What straightens black hair?

Question

I'm black and i have thick hair and what products (shampoo, straightening irons, etc.) work best. I use a gold'nhot blowdryer with the brush attachment. I GET PERMS for all you smart alecks, but when i wash my hair at home, its never as straight as it can be when i get it done. What products work best?!?

Answer 1

A FLAT IRON.

Answer 2

I am a licensed hairdresser, but not black... but I do have a lot of friends who are. Believe it or not, a lot of women of color with your problem are going back to the tried and true manual hot iron straightening where you oil as you straighten. It stays better in between shampoos and does not damage the hair like all the chemical treatments.

This is becoming more popular again because the chemical processes break the already fragile hair and eventually decreases the thickness and vitality.

Good luck.

Answer 3

There are three basic types of hair relaxers. These are sodium hydroxide and guanidine hydroxide which may or may not require pre-shampooing, and ammonium thioglycolate, which may require a pre-shampooing.

Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is the strongest of the three relaxers and will provide the most dramatic results. Sodium hydroxide is a caustic type of chemical that actually softens hair fibers. The chemical also causes the hair to swell at the same time. As the sodium hydroxide solution is applied to the hair, it penetrates into the cortical layer and breaks the cross-bonds.

The cortical layer is actually the middle or inner layer of the hair shaft that provides the strength, elasticity and shape of the curly hair.

Depending on various factors and the condition of the hair to be straightened, the strength of the sodium hydroxide solution may vary anywhere from 5 to 10 percent. The pH faction may vary from 10 to 14. The higher the strength of sodium hydroxide, the higher the pH and the faster the straightening solution will take hold.

Also, the stronger the solution, the more potential damage can occur to the hair. Sodium hydroxide contains a high alkaline content and so special care should always be used when applying this chemical.

Guanidine Hydroxide
Guanidine hydroxide relaxers are referred to as the "no-lye" relaxers and they tend to be less damaging than sodium hydroxide relaxers. These products, however, still may do some damage to the hair. It can definitely de-fat the scalp.

Guanidine hydroxide relaxers usually require conditioning treatments before and after. These relaxers are a mixture of calcium hydroxide cream with guanidine carbonate "activator" solution.

Ammonium Thioglycolate
Ammonium thioglycolate (nicknamed "thio relaxer") is much less drastic in its action than the sodium hydroxide and even, in some cases, the guanidine hydroxide. It acts a little differently by softening and relaxing overly curly hair through changes to the hair's cystine linkage.

Thio works on the same formulation principles as thioglycolate permanent waves. With a pH of 9-9.5, these are also considered to be less damaging, yet still require a neutralization step. Thioglycolate relaxers are usually in cream or gel form and can be preceded by a pre-softener.

Since thio relaxers are considered much milder, the risk of hair damage is also reduced by comparison to the sodium hydroxide.

Petroleum Cream/Base Cream
A protective base of petroleum cream is usually applied to the scalp and other areas of the hair that have been previously straightened to prevent over processing, hair breakage or burning and/or irritation of the scalp and skin.

The protective base is applied freely to the entire scalp with the fingers. The hairline around the forehead, nape of the neck and over and under the ears must be completely covered. The base should actually lay on the scalp and should not be spread or rubbed into the skin or scalp.

The relaxer formula must never come in contact with sores or abrasions on the scalp of the skin and should never make contact with the eyes.

The cream that is used as a base for relaxing is lighter than regular petroleum jelly and is designed to melt at body temperatures. As the cream melts is provides a complete protective covering over the scalp and other desired areas with a oily film. This film acts as a barrier against the straightening chemicals.

Some relaxing solutions are mild enough that they do not require the protective petroleum base application. The petroleum creme may or may not be required for the thio type of softening process. However, it would be more likely required for sodium hydroxide relaxing treatments.

Whether a relaxing formula requires the petroleum cream or not, it is always best to use a protective cream around the hairline and over the delicate ear areas. It is also best to apply a base during any chemical "retouching". It is advisable not to reapply a straightening formula to hair that has been previously straightened since there is a high risk of breakage or damage

Answer 4

1. Conditioner for oily hair
I have naturally oily, straight hair and I used a shampoo with conditioner and then applied a leave-in conditoner to prevent static. It worked! I used mousse and a bit of hair spray and was static-free almost all day.

2. static....
i get static hair all the time...for short releif of it, use a dryer sheet. i dont know what it is that helps but it does! don't use it for very long though.

3. Moisturizer for hair Rebecca Featherston
Several years ago I was introduced to SEBASTION Potion #9. This is a leave in hair moisturizer, not a conditioner. It's used in place of, after you shampoo. Use it regularly throughout the winter months and you will notice a difference!

4. Winter hair rejuvination Rebecca
Get your hairstylist to color your hair with REDKIN SHADES...this is a conditioning, non-peroxide color wash, you can brighten your hair color by using the shades and mixing with clear to tone down to an acceptable level for your taste. This is a great treatment for the wintertime, it brightens your hair, and deep conditions it at the same time. You'll be hooked after one treatment!

5. Fly Away Hair
If you are having trouble with fly away hair try this. Rinse hair, after shampooing, every now and then with a good liquid clothes conditioner. It greatly cuts down the static in your hair.

6. Surefire Success
Keep your hat on till spring, maybe early summer.

7. To Fight Static...
I have super long (3 1/2 ft. from crown to tips), super thin, super straight hair and static in the winter is a nightmare for me. I have learned 3 good ways of combating it however. #1 Keep a trial size bottle of a leave in spray conditioner with you at all times (you can buy these in drug stores for pennies). #2 Run a dryer sheet over your hair. #3 Spray something like Static Guard over your hair (this may stink but it's effective).

8. Smooth Hair
My stylist told me that when you rinse out your conditioner, you should use colder water. When you look at a piece of hair under a microscope, it looks like the shingles of a roof. When you use colder water to rinse out your conditioner, it closes those "shingles" and makes your hair smoother.

9. Better hair
Before showering, I comb my hair one last time. This helps to distribute the natural oils in your hair. When in the shower, I usually comb my conditioner into my hair paying special attention to the tips because this is where your hair has less moisture. When I'm done I usually blast cold water onto my hair. This helps with keeping the hair moisturized since it closes the hair shaft and it makes your hair extremely shiny.

Answer 5

Not sure about products, you can probably pick up any kind of straightening serum, blow dry then use a CHI flat iron. Those are the best! A bit pricey, but worth it!

Answer 6

what perms are you using, and how long do you leave it in, and are you combing it through while the chemicals are in your hair?

Answer 7

why don't you try to go to salon, they will help you better , if your willing to invest for your own good , make a visit to a best salon in your town. :-)

Answer 8

a starightner or hot comb and umm hair grease

Answer 9

flat irons

Answer 10

Scary Stuff!!!