Best Permanent Hair Straightening

The best permanent hair straightening method depends upon the desired results, hair type and amount of money one wants to spend. Advances in chemical hair processing have made impressively and permanently smooth hair available to wider markets. But one thing remains the same: The trade off for permanently straight hair is inevitable hair damage. And some of the latest tress silkening techniques will strain the pocketbook too.

Function

All hair permanent straightening processes work by breaking bonds between the hair protein molecules. As the bonds are broken, the hair looses it's memory for it's natural shape, and it looses much of it's natural resiliency and elasticity. The bond breaking process is accomplished by applying alkaline chemicals to the hair for several minutes. Application is timed and stopped precisely when hair straightness has been achieved, but before the hair is damaged too extensively.

Significance

Some people straighten their own hair at home. Home hair straightening products must be applied and timed as precisely as salon products, or serious hair damage and subsequent breakage may result. Because hair straightening chemicals act quickly and timing is tricky, many people will only have their hair straightened in a salon where the stylist expertly gages hair condition and type, and chooses the right combination of chemicals and application time.

Features

Permanent hair straightening techniques used in salons rely on the same chemical principles as traditional relaxers, but they've evolved to produce superior results. In Japanese hair straightening, also called thermal reconditioning or ionic retexturizing, the straightening chemical is applied to the hair, then rinsed out after protein bonds are broken. Heat is applied from blow dryers and flat irons to set the straight position of the hair. A neutralizing solution is applied after heat application.

Effects

Thermal reconditioning, when executed successfully by an experienced stylist, results in remarkably straight silky hair. However, achieving alternate soft wave styles after straightening is difficult even with a curling iron or rollers. Pure African hair is too fragile to tolerate thermal reconditioning, though mixed race hair may be a candidate for the process. The stylist will evaluate the hair to determine if Japanese straightening is appropriate.

Potential

Brazilian or keratin hair straightening is a semi-permanent alternative for people who's hair cannot withstand the harsh chemicals of permanent straightening. No chemicals are used to break bonds between hair proteins, so it's not truly a permanent straightening process, though the results do last three to four months. A keratin solution is applied to the hair, and sealed with a hot flat iron. The keratin forms a smooth coating around the hair shaft, supporting the hair in it's new straight shape.

Considerations

Permanent and semi-permanent hair straightening affects only hair that has grown out of the hair follicle, so new hair growth will not be straight and touch ups will be required. The newest straightening techniques are expensive and time consuming. Thermal reconditioning costs $300 to $1000 dollars for a full treatment and takes 3 to 6 hours. Touch ups are faster and cost less. Keratin hair straightening costs $200 to $600 and takes 2 to 4 hours. Because the keratin wears off, whole head treatments are needed every 3 to 4 months. Traditional salon straightening and home straightening produce hair that is not as sleek, and further daily styling is usually necessary. But the cost is far more reasonable--around $100 in a salon, or $15 at home.

Resources

• Thermal Reconditioning: Frequently Asked Questions
• Brazilian Keratin Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions