your hair with warm water and apply conditioner to your hair, starting about 5 cm from your scalp and working your way up to the ends of your hair. Apply more conditioner to the ends of your hair if they look dry. Do not apply conditioner to the scalp, unless it is dry. Then, rinse the conditioner until it's completely clean.
Step 4. It is better not to dry hair with hot air, especially if the condition of the hair is slightly damaged due to the straightening process
Let your hair dry on its own, at least partially before using the blow dryer on low or medium settings. However, if your hair is healthy and you want to use a blow dryer, choose a medium setting or use a blow dryer equipped with a funnel with a magnetic roller. Hair must be completely dry before you use curling irons or straighteners. Do not forget to use a heat protectant product before using the equipment.
Step 5. When using the curling iron to style your hair, do not use the curling bar clamp to grip the hair
Hold the clips slightly open so the hair can move along the curling rods without jerking and pulling as if you were using tongs. Each time the clip attaches to the hair wrapped around the curling rod, it creates the weakest point where the hair can break.
Step 6. Ceramic curling tools that use ions or a vise are suitable and easy to obtain
You can also purchase a tourmaline-based thermal device, ion technology, which has a temperature control. Straightened hair can be safely styled at a temperature of 150-185°C, depending on hair thickness. Do not apply the appliance repeatedly to each section of hair. Just do it 1-2 times at that temperature. Try using a heat protectant (in the form of a serum or cream instead of an oil) before using a heat-styling tool. Furatasse Keratin Serum, Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection and Paul Mitchell Heat Seal are options that you can try.
Step 7. Never use petrolatum and mineral oil to moisturize straightened hair
This ingredient does NOT moisturize the hair, but acts as a “cover” (protects the cuticle layer from damage and loss of moisture). You may need to use conditioner every day, depending on your hair type, but use a product that lubricates the scalp. For best results, choose an oil that is light, such as jojoba, coconut, almond, or olive, then put 1-2 drops in the palm of the hand, smooth and apply on the scalp. Comb the hair to evenly moisten the ends of the hair. Applying a small amount of oil to wet hair will do the same job as a leave-in conditioner and will keep your hair moisturized until the next shampooing.
Step 8. Minimize the use of heat-generating tools as heat can cause more damage to straightened hair
It's fine if you want to use the curling iron every now and then, but it's best if you opt for hair rollers. If you want to style your hair in curls for a few days, curling your hair using rollers is a healthier method. Make sure you use hair-friendly rollers and a satin cap to prevent dryness and breakage at night.
Step 9. Water-based moisturizers are a great choice for all hair types, although leave-in conditioners can also double as hair moisturizer
Ultra Black Hair Lotion Crème is an excellent moisturizer and can activate curls. You can also use Dove or Kerastase products. Avoid moisturizers that contain petrolatum and mineral oil, unless you wash/moisturize and CO-wash regularly.
Step 10. Do a deep conditioning every two weeks to maintain the strength and moisture of the hair
Don't over-wash your straightened hair by shampooing it more than once a week. Use a creamy conditioner that contains a light moisturizer and protein to clean damp hair. For best results, use a plastic shower cap and allow the conditioner to soak into your hair for 30-45 minutes. To save time and get equally effective results, you can use a hairdryer with a funnel on medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Doing deep conditioning regularly and consistently can help maintain the integrity of the hair so that it can withstand everyday hair manipulation and styling while preventing breakage. Examples of deep conditioner products include Paul Mitchell Super Charged Moisturizer or AG Deep Treatment. Try to buy a deep conditioner instead of other products because these products can provide the best protection against hair damage and usually contain quality ingredients.
Step 11. Do not comb your hair with a stiff bristle comb
Step 12. Drink plenty of water every day, get enough sleep, have a balanced diet, avoid stress, and do regular exercise (at least 2-3 days each week) to get the hair as healthy as possible
You can also take multivitamins, Biotin, Omega-3 oils, and other supplements if necessary.
Tips
- Minimize the use of heat when styling your hair.
- To maintain the density and thickness of the hair, use a wide-toothed straight comb and comb the hair very carefully from the ends and moving towards the roots. This way, you won't be pulling your hair from the roots and will help prevent breakage.
- Don't forget to always moisturize the ends of your hair because this is the oldest part of your hair, so it breaks easily when it's dry.
- Apply moisturizer, cover with oil, then wrap your hair before going to bed.
- When going to bed, you should wear a net hair cover to protect it from breaking when rubbing against the pillow.
- If straightened hair rubs against the pillow, there is a chance that it will break. To prevent this, use a silk or satin pillowcase.
- Increase your knowledge. Books on hair care can be a good source of knowledge.
- To strengthen hair before a straightening procedure, use a protein treatment 7 days in advance (Aphogee Treatment For Damaged Hair can be a good choice). After the protein treatment, don't forget to follow up with a deep conditioning process to soften your hair and make it easier for you to comb and style it. Repeat the treatment every 6-8 weeks if the condition of the hair is easily damaged.
- Protect the ends of the hair every morning and night with a good quality oil.
- Always use a good leave-in conditioner product.
Warning
- Let only people who know your hair well can style your hair.
- Remember that shampoo is formulated to clean the scalp and hair roots, while conditioner is meant to nourish the hair. When shampooing your hair, don't rub it in a rough motion just to get the hair clean. This action can make hair tangle.
- If your hair becomes brittle after using a certain brand or type of hair oil, stop using it immediately and try something new. Never use products that contain mineral oil or pertrolatum which can make hair limp. Choose a light oil such as jojoba, first-pressed olive oil, coconut oil, saffflower oil, carrot oil, tea tree oil, sunflower oil, canola oil or soybean oil.
- Avoid hair care products that contain alcohol and silicone, as these can damage your hair.
- Don't overuse conditioner. Check your hair regularly to see if it needs special care. Don't overload your hair with styling products, especially if you don't wash it often. If your hair is healthy, this action will actually harm the hair.
- If your hair tends to fall out when you're under stress, try not to wash it too often during this period and use a very gentle water pressure shower setting.
- Purchase a shower head that allows you to adjust the water pressure. Use only medium or gentle pressure when washing your hair as this can avoid hair thinning.
- Not all shampoos and conditioners are suitable for your hair type. Try different brands until you find 2-3 products that work for you. If certain products dry out your hair, don't use them again. If the product makes your hair softer and bouncy, keep using it!! Some really good shampoo/conditioner products include Tresemme which is formulated for damaged hair and Crème of Nature (red or green label).
