How to Straighten Thick Hair

It can sometimes be difficult and time consuming to straighten thick hair. However, it is possible to achieve a beautiful, sleek look even if you have very thick locks. Follow these steps to straighten your thick hair, whether it is wavy or curly.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Leave in conditioner (optional)
• Comb
• Cream or serum that protects hair
• Paddle brush
• Blow dryer
• Hair straightener

Instructions

1. Wash your hair and then condition it. Rinse the conditioner out with very cold water to close the follicles and make the hair shiny and smoother. If your hair is very damaged, consider adding a leave-in conditioner after your shower or bath.

2. Comb your hair to get out all the tangles. Instead of towel drying your hair, wring it out over a sink. You can pat dry or squeeze a bit with a towel, but don't rub it. Vigorous drying with a towel will create tangles.

3. Apply a hair product that is for straightening hair. Distribute it evenly. Consider adding a serum or cream that protects hair from heat styling as well. Dry your hair completely with a blow dryer and a paddle brush. If your hair gets a tangle from the blowing, get the tangle out with your comb.

4. Turn on your hair iron and let it heat up. Straighten small sections of hair at a time. The less hair you use with each pass of the iron, the better the results will be. In addition, if you pass the iron through your hair slowly instead of quickly, the hair will get straighter.

Tips & Warnings

• The more expensive hair straighteners are usually much better quality and do a better job than cheap ones.

• Don't ever use a hair straightener on damp or wet hair. It will cause extreme damage.

• Don't straighten your hair too often; a few times per week is plenty. Too much heat styling will dry out hair.