If you’ve ever dreamt of having straight hair one day and curly hair the next, you’re in luck. Straightening your hair can be a positive experience. With a few golden rules, learning how to straighten hair quickly and safely is a simple endeavor, even when you’re using heat to do it.
Of course, the rule of avoiding hair dryers and flat irons as much as possible is likely on your mind. But while the fear of causing permanent damage to your hair is real, there are ways to make blow dryers and flat irons safe and useful tools in your hair care routine.
Even if you’re looking to learn how to straighten hair naturally without heat, there are ways to go about it. Read on to discover techniques on how to straighten hair with tools or naturally, but always with the health of your hair in mind.
Invest in the Health of Your Hair
Before learning how to properly straighten natural hair, it’s a good idea to check in on your overall hair health. It’s important your hair is well hydrated and that you’re following a consistent routine, especially if you’re using heat.
Shampoo your hair first to remove any excess oil. After washing, apply a moisturizer to help prevent damage. This creates a protective layer around each strand that protects your hair from damage caused by heat exposure. Bio Ionic’s Ultra Moisturizing Styling Primer is a great solution. In addition to heat protection, it also revitalizes hair with its nutrient-rich formula including ingredients like grapeseed and coconut oil.
How to Flat Iron Your Hair
Choosing a high-quality flat iron makes all the difference when it comes to straightening hair. You should pay special attention to the materials, voltages and temperature control settings.
Bio Ionic’s Graphene MX Styler has all this and more. The plates on the MX Styler are infused with graphene, which is the world’s most efficient heat conductor. Not only does it provide more evenly distributed heat, the Graphene styler has an optimum heat of 385 degrees Fahrenheit as the maximum temperature, which means less damage and more healthy hair.
Of course, your technique is just as important as your tool. When using a flat iron, follow these steps:
- Make sure your hair is 100% dry and has a thermal protector in it.
- Separate your hair into sections and secure them with clips.
- Turn on the flat iron and depending on your hair type, wait for the optimal temperature level to be reached.
- Starting at the back of the neck, slide the flat iron along each section, and use a fine-toothed comb to straighten each strand.
- Repeat on each section for the desired straightness.
- To finish, apply a liberal amount of styling enhancing products like the 2-in-1 Style & Shine Cream to keep your hair soft and shiny.
How to Blow Dry Hair Straight
Like the flat iron, when choosing a hairdryer to straighten natural hair, make sure the device has a temperature control setting. Your best bet is to go with a dryer that features ionic technology. It dries quicker, thus avoiding prolonged heat exposure to your hair.
Looking for the best hair dryer to straighten natural hair? With twice the power of standard models, Bio Ionic’s top-selling PowerLight™ Pro-Dryer gives the user the temperature control to dry your hair in minutes. This hair dryer has volcanic rock components and an exclusive mineral complex, which ensures more protection and a healthier hair drying experience.
Here’s how to use it to safely straighten your hair:
- After washing your hair, use a towel to remove excess water and apply a heat protectant.
- Separate your hair into four sections to make drying easier.
- Turn the dryer to the cold setting for a few seconds before turning it to medium heat.
- Use a high-quality Graphene styling brush to style each section while following each motion with the blow dryer about 6 inches away from your hair.
- To finish, use Anti-Frizz Smoothing Cream or 2-in-1 Style & Shine Cream to keep your hair shiny and protected.
Heat-Free Hair Straightening
If using heat is out of the question, learn how to straighten hair naturally without using it. You need a comb, some styling clips and a cap, preferably made of silk or satin.
Part your damp hair and divide it into sections. Wrap each section around your head, following the same direction. Make each section tight, securing it with hair pins.
Finally, use the cap to keep your hair in order while it dries. If your hair isn’t straight enough for your liking, you can repeat the process by winding your hair in the opposite direction.
If you don’t see perfect results the first time around, stay positive. Every person’s hair is unique. Practice makes the process easier over time, and you can always change your strategy based on how your hair responds. Whether it’s straight or curly, with a little effort and the right tools, you’re free to choose the version you want, whenever you want.