“Eat, sleep, straighten, repeat” might be the motto you’ve long lived by. You’re not to blame though, because hair straightening is the beauty pie every girl wants a bite of. But have you ever wondered about the side effects of straightening or the way you can protect your hair from damage caused by straighteners? In this article, we will answer all of your concerns and reveal to you the most important steps you can take to keep your hair stylish, and most importantly healthy!

Hair Straightening Side Effects

You name it, outing with a friend, dinner with the loved ones, even the usual getting ready in the morning routine would require you to straighten your hair. Apparently, you’re turning a blind eye on the damages caused by hair straighteners.

According to the dermatologist Dr. Elie Saliba, hair straightening is associated with the below six side effects, whether done at home or in the salon:

1- Dry hair, due to constant exposure to high heat and straightening chemicals used in salons.

2- More fragile and weaker hair.

3- Split ends.

4- Color fading and dullness.

5- Hair loss, which can become permanent if you use the hair straightener regularly. It can also slow down hair growth.

6- Allergic reactions, due to chemicals that are applied or sprayed on the hair. This might lead to scalp redness and itchy skin.

How to Prevent the Side Effects of Hair Straightening?

As you can see, having silky straight hair isn’t as healthy as you might want it to be, and your hair can get damaged without you even noticing. So, next time you grab a hair iron, think about your hair’s health, not only the way it looks. To help you get healthy hair, Dr. Elie Saliba puts forward four essential steps you can take to prevent hair damage:

• Apply heat protectant to your hair before straightening it.
• Don’t straighten your hair when it is wet, and make sure to dry it well before using any heat styling tool.
• Keep your hair moisturized by using hair conditioners and masks rich in natural hydrating ingredients.
• Limit the use of hair straighteners to twice a week and avoid doing it daily no matter what.

After weighing your options, your hair’s health must be your top priority. Thus, we recommend you apply the above-mentioned four steps to get your healthy hair back. And keep in mind that healthy hair means stylish hair, no need for heat-styling tools!

How to Reduce Hair Breakage Because of Straightening?

In addition to the four steps indicated above, Dr. Elie Saliba stresses the importance of cutting your hair ends every six weeks, which greatly reduces hair breakage and promotes its growth.

Be careful, take it easy with your hair, especially when combing and brushing. Because pulling the brush roughly through your hair can also lead to hair breakage and hair loss.

Finally, we recommend you follow the below routine from René Furterer, the long-standing brand known for its iconic natural products:

– Karité Nutri Intense Nourishing Oil: Use this pre-shampoo nourishing oil on dry, damaged hair to nourish it from the roots. Thanks to its formula enriched with shea oil and shea butter, you can enjoy exceptionally moisturized and soft hair.

– Karité Nutri Intense Nourishing Shampoo: Complement your routine with this nourishing shampoo from the same set, formulated with moisturizing and smoothing shea oil and shea butter. This shampoo provides your hair with all the elements it needs to stay healthy and shiny.

– Karité Nutri Intense Nourishing Mask: This deep-conditioning mask is made of shea butter and shea oil, making it one of the best nourishing treatments for dry, damaged hair. Above all, its lightweight formula moisturizes and nourishes your hair without weighing it down. Enjoy your supple and shiny hair!

Last Updated on February 16, 2024