Types of Hair Straightening & The Risks Associated With Them

1. What are the common ways of straightening hair at home?
   
2. What does heat do to your hair?
   
3. How does Pantene help repair the damage caused by straightening?
   

Smooth, sleek hair often finds a spot in the top three, in the list of most people’s hair goals. On days when hair frizz and pesky flyaways prevent you from sporting the chic slicked-back hairstyle, you can always straighten your tresses to get the perfect look. It makes your hair more manageable and easier to style. Plus, you won’t have to use a lot of products. However, using heat to straighten your hair comes with its own fair share of troubles, starting with hair damage. Does this mean you should stop straightening your hair? Not really! We’ll help you work your way around this hair care issue so that you can enjoy smooth, straight hair whenever you want.

So, let’s take you through the effects heat has on your hair and the best ways to keep the risk of damage at bay.

Permanent hair straightening might affect your hair’s structure. So, if you wish to experiment with different hairstyles without parting ways with your curls, coils, or waves in the long run, go for at-home straightening measures as they prove to be effective. You can sport smooth, straight hair without having to give up your curls. Here’s how it’s done.

• Using a hair straightener (flat iron)

  Unlike keratin straightening, which is more permanent, a hair straightener gives you straight, sleek hair for a day or two, or until you wash it. Before you start using the straightening iron, divide your hair into sections. Set the temperature on the flat iron and hold your tresses taut since a certain degree of tension is essential. Start from the roots and pull the iron downwards. Repeat this across all the sections of your hair, till your entire hair looks sleek and straight.

• Using a blow-dryer

  Another easy way to straighten your hair is to use a blow-dryer. Clean, damp, towel-dried hair is the perfect base to start the straightening process. Divide your hair into sections, begin with the smallest portion and pin the rest of your hair to the back. Now, get a hairbrush and start from the underside of your hair, brushing from the roots to ends. Use the blow-dryer and follow the same path as the brush. Ensure that you create a “tension” and keep it consistent throughout to distribute the heat evenly. Repeat it across all the sections until all your hair is straightened.

Now, you might be wondering, “does hair straightening damage my hair?” Unfortunately, yes. When you apply heat directly to your tresses, it has a dehydrating effect. Your hair loses moisture and the heat also alters the protein structure of your hair. This can affect your natural curl pattern, cause frizz, and make your tresses prone to breakage. And if you don’t dial down the heat, it causes cracks on your hair cuticle, making it lose moisture in the process. Plus, if you have coloured your hair, frequent heat styling can have an “oxidation” effect - it can cause the colour to fade and make your hair appear dull and lifeless.

Heat protectant products can reduce the damage your hair sustains when you straighten it. However, if your hair is already showing signs of damage, such as dryness, tangles, split ends, and breakage; you’ll need some intensive treatments to repair and revive your tresses. Pantene’s range of treatments is created with purposeful ingredients that will repair your heat-damaged hair and give it a new lease of life.

• Pantene Miracle Mask Collagen

  Give your tired tresses a nourishing boost with Pantene Miracle Mask Collagen. Created with collagen and a multi-supplement formula, this reconstructing weekly mask transforms your hair in five minutes! It uses the properties of collagen to strengthen your hair from the inside and revive your hair to its former healthy appearance. It even nourishes your tresses to prevent further damage.

• Pantene Miracle Mask Biotin

  Heat damaged hair feels dry and lifeless, and a healthy dose of nourishment is what you need to enliven those tresses. Try Pantene Miracle Mask Biotin that’s infused with biotin and a multi-supplement formula to give you strong, shiny hair in just five minutes. The enriching formula transforms your weak, brittle hair and ensures that it stays smooth and strong even at the roots.

• Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Repair & Protect Daily Treatment

  For hair that’s been damaged because of styling and colouring, Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Repair & Protect Daily Treatment is the key to restoring its health. This miracle conditioner is created with an innovative Pro-V formula that’s easily absorbed into your hair’s core, and repairs three months of damage in three minutes! The micro-nourishers moisturise your hair and seal the cuticles to protect it from further damage.

• Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Repair & Protect Daily Treatment

  Dry hair is always in dire need of moisture to look and feel healthy. Give your hair an intense dose of moisture with Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Daily Moisture Treatment Renewal Treatment. This miracle treatment repairs three months of damage in three minutes with its hydration-boosting formula. The micro-nutrients in the conditioner nourish your hair and seal in the moisture to protect it against damage, breakage, and frizz.

You don’t have to give up on heat styling because you’re scared of hair damage. Instead, add these Pantene products to your hair care kit and shower some love on your lustrous locks.