How to Straighten African American Hair Without Relaxer

If you are an African American who can't use a relaxer, you are probably looking for ways to straighten your hair. The good news is that there are many ways to straighten curly and kinky hair without the use of chemicals. The results don't last as long, but they are normally safer and don't damage your hair and scalp.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blow dryer with comb attachment
• Hot comb
• Curling rod
• Rollers
• Flat iron

1. Manipulate a blow dryer. Put a comb attachment on it. Then, on freshly washed hair, apply conditioning oil. With your blow dryer on high, comb through sections of your hair until it is straight. Then, style as usual.

2. Twirl a curling iron. Use one with a large wand. Let it heat up. Then, section off 1-inch pieces of freshly washed and dried hair. Wind them around the curling iron until they are straight.

3. Set your hair in rollers. This process works well for African American women who enjoy tight curls. Apply setting solution to wet, clean hair. Then roll up individual pieces of it. Keep in mind, the more rollers you use, the curlier your hair will be. Then, sit under a hooded dryer for 15 to 30 minutes. Your hair will be straight and curly after it is completely dry.

4. Wave a hot comb through your tresses. Heat it up on a hot plate or hot comb heating appliance and wipe it on a paper towel. Then, section off quarter inch sections of your hair. Apply light conditioning oil to each piece and comb through it. Work your way throughout your entire head until your hair is completely straight.

5. Flat iron your hair. Make sure you use an expensive one to do it because they have more heat. Apply light conditioning oil to your entire head. Part hair into small pieces. Then, flat iron each.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch the amount of heat you are using on your hair.