Hair smoothening can be an excellent way to put vibrance and life back into your hairstyle, but it can also have drawbacks. There are various techniques to smoothen your hair, and each has its own pros and cons.
Here, we’ll go over the types of hair smoothing techniques, how they affect the hair, and how long they will last so you have a better idea of whether or not you should smoothen your hair.
What Is Hair Smoothening?
Hair smoothening is a process that takes frizzy, dry hair and makes it straighter, shinier, and more vibrant. Stylists apply chemicals to the hair to make it appear smoother and healthier.
There are several types of hair smoothening treatments, which differ mainly in terms of their chemical compounds. It’s essential to know their differences when evaluating the pros and cons.
Types of Hair Smoothening
Formalin Hair Smoothening
Formalin hair smoothening coats and helps protect the hair shaft, though no chemical treatment protects it completely. It can make the hair smoother, shinier, and straighter. Formalin smoothening can leave hair looking sleeker and feeling more elastic, but it is a formaldehyde-based process, so results and risks vary by product and technique. This method isn’t safe to do alone.
Formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, which is very toxic to humans while the process is occurring, and the FDA notes these products can keep releasing formaldehyde during and after application when the hair is heat styled, so ventilation and professional handling matter.
However, while the mixture is doing its job, it must be handled by a professional.
Ammonium Thioglycolate Hair Smoothening
Ammonium Thioglycolate uses the same chemicals as a perm, but it keeps the hair straight instead of curly.
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.
Thioglycolate-based treatments don’t cause much harm to the hair in the short term, but they can do long-term damage, so consult a stylist before you take on this treatment.
Keratin Treatments
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.
Keratin is less likely to damage your hair than ammonium thioglycolate, but it doesn’t protect your hair as well as stronger treatments. Note that many keratin smoothing products can release formaldehyde when heated with a flat iron, which is why the FDA flags them as a health concern.
Like the other treatments, you cannot get your hair wet for several days after receiving a keratin hair smoothening. Additionally, you cannot put your hair up or let it get any kinks in it the first three days after your treatment.
Pros and Cons of Hair Smoothening
Now that you know a little more about different hair smoothing treatments, it’s time to look at the pros and cons.
Pros:
- You won’t have to worry about straightening your hair for 2-3 months.
- Some types of hair smoothening treatments protect your hair.
- Hair smoothening treatments can make damaged hair look sleek and shiny.
- You can do some kinds of hair smoothening treatments at home.
- Some hair smoothening treatments can lock in color and keep it looking fresh and vibrant.
Cons:
- You will not be able to wash your hair for 2-3 days.
- With some types of hair smoothening, you won’t be able to put your hair up or use bobby pins or barrettes for three days.
- Most hair smoothening treatments don’t last long if you go to the pool often.
- Only professionals can perform some types of treatments, as they are dangerous.
- You won’t be able to use a curling iron or a crimper on your hair if you want the smoothening treatment to last.
Things to Consider Before Smoothening Hair
If you are thinking about smoothening your hair, there are several things you should consider before going through with the procedure.
Do You Like To Alternate Your Hairstyles Frequently?
If you like to have your hair curled one day or straight the next, you probably shouldn’t smoothen your hair. Curling or waving your hair later will ruin the treatment.
Do You Have to Have Your Hair Up or in a Hairnet for Smoothening To Work?
Some hair smoothing treatments require you to leave your hair down for several days. If this is the case for you, you might have to wait until a holiday or a long weekend to get a hair treatment done.
Do You Have a Hobby Such as Swimming Which Puts You in Frequent Contact With Harsh Chemicals?
The chlorine in pool water reacts poorly with most hair smoothening treatments. While it isn’t likely to ruin your hair in one go (as long as it isn’t within the first few days of performing the procedure), it will decrease the time your hair will stay smooth.
How To Do Hair Smoothening
The process for smoothing your hair depends on which type you use. You should always follow the directions that come with the chemical that your hair-styling professional gives you.
Because professional smoothing systems (especially keratin and formalin formulas) can release strong fumes and irritate or burn skin when handled incorrectly, hair smoothening is best left to a licensed stylist working in a properly ventilated salon rather than attempted at home. Your stylist will select the right formula for your hair type, protect your scalp and skin, and control the heat and timing safely.
Natural Ways for Smoothening Hair At Home
There are some natural smoothening remedies if you don’t want to use harsh, artificial chemicals on your hair. While they don’t last as long as professional treatments, they help hair look healthier and straighter!
Coffee Smoothening
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 10-15 minutes. Do not let the mixture touch your scalp, as it can stain the skin. Once it sets, rinse your hair with cool or lukewarm water.
Coffee smoothening typically lasts about three days but can last up to a week.
Egg and Honey Smoothening Mask
Mix two egg yolks with ⅓ cup of honey and three tablespoons of coconut oil to create a hair mask.
Apply the mask from the tips of your hair to the roots. The mask can leave hair feeling soft and conditioned and the scalp feeling cleaner. Allow the mixture to set on your hair for 40 minutes and then wash and condition with lukewarm water.
This treatment should last approximately one week.
Honey and Oil Hair Smoothing
This natural hair smoothening is slightly different from the other two methods. While the other two aim to smoothen the hair that has already grown from your scalp, the honey and olive oil mask attempts to make your hair straighter naturally.
Dampen your hair and apply a mixture of honey and oil in equal parts. You may use coconut oil or olive oil. Make sure to spread the mixture liberally onto your scalp. Allow the mixture to set for at least 20 minutes, and then wash your hair.
This treatment can leave your hair looking shinier and feeling softer. Any new hair growth should have a bit of extra moisture and shine.
After Care for Hair Smoothening
Whether you use professional or natural hair smoothening, there are several things to remember about caring for your straight and smooth hair:
- Don’t wash your hair with harsh shampoos and conditioners.
- Don’t use curling irons or wavers on smoothened hair.
- The chemicals in pool water can harm your hair and ruin smoothening.
- Hair ties and bobby pins aren’t good for some types of hair smoothening.
With a little patience and some extra care, you can make your hair smoothening treatment last.
How Much Does Hair Smoothening Cost?
Generally, professional smoothening costs between $75 and $300, depending on the type of treatment that you get. Prices can be a little higher or lower depending on what part of the country you live in.
If you do a natural treatment, you can generally smoothen your hair for a few days for less than $15.
How Long Does Hair Smoothening Treatment Last?
The length of time a hair smoothening treatment lasts depends on what type of treatment you get. Professional hair smoothening treatments typically last six to twelve weeks, and natural methods usually last between three days and one week. The better you care for your hair, the longer the treatment will last.
There are many ways to smoothen your hair, each with pros and cons. Be sure to carefully consider each type of hair smoothening technique so you can use the best method for you and your hair!