How to Straighten Permed Hair
Women often desire a versatile hairstyle. While permed curls can be flirty, carefree and sophisticated, sometimes straightening curls for a clean, smooth look is more ensemble-appropriate. Temporarily straightening permed hair can require haircare products, a brush, and 30 minutes or longer, depending on hair length. However, it's possible to master the skill of smoothing out curls quickly and easily, and high-quality blowouts often look fresh and styled for several days. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Blow dryer Haircare products Towel Brush (paddle or round) Flat iron (optional)
Instructions
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Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and deep conditioner. Choose products that are marketed for their "smoothing" or "straightening" styling benefits. Additionally, use haircare products designed to protect chemically treated hair during heat-styling.
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Towel-dry clean hair. Try to absorb excess water by patting your head, rather than scrunching up your curls. Comb hair from roots to ends, and part as usual.
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Spritz hair with a heat-protectant spray, such as Aveda's Brilliant Damage Control (see Resources). Then, smooth a small amount of hair-straightening lotion, such as Aveda's popular Hang Straight product, all over hair, focusing on the tips.
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"Rough dry" hair with a blow dryer. Using only your fingers to move hair, blow dry your roots for just a few minutes, removing excess water. Point hair dryer in the downward position, as this promotes smoothness and reduce frizz.
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Divide hair into three main sections: two sides and a back. If permed hair has tight, small curls, drying hair in smaller sections may produce better results. Clip hair sections out of the way, as needed, during the drying process.
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Use a paddle (or round) brush and blow dryer to straighten each section of permed hair. Tuck brush underneath hair section at the roots; then, directing the blow dryer heat onto the hair, pull the brush through the entire length of the hair section. Repeat step for each section until hair is fully dry.
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Blast straight, dry hair with cool air. Many hair dryers offer a "cool shot" option; press this button, and direct blow dryer across entire head of hair. This will help set your new, straightened hairstyle.
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Complete hair straightening with a high-quality flat iron. Adjust heat to a low temperature setting, and flat-iron hair in 2-inch sections.
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Tame potential fly-aways with a smoothing product. Use a small amount of serum, such as Aveda's Smoothing Fluid, to finish off a straight hairstyle.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to blow dry small sections at a time for the best results. Try using different kinds of brushes, such as thick, square paddles or 2-inch-round ones, until you find the perfect one for your hair type. Get hair trimmed frequently to snip split ends and keep hair healthy-looking.
Never try to permanently straighten your hair without the help of a trained professional. Do not allow hair to contact a flat-iron or blow dryer for an excessive period, as this will damage hair.
