Hair Smoothening Vs Hair Straightening: How to Know the Difference

Posted by Angelo Garc�a on March 10th, 2022

Most women who have unmanageable and untidy hair always desire for silky straight. For this all of us need to have a consistent hair regimen, however unfortunately many of us are not able to keep up to it. To make you hair more manageable, straight, and silky, a lot of new hair regimen treatments have come up. The most popular hair treatments include hair straightening and hair smoothening.

What is Hair Straightening?

Hair straightening is a process of rebuilding the hair. It involves the usage chemicals which break the bonds of the hair shaft, which is then rebuilt through heat application. At the end, the framed bonds are fixed permanently using chemicals. There are two types of hair straightening

• Temporary hair straightening: Temporary hair straightening process involves the use of hot combs or irons. Here adhesive and cohesive forces work in a viscous system to make the fibers parallel. Hair appears straight for a temporary period and goes back to the normal texture as soon as you wash it.

• Permanent hair straightening: This is a process where the structure of the hair is altered permanently to give you straight hair. The chemicals used in this treatment permanently breaks the bonds in the hair shaft. Heat is then applied to restructure the hair, and later more chemicals are used to seal the new frame of bonds. The alkaline nature of the chemicals breaks the keratin bonds in curly hair thereby stretching and straightening them.

What is Hair Smoothening?

Hair smoothening is a temporary hair treatment that involves saturating the hair with formaldehyde solution, drying the hair, and using a flat iron to lock the hair in a straight position. The chemicals used in hair smoothening treatment is not as strong as the ones in hair straightening. While the disadvantage lies that the treatment does not last for long, the advantage is that hair smoothening is less damaging.

Why to choose hair smoothening over hair straightening?

Any choice of treatment mainly depends on the persons preference, hair type, and the desired result. Many people want a natural finish without their hair looking artificially straight. Hair smoothening process perfectly serves the process with very little damage.

In hair smoothening, the hair can be easily bleached or permanently dyed along with providing shine. In hair straightening process, the bonds of the hair need to be broken and rebuilt again. This can cause significant amount of hair damage. Although the hair can be repaired, it needs intensive care till natural hair grows back.

Why to choose hair straightening over hair smoothening?

Frizzy hair can be only managed through hair smoothening; however, the effect is only temporary and does not straighten curly hair. Hair straightening is generally preferred for difficult hair types like frizzy and curly hair. Hair smoothening is a temporary procedure and wears off as soon as you wash your hair. Hair straightening is more long term and helps effectively manage frizzy and curly hair.

Hair Straightening Vs Hair Smoothening- The Verdict

Both these hair treatments have their pros and cons. If you are looking for a temporary make over with little damage to the hair, hair smoothening treatment would be the best option. However, if you are looking for a permanent solution, hair straightening would be a better option.

To make a choice, you need to ask yourself the following questions

• Do you want hair looking naturally smooth or pin straight hair?

• Do want to only eliminate frizzy hair or make the hair completely straight?

• Do want a treatment that is temporary or permanent?

Conclusion

When you finally make the choice to smoothen or straighten the hair, you need to keep in mind that both procedures involve the usage of chemicals on your hair. Hence, repeated treatments can damage the hair. If you opt for any of these treatments, you must ensure to follow a proper hair regimen to prevent hair damage and fall.

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