how to straighten natural hair without a flat iron

From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Try a coin-sized amount of natural oil instead. This article has been viewed 11,181 times. Start with the lower layers of hair, around the nape of your neck and your ears. I am qualified to show you how to get a professional style at home. The challenge is that many methods require you to use chemicals or heat. Avoiding Common Mistakes Don't go for perfectly straight hair if your hair won't allow it. "Proteins that will help hold the style and protect against environmental damage, like macadamia oil, which works to seal the hair's cuticle [are good]. These questions are generally due to the horror stories about women damaging their hair. Natural hair … "Then set the blow-dryer to medium heat, while keeping the dryer above the head and pointed down. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. If you’re transitioning, heat is really the enemy, so if you must use it, try to … Optionally, use a shampoo formulated to straighten hair. Heat-styling and natural curls usually don’t make a good match. If you haven't been using a flat iron with adjustable temperature controls, get your hands on one before the next time you intend to straighten your hair. Both can damage the hair and, with continued use, can even cause hair loss. Using a flat iron definitely, gives natural afro curly hair a super sleek straight finish. These finishing products should also be full of things that will maintain your look. "And grows back mostly with its natural texture and shape. 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight, The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When, Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners, 25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine, The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year, How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts, How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter, How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor, How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now, How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide, Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home. Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. "Every case is unique and depends on lots of factors (is the hair color-treated, did the heat damage come from a flat iron or blowouts). Here are a few alternatives, ranging from thorough treatments to easy, low-investment options. Start by carving out a designated work area in your space. Apply conditioner to damp or wet hair, wait a few minutes, and then rinse it out. Start with freshly washed, slightly damp hair. In terms of heat damage, Dorsey recommends using a heat protectant when flat-ironing your hair. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. It lasts anywhere between four to five months and can be repeated without worrying about damaging the hair," he says. But if you want curly hair, you need to … Save the flat iron for little touch up's (like stubborn hairline curls) but don't use it on the whole head. Natural newbies, in particular, often have several questions related to heat damage. There are safer ways to straighten your hair than attacking it with a flat iron. Start with freshly washed, slightly damp hair. If you've already washed your hair recently, just dampen it with water. We love the Cantu Heat Protectant Spray ($4). Today I wanted to flat iron my type 4 natural hair. Shampoos containing keratin and argan oil are best as they smooth and strengthen the cuticle for a long-lasting style. Once your hot tool is ready, run the plates of the flat iron over your strands. Fortunately, there are ways to straighten your natural hair without actually damaging your curls. Without being able to control how hot your iron is, you won't be able to adjust heat according to your hair's specific needs. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Quit being so ignorant. Help them thrive even when the temperature drops. Now that your hair is blow-dried, it’s time to straighten your mane with a flat iron. Choose rollers that are large enough for your hair to go around just 1.5 times for a large "C" curl. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Worried about damaging your hair? Apply deep conditioner to your hair from roots to tips and leave on for 5 minutes before rinsing well. For more control, use a concentrator attachment on the blow dryer nozzle. Electric Hot Brush Round. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 11,181 times. Wash your hair with a straightening shampoo and rinse completely. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Hair straightening irons are particularly damaging … "Specifically, a boar bristle round brush helps drag your natural oils down the hair shaft, leaving the hair feeling soft and shiny.". Always wrap hair at night to maintain straightened hair … The other must-have tool for straightening your hair with a blow dryer is a flat paddle brush if your hair is long enough otherwise a small tooth comb works just fine. It's no secret that straightening your hair with a flat iron can cause heat damage if you're not taking the proper precautions; without first prepping your hair properly, using these popular tools can actually lead to some strand breakage. Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Opt for a professional treatment for a semi-permanent effect like a Keratin Complex Express Blow Out treatment offered at many salons. Biology aside, there is still a way to safely straighten your hair without having to deal with a ton of heat damage. Well Hello! Get some large foam or velcro rollers. To improve hair moisture and prevent frizzing, use a deep conditioner, or leave your regular conditioner in your hair for an extra two or three minutes. Keep in mind that it may be more difficult to control a fan than a blow-dryer. Wrap scarf around hair and tightly knot. It’s true that not all hair types can achieve the goal of straightening hair without a flat iron like thick curly hair, but for naturally wavy medium to fine hair – it is possible. We've asked the experts to help break it all down for you. "For long to medium styles that straighten easily, brush wet … Never attempt to use a flat-iron on wet or even damp hair. Sometimes it is possible for the hair to regain some movement, however, it will never be the same as their natural curl pattern." Credit: All Rights Reserved. This article has been viewed 11,181 times. Some of the stupidity in the comments are stifling. You can also blow-dry your hair in front of a fan, rather than tiring out your arm with a blow-dryer. Now that your hair is ready, you can decide which option works best for you. Keep brushing your hair until it's dry. Getting your hair wet is the first step to straightening it, so start by washing and conditioning your hair. Ensure combing your curly hair before you begin straightening it. But we’re here to tell you: it’s best to use heat styling in moderation only! Flat iron your hair using the chase method. Get the largest curlers you can find. Our third way is to get straight hair. This will rough up the strand and make it harder to achieve a sleek, straight look. Make sure the products you are using on your straight hair are water free (that means oil based or silicone based). You want to keep your iron at the lowest setting required to straighten your hair (most irons go up to 450 degrees, but reaching for at least 360 degrees is beneficial). Her channel is TheChicNatural. This video talks about how to straighten your hair without using a flat iron. Putting it in a bun or braid will leave creases in your hair, making it appear wavy. "If you have puffy roots, get a keratin treatment to avoid overuse of the flat-iron. By using our site, you agree to our. To use a paddle brush with a hair dryer, place the hair dryer nozzle close to the bristles of the brush. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Straighten-Your-Hair-Without-a-Flat-Iron-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Straighten-Your-Hair-Without-a-Flat-Iron-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Straighten-Your-Hair-Without-a-Flat-Iron-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid3472354-v4-728px-Straighten-Your-Hair-Without-a-Flat-Iron-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"