Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Hair Smoothening: The Complete Guide With Pros & Cons

hair smoothing treatment

Every time you do one, your hair becomes more brittle and prone to breakage. Unless you're battling life-crippling frizz, save the treatments for when you need them most — like in the summer. Beyoncé said she wasn’t always ‘flawless’ when it comes to her hair, unveiling her longtime struggles with psoriasis. “My hair has never grown so long, never been so moisturized and I’ve managed to keep my texture and my curls even with my hair so blond.

Harvard Health Publishing

hair smoothing treatment

However, the treatment might not be effective for those with thick and extremely curly hair. Your wish for smooth and shiny hair may very well be granted with hair smoothing treatments. However, they can have long term repercussions on your hair health. So here's everything you should know about them before you head out for the session. The first thing to know about an in-salon keratin treatment is that it takes a long time, regardless of whether you're doing a straightening or a smoothing treatment.

hair smoothing treatment

Best for Curly Hair

The Environmental Working Group lists Brazilian-style keratin treatments with formaldehyde and those using formaldehyde alternatives as not safe. Yet, some Brazilian keratin treatments may contain much higher levels — in some cases, more than five times higher — than the recommended level. However, they use methylene glycol or other chemicals instead, which may release formaldehyde when heated. This means that even though formaldehyde is not on the list of ingredients, people may still be at risk of exposure to the chemical.

Honey and Oil Hair Smoothing

Additionally, the formula eschews sodium chloride, a common thickening ingredient used in haircare which is known to strip keratin treatments from strands, jeopardizing longevity. That is why people should use them sparingly and avoid repeated exposure to harsh chemicals and heating elements. A keratin treatment is a temporary smoothing treatment that infuses hair with keratin, a fibrous protein found in hair, skin, and fingernails.

FDA considers issuing proposed rule to ban formaldehyde in hair straightening products - ABC News

FDA considers issuing proposed rule to ban formaldehyde in hair straightening products.

Posted: Tue, 17 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

HAIR SALON

"Do your homework. Ask the salon for the exact name of the product they use and Google that name along with 'material safety data sheet,'" Vater says. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Also, I didn't have to worry about a little sweat activating any baby curls at my temples the way I previously had to whenever I straightened my hair. I do miss my curls (these before photos are making me nostalgic!), and I'll probably return to them once the treatment grows out, but as far as a no-maintenance hairstyle is concerned, this one's hard to beat. Keratin is a very middle-ground approach to smoothening treatments. While some methods use harsh chemicals to apply the keratin, most people use heat instead.

What is hair oiling?

There are some drawbacks, though; many pro-strength treatments do contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Enter at-home DIY keratin treatments, which deliver smoothing results in as little as one application at a much lower price tag. Rather than penetrating deep into the hair, they sit on the surface, acting more like a reparative conditioning treatment. Still, the DIY keratin can have similar effects—making your hair stronger, smoother, and sleeker—they just won’t last as long. However, despite their popularity, keratin hair treatments are not without risks. Most contain formaldehyde or other ingredients that may release formaldehyde.

The Tanino Enzymotherapy Hair Smoothing Treatment starts at $425. For longer, denser hair types there is an additional charge of $50 per extra once of smoothing solution. Apple cider vinegar is an easy and quick at-home solution to achieve smooth, glossy hair without using chemicals. It balances your scalp’s pH, removes product build-up, and closes the hair cuticles thereby making them smooth and shiny. You could also add essential oils like rosemary, thyme or lavender to your carrier oils like coconut oil. After soaking your hair in oil for a good 30 minutes, wash with a gentle shampoo and conditioner.

This treatment costs around 350 US dollars and takes around 3 hours to complete. "Both are the permanent hair straightening options that will create a visible outgrowth line and will need to be grown out," says Grand. "And both treatments break down the hair's bonds in order to remove curl, which can leave the hair a lot weaker."

Doctors often prescribe oral medications to be used along with topical minoxidil because studies show the combination boosts hair production. Low-dose oral minoxidil (prescribed off-label) has been found to be effective and safe for most patients, Mirmirani says. Other oft-used drugs include finasteride (Propecia) and spironolactone. If you have scarring alopecia or alopecia areata, your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication such as the JAK inhibitor Olumiant (baricitinib) to help tamp down your immune system.

Since adding the Tanino Hair Smoothing Treatment to our premium hair smoothing category over 2 years ago, it has outperformed and provided more beautiful, longer-lasting results lasting up to 6 months. Apply hair serum after a few days of the treatment to protect your hair from sun, dirt, and dust. Hair smoothening treatment makes use of formaldehyde whose fumes might cause side effects. Your hair will then be straightened using a flat iron at a high temperature. “This works as a leave-in treatment and includes keratin and green pea proteins along with an abundance of vitamins that get to work to repair damage and restore strength where it’s needed most,” says Ludd.

Hair smoothening can last up to twelve weeks, but it does not last forever. Mix two egg yolks with ⅓ cup of honey and three tablespoons of coconut oil to create a hair mask. Begin by brewing a pot of your favorite coffee, then let it cool to room temperature. Distribute it evenly onto your hair and let it sit for minutes. Do not let the mixture touch your scalp, as it can stain the skin.

Mix a cup of mayonnaise with 2 teaspoons of mashed avocado and apply on your hair. A neutraliser cream is then applied to seal the effect and hair is washed after another 30 minutes. For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

How Hair Straightening Treatments Work, and If They Last

hair smoothing treatment

If you’re staying inside all day, you might be safe, but the weather can do a number on smooth hair if you venture out. Be sure you seal in your smooth strands with hairspray that’s fit to fight off the elements. The L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Weather Control Hairspray delivers a lightweight mist that blocks while locking in your smooth style. If your hair could do with a more regular application of strengthening keratin, this conditioner is an effective daily treatment. Additionally, the treatment might require a time commitment of several hours at the hair salon.

hair smoothing treatment

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The solution will sit on your hair anywhere between two and four hours, depending on the amount of hair you have and its texture. The Nexxus Keraphix Gel Treatment for Damaged Hair earns the top spot on our list. This protein-rich reparative treatment can easily be used all over your hair or just on specific areas that need a little strengthening boost, like brittle ends.

Keratin Hair Treatments: Your Ultimate Guide

Hair smoothening treatments are done to make your hair strands smoother, silkier, and shinier, which is true for hair straightening procedures as well. How do relaxers differ from other smoothing/straightening treatments? It's strong enough to straighten even the tightest curls but can come with some consequences, like scalp irritation.

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14 Best Frizzy Hair Products 2024 for Sleeker Strands.

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At-Home Keratin Treatments Stylists Recommend for Salon-Level Smoothness

This rich leave-in treatment also works to reduce frizz and improve shine. Though keratin treatments do not damage the hair, a flat iron at a very high temperature can. Always use a professional titanium flat iron and professional judgment when selecting the temperature—start at the lowest recommended temperature and increase only if necessary. "Keratin treatments can last up to six months, but you may find that it impacts your curl pattern permanently," says Taylor. Avoid formalin-based hair smoothening treatments if you are pregnant, but most keratin treatments are safe for pregnant women and their children.

Once it's blow-dried in, you can't wash your hair for 72 hours—and you shouldn't tie it into a ponytail or bun either, since the scrunchie or claw clip might lock in a weird kink or curl pattern. After the first wash, you can resume a regular hair-care routine (with a few swaps, but more on that later). These treatments are very effective, but your hair must be kept clean and dry for several days to maintain straightness while the product absorbs. While this is true for most hair smoothening treatments, it’s especially vital regarding Ammonium Thioglycolate. Thus, it is safe to say that hair smoothening gives your hair a more natural finish than hair straightening.

After consulting with a professional hair stylist, and considering dozens of options, we landed on these picks. As with all chemical processes for the hair, a keratin hair treatment should be done by a professional, and you should always discuss any required preparation with them. That said, Lordet advises to lay off coloring your locks pre-treatment, as the chemical can strip out the color and alter it.

But these do take longer to work, as supplements “must first be metabolized by the body and dispersed by the bloodstream to be beneficial,” says Dr. Shaver. And oral supplements may have more systemic side effects and interactions with other medications, so it’s especially important to check with your doctor before taking a supplement. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in nickel- or quarter-size patches. “Your body’s immune system is attacking the hairs,” Brodell says. While alopecia doesn’t typically affect your physical health, the emotional and psychological distress it can cause are very real.

hair smoothing treatment

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Growth Oil & Scalp Oil Treatment

The only thing we don’t love about it is the excessive packaging. It is also of note that pregnant people should not use keratin hair treatments. People should avoid washing their hair too often, as this can strip away the keratin treatment.

After it was dried and straightened, I was shampooed once more to wash out the solution. Finally, O'Connor followed up with a sealant and another blow-dry, but this one took just 15 minutes — a welcome change from my usual 45-minute blowouts. Having had curly hair since puberty, I have to admit it was shocking to watch her just use her fingers while shaking the blow dryer back and forth across my scalp rather than a round brush and a downward motion. Once the hair was completely dry, it hung straight from the scalp with no need for touch-ups. The texture was smooth and silky, and you bet I spent the entire evening running my hands through it like I was Selena Gomez in a Pantene commercial. Hair smoothing or smoothening is a temporary chemical treatment aimed to treat unruly, frizzy, and unmanageable hair.

They will thoroughly wash and condition your hair and use a blow dryer to dry it. Straightening is usually done with a flat iron and the results last for a day. Again, remember to use a heat protectant spray so you don't end up damaging your hair. “This is an easy-to-use, one-step leave-in treatment that delivers peptides throughout the hair shaft to smooth and strengthen hair,” says Dr. Cheung.

You (and your hairstylist!) will know what's best for your hair. If you’re in search of a velvety serum that will tame static while also boosting hair strength, add this product to your cart. Keratin treatments carry a host of benefits for strands. She also said that she finds hair — in any style — powerful and an important part of self-expression, especially for Black people, whose hair has been the subject of legislation, scrutiny and celebration.

Hair Smoothening: The Complete Guide With Pros & Cons

Table Of Content Harvard Health Publishing Best for Curly Hair Honey and Oil Hair Smoothing HAIR SALON Allure Daily Beauty Blast What is hai...