There’s no shame in men taking care of themselves and, more particularly, their hair. Men, just like women, have an interest in changing up their looks from time to time.
If you’re looking to rid yourself of those curls and make your hair straight, look no further. There are a few different options to get straight hair.
Consider all of them, and be sure to choose the one that is best suited for you. Your hair type will be the most significant determining factor in getting from curly to straight hair.
Here are a few options to show you just how to straighten men’s hair.
How to Straighten Men’s Hair Temporarily
You might be looking to try a new ‘do but aren’t quite ready to commit to more permanent options to get straight hair. Not to worry, you’ve got choices. Here are a couple of temporary possibilities for you:
Blow Out
Sometimes a salon-style blow out is all you need to straighten out your curls. Get a salon-style blow out in your own home by following these steps:
1. Wash your hair
- Use shampoo and follow with conditioner
- Use a leave-in conditioner if available and necessary
- Towel dry your hair
2. Add a moisturizer/heat protectant
- Examples are argan oil or coconut oil
- These help to protect your hair from heat damage
3. Comb your hair
- Make it as straight as possible
- Your comb-type will depend on your hair (tight curls use wide-toothed, thinner hair use fine-toothed)
4. Blow-dry your hair
- Using medium heat, hold the blow dryer approximately 1 inch from your hair
- Move blow dryer over hair while combing from roots to tip
- If available, use an attachment nozzle to help control the air
- Try not to hold it over one section, or you could cause damage to your hair
5. Add a serum
- A serum will reduce frizz, add shine and hold the hair in place
- Work from the roots of your hair
Flat Iron
If you have particularly stubborn and/or curly hair, a blow out might not do the trick. You might opt for flat ironing as an alternative to make your hair straight:
1. Wash your hair
- Use shampoo and follow with conditioner
- Use a leave-in conditioner if necessary
2. Dry your hair
- Air dry or use a blow dryer if available
- Failure to completely dry your hair could result in heat damage
3. Add a moisturizer/heat protectant
- Examples are argan oil or coconut oil
- This help to protect from heat damage
4. Flat iron your hair
- Keep the flat iron on the lowest possible heat setting (248°F/120°C)
- Go over 1-inch sections of your hair with a flat iron
- Don’t press too hard on the flat iron, or you could pull your hair
- Don’t leave the iron on any section for more than 1-2 seconds, or you could cause damage
5. Comb your hair
- Add any additional styling products at this point to keep the hold
How to Straighten Curly Hair on Men Semi-Permanently
If you have tried out the temporary options to straighten your hair and are still not happy with the results or are looking for longer-lasting results, you might look into chemical treatment options.
The most commonly known chemical straightening treatment is known as a relaxer. A relaxer is a cream-like substance that chemically breaks down the hair strands.
This process will ultimately alter your texture from curly to straight hair. Typically, chemical treatments last approximately 6-8 weeks.
You have the option of going to a professional for this treatment process. Otherwise, some at-home kits are available to you.
Just like when you are handling any chemicals at home, be sure to thoroughly read the instructions, as this might damage you or your hair.
If you are interested in trying out a relaxing treatment at home to make your hair straight, follow these easy steps:
1. Make sure your hair is NOT clean
- Don’t shampoo for 2-3 days prior
- This Could cause additional irritation to your scalp
2. Diligently read all instructions on the product
- The ingredients are potent chemicals that can cause damage if not used properly
- Follow the treatment time listed on the product specifically
3. Mix the ingredients
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals
- Mix until it turns into a paste
4. Apply product to hair
- Move through all of your hair in sections until you have covered all of your hair
- Move from ends to the scalp – heat from your scalp will cause the relaxer to work more quickly
- If possible, see if you can have someone help you
5. Leave in your hair
- Pay close attention to what your instructions are, but typically from 10-15 minutes
- If you experience any severe irritation, make sure you wash your hair out immediately with shampoo
6. Wash your hair
- Use the shampoo included with your kit
- Otherwise, use a clarifying shampoo to neutralize the chemicals
- Finish up with conditioner and rinse with cold water
Deciding whether to have your hair relaxed with a chemical treatment by a professional or to do it yourself at home is up to your comfort level. There are chemicals involved, so be very careful and follow every instruction on the box closely.
What Is the Right Way to Get Straight Hair?
Learning how to straighten hair on men can take a bit of practice. While some methods work well for some, others will inevitably work well for others.
Try out some of the temporary options and if you decide to move to something more permanent, know there are options out there for you.