How To Straighten Permed Hair – smartesthairstyles.com – Temporarily straightening permed hair is one way to redefine your curly hairstyle. Some people consult a professional to achieve a sleek, straight hairstyle, but salons can be expensive. If you want to straighten your permed hair yourself, you have several options.
- Creating a temporary style
Wash your hair Choose a smoothing conditioner and a gentle shampoo. Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates. Make sure both your shampoo and conditioner have moisturizing properties. Since you’re using heat to style your hair, the process can dry out your hair.
Heat is harsh on your hair, so be gentle with it during the washing process.
After shampooing and conditioning your hair, apply a heat protectant.
For extra moisture, you can add a hair care oil. You don’t have to add more than one drop. Be careful not to apply the oil too close to your scalp as this can make your hair look greasy. Keep the oil 2.5 to 3 inches away from the scalp.
Apply a smoothing product. Choose a product that is suitable for your hair type. For example, you can choose a gel, mousse or balm labeled for smoothing. This offers more control and helps you achieve your desired style.
You may find a product that is both a straightening product and a heat protectant. Ask your stylist for a recommendation.
Dry your hair for a blowout look. Blow dry your hair with a diffuser. Start drying at your roots, then continue drying your hair until it is completely dry. As you dry your hair, start straightening it by brushing it with a paddle brush or combing it through with your fingers.
If you have thin hair that tends to dry quickly, you can simply let it air dry. However, you need to use the straightening iron afterwards to create your straight look.
For a smoother look, run a straightening iron over your hair after drying it.
Make sure your hair is completely dry before using a flat iron. If your hair is still wet, the flat iron can boil your hair, which can cause hair damage. Missing some sections when blow drying can also result in unwanted frizz.
Choose the right hair straightener if you want an elegant look. If you only want to temporarily remove your perm, a flat iron is the best way. It will not permanently remove the perm but will temporarily straighten your hair. Make sure you choose the right flat iron for your hair type.
If you have short, thick, or fine hair, look for an iron with narrow plates. Ideally, the size of the plates in your hair straightener should be between half an inch and one inch long.
For longer hair, look for an iron with longer plates. Choose an iron with plates that are between an inch and a half to two inches wide.
Regardless of your hair type, make sure your flat iron isn’t too heavy. If it weighs more than a few pounds, you’ll get sore from using it.
Find the right cooking level. The heat setting you choose on your straightener is important. If it is too hot or too cold, it may be ineffective or even cause damage.
Not all straighteners allow you to regulate the heat. If your hair is undamaged and of average density, you should be safe to use a flat iron without an adjustable heat. However, if you have special needs when it comes to your hair, treat yourself to a more expensive flat iron that allows you to control the heat.
If your hair is fine or damaged, keep the heat between 250 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your hair is of medium thickness, set the heat between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have thick hair, set the heat between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Straighten your hair. Once the flat iron has warmed up, you can start straightening your hair. This process may take some time, so be patient.
Section your hair before you start straightening. Divide your hair into 4 sections, then work 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) sections until you have finished each section. Do not try to straighten more than about 1/2 inch of hair at a time. Thicker hair will require more sections than thinner hair.
Start with the section near your nape. Comb the section of hair and then run your flat iron over it. Comb it again after it has been straightened.
Move the flat iron through your hair in sections. Walk slowly and keep a steady pace. Ideally, you want sections of hair to straighten out on the first try. Going over the same section more than once can dry out the hair and cause damage.
Use tension as you pull the flattener down your hair. You shouldn’t cause yourself any pain, but applying a little pressure can help get your hair sleek and straight on the first try.
- Using a perming kit for a long-term effect
Take good care of your hair. If you want to get rid of a perm permanently, you can do so by using a perm kit to reverse the chemical process that caused the perm to harden. However, before using a perm kit, make sure your hair is groomed. If possible, do this the day before using the kit.
Wash your hair with shampoo and then dry it with a towel. Comb your hair and divide it into 4 to 6 sections. If you have thicker hair, you will need more sections.
Apply the conditioner to your hair in sections. Start at the root and work your way to the top. When you are done with all the sections, wear your hair in a shower cap. Apply heat to your hair. You can use a hood dryer on medium heat for 20 minutes. If you don’t have a hood dryer, you can throw a towel in the dryer and wrap it around your head for 20 minutes.
When you’re done applying heat, remove the shower cap and rinse your hair with cool water. Towel dry your hair, then brush and style as usual.
Wash your hair and apply waving lotion. When you are ready to use the perm kit, wash your hair. Then apply the wave lotion from the perm set.
Style your hair the way you normally wear it, even when your hair is wet. For example, create a side part or comb your bangs forward if you have them. If necessary, use a towel to keep the lotion off your face.
Comb the lotion through your hair. Use a wide-toothed comb for the process. Comb through for about 10 minutes until your hair is completely saturated with the lotion.
Check your hair in the mirror. Hopefully the curls should relax a bit. If this doesn’t work, comb your hair for another 5 minutes or until you notice this effect.
Rinse the lotion out of your hair. Once your curls begin to unfurl, rinse your hair. Use very warm water for this process and rinse your hair for at least 3 minutes. You want to make sure you get all of the lotion out of your hair.
Dry hair and apply neutralizer. Blot the excess water out of your hair. If necessary, push your hair into the towel. However, do not rub your hair as this can cause damage. Once your hair is dry, apply the neutralizer from the kit. Repeat the process you used with the waving lotion. When you’re done, rinse the neutralizer out with very warm water. The neutralizer takes longer to rinse out than the waving lotion. You need to rinse for at least five minutes.
Care for your hair afterwards. Once you’re done with the neutralizer, pat your hair dry again. If the process is successful, the process should leave hair straighter and remove some of the perm.
The products used in perm kits can damage the hair. Be sure to use conditioner when you shower after this method. This will revitalize your hair’s lost moisture and prevent further damage. Even if you don’t shampoo, use conditioner every day for about a week.
- Using a gel
Find the right gel for your hair. Certain gels can help straighten your hair. Similar to a flat iron, they only work temporarily to remove curls. Take some time to choose the right hair for your hair.
Keep in mind that gels will not work on some and may not produce the desired results. Gels don’t usually remove the curls on their own.
Ask your stylist to recommend a straightening gel for you. He or she will have the best idea of what would work for your hair based on its type and length.
You can also read reviews of gels online. Sites like Amazon allow users to leave reviews. Beauty of Haircare websites often offer product reviews.
Read all warnings on the products you are viewing before purchasing. Some gels may not be recommended for permed, colored or otherwise styled hair.
Wash and condition your hair. Use a gentle shampoo and smoothing conditioner as this will help in the smoothing process. Straightening can be harsh on hair, so quality products will help minimize damage. When you’re done, pat your hair dry with a towel.
Add a dime-sized piece of gel to your hair. After your hair is dry, add a small amount of gel to your hair. Work the lotion evenly through your hair, from root to tip. Don’t use too much gel as this can make your hair limp.
Brush your hair straight while blow-drying. Once you’ve added the gel, it’s time to blow dry your hair. You can brush your hair while blow-drying to aid in the straightening process.
Use a round bristle brush. Run it through your hair and straighten it while you blow dry it.
If your hair is thick and takes a long time to dry, alternate between hot and cold settings on your hair dryer. This can prevent hair damage.
Cut your hair if necessary. If you have particularly thick or long hair, you may need to section your hair with clips during the drying process. Take the top half of your hair and secure it with a bun or a barrette at the top of your hair. Dry the bottom of your hair first. When you are done, loosen or undo the top layer of hair and dry that section.
