Chemical hair straightening
There are two methods of hair straightening - thermal and chemical straightening. Chemical hair straightening is a cardinal and not harmless change in the hair structure. Straightening chemicals, penetrating into the hair shaft, destroy disulfide bonds and force curls and waves to straighten. After chemical straightening, the hair can be combed, washed, styled without fear of curling again. For this procedure, there is now a huge number of devices and tools. In reviews of chemical hair straightening, it is said that hair previously dyed with natural or chemical dyes should not be subjected to this procedure.
Products for chemical hair straightening
To straighten hair using a chemical method, a chemical straightening product, a neutralizer, a shampoo specifically designed for this procedure, a protective cream and a conditioner to straighten the hair are usually used. For straightening, preparations based on caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate or guanidine hydroxide are most often used.
Sodium hydroxide chemical hair straightener helps open the hair cuticle. It penetrates into the cortex of the hair shaft, softens and changes its structure. The higher the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the chemical, the more the hair structure will be damaged after straightening, and the more noticeable the smoothing effect will be. Sodium hydroxide chemicals are commonly used for very large curls. The action of chemicals with ammonium thioglycolate is much less aggressive. Preparations with this chemical compound are used to straighten not very frizzy hair.
The strongest are considered to be straightening preparations based on caustic soda. The concentration of the soda solution during this procedure can be from 5 to 10%, and the pH level is from 10 to 14 (depending on the factors and conditions of hair straightening). In reviews of chemical hair straightening, it is confirmed that the higher these indicators, the faster the remedy works, but also the more damage the hair will be from straightening.
Chemical hair straighteners with guanidine hydroxide do much less damage to hair than products with caustic soda, but their effect is weaker. Preparations based on guanidine hydroxide defat the scalp. Therefore, when using such preparations, one should not forget about special conditioners for the scalp.
During chemical straightening, protective creams play the role of a protective barrier, protecting the skin from burns. Neutralizers stop the action of chemicals and restore the normal pH balance of the scalp.
Chemical hair straightening process
Chemical hair straightening begins with combing the scalp and dividing the hair into individual strands. Then a chemical agent is selected individually (depending on the degree of curliness of the hair). When using a preparation with sodium hydroxide, the hair is pre-treated with shampoo. If a product based on ammonium thioglycolate is used, then there is no need to wash your hair with shampoo.
When using a strong chemical, a protective cream must be applied to the scalp and hair (with a comb or a special brush). Then all hair is treated with a chemical, starting from the back of the head. After a while, the hair is thoroughly washed with plenty of water and then covered with a special product. This tool consolidates the results of straightening and neutralizes the effect of the chemical. Then the hair is thoroughly washed again and dried with a heated towel.
It is not recommended to straighten hair after a perm procedure. It is better to entrust chemical hair straightening to a professional, since only a specialist will be able to correctly assess the condition of the hair and choose the right preparation for straightening, as well as set the time for effective implementation of this procedure.
Straightened hair will stay straight forever. Re-straightening should be done only on the regrown hair roots.
Hair care after chemical straightening
After chemical straightening, the hair needs restorative treatment and special care. For the first time after the straightening procedure, do not pull hair with hairpins and elastic bands. Once or twice a week, hair should be nourished with special masks. When shampooing after chemical straightening, it is best not to dry your hair with a hairdryer, but naturally, without using a curling iron.
Goldwell chemical hair straightening technology
A Japanese-German concern has developed a permanent hair straightening technology. This straightening method can be used even after a perm. Hair after chemical straightening using Goldwell technology becomes smooth and perfectly straight, maintains its healthy natural shine, and looks heavier. The composition of preparations for hair straightening using Goldwell technology includes vitamins, silk proteins, cationic polymers, a pH control system, essential oils, betaine. These products are suitable for all hair types.
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