If your hair is curly, wavy or frizzy, you've probably tried numerous methods to straighten your hair. Unfortunately, many chemical relaxers and straighteners can cause damage, splitting and breakage, leaving your hair looking worse than it did before. On top of that, you might have tried using a heated appliance such as a flat iron to help ease the frizz out of your hair. Flat irons can cause more damage to chemically-straightened hair, according to Teens Health. For some people, the only only option may be a chemical relaxer. However, depending on your hair's natural texture, there are other non-damaging ways to straighten your hair.
Flat Irons
Flat irons are heated styling tools that use heat to change the structure of your hair. You should never use a flat iron on chemically-treated hair, however. They can effectively straighten most types of curly, frizzy and wavy hair when used properly. You should always use a spray-on heat protection spray when using flat irons, according to author Diane Da Costa in her book "Textured Tresses: The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining and Styling Natural Hair." Flat irons that have a fast heat up time and a high quality, ceramic coating will cause less damage and straighten your hair more efficiently.
Blow Drying
When used properly, blow dryers used in conjunction with straightening styling creams can help you achieve straight, smooth hair with minimal damage. Most hair straightening creams are heat activated and protect your hair from heat damage. Before blow drying, it helps to clip your hair up in sections in order to make each section more manageable when drying. Using a round, natural bristle brush helps maintain tautness on the hair while blow drying. If you have very fine, damaged and curly hair, it may help to use a diffuser attachment in order to minimize further damage and frizz, according to Homemakers.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil in its unrefined state can help you straighten your hair naturally, without heat or chemical damage, especially if you have particularly coarse, curly hair. According to Aroona Reejhsinghani in her book "Be Your Own Beautician," coconut oil discourages curling of your hair and leaves curls less defined. Massaging warm coconut oil into your scalp followed by massaging a bit of water into your hair before bedtime will help you comb out the curls. Plait your hair as tightly as possible before you go to sleep and brush hair straight in the morning.
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