Say Goodbye to Frizz: Embrace Silky Smooth Tresses with Open Arms!
Unlock the Secret to Smooth, Manageable Hair: Your Ultimate Guide is Here!
Break Free from Tangles: Discover Effective Home Remedies for Silky, Frizz-Free Hair! Say goodbye to dull, unmanageable locks with these tried-and-true techniques. Keep reading to unveil the secrets to smooth, beautiful tresses.
Ways To Smoothen Hair
There are two ways to smooth your hair: chemical smoothing and regular hair styling.
Chemical Smoothing: This method involves the use of chemicals such as formaldehyde and alkalines to treat your hair (1).It is a lasting treatment with effects that endure for a minimum of 12-15 weeks. You will need to have it reapplied every few months to maintain smoothness in your hair.
In a study conducted on 1,555 women, it was reported that 89% of them have used chemical products or straighteners to smooth or straighten their hair. Additionally, there was a higher usage observed for chemical and leave-on conditioners to achieve hair smoothness. Therefore, you can choose to use these hair products or opt for natural remedies to achieve smooth and straight hair.
Natural Smoothing: This method employs regular hairstyling techniques to smooth your hair. It is temporary but highly efficient, without significantly altering the hair's structure, unlike chemical smoothing. With proper care and management, you can attain smooth and healthy hair.
While these methods provide temporary results, natural smoothing is likely to contribute to the long-term health of your hair, resulting in smooth and shiny strands. Continue reading to learn more about these two smoothing methods and determine which one would be the ideal choice for you.
How To Get Smooth Hair Naturally
1. Rinse With Cold Water
To make your hair smooth and straight, rinse it with cold water. After washing and conditioning your detangled hair, rinse with cold water a few times. Gently pat your hair dry instead of rubbing or scrunching it.You can also apply a straightening or anti-frizz conditioner before rinsing. The cold water helps lock in the anti-frizz benefits of the conditioner, keeping your hair smooth and well-conditioned.
2. Banana Packama
Bananas are packed with carbohydrates, vitamins, natural oils, and potassium. They possess antioxidant properties that combat free radicals (2). Incorporating banana into a hair pack can leave your hair feeling nourished and moisturized. Regular use can help reduce frizz and soothe an irritated scalp. To enhance the benefits, you can add yogurt, which is also an excellent moisturizer for hair.
You Will Need
1 ripe banana
2 teaspoons yogurt
Procedure
Mash a ripe banana and mix it with two teaspoons of yogurt.
Blend it until you achieve a smooth paste, ensuring no banana chunks remain.
Apply this mixture all over your hair, starting from the tips and working your way up to the crown.
Rinse off the mixture after 45 minutes using shampoo.
3. Vinegar Rinse
Apple cider vinegar has been a popular choice as a natural hair rinse for a considerable amount of time. Our hair typically has a pH of 5.5, while the shampoos and conditioners we use tend to be strongly alkaline (3). Though there isn't conclusive scientific evidence, many people believe anecdotally that apple cider vinegar assists in maintaining the pH balance of the scalp and helps remove build-up from excessive product use. Rinsing your hair with vinegar can also help close the cuticles, resulting in smoother, softer, and shinier hair.
You Will Need
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
Procedure
Mix apple cider vinegar with water.
Use this mixture as the final rinse after washing your hair, and leave it on.
4. Hot Oil Treatment
A hot oil massage once a week can provide not only healthy and smooth hair but also help alleviate stress. Use oils such as coconut, olive, sweet almond, jojoba, castor, lavender, rosemary, and thyme for the massage (4), (5), (6), (7). Alternatively, you can mix these oils for enhanced results.
You Will Need
2-3 tablespoons of oil, adjusting the amount based on the length of your hair.
Procedure
Massage the oil into your scalp and apply it to all of your hair.
Following the scalp massage, wrap your head with a warm towel.. This creates an environment that maximizes the penetration of the oil.
Leave it on for 20 minutes, then wash off the oil with shampoo to achieve glossy hair.
5.Select a shampoo that is suitable for your hair type
A shampoo cleanses your scalp and helps make your hair smooth and soft. However, it's important to use a shampoo that is suitable for your hair type.
Another safe way to cleanse your hair is by using natural ingredients.
Create your own natural shampoo by boiling dried Indian gooseberry (amla), shikakai, and reetha.
Allow it to boil until you obtain a soapy solution.
Use this mixture to wash your hair at least twice a week for shiny and smooth hair.
6. Careful Combing
Be gentle with brushing. Combing or brushing your hair excessively can create friction, leading to frizziness. Limit combing to a bare minimum, especially when your hair is wet, as wet hair is more prone to breakage. A recommended combing routine includes detangling your hair with a wide-toothed wooden comb before a shower and then styling and removing tangles by combing once or twice a day.
7. Proper Conditioning
The proper conditioning treatment can do wonders for your hair, making it smooth and silky. Ensure to deep condition your hair at least once a week. Leaving a small amount of conditioner in your hair can give it a smooth, radiant, and tangle-free appearance. This is entirely safe as long as the conditioner does not come into contact with your scalp.
You can also utilize leave-in conditioners and serums, which are highly effective in achieving a smooth and frizz-free look. Leave-in conditioners are particularly advantageous for individuals with curly hair.
8. Take A Break From Heat
Straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers may offer an immediate solution for styling to achieve smooth hair. However, the frequent use of these hot styling tools can be extremely detrimental to your hair. The heat from these tools can damage your hair, causing it to become coarse, frizzy, and stripping away its natural sheen (8).
However, on days when styling is unavoidable, remember to use a heat-protecting spray or serum. This will help minimize damage from the heat by creating a protective shield around your hair.
9. Blow Drying Techniques
Always aim to air-dry your hair naturally. However, if you're in a hurry, you can use a blow dryer. In that case, ensure you use a high-quality big-toothed round brush with a ceramic base. Opt for the cool settings on your blow dryer to minimize damage. Keep the blow dryer approximately 15 cm away from your hair and move it continuously to avoid concentrating heat on one section for too long (8).
10. Say No To Chemicals
Avoid using products containing sodium lauryl sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate, as both are industrial cleansers and can be harsh on your hair. These ingredients are commonly found in many shampoos. Research indicates that these chemicals may contribute to significant hair fall and hair thinning (1). Opt for shampoos with natural and organic ingredients instead of sulfate-based ones, as they are gentler on your hair. These formulations help lock in moisture, resulting in smooth and soft hair.
11. Trimming Is Important
Regular trimming is essential for maintaining healthy and smooth hair. It aids in removing split ends and preventing damage from spreading up the hair shaft, which can lead to frizz and dryness.
12. Mayonnaise Mask
Nourish your hair with a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Mayonnaise is a rich source of L-cysteine, an amino acid, and a potent antioxidant also found in eggs. Regular use of this hair pack can stimulate healthy hair growth.
You Will Need
1 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons mashed avocado
Procedure
Blend the mayonnaise and avocado until the mixture becomes fluffy.
Apply the mixture to your hair, covering it from the roots through the length.
Gather your hair at the crown and cover your head with a shower cap.
Leave it on for an hour and then rinse it off with shampoo.
13. Onion Juice Hair Pack
Onion juice is a frequently used home remedy known for its potential to boost hair growth. Anecdotal evidence suggests that its high sulfur content may contribute to preventing hair thinning and breakage, leading to smoother and more manageable hair. This makes it an ideal option for individuals dealing with frizzy tresses.
You Will Need
1 medium-sized onion
2 teaspoons honey
Procedure
Blend the onion into a paste using a mixer.
Strain the pulp thoroughly to extract its juice.
Add honey to the onion juice and mix well.
Spread the mixture onto your scalp and hair.
Leave it on for 1 hour, then rinse it off with cold water and a gentle shampoo.
Chemical Smoothing Hair Tips
14. Traditional Relaxers
Relaxers are employed to soften and tame the natural texture of the hair, making them suitable for individuals with wavy or slightly curly hair. However, they may not be as effective for extremely curly hair (1). Relaxers help manage frizzy textures and smooth the hair shafts, but the effects diminish as the chemicals wear off in four to six months.
15. Chemical Smoothing
This technique involves the use of various chemicals to break the natural bonds of your hair (1). Subsequently, the hair is washed with a smoothing solution and straightened. The entire procedure takes approximately four to five hours, with the effects lasting for about three months. Regular touch-ups are necessary to sustain smooth, straight, and lustrous hair. It is important to note that this method is not suitable for colored hair.
Puja Mondal, a blogger, underwent a hair smoothing treatment and shared her experience. Regarding the typical duration of this treatment, she writes, “The time depends on a couple of things like hair texture, thickness, and length. It will naturally take longer if you have extremely coarse and thick hair. My appointment took almost 5 hours as my hair is long and colored (i).” She also mentions, “If you desire a pin-straight look, you may need salon touch-ups every 4 to 5 months.”
16. Thermal Reconditioning
Also called Japanese straightening, this method is good for thick, loose to medium curls, but not for very tight curls (1). The process involves washing the hair several times with a chemical solution to break the inner bonds. Each strand is then reshaped. To achieve a smooth, silky, and straight look, a neutralizer is applied. Keep in mind that this technique permanently alters your hair's structure, and you'll need touch-ups every five to six months, depending on how fast your hair grows. It's not suitable for colored or processed hair. Check out this detailed post on Japanese straightening.
17. Brazilian Keratin Treatment
This technique has become popular because it uses keratin, which is gentler on the hair. It smoothens the hair surface without permanently breaking the bonds. This treatment controls frizz while maintaining the volume and texture of the hair (1). It is safe for colored hair and suitable for all hair types, from waves to tight curls. Check out this detailed post on Brazilian Keratin treatment.
Risks And Side Effects
When using chemical treatments to smooth your hair, ensure they do not contain formaldehyde (1). Formaldehyde can cause irritation to the scalp and eyes. Be cautious of products that claim to have unactivated formaldehyde, as it might be activated by other chemicals in the product. When using regular straighteners, opt for keratin straighteners, as they tend to cause less damage to the hair (1).
Infographic: Tips for Naturally Smooth Hair
Smooth and silky hair is a dream for many, and there are various techniques to help you achieve it. These include chemical methods and natural styling tips. Among the options available, natural methods are the safest, causing no damage and contributing to overall hair health.
Explore the infographic below to discover the most effective natural methods for achieving smooth and sleek hair.