How Do Straightening and Smoothening Damage Curly Hair

How Do Straightening and Smoothening Damage Curly Hair?

People with curly hair often find it very difficult to embrace them and opt for beauty treatments like smoothening, straightening, etc. We are aware that heat and curls do not go well together. Excessive use of styling products such as hair straightening, smoothening, and blow-drying can cause permanent damage to the hair. The idea of smoothening curly hair is good for a change, but it has its own set of side effects. In this article, we'll explain how straightening affects curly hair as well as how you can protect your hair against heat. So let's discuss how these rebonding treatments damage hair bonds and why it is important for people with curly hair to embrace their hair type and use the correct products to enhance it.

How Does Straightening Damage Your Curly Hair? 

Several factors contribute to heat damage, for example using hair straightening tools that are too hot, frequent usage of styling tools, applying heat to the same part of the hair for too long, and not applying a heat protectant in advance.

As per experts, frequent usage of styling tools can break the hair bonds completely, which is quite similar to chemically relaxing your hair in which the structure of bonds are broken while destroying the natural curl pattern. Intense heat can cause irreversible damage to your hair.

Keratin is a protein found in the hair. It has got a unique alpha-helical structure that gives strength and flexibility to your strands. When you are using a hair straightener on curly hair, due to the intense heat (at about 400-450° F), the alpha-helix structure is broken, causing irreversible damage to your hair, destroying the structure of the natural curls. Heat can cause damage to your hair at the molecular level.

Also Read : How Important Is Keratin For Healthy Hair?

Hair damage at the molecular level is irreparable as the dead hair has no growing cells. When the cortex gets damaged, its almost impossible to fix it and the damage is irreversible. Heat damaged hair becomes fragile and more susceptible to breakage.

How Does Smoothening Damage Your Curly Hair? 

Curly hair is more prone to frizz and dryness, which makes it hard to manage. Hair smoothening is a procedure that makes your hair soft, smooth, and glossy. The whole idea of smoothening curly hair is to make it frizz-free and more manageable. Though hair smoothening can give you temporary relief from dryness and frizz, it is certainly not a healthy option for your hair.

Smoothing begins by washing the hair, deep cleaning it, applying a straightening solution, and finishing with a hot flat iron. In this procedure, your strands are subjected to harsh chemicals and vigorous heat, which can damage the strands. Hair smoothening involves using formaldehyde which is associated with severe allergic reactions such as burning sensation in the eyes, headache, dizziness.

Initially, your hair looks quite silky and glossy, but you will start experiencing major haircare issues such as hair loss, dryness, dandruff, frizz, split ends in a few months. Smoothening curly hair can make it fragile and more prone to breakage.

Time To Embrace Your Curls 

Many curly hair folks who want to create a new look often opt for these hair treatments. Hair treatments such as straightening and smoothening are becoming increasingly popular among women with long curly hair. It's important to understand that when you straighten or smoothen your hair, you expose your strands to harsh chemicals and intense heat, which can permanently damage your strands, ruining your curl pattern.

Curly, kinky, coiled hair looks fantastic; it adds bounce and volume to your hair. Now it’s time to flaunt your natural hair in its full glory. Learn to embrace your curls because you are born with them. Earlier, women with curly hair didn’t have access to haircare products exclusively designed to care for their curls. But now that many haircare brands have come up with and exclusive range specially formulated to take care of the curls. So curly hair, folks, no more worries, you can have well-maintained curls from the comfort of your home. You can incorporate  Anveya's Curls Hair Care Range in your hair care routine, since it smells dreamy and is incredible for your hair.

ANVEYA CURLY HAIR CARE RANGE

Anveya curls range
  • Curls Shampoo : Locks in the moisture, strengthens the hair
  • Curls Conditioner : restores shine, provides well defined structure
  • Curls Hair Mist : Refreshes the curls, provides thermal protection
  •  View Product ▸

    How To Take Care Of Your Curls? 

    Curly hair can be the most demanding hair type. It is more prone to dryness because the sebum from the scalp is unable to make its way to the tip because of the twists and turns. Choose your hair care products wisely, as your curls deserve the best. Use hair care products specifically designed to take care of your curls.

    • Ensure that your shampoo doesn't contain harmful chemicals such as sulphates, parabens, silicons, and alcohol, which harm curls.
    • Deep conditioning is a must haircare product for having well-maintained curls. Your thirsty curls are always in search of moisturization.
    • Experts say that natural oils are rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, provide the necessary moisturization and nourishment to your hair and scalp. Go for an oil massage twice a week, using natural oils such as argan oil, coconut oil, olive oil to promote blood circulation and fortify the hair follicles with essential nutrition.

    Also Read : Argan Oil For Curly Hair - How To Use And Tips To Buy

    • Avoid shampooing too often. Instead, you can use cleansing conditioners that cleanse your strands gently without stealing moisture from your curls.
    • Be careful not to comb your hair vigorously. Use a wide-toothed comb to prevent tangles and hair breakage.
    • If you want to use a styling tool, look for hair straighteners for curly hair, which are available in the market, but before using a styling tool, apply a heat protectant to prevent heat damage.
    • Apply intense hydration hair mask containing shea butter, olive oil, honey, and egg once or twice a week.
    • Before sleeping, pile up all your hair into a bun on top of your head, to reduce the friction between your hair and pillowcase.

    Let’s celebrate the curls by using the right hair care product and having a regular haircare routine. In the long run, it will help define your curls so that it looks healthy, hydrated, and well maintained. 

    Also Read : A Perfect Guide To Know Your Curls Better!

     

     

     

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