How to turn an afro into straight hair

You want to straighten your hair for a different look, so how can you do this safely? You can either use temporary measures or you can use chemicals to make the change permanent. If you crave a change for one day or a short period of time, you may need practice to perfect your straightening technique. Chemical products should be applied by professionals or those with experience using them.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comb
• Brush
• Styling products
• Hair clips
• Flat iron
• Curling iron (optional)
• Relaxer (optional)
• Neutralizing shampoo (optional)
• Conditioner

Turn an Afro into Straight Hair

1. Start on freshly washed, conditioned and dried hair if you're using a flat iron.

2. Use a comb to separate your hair into four sections, holding sections you're not working on out of the way with hair clips.

3. Apply styling products of your choice on each section of hair.

4. Start at the nape of your neck.

5. Work on a section of hair no wider than one inch.

6. Put the flat iron as close to your scalp as you can without touching and pull it straight down the length of your hair in one smooth motion.

7. Repeat steps five and six for your entire head, using a curling iron to curl your ends if desired.

8. Brush your hair to smooth it further.

Straighten Your Afro with a Relaxer

9. Start with dry hair that isn't freshly washed and conditioned. You should wait two or three days after washing your hair before relaxing.

10. Separate hair into four sections, holding sections you're not working on out of the way with plastic clips.

11. Start at the nape of your neck and apply the relaxer.

12. Work quickly and apply the relaxer to the back of your hair first before moving onto the front sections.

13. Smooth the relaxer flat against your head, being careful not to get any on your ears or skin.

14. Leave the relaxer on for as long as the instructions specify.

15. Rinse the relaxer completely from your hair.

16. Apply a neutralizing shampoo and wash your hair with it. This special shampoo stops the relaxer from acting further. Lather up with it two or three times to make sure any traces of relaxer are completely gone.

17. Apply a conditioner to your hair and work it through to the ends before rinsing.

18. Enjoy your newly straight hair. This straightening process is permanent and will require touching up your hair's new growth every few months to blend in with the rest of your straight hair.

Tips & Warnings

• You should only flat iron each section of hair once, so the iron needs to be at the appropriate temperature. Test out a small area of hair before you style your entire head to make sure the iron is hot enough.
• Straightening your Afro with a flat iron is only temporary; your hair will revert to its natural state after your next shampoo.
• Don't use a flat iron that's too hot. It can cause permanent damage to your hair.
• Don't use flat irons on wet or damp hair. This can "cook" your hair and is very damaging.
• Chemical relaxers can damage your hair and scalp if not applied properly.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.