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Rocking your hair in all its naturalness is a beautiful thing. But sometimes you need a change of pace, and that's when you start eyeing that flat iron.
Should you take the plunge? If you straighten your curls, waves, or coils, will they peace out and have you looking like Cynthia from the Rugrats? Will they even submit to the heat at all?
If you're wondering whether natural hair can be straightened, you're in the right place. I've got the answers you need. Let's go!
Can Natural Hair Be Straightened?
Yes! Everyone can straighten their natural hair to get their waves, curls, or kinks out. And no, your hair won't be M.I.A if you do it (at least not right away - I'll explain in a bit).
The heat from the flat iron or straightening comb gets hot enough to temporarily modify your hair's structure by breaking the chemical bonds that give your hair its shape.
And if you know the basics of hair straightening, you can get silky, flowy results right at home.
Should You Straighten Your Natural Hair?
There's a big difference between "can" and "should." You 100% can straighten your natural hair, but should you? The answer will depend entirely on the health of your hair.
Here are some situations where it's best to stay far away from the flat iron:
Your hair is extremely fine. Flat ironing ultra fine hair is very risky, as it's more prone to heat-related damage. If you want to hold onto your fine natural hair, skip the heat tools.
Your hair is damaged. Heat styling damaged hair will only make it worse. If you care about the condition of your hair, it's best to stay away from heat.
You don't have a heat protectant. Heat is so damaging to the hair that it should never be applied without a high-quality heat protectant. This product forms a protective thermal shield around your strands to limit the effects of the heat. Heat styling your naked hair is begging for trouble.
You are addicted to heat styling. Sometimes heat styling is a legit addiction. Feeling the urge to straighten any flyaways after your flat ironing sessions or unsuccessfully trying to cut back on the heat are a few signs. Every heat styling session can result in damage, and if your hair has already been put through the wringer, sis....s.t.o.p - just stop it for the love of all things curly.
Your hair has lost its texture. If your curls aren't curling like they used to, you very well could already have heat damage. And more heat would make it worse. To bring your hair back to life - you have two options (neither of them involve heat). You could stop the heat styling and slowly grow out new virgin hair or get a big chop where you cut off the damaged portions.
How Hot Should the Flat Iron Be?
The temperature of your [insert heat tool name here] can make or break your hair's relationship with heat. Too high and your hair is fried, too low and you don't get the results you want. So, it's crucial to get educated on heat tool temps.
The first thing you should know is that everyone's hair is different and should be treated as such. Fine, soft hair is fragile and doesn't need as much heat, while coarser hair types generally require more heat.
Below are some safe temperature ranges based on your hair type:
Hair Type | Safe Temperature Ranges |
Straight (Type 1) | 250°F - 375°F |
Wavy (Type 2) | 300°F - 375°F |
Curly (Type 3) | 325°F - 400°F |
Coily (Type 4) | 350°F - 450°F |
Processed Hair (All hair types) | 250°F - 325°F |
Damaged Hair | Not recommended. |
Here's what I recommend: Start at the lower end of the range, especially if your hair is fine. If you can achieve your desired level of straightness without making multiple passes, you're cooking with gas! If not, you can turn it up a bit more.
It also helps to get your hands on a high quality flat iron designed for even heat distribution, no snagging, and silky results. This one is my holy frickin grail!
How to Minimize Damage When Heat styling
Some think heat is the devil and that you need to avoid it like the plague. That's not necessarily the case. You can have healthy hair and still heat style from time to time.
But you'll need to take some precautions every time to preserve your hair's health. Here they are:
Look at your hair in its natural state. Is it damaged? If so, it's best to give your hair a break and some TLC before putting any heat on it.
Wash and condition your hair before the session. Buildup, excess sebum, and other nasties can ruin your results.
Use clarifying shampoo and a protective conditioner for the best results.
Dry your hair fully. Moisture left behind can cause steaming and increase your risk of damage.
Apply your heat protectant. I repeat - apply your heat protectant.
Read the product packaging beforehand and follow those instruction to the letter. If your hair is extremely kinky, be sure to spread or comb the product through. Don't leave any strands uncoated.
Straighten your hair in sections to make it easier to work with. You'll be more mindful with the flat iron if you're not frustrated.
Only make one pass with the flat iron per section of hair. Going over any one section repeatedly increases your risk of heat damage.
How Often to Flat Iron Natural Hair
When it comes to heat styling, the fewer times you do it, the better it is for your hair. Every time you put heat on your strands, there's a chance that you can lose your hair texture, experience increased split ends, or worse.
So, try to keep it to a minimum. I do it once or twice a year - it works for me. My advice? Find the lowest flat iron frequency that works for you and stick to it.
So, there you have it - a quick guide on the basics of straightening natural hair. I hope you found all the information you were looking for, and I wish you the best with your hair now and in the future! Subscribe for more natural hair tips!
-Andrea
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