Permanent hair straightening is a popular choice for those looking to achieve smooth, sleek locks that are easy to style and maintain.
There are many reasons to try out a permanent hair treatment. Some people would rather not have to constantly use a flat iron to straighten their hair, either because of the regular damage heat can cause to hair or because they simply don’t wish to bother with it every day.
Regardless of your reason, a permanent solution might be exactly what you’re looking for.
However, with so many different treatments available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
Here’s a comparison of the most common permanent hair straightening methods:
Chemical Relaxers
Chemical relaxers contain chemicals that break down the bonds in the hair, making it straight and more manageable. They are typically used on thick, curly, or kinky hair and can be quite effective at straightening even the most unruly locks. However, they can also be damaging to the hair, and it’s important to follow the instructions carefully and use a deep conditioning treatment afterward to help repair any damage.
This is a rather popular procedure, but it can’t be done often. Chemicals will hurt your hair in the long term and will cause far more harm than good if you try doing it too often.
And, worst of all, if you do proceed with this process, you will have to do lots of hair maintenance to keep your hair healthy. Therefore it might just be better to go with a flat iron or other heat-based straightening products.
Brazilian Blowout
The Brazilian blowout, compared to the above chemical treatment, is far healthier for your hair. In fact, this is one of the healthiest treatments currently available.
This treatment uses keratin to smooth and straighten the hair. The keratin is applied to the hair and then sealed in with heat. The result is smooth, shiny hair that is more manageable and easier to style. The Brazilian blowout is less damaging than chemical relaxers, but it can still cause some dryness and breakage if not done properly. It’s also important to use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to help maintain the results.
Keratin treatments like this are natural (as keratin is a natural protein that is already present in your hair) and can be done multiple times without worrying about damaging your hair like chemicals might. As your hair regrows, you can get another procedure done.
With proper maintenance, a Brazilian blowout can last for around six months. This is one of the best permanent procedures on this list.
Japanese Hair Straightening
We’ve talked about Japanese straightening before. It is an interesting permanent solution that has gained popularity in recent years and originated in Japan (duh).
Also known as thermal reconditioning, this treatment uses a combination of heat and chemicals to straighten the hair. It is a long process and can take several hours to complete, but the results are often very impressive. The hair is left straight, smooth, and shiny and can stay that way for several months.
As with all permanent straightenings, you will need to do proper upkeep on your hair after the procedure. This will mean acquiring hair products that will keep your hair healthy, as this will be stressful and potentially damaging to your hair.
Japanese hair straightening can last for up to 6-7 months but is quite expensive. You will want to think about this before making a decision.
Rebonding
Rebonding is another chemical process that involves breaking down your natural hair only to use a neutralizer to rebuild it into a straightened position.
Rebonding is typically used on curly or kinky hair and can be very effective at straightening even the most unruly locks. However, it is also quite damaging to the hair, and it’s important to follow the instructions carefully and use a deep conditioning treatment afterward to help repair any damage.
Also, once your new hair starts to grow in, it is quite easy to tell that you have had the treatment done.
There are similarities between rebonding and hair relaxation. However, the key difference is that rebonding is better at treating unruly hair that you wish to straighten completely. Relaxation takes less time and is potentially less damaging than rebonding, but it won’t fully straighten your hair.
This is a rather popular procedure, but it can’t be done often. Chemicals will hurt your hair in the long term and will cause far more harm than good if you try doing it too often.
Only choose rebonding treatments if you have truly problematic hair that you wish to have fully straightened. Otherwise, there are more cost-effective and safer permanent hair solutions.
Do Permanent Solutions Last Forever?
Sadly, or maybe thankfully, permanent straightening does not last forever. Instead, it lasts for as long as you keep your current hair. There are some tricks to maintaining your straight hair longer, but never forever.
Because straightening is only used on your current hair and does nothing for the hair that regrows, you will only keep your hair straightened until new hair has grown out. Once that has happened, it is back to normal.
So, if you were hoping for something truly permanent, these solutions won’t help. However, if you were worried about your hair never going back to normal, fear not! You can always cut your hair and start again.
In conclusion, all of these permanent hair straightening methods can be effective at achieving smooth, straight locks, but they all come with their own set of risks and drawbacks. It’s important to do thorough research and consider your hair type and condition before deciding on a treatment. It’s also a good idea to consult with a professional stylist to determine which treatment is best suited for your needs.