Are you a style diva, who keeps abreast of most style trends doing the rounds in the fashion world? And of course, that includes your hair! It has to be on point always. If you have poker straight hair, what’s not to love about it, right? But what if you don’t have straight hair but really want it? That’s where hair straightening comes in, making your hair look straight silky and shiny.
A touch of iron and your hair which was in a frizzy mess transforms into lustrous locks! But hair straightening can do permanent damage to your hair. It might look beautiful and gorgeous at the onset but gradually might start falling, turning dry and coarse. All in all, definitely a nightmare. So what then, are the side-effects of hair- straightening?
Any kind of chemical-ridden external treatment can lead to extensive hair damage, and hair straightening is no exception. As you step out, the sun’s UV rays damage your hair more. The chemicals in your hair react adversely when exposed to the harsh rays of the sun. The other side-effects of hair straightening are as follows,
Your crowning glory deserves your tender loving care. You might be unaware of the fact that many hair chemical hair straightening products contain a chemical called formaldehyde (also known as formalin). This substance has been known to cause various health problems. The chemical can cause rashes,particularly when it comes in touch with your scalp or when it touches your neck or skin.
The chemical’s fumes can blend in the air, and breathing in that kind of polluted air can cause irritation in your nose, throat, and lungs. The symptoms are pretty nerve-wracking and can include breathing difficulties, heaviness in the chest, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and burning eyes,as well as irritation in the nose and throat.
But then should you give up nursing a dream about flaunting straight, shining, sleek hair? Not really! You will be surprised to know that there are readily available ingredients in your kitchen, which can give you that gorgeous mane you always dreamed of. In fact, they can be called some of the best hair straighteners ever. Check out how you can give your hair a makeover by just using simple stuff from the kitchen shelf.
Coconut is indeed nature’s bounty and has myriad benefits. The coconut milk you extract from coconuts also helps straighten hair. It moisturizes your hair and gives it a mirror-like shine. Additionally, it has all the benefits of being antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral to maintain the health of your scalp
Method : In a glass jar, blend one cup of fresh coconut milk and the juice of one lemon. Keep the glass jar in the refrigerator for a few hours, until a creamy layer develops on the top. Give your head a thorough massage with this cream and let it sit for 20 minutes. Follow the turban therapy by wrapping a hot towel or shower cap or a swimming cap. Let it stay there for 30 mins, then shampoo, followed by conditioning. Comb your hair when it is still wet and allow it to air dry.
Milk is a terrific moisturizer and can help to straighten hair easily. Also, the protein content in the milk smoothens the hair shafts, helping your hair appear frizz-free. Milk is, in fact, one of the best natural hair straightening solutions.
Method: Mix together one-half cup each of milk and water. Once it is mixed thoroughly, store the mixture in a spray bottle. Detangle your hair by combing it, spray the mixture over your hair and comb it again. Let it stay for a good 30 minutes so that your hair absorbs the milk. Wash your hair and follow it up by liberally applying conditioner.
Apart from milk, honey is also a great moisturizer since it helps get rid of the frizz in your hair easily. The natural moisturizers seep into your hair shaft, softening it considerably.
Method: Milk and honey also work great as natural straighteners. Take a cup of milk and add 2 tablespoons of honey to it. You can also add some freshly mashed strawberries to this mix. Apply it on to your hair. Keep the mixture for at least for 2 hours. Rinse thoroughly with a mild shampoo; follow it up with the conditioning procedure.
Applying soybean oil on your scalp can enhance the straight look of your hair, and is also said to be one of the best natural methods for permanent hair straightening.
Method: Take 1 tablespoon of soybean oil and 2 tablespoons of castor oil, then combine them well. Heat the mixture up and apply to the scalp, which can act as a binder for the hair from root to tip. It works wonderfully when rinsed off using a mild shampoo.
Bananas have great hair softening properties. They can be a great treatment for dry and frizzy hair too. Not only will theyact as a natural hair straightening process, but also help provide deep nourishment to treated hair.
Method: Take 2 overripe bananas, mash them up thoroughly with the help of a fork and combine 2 tablespoons each of honey, yogurt and olive oil with the mashed bananas. Blend it to make a fine paste. Apply this hair mask evenly on your hair and to avoid it from getting messy, wrap your hair with a shower cap. Keep it for ½ an hour. All the ingredients are great food for your weak and undernourished hair, and will make your hair healthy, shiny, and also straight.
Eggs not only give a beautiful volume and shine to hair but are alsoa great ingredient to straighten hair. Combining eggs and olives in a mask together can even help get rid of split ends. Try it to get results.
Method: Take 2 Eggs and add 4 tsp. of Olive Oil to it. Mix it well. Apply it evenly on your hair. Let it sit for 45 mins. Then wash off with a mild shampoo follow it up with a great conditioner.
MultaniMitti, also known as Fuller’s earth,not only imparts a glow to your skin, but also helps in straightening your hair.
Method: Combine one egg white and two tablespoons of rice flour to a cup full of MultaniMitti. Add the required amount of water to the paste to get a consistency that will stay on your hair, not too runny, just right. Apply it and leave it for half an hour. After 30 minutes, comb your hair gently. Now reapply this paste then run a comb through your hair. You have to repeat this process a couple of times. Finally, wash it off. This is one of the most effective packs to tame your overly frizzy hair.
Every grandmother passes on her beauty secret to her granddaughters, which is, of course, oiling hair religiously. But girls hardly pay heed to this invaluable piece of advice, and pay the price when their hair gets damaged in the long run. So, you should definitely oil your hair and make it a part of your hair care regime.
Method: Instead of using only one kind of oil, you can use a combination of two or three of them for beautiful, straight hair. Blend coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil together, and massage into your scalp gently. Wrap a hot towel once you are done with the massaging. Once you wash it off, your hair will be sleek shiny and oh-so-beautiful!
We have already tried a straightening method with coconut milk. You can try another method by adding lemon juice to it. When hair tongs and chemicals had not invaded the beauty regime of women a few years back, this method helped not only to straighten the hair but also give it an enviable shine.
Method: Take a cup of coconut milk. Add 2 tbsp. lemon juice to it. Keep the mixture in a refrigerator for about 30 min. It will coagulateinto a runny paste like consistency. Once done, blend it well and apply on your hair from root to scalp. Take a hot towel and wrap it around your hair. Leave the towel for a good 5 mins. Then wash it off with the help of a mild shampoo. Continue to do this for about 4 weeks, three times a week to get desired results.
Aloe vera contains several essential properties that promote healthy hair growth and impact the texture of your hair, making it smooth and soft. Also, aloe vera gel easily permeates into the hair strands and maintains the moisture level of the scalp. Due to this moisturizing property, it can straighten your hair naturally.
Method: Blend one-half cup each of aloe vera gel and warm olive oil. Also, you can mix in six drops each of rosemary oil and sandalwood oil. Massage the mixture into your hair and scalp, allowing it to penetrate through your hair strands. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for about one to two hours. Wash off the pack with a mild shampoo, following it up with a conditioner.
Your hair goes through a lot, be it environmental pollution or the unending treatments you subject it to make it look beautiful and trendy. You do not bother to find out about those simple remedies which can give you a great looking mane without depending on harsh chemicals, which ultimately ruin your hair.
Hair straightening damages your hair, so look for solutions which will keep your strands in perfect order. The next time you admire a woman with sleek straight hair, remember you can have it too, without, of course, the obvious side-effects of hair fall, split ends and so on.
These natural remedies, if followed for four weeks,about three times a week can not only up the style quotient of your hair but also give you healthy,luxuriant hair. Something which you can flaunt for years together!
Manoja Kalakanti