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What Is the Best Way to Straighten Hair?

There are many ways to straighten your hair if smooth, silky, sleek and straight hair is what you desire. Whether you choose to flat iron your hair or blow-dry your hair straight, you have different, yet effective choices. However, in the past few years the latest development in the hair straightening world has been Japanese hair straightening (aka thermal reconditioning), which has proven to be a long-lasting and efficient way to achieve straight hair.

  1. Function

    • Japanese hair straightening is a way to permanently straighten the hair. The process involves applying chemicals to smooth out and straighten the hair. After the chemicals have been placed on the hair, the hair is then ironed (section by section), rinsed out and blow-dried. The process is time consuming, usually taking between three and eight hours (depending on factors including your hair's length and texture). However, the results can last up to six months.

    Warning

    • Japanese hair straightening can be pretty pricey. Getting this process done can range from $100 to a steep $800 (not including tip and purchase of hair products). However, in the end, getting the straightening could end up saving you a lot of time (no more waking up 30 minutes earlier to flat iron your hair) and money, so it's necessary to weigh the pros and cons.

    Considerations

    • Many people with highlights worry about the possible damage that Japanese hair straightening could do to their hair. When highlighted hair is next to nonhighlighted hair, the difference in porosity creates difficulty as the highlighted hair will process a lot quicker than the "untouched" hair. To combat this situation, a protective cream is applied to the highlighted hair. This also helps to avoid overprocessing the highlighted hair.

    Expert Insight

    • Typically it is said that Japanese hair straightening results can last for up to six months. However, there are many cases in which it actually lasts up to nine months (when the hair starts growing out again). After the first Japanese hair straightening treatment, it is recommended to go for touch-ups every six months.

    Identification

    • Japanese hair straightening is generally recommended for Caucasian hair. However, it can be performed on the hair of people from all backgrounds. The straightening process might not work as efficiently on African hair types, but it will tame and smooth out the hair. Using hair relaxers is a more highly recommended process for non-Caucasian hair.

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