Preethi asks..

Hi MABH team,

I have a small beauty/hair care query. I am planning to straighten my hair by next month. This is my first time as I never have straightened my hair before. I am introducing my hair to heat for the first time. My friends are saying that straightening is bad for the health of the hair. Is it true? If yes, what are the side effects of straightening hair and how they can be avoided? Please advice. Thanks!

Reply to the Query:

Hi Preethi,

I understand your problem. Even I haven’t straightened my hair before and I am afraid of doing it for the same reasons. You have asked about the side effects. I am listing out few below.

Side Effects of Hair Straightening:

Hair Fall:

They are lot of people who straighten their hair many times and face no hair fall problem. At the same time, there are many who lose hundreds of hair strands everyday due to one time hair straightening. Yes! Hair fall is the biggest side effect of hair straightening. It depends on the sensitivity of your scalp. The chemicals present in your hair straighteners may damage your hair roots and cause hair fall.

Hair Breakage:

Not only the roots, the hard chemicals in your hair straightening creams and perms affect your hair strands as well. They destroy all the moisture from your healthy hair, leaving your hair dry and brittle. When your hair becomes dry and brittle, it obviously becomes more prone to breakage.

Split Ends:

As hair straighteners dry out your hair and scalp, they cause severe split ends if not treated the proper way. Split ends caused due to hair straightening may be very embarrassing and ugly. They spoil the beauty of your natural hair.

Spoils Overall Hair Health:

The heat, the straightening creams, lotions, sprays and what more? These can create product build up on your hair and scalp, thus resulting in overall bad hair. Straightening may get you the worst hair if done in an improper way. The chemicals spoils the natural shine and softness of your hair.

How to Prevent Side Effects?:

The only thing you can do is, choosing the right parlor to get your hair straightened, if it is your first time. Ask your friends for opinions and suggestions and choose your parlor. The beautician must be efficient to identify your hair/scalp type and straighten your hair safely, keeping side effect prevention in mind. If it is your first time, it is very risky to perform hair straightening at home. If you are going to do at home anyway, never ever skip your neutralizer after straightening your hair with your hair straightening cream. This prevents side effects upto a good extent.

And always keep in mind to straighten your hair 2-3 cm away from your scalp. This is a MUST!

When was the first time you straightened your hair? Did you face any side effects on your hair? If you have any idea/suggestion that could help Preethi, please drop in the comment section below!