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Hair Smoothing: This Is What You Need To Know About ItYour 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.

 

 

Highlights:

 

What Is Hair Smoothing?

How Is Hair Smoothing Done?

Things To Do Before Your Hair Smoothing Session

Post Smoothening Hair Care Tips

How Long Do Smoothing Treatments Last?

Disadvantages Of Hair Smoothening Treatment

What Is Hair Smoothing?

Hair smoothing or smoothening is a chemical process that uses a formaldehyde [1] solution to saturate your hair strands, post which a flat iron is used to set it. The procedure smoothes out the hair, and removes frizz and dryness. It is a quick fix for someone considering hair straightening.

 

How Is Hair Smoothing Done?

In-Salon Methods

A. Blow Drying

Running late for that party or meeting and need smooth hair instantly? Blow drying is the best option. It gives you smooth and manageable hair but the results last until your next hair wash. It works well for wavy and curly hair. Use a good heat protectant spray before starting out.

 

B. Straightening

Straightening is usually done with a flat iron and the results last for a day. You can achieve super soft and straight hair. Again, remember to use a heat protectant spray so you don't end up damaging your hair.

 

C. Traditional Relaxers For Hair

This treatment removes frizz and smoothens the hair. It is most suitable for wavy and slightly curly hair. The results can last up to 4-6 months. If you have a sensitive scalp, go for relaxers like guanidine hydroxide and calcium hydroxide.

 

D. Keratin Treatments

Keratin is a hair protein that gives hair its strength. Keratin treatments are divided into brazilian blowout, keratin treatment and cysteine treatment.

 

Brazilian blowout [2] is popular for a reason. It is compatible with bleached hair too. It gives hair a smooth and shiny finish which is otherwise not possible with chemical relaxers.

 

Formaldehyde solution is applied to the hair, is dried and straightened using a flat iron. The solution breaks down the hydrogen bonds in keratin molecules of the hair. The alignment of the keratin [3] filaments is disrupted and when the hair is set using a flat iron, the strands fit in perfectly to look smooth and shiny. This process takes 3-5 hours.

 

Cysteine treatment uses formaldehyde free keratin treatments that do not pose side effects and extreme heat hazards.

 

E. Thermal Reconditioning Or Japanese Straightening

This kind of treatment breaks the bonds in the hair using a chemical solution. The hair is then reshaped with a flat iron. A neutralizer is applied towards the end to seal the hair in a straight shape. It requires regular touch-ups but is extremely useful for loose to medium curls.

F. Creams Used For Hair Smoothing

After washing, conditioning and blow drying hair, a cream is applied on the hair and is left for 30 minutes. This cream enables the breakage of bonds in the hair's keratin. Hair is then straightened using a flat iron.

 

A neutraliser cream is then applied to seal the effect and hair is washed after another 30 minutes.

 

There are hair smoothing creams available in the market that give healthy-looking hair fast. Here's a list of ingredients such products may contain:

 

Biotin

Vitamin E

Vitamin B5

Moringa seed oil

Amino acids

Moroccan argan oil

avocado oil

Limit hair smoothing treatments to thrice a year as they can lead to brittle hair if done excessively. If you have extremely thin and brittle hair, avoid hair smoothing treatments entirely.