To keep curly hair healthy, bright and elastic, it is not enough to choose the right products: specific care is necessary and you need to abandon some habits that, in the long run, can weaken its structure.
One of these is the use of the straightener to obtain a temporary smooth.
Although it seems like a quick fix to change looks, the straightener can deeply damage the health and beauty of curly hair. Forcing a curl to become smooth, in fact, not only weakens the structure, but deprives the hair of the necessary hydration to remain healthy and well defined, compromising its combability and shine. Let’s see below, in detail, why it is better to avoid this styling tool on curly hair.
The main feature of curly hair is its unique and complex structure, made of spirals and waves, which determines its elastic and full-bodied appearance. Using the straightener on curly hair means that the natural waves of the hair are relaxed and its structure is altered. But what exactly happens?
The straightener high temperature breaks the internal bonds of the hair that give its spiral shape. These bonds, called disulfide bridges, the more they are subjected to heat, the more they tend to weaken causing the curl to be less and less elastic and strong, therefore visibly lacking in tone. The risk, in the long term, is to get a texture no more uniform, with curls poorly defined or even areas where the hair appears almost smooth.
Maintaining and preserving the natural structure of the curls, therefore, is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of hair health. When a curly hair loses its natural shape it becomes more fragile and prone to break.
Another negative effect of the frequent use of the plate is the dehydration of the hair. Compared to straight hair, curly hair has a greater need for hydration because its spiral structure prevents the sebum from being distributed evenly throughout the stem and protecting it from moisture loss. The use of the straightener, with its high heat, contributes to “dry out” the internal moisture of the hair making it so dry and opaque. The heat of the plate can also damage the outer cuticle, that is the protective part of the hair fiber, thus making it even less effective in retaining moisture.
When a curl is dehydrated, and struggles to retain moisture, its appearance changes visibly: it loses shine and elasticity, becomes rough to the touch and prone to frizz. In the long run, this process can lead to split ends and overall hair fragility.
Another problem that arises after frequent use of the hair straightener is the difficulty in combing curly hair. This is because the heat from the plate tends to stiffen the hair fiber, causing knots and making the hair less flexible.
As seen in the previous sections, the straightener, besides dehydrating the hair, alters the surface of the cuticle making it less smooth. As a result, the hair becomes rougher and the comb encounters more friction. This leads to an increased risk of breaking them when combing.
To keep the curls strong, elastic and bright, it is therefore advisable to avoid using the straightener to privilege a specific hair care routine for curly hair. For this we invite you to discover the 4 best styling techniques and choose the best products for curly hair to enhance the texture without compromising its health. In fact, discovering the products for your own type of hair, and the best styling methods, will not only help you to keep them healthy, hydrated and shiny, but also to fully appreciate its natural beauty!
