Straightening natural hair can give you a sleek and polished look, but it’s crucial to prepare your hair properly to ensure it remains healthy and vibrant. This article will guide you through the essential steps and products you should use before straightening your natural hair.
Understanding the Importance of Preparation
Preparing natural hair before straightening is vital for several reasons:
Protects Hair from Heat Damage: Heat can cause significant damage to hair strands. Proper preparation minimizes this risk.
Enhances Straightening Results: Using the right products can help your hair straighten more easily and last longer.
Maintains Hair Health: Proper preparation ensures that your hair remains healthy, strong, and shiny.
Choosing the Right Products
1. Clarifying Shampoo
Purpose: Removes buildup and residue from hair products.
Why It’s Important: Before applying heat, it’s essential to have a clean slate. A clarifying shampoo helps to remove any product buildup that might interfere with the straightening process.
How to Use:
Wet your hair thoroughly.
Apply a generous amount of clarifying shampoo.
Massage into your scalp and hair.
Rinse thoroughly and follow with a conditioner.
2. Moisturizing Conditioner
Purpose: Adds moisture and nutrients to your hair.
Why It’s Important: Straightening can strip moisture from your hair. A moisturizing conditioner helps to ensure your hair remains hydrated and healthy.
How to Use:
After rinsing out the clarifying shampoo, apply the conditioner evenly.
Leave it on for the recommended time.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
3. Leave-In Conditioner
Purpose: Provides ongoing moisture and detangling benefits.
Why It’s Important: A leave-in conditioner helps to keep your hair moisturized throughout the straightening process and can make the hair more manageable.
How to Use:
Apply a small amount to damp hair.
Distribute evenly using a comb or your fingers.
Do not rinse out.
Applying Heat Protection Products
1. Heat Protectant Spray
Purpose: Shields hair from the damaging effects of heat.
Why It’s Important: A heat protectant spray creates a barrier between your hair and the heat from your straightener, reducing the risk of damage.
How to Use:
Hold the spray about 6-8 inches from your hair.
Apply evenly, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends.
Comb through to ensure even distribution.
2. Heat Protectant Cream
Purpose: Provides extra protection and helps with styling.
Why It’s Important: For thicker or coarser hair, a heat protectant cream can offer additional protection and aid in achieving a smoother finish.
How to Use:
Apply a small amount to damp hair.
Distribute evenly through your hair.
Proceed to straighten as usual.
SEE ALSO: How to Style with a Straightener?
Preparing Your Hair for Straightening
1. Detangling
Purpose: Prevents breakage and ensures smooth straightening.
Why It’s Important: Detangling your hair before straightening helps to prevent snags and breakage, making the process smoother.
How to Use:
Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush.
Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots.
Be gentle to avoid breakage.
2. Drying
Purpose: Ensures that your hair is in the best condition for straightening.
Why It’s Important: Hair should be completely dry before using a flat iron to avoid steam damage and achieve the best results.
How to Use:
Pat your hair dry with a towel.
Use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to dry your hair completely.
Avoid using high heat settings as they can cause damage.
Straightening Process
1. Sectioning Hair
Purpose: Makes straightening more manageable and efficient.
Why It’s Important: Dividing your hair into sections helps you apply the straightener evenly and avoid missing spots.
How to Use:
Divide your hair into 4-6 sections using hair clips.
Start with one section and work your way through the rest.
2. Using the Flat Iron
Purpose: Straightens hair and provides a sleek finish.
Why It’s Important: Using a quality flat iron with adjustable heat settings allows you to control the amount of heat applied to your hair, reducing the risk of damage.
How to Use:
Set the flat iron to the appropriate temperature for your hair type.
Glide the flat iron through each section slowly and evenly.
Avoid going over the same section multiple times to minimize damage.
Aftercare
1. Conditioning Treatments
Purpose: Restores moisture and repairs any damage.
Why It’s Important: After straightening, your hair may need additional moisture and repair.
How to Use:
Use a deep conditioning mask or treatment once a week.
Apply as directed and rinse thoroughly.
2. Avoiding Heat
Purpose: Allows your hair to recover and stay healthy.
Why It’s Important: Minimizing heat exposure helps to prevent long-term damage and maintain the health of your hair.
How to Use:
Avoid using heat styling tools frequently.
Opt for air-drying or low-heat settings when possible.
Conclusion
Properly preparing your natural hair before straightening is essential for achieving the best results while maintaining hair health. By using the right products, applying heat protection, and following a careful straightening process, you can enjoy sleek, straight hair without compromising its integrity. Remember to incorporate regular conditioning treatments and minimize heat exposure to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your natural hair is well-prepared and protected, allowing you to achieve beautiful, straight hair with minimal damage.