How to Bounce Back After Straightening Your Curls

1. What does heat do to your curls?
   
2. How to protect hair during straightening?
   
3. How to take care of your curls post a blowout?
   

Healthy hair is the perfect canvas for trying different hairstyles or experimenting with the latest vibrant hues. While women with curly hair love a fresh blowout, those with straight hair cannot get enough of their curling wands and the delicate curls they get, courtesy of the styling tool. Although one can expect their hair to return to its original structure once they wash it, things can be slightly different for people with curly hair. There’s always a concern whether their curls will bounce back after a straightening session.

A silk press or straightener can iron out your curls to give your hair a sleek, smooth finish. But these activities can be risky, if you are trying to preserve your hair’s natural texture. Does this mean your styling days are over? No. There are certain things you can do that will help protect your curl pattern, and prevent heat damage.

But first, you need to understand how heat affects your lustrous curls.

Have you ever noticed that your curls don’t completely return to their original form the first time you wash your hair? When your curls are not protected (with a heat protectant product) and you apply heat directly to them, it damages the structural proteins in the hair strands. If the flat-iron is really hot, about 450 degrees, it takes more than just one wash for the bonds in your curls to reorganise. Plus, heat styling frequently can cause irreversible damage.

Let’s divide the entire process of protecting your curls into three categories: pre, during, and post-straightening.

• Pre-straightening process
  The process to protect your tresses starts in the shower itself. Before you wash your hair, apply a thermal spray that will prompt your curls into formation once you start washing your mane. Consider using a silicone shampoo. Yes, you heard it right! Silicones protect your hair by forming a layer around your hair that blocks out excessive heat and helps reduce damage. Moisturising is your best bet when it comes to protecting the elasticity of your hair and preserving its ability to go back to normal. Remember, the more hydrated your hair is, the easier it is for your curls to bounce back post a blowout. Post shower, don’t forget to apply a leave-in conditioner to lock in the moisture and shield your tresses from excess heat.

• During straightening
  When you straighten your curls, do it in a way that it becomes easier for them to get back in shape. Always use a heat protectant product before you start straightening your hair. Also, be mindful of the temperature of your styling tools. Set the temperature of your flat-iron to less than 365 degrees. Anything hotter than 450 degrees will burn your hair, irrespective of the texture.

• Post-straightening wash
  Now that you have had a blowout, remember that your first wash post-straightening your hair is equally important. When you apply heat to your hair, it can lose its ability to retain moisture. So, the emphasis should be on adding as much moisture as you can for your curls to bounce back. This can cause frizz inside your curls! However, a deep conditioning treatment once a week should give your hair enough nourishment to transform to its original texture.

• Use a deep conditioner
  Your curls might take some time to return to their original shape but deep conditioners can help. Your regular conditioner does a good job of moisturising your tresses, but you need something more moisture-heavy to revive your curls. Try Pantene Gold Series Deep Moisture Hair Mask & Cap. This overnight moisture mask is infused with argan oil and packed with Pro-V antioxidants and lipids that nourish your hair, and give you soft, manageable, frizz-free and well-defined curls.
  How to use: Wash your hair and towel dry it gently. Apply the hair mask from lengths to tips and cover it with a reusable cap. Leave it on overnight or for 10 mins and rinse it off thoroughly.

• A leave-in conditioner helps
  Moisture is what helps you get your curls back after a blowout. Using a leave-in conditioner ensures that your locks do not lose moisture throughout the day. Try Pantene Love Your Smooth Leave-in Crèmefor frizz-free, beautiful hair. Created using an enriching Pro-V formula, this leave-in conditioner nourishes and restores your hair’s lost shine.
  How to use: Apply a walnut-sized dollop of the conditioner to dry or damp hair and spread it from roots to tips. Now you are free to style your hair however you want.

• Add a combing crème to your hair care kit
  Your hair becomes dry after a blowout, and dry hair is quite prone to frizz and tangles. To protect your curls and prevent breakage, consider using Pantene Smoothing Combing Crème. This combing crème’s nourishing formula hydrates your tresses and gives your hair an effortless, resilient shine. Improve your hair’s manageability and flaunt well-hydrated curls in no time.

With these hair care tips and Pantene products in your arsenal to protect your curls, your hair will bounce back to its original texture without losing its curl pattern.