Beauty

Everything You Need to Know About Hair Straightening Treatments

Taming you mane can be a hard thing to do, but these long-lasting treatments will remedy even the worst of hair days. 

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Photographed by Alessia Laudoni for L'OFFICIEL Austria.

Dealing with unruly hair requires excess time and energy. Waking up an hour earlier than necessary just to blow out your hair before work? No thanks, we could all use those extra precious minutes of sleep. For the sake of convenience, those of us with unpredictable locks often turn towards hair straightening and relaxing treatments. These treatments make morning routines hassel-free by producing seamlessly straight hair right out of the shower. This outstanding ease can endure for up to six months, but it is imporant to find the correct smoothing process for your hairtype.

From Brazilian blowouts and Japanese straightening methods, the options are truly endlessbut some are better than others. If you are growing tired of your lengthy routine and uncooperative locks look no further, because L'OFFICIEL's guide to long-term hair straightening is here to save the day. 

Hair Rebonding

Hair rebonding is a chemical process which fundamentally changes the texture of your hair for long periods of time. This multistep treatment uses chemicals such as formaldehyde or aldehyde to break apart the natural bonds of your hair follicle. The chemicals then work to rebuild the bonds into a different shape, thus creating smoother and straighter hair. Hair rebonding costs anywhere from $250 to over $1,000, depending on the salon you visit and chemicals used. The option to opt for non-toxic ingredients usually garners a higher price tag. The treatment must be performed by a professional hairdresser or cosmetologist, seeing as the risk for damage is especially high. While rebonding lasts for up to six months, it's a good idea to leave ample time between each treatment in order to prevent a influx of harmful ingredients from affecting your hair. 

Keratin Treatment (Brazilian Blowout)

Keratin treatments, or Brazilian blowouts, are one of the most popular methods of permanent hair straightening. They are known for being one of the safer treatments available, due to the fact that the main ingredient, keratin, is a natural protein that already exists in our hair. The treatment entails adding a significant coating of keratin on the hair shaft then sealing the formula to the strands with a 450-degree straightening iron. The great thing about a keratin treatment is that the process does not physically alter the hair follicle, which will allow your hair to grow back into its orginal structure without any long term damage. If you choose to get kertain regularly, the risk of harming your hair is much lower, and the chances of having perfectly straight locks are much higher. This treatment costs anywhere from $250 to $500, and must be performed be a professional. The actual process takes quite some time, but you will be astonished by the results. 

Japanese Thermal Reconditioning

Japanese Thermal Reconditioning is another treatment that promotes a permanently altered hair follicle. The six-hour-long process requires both chemicals and heat, and aims to loosen the protein bonds in the hair. This way, the hair will naturally lose its wavy texture. The chemicals used in the straightening process are extensive, but the active ingredient that breaks and reshapes the bonds is ammonium thioglycolate. After the formula is applied, the hair is in an in-between state that requires the use of heat. When the hair is flat-ironed the straightened texture is locked in, and a neutralizer is applied in order to reattach the protein bonds in thier new shape. This treatment usually has a lower price point, it can cost anywhere from $80 to $250. Be warned, thermal reconditioning is not your hair's best friend. The chances of damage are much higher, so make sure your hair is strong enough to (literally) take the heat.

Hair Relaxers

If you're looking for an at-home remedy for unforgiving hair, hair relaxers might be right for you. Unlike other treatments, you don't need to hit the salon for this straightening alternative. Rather, simply visit your local drugstore or hair care supplier. Hair relaxers are lotions or creams that chemically alter the structure of the hair. Similarly to hair rebonding, the products work to break down bonds and fundamentally alter the follicle. Unfortunately, these treaments typically last from six to eight weeks, not months. However, they are wallet-friendly and skip out on hours spent in the salon chair. Depending on what brand of hair relaxers you perfer, the price can vary. Here are a few hyped-up options that might do the trick. 

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Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment
Kérastase Oléo-Relax Hair Set
Damanci Keratin Recovery Kit

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