Hair straightening is a hair styling technique which involves the flattening and straightening of hair in order to give it a smooth, streamlined and 'sleek' appearance. It may be accomplished by using hair irons and hot combs, chemical relaxers, Japanese hair straightening, or Brazilian hair straightening. In addition, some shampoos, and conditioners and hair gels can help to make hair temporarily straight. The process is often called "rebonding" in Southeast Asia (e.g. Malaysia and Philippines)

Hair irons and hot combs can only temporarily modify hair texture, whereas relaxers and the other methods permanently alter the structure of the hair, although new hair growth is not affected. The drug interferon alpha has been reported as being shown to modify hair follicles causing permanent change in a person's hair texture.


• How to Straighten Hair with a Blow-dryer
Want to calm the frizzies or straighten your curls for a day? It's really not that hard to do. All you need is a round brush, a blow dryer, some hair products, about 30 minutes and that's it!

Step 1
To straighten hair , begin by shampooing, conditioning and towel-drying hair.

Step 2
Apply a heat protectant product to your hair, paying special attention to the ends.

Step 3
Place a quarter-size dollop of straightening balm in your palm. Rub your palms together to distribute the product over your hands, then massage it evenly through hair.

Step 4
Comb through your hair with your fingers while gently blow-drying it on a low setting. This removes excess water.

Step 5
Pull your hair into three sections, two at the sides and one at the back. Clip the two sides up.

Step 6
Select a small portion of the hair from the unclipped section to straighten.

Step 7
Using a thick, round brush and beginning at the roots, gently pull the brush through the hair to the ends while blow-drying it. Pull the hair away from your head, stretching and straightening it as you go.

Step 8
First pull the brush through the underside of your hair so that you expose it directly to the heat of the dryer. Once that area is mostly dry, switch to the top of the hair.

Step 9
Keep the tension consistent and evenly distribute heat over the section of hair you're working on. This ensures uniform hair texture and prevents overdrying of certain areas.

Step 10
Once that portion of hair is straightened, continue selecting and blow-drying small portions until that section is dry and straight.

Step 11
Repeat the process on the two other sections to straighten your entire head of hair.

• How to Straighten Curly Hair
Thanks to the invention of the straightening iron, the days of rolling curly hair onto frozen orange juice containers or laying your head on the ironing board while you try to iron out your curls...
Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1
Wash and condition hair as directed in the manufacturer's instructions for your shampoo and conditioner.

Step 2
Squeeze excess water out of your hair using a towel and comb through hair.

Step 3
Apply a generous amount of straightening creme for curly hair to damp hair. Work into hair until evenly distributed.
  
Step 4
Divide hair into three sections: top of head, middle layer and underneath portion of hair. Clip the top two sections together.

Step 5
Start drying hair with the roll brush and hair dryer with concentrator attachment in place. Begin with bottom section, working in two to three inch wide pieces from one side of the head to the other.

Step 6
Separate completely dry hair into sections again as instructed in step 4.

Step 7
Work from the bottom section up, using the straightening iron to straighten each layer of hair. Grab one inch sections of hair and slowly press with the straightening iron from the root to the tip.

Step 8
Finish ironing each section and then squeeze a dime size amount of shine gloss product into your palm and rub hands together. Smooth hands over hair to work the product through your straightened curly hair.

Step 9
Continue styling as desired.

• How to Use a Flat Iron
Using a flat iron to straighten hair is easy to do by simply following a few steps. When selecting a flat iron, some studies have shown that using a flat iron with a ceramic plate is better for...

Step1. Dry your hair completely. Using a flat iron on wet hair isn't successful. Be sure that your hair is dry from the tips to the roots. Don't put in any hair products while drying your hair. Adding hair spray or gel prior to the use of a flat iron could have adverse effects when you are attempting to straighten your hair.

Step 2
Use a straightening balm on your hair after it has been dried. A straightening balm will eliminate frizz, while providing protection for your hair. See the Resources section for more information.

Step 3
Apply a heat protection spray to your hair to help defend your hair against damage caused by heat based styling tools such as flat irons. See the Resources section for more information.

Step 4
Read the packaging of your flat iron, and set the flat iron at the appropriate temperature. Carefully look over the instruction manual.

Step 5
Use the flat iron on 2-inch segments of hair at a time. Place the flat iron near your scalp and steadily move the flat iron toward the tip of your hair. Repeat until you have straightened all of your hair.


• How to Pick a Hair Relaxer
Hair relaxers straighten hair, the opposite of perms, which curl hair. Considering the strong chemicals relaxers contain, it is advisable to pick the best relaxer for your hair type. Pick the one...

Step1. Decide whether to use a home relaxer kit or to consult a hair-care professional to apply the relaxer. Select a professional with a track record and experience in applying relaxers to your hair type. Ask friends and family for beautician recommendations.

Step 2
Choose a home relaxer kit based on hair type and texture. Pick from various types with or without lye and various strengths from mild to super.

Step 3
Make a decision between three basic types of chemical relaxers: sodium hydroxide (lye), guanidine hydroxide (no-lye) and ammonium thioclycolate (thio). There are also a few nonchemical relaxers available, such as Bodiphier.

Step 4
Pick a lye relaxer for thick, course hair texture, typically virgin hair. This is the strongest type of relaxer and creates the most dramatic results by penetrating the hair's cortical layer and breaking the bonds that cause the hair to curl. Select the no-lye or thio relaxers for a less-caustic approach to straightening hair .

Step 5
Use a mild formula for fine or color-treated hair and use regular strength for medium-textured hair. Super strength is best for coarse hair textures. Strength levels are applicable for all relaxer types.

Step 6
Consider picking relaxers that incorporate conditioners and other nutrients, such as chamomile, as part of the relaxer system. These nutrients strengthen the chemically weakened hair.



• How to Straighten Ethnic Hair
A person's hair is their crowning expression to the world. For those with an ethnic background and the curly hair that accompanies the ethnicity, it is sometimes a challenge to successfully...

Step1. Relax the kink or curl. African-American women and women of other ethnic groups use chemical relaxers such as Dark and Lovely No-Lye relaxers to permanently alter the natural curl of their hair. Apply relaxers every six to eight weeks to new hair growth to maintain the straight look.

Step 2
Use a non-chemical relaxer option such as BodipHier. BodipHier softens the bonds that cause the hair to curl and provides a less drastic straightening than chemical relaxers. Blow drying the hair causes the hair texture to further straighten.

Step 3
Apply heat to straighten the hair using a pressing comb or a flat iron like a CHI ceramic iron. Sweating and humidity quickly reverse the straight effect of this technique.

Step 4
Maintain hair's health by using conditioners no matter what hair straightening method you use. Both chemicals and heat damage and strip the hair making it more susceptible to weathering, the wearing away of the hair's outer layer. Carol's Daughter sells natural hair conditioning products.


• How to Use a Sedu Flat Iron
Flat ironing your hair can be a painstaking and sometimes lengthy process if you don't have the right iron. Sedu flat irons are widely used by hair care professionals but can sometimes be...

Step1. Turn on your Sedu flat iron to the desired setting for your hair type. Check the consistency and health of your hair to determine how hot the iron should be so you avoid damaging the cuticle.

Step 2
Section off the hair into manageable pieces using a comb or brush and clips or hair ties. Spray your hair with a heat protecting product so you do not damage or burn your hair.

Step 3
Carefully put the Sedu flat iron to your hair getting as close to the root as possible while maintaining about 1/2-inch distance. Pull the iron down the hair section moderately fast to avoid steam burns to the scalp.

Step 4
Repeat Step 3 using the same method for the back area of your hair. Ensure that you are flattening the full area of your hair and, if necessary, use a mirror to check the back for any missed spots.

Step 5
Move to the side sections of your hair, being careful not to burn the ears and scalp during the process. Continually use heat-protecting spray on the hair to avoid burning and damage

How to Straighten Hair With a Clothes Iron
Whether you want to straighten hair for a super-sleek evening look or create more manageable curls, you can choose from a variety of styling products and appliances. Using a regular clothes iron...

Step1. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and strong conditioner to protect it from the damage caused by hot appliances. Gently towel hair until it is just damp. Massage a straightening gel through the length of your locks to help them maintain the straightness throughout the day.

Step 2
Blow dry hair with a medium temperature setting. Start with the dryer at the top of your head and move it down the length of your mane to straighten hair as much as possible and avoid adding too much body or frizz.

Step 3
Separate hair into two segments parted down the middle. Pin one side up out of the way. Select a small section of the remaining hair and clip the rest back. Plug in the iron and set it to a medium-high non-steam setting.

Step 4
Place a towel-wrapped palm underneath the top of the loose section of hair. Press the clothes iron to the outer surface of the hair as if clapped to your hand. In one long smooth motion, move the iron and hand down the length of the hair and through the ends. One pass of the iron should be enough to straighten hair.

Step 5
Repeat with another segment of hair until the entire side is straightened, then clip that side back and perform the steps again for the second side. After all sections have been straightened, brush hair to blend the sections back together.

• How to Straighten Curly Hair!
Have curly hair? Want stick straight hair with the right amount of bounce and curl at the ends? I have been straightening my hair for 10 yrs and have perfected the art of straightening hair.

Step 1
Take a shower and wash hair.

Step 2
When you get out of the shower brush your hair straight and apply a nickle size amount of the gel to your hair. When applying, make sure you use wide fingers and try to focus more on the ends.

Step 3
Wrap your hair in the towel until your hair is damp. Brush again.

Step 4
You will want to part your hair in to sections.

Step 5
Take each section and wrap it around the round brush and blow dry with the nozzel pointed down towards the floor. Pull the brush with the blow dryer so that they are both on the same section of hair. Continue with the remaining hair in sections.

Step 6
Once all of your hair is dry, it will still be a bit frizzy or poofy.
You will need to part your hair back into sections.

Step 7
Run the flat iron over each section of hair until all the creases have been ironed out. Remeber to add a little curl to the ends by straightening in a rounded motion from the scalp.

Step 8
Once you have straightened all of your hair, add a little shine serum and you are ready to go!!


• How to Straighten Curly Hair without Styling Products
If you have very curly, frizzy hair, this article is for you! This is how I achieve a smooth, straight look without using any straightening creams, gels, serums or sprays. For difficult to...

Step1.
Wash and condition your hair.

Step 2
Blow dry your hair until it is almost completely dry. You do not need to use the round brush until you have gotten most of the moisture out of your hair.

Step 3
Seperate out a small section to start straightening. Keep the rest of your hair out of the way using a claw style hair clip. Start at the roots of the section of hair and brush all the way to the bottom, then wrap the hair around the brush, curling under. Holding the brush taught the entire time, dry the section of hair and slowly unwind the brush. Repeat this step with each section of hair until the hair is completely dry.

Step 4
Use the curling iron to straighten out the difficult spots. You can clamp the curling iron on a small section of hair and pull down from the roots. Depending on the style you are going for, you can curl the ends under, up, or in a spiral.


• How to Keep Relaxed Hair Roots Straighter
With all of the time and expense of relaxing your hair, you want to maintain that sleek, straight look as long as possible. Investing a little bit of time initially when you get your hair done...

Step1.
Wash, condition and wrap your hair after a fresh relaxer. Sit under a hardhat blow dryer to dry your hair. Unwrap the hair.

Step 2
Blow dry your hair utilizing a hand blow dryer with a comb attachment. Extend each stroke from root to end. Maximize this step by parting the hair into sections. Be thorough.

Step 3
Apply light oil to the palm of your hand and distribute it from the root to the end of the hair.

Step 4
Part the hair into sections and start beveling your hair. Pay particular attention to straightening any waves that develop at the root of the hair. Make sure you bevel the short hairs around the hairline and nape of your neck. Style your hair as usual.

Step 5
Follow Steps 1 through 4 every time you wash your hair and after you have a relaxer to keep your relaxed hair roots straighter.


• How to Use Hair Relaxers Safely
Hair relaxers are lotions or creams similar to solutions used for permanents, but are used to straighten hair. There are a number of hair relaxers on the market, but all of them contain harsh...

Step1. Select a hair relaxer that does not contain lye. Lye is found in many relaxer products, but it can easily burn your skin. Lye-free hair relaxers will not bother your skin as much, though you still need to take precautions and use them safely.

Step 2
Test the product first, by applying a small amount to a piece of hair at the back of your neck. This will determine if you are allergic to the product, or if it is too strong for your particular hair.

Step 3
Protect your delicate skin by applying a light layer of petroleum jelly to the scalp before application to prevent burning.

Step 4
Wash out hair relaxers with a neutralizing shampoo. If the product does not come with a small bottle of neutralizing shampoo, you can usually find some where you would normally buy hair care products. Use conditioner frequently after relaxing your hair.

Step 5
Consider going to a professional hairdresser. Professionals know how to choose the right products for you and apply them safely. A hairdresser can help to apply the product evenly for a perfect look, as well as rinse the product thoroughly from areas that you cannot see.


• How to Straighten Your Hair
Have you tried to get that salon straight hair look and you just can't quite get it? I'll show you how I straighten mine and get the salon straight look every time.

Step1.
Brush out all the tangles.

Step 2
Separate your hair into at least three sections.


• How to Straighten Curly Hair
It's funny how it goes--those with curly hair want straight hair and those with straight hair want curly hair. It's fortunate that inventors came up with appliances to help in the quest to turn...

Step1.
Separate your hair into small sections using the barrettes or clips. It's a good idea to have the hair straightener heating up during this step.

Step 2
Start with a small section in the back of your head and use the straightener to straighten it. If you start at the back and work your way to the front you don't have to worry about messing up the front sections as you would if you went from front to back.

Step 3
Once you've run the straightener through your hair once, spray hair spray over your hair.

Step 4
Repeat the straightening process, again starting from the back and moving to the front.

 

• How to Get Hair Shiny and Smooth as Glass

To my delight, the last time I got a haircut, I walked out of the salon with glossy, silky, smooth-as-glass locks framing my face. Never had my hair felt so soft nor looked so shiny! Seriously,...
Step1. Before you even step in the shower, work any tangles out with a wide-tooth comb. While in the shower, wash with your favorite straightening shampoo. After rinsing out the shampoo, work in either Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner or Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask. For extra silky hair, go with the mask!

Step 2
Blot excess moisture from hair with a towel. Spritz on Sunsilk’s Therma Shine Detangling Spray and comb through.

Step 3
Apply an anti-frizz heat-protecting serum to the ends of the hair only. I recommend John Frieda’s Thermal Protection Hair Serum. Then apply a small dollop of volumizing mousse to the roots on the very top of your hair.

Step 4
Clip the top half of your hair up and begin drying the bottom half of your hair. In small sections, brush through and dry with a round styling brush. If you’ve ever gotten a round brush tangled in your hair, try Goody’s Ouchless Ceramic styling brush. It’s got a little button on top that completely retracts the bristles if you get snagged up.


Step 5
Take down the top section of hair and dry. Add volume to the crown by blasting the roots with the dryer while holding hair up and taut with the brush.

Step 6
After hair is dry, it’s time to pull out the big guns! All this time, I’ve been trying to run a curling iron through my hair to straighten it out. Evidently, a curling iron is better suited to add curl, while a straightening iron with smooth ceramic plates is the best tool to iron out all your kinks … who would’ve thought?? So I picked up the Conair Infiniti Solid Ceramic Straightener and am now addicted. Quickly run the iron over small sections of hair to instantly smooth frizzies and add shine.

Step 7
Finish by spraying a little hairspray into your palms, and running lightly over the top layer of hair.

 

• How to Iron and Take Care of Your Hair if it is Very Coarse and Frizzy

If you have hair that is hard to manage, frizzy, naturally curly, but uncontrollable there are plenty of options to make your style look great. Read on to learn how to iron and take care of your...

Step1.
Wet your hair thoroughly and squeeze excess water out of your hair.

Step 2
Shampoo your hair , being sure to scrub your cuticles and hair follicles. Don’t be afraid to scrub as this helps the hair grow, and releases your natural oils which makes your hair look healthier, softer and smoother.

Step 3
Make sure all shampoo is rinsed in warm or hot water. Squeeze excess water out of your hair, if you towel dry before conditioning, it’s even better.

Step 4
Massage smoothing conditioner into your hair and scalp . The conditioner will help soften and moisturize your curls should you choose not to iron.

Step 5
Turn your shower to as cool of water as you can handle, and rinse your hair thoroughly. The cool water closes the cuticle of the hair follicle , leaving the moisture and smoothing conditioner where you need it--in your hair.

Step 6
You can turn the water back to warm, but do not warm your head if at all possible.

Step 7
Once you are dried off and ready to begin on your towel-dried hair start with the oil leave-in therapy, by massaging six to 10 pumps (depending on hair length and thickness) into your hair and scalp. This is the next step in moisture being kept in your hair. Pay close attention to the driest parts of your hair. If necessary, use more oil so you can feel the difference in your hair.

Step 8
Put about a quarter size of the leave-in smoothing crème into your palm, and massage throughout your hair, paying closer attention to the driest parts of your hair. A good smoothing crème will leave curls soft and manageable, but will also allow for excellent ironing should you choose once your hair is dry.

Step 9
If you are looking to keep your curls, style your hair at this point and finish with the finishing spray. Your curls will be softer and bouncier, with more control than frizz. If you are going to iron your hair, dry your hair first. The best way to do this is to air dry. Do not add extra heat to your hair than necessary.

Step 10
If ironing your hair begin by putting hair in a ponytail or clip in sections easiest for you to manage. The easiest way for one person to iron is a ponytail. Starting at the base of the neck, work your way around each layer of hair until you get to the top. If you start at the top first, you’ll be battling with keeping the straight hairs out of the curly ones.

Step 11
When getting sections of hair to iron, do not grab big sections. If you work in small sections at a time, you will have less time that the heat is on each hair, as it is distributed more evenly with less hair involved, and therefore needs less time in the iron.

Step 12
If you are able, use a comb with each section of hair you are ironing, follow the comb with the iron through the section. This will help also in the distribution of the heat to the hair.

Step 13
To finish off your style, use a curling iron or hot air brush-iron that is vented. It doesn’t put the burn on your hair like the iron, and the vented helps keep the moisture in your hair, not fried out. Spray with finishing spray to keep your style and softness.

• How to Maintain Your Straight Hair After a Professional Blowout

You've just come from the salon where you paid a small fortune to get that straight Jennifer Aniston look that every woman loves. But how do you maintain the look? Following are some pointers on...
Step1.
Before taking a shower, put your hair in a tight pony tail then bobby pin all the loose ends so that there are no loose tendrils hanging. Put at least
Step 2
shower caps on your head making sure that every strand is safely tucked in. The look may not be sexy, but the aim here is to keep your hair as dry as possible while showering. Of course, you can always forgo the shower and just take a bath, but it is still a good idea to pin up your hair and keep it as far away from water as possible.
Step 3
Every morning, run a ceramic straightening iron lightly over any pieces that may have curled slightly while you were sleeping. Make sure you put the iron's temperature on as low as possible so as not to damage your hair. Using a straightening iron this way will also evenly distribute any oils that may have accumulated in your hair in between washing it.
Step 4
In between washing your hair, use dry shampoo. Bumble and bumble salon sells something called hair powder. It's a dry shampoo that you sprinkle on your hair then brush out. The powder absorbs dirt and hair products when sprayed on. The best part is that it comes in colors: brown for brunettes, red for redheads, and white for blonds. Another option is using baby powder as a dry shampoo. Just sprinkle a small amount in the palm of your hands, rub them together, then apply it to your hair, concentrating on the scalp where hair tends to be the most oily. Then brush out the remnants. There is some practice that is required for this, as if you sprinkle on too much powder, you'll look like you're going gray. Once you get it right however, this is a good way to dry up any excess oiliness in between shampoos.
Step 5
Put your hair in a ponytail in rainy weather. Keeping your hair in a ponytail will keep your hair from getting too wet and frizzy. Of course, make sure you have an umbrella when going out in the rain!

• How to Safely Apply a Relaxer on Your Hair

For women who want to achieve the straight look without the hassle of using a hot comb or flat iron--especially on very coarse hair, here are a few ways to get straight hair.
Step1.
Put latex gloves on your hands. Open the of of the relaxer base and pour activator in the base. Make sure to whip it until smooth and lump free.
Step 2
Part hair into four sections using a comb. Another option is an application brush.
Step 3
Start with the top of your head, then work your way around the back and lastly to the hairline. Evenly smooth out each sectionsrepeatedly.
Step 4
Leave relaxer on hair depending on the time provided. If the hair is fine-medium it should be at least 10 to 12 minutes long. If coarse-resistant, 12 to 18 minutes.
Step 5
After the time is up, wash out the relaxer completely with warm water to make sure the relaxer is out of the hair.
Step 6
Shampoo the hair and lather it. Repeat the process.
Step 7
Towel dry hair. It is optional to use a hair conditioner. If deep conditioning, leave on hair for at least fifteen minutes using a shower cap on head and sit under a hair dryer. Afterwards rinse out the conditioner.
Step 8
Style the hair by wrapping it, curling or whatever you'd like.

• How to Get a Japanese Thermal Hair Straightener

Forget the straightening shampoos, flat irons, and de-frizzers. A Japanese thermal hair straightener will give you permanently silky straight hair that won’t wash out, even after a year. The only...

Step1.
Call salons to find out if they have someone who performs Japanese thermal hair straighteners. It requires special training and not every salon has a stylist who does the procedure. If a salon tells you they don’t offer that service, ask if they know someone who does. It’s a small business and they may very well know someone.

Step 2
If you find more than one person in your area who performs the Japanese thermal hair straightener, make appointments with them for a free consultation. They will require this anyway so they can look at your hair in its natural state. Show up to each appointment without any product in your hair. Simply wash it and let it dry naturally. Don’t blow dry it.

Step 3
Ask each hair stylist how many Japanese thermal hair straighteners they’ve done and if you can see before and after pictures. Ask them how much they charge for the procedure and how long they estimate it will take. Some stylists charge by how curly or how long your hair is and others simply charge by the hour. Ask if they require a deposit up front.
Step 4
Choose a stylist and make the appointment for the procedure. It can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on the texture and length of your hair, so make sure you are not rushing around on the day you get it done. You’ll want to be relaxed. Bring something to read or work on as you will have some down time while the chemicals are in your hair. There is no need to wash your hair beforehand because the stylist will do that when you come in.

Source:
 http://www.superbeautytips.com/beautytips/hair-straightening.htm