How to Straighten Curly Gray Hair

Getting your gray hair straight can pose a challenge, especially if your natural hair was silky and smooth. Gray hair grows out coarse, tough and wiry, and can change the entire texture of your hair, even after you dye gray hair away. If you have long gray hair, keeping frizzies and flyaways in check is easy, as long as you're willing to make a one-time investment in a quality hair straightening iron.

Things You'll Need

• Salon-quality straightening iron or flat iron, such as CHI, HAI, Solia, GHD, or Sedu
• Styling products (heat protectant and anti-frizz serums)
• Diffuser attachment (optional)

Instructions

1. Purchase a salon-quality straightening iron or flat iron. Avoid choosing a cheap straightener from the drugstore--the plates of these hot tools are often merely coated with ceramic or tourmaline, and don't retain heat, which can cause damage to your hair when you put it through the plates repeated times. You'll want a straightening iron with 100 percent ceramic or tourmaline plates, such as the Sedu, CHI, HAI, Solia or GHD. Yes, these irons are more expensive than drugstore brands, and can range from $100 to $200. But this is one instance where the quality of the tool you use is directly proportionate to your results.

2. Shop around for your flattening iron. Purchasing from a reputable online etailer is often the best way to find a good deal. Online stores such as Folica.com and Beauty.com often have sales on their top-of-the-line straightening irons. Select a plate size appropriate for your hair length. A 1" to 1.5" plate is recommended for women with medium-length hair, while a 2" plate may be more appropriate for those with thick, long hair with a lot of gray. If you have short hair, mini-straightening irons with 1/2" plates will do the trick--these are often the cheapest flat irons sold.

   When you get your straightening iron, remember to send in the warranty in case your hot tool breaks. If you buy an expensive straightening iron, you'll want to protect your investment.

3. Before you straighten your gray hair, blow-dry it as straight as possible using a paddle brush or barrel brush. Remember to apply a spray-in heat protectant before you blow-dry or use your straight iron. Whenever you hair is exposed to heat, this causes damage. Your gray hair is already susceptible to this, so using a good heat protectant is necessary.

4. Set your flat iron at no more than 347 degrees (note: it's advisable to purchase a straightener with multiple or adjustable heat settings). Attach your hair to your scalp using styling clips, working with only a small portion of the hair at a time. If your gray wiry hair is only in the area around your face, straightening it may take no time at all; however, if you have more than 50 percent gray all over your head, this can be a timely process.

5. Use an anti-frizz serum either before or after you straighten to tame flyaways and frizzies. The best products contain silicone. However, these products are very thick and require careful application. Don't use too much, so your hair won't look greasy.

6. Minimize straightening gray hair. Each time you use a straightening iron, you subject your hair to intense heat that can eventually cause damage. If you have wavy or curly hair, invest in a diffuser attachment, which dries hair into natural curls using low heat and low air.

Tips & Warnings

• Is straightening your gray hair too time-intensive? Ask your stylist if your are a suitable candidate for the Brazilian keratin treatment, aka, the "Brazilian blow-out." This method of semi-permanent straightening is safe for women who color or bleach their hair or whose hair isn't in the best condition.

Resources

• Flat Iron Facts
• Sedu Ceramic Flat Irons