The Hidden Dangers of Hair Straightening You Didn’t Know About

According to SAEDNEWS, Hair is one of the most important aspects of a woman's beauty. Natural and healthy hair can guarantee the beauty and elegance of any woman. However, many people with frizzy hair always appear messy. By straightening their hair, they achieve that neat and polished look every day. But if they straighten their hair daily, they will face problems, one of which is thinning hair! However, if they are aware of the side effects of hair straightening, they can prevent this disaster before it's too late. We've got everything covered for you, from A to Z, so you can straighten your hair without facing the problems that come with it.

The Side Effects of Daily Hair Straightening

Dry Scalp

Have you ever noticed that when you straighten your hair, steam rises from it? In fact, it's not smoke; it's water vapor. The way a hair straightener works is by pulling the moisture out of the hair to straighten it and hold it in place. This is why your hair returns to its natural state after washing, as it regains moisture and loses the straightened shape given by the straightener. It's important to know that frequent use of straighteners, heat styling tools, and chemical treatments strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it extremely dry, brittle, and vulnerable.

Frizz

You might think that straightening your hair is the best way to get rid of frizz, but unfortunately, it has the opposite effect. Straightening hair dries it out, which can actually make your hair more frizzy.

Hair Breakage

If you didn't know that straightening your hair (whether permanent or temporary) causes severe dryness, you should also know that it weakens the structure of your hair. As a result, this can increase the likelihood of your hair shafts breaking in the middle.

Split Ends and Frizzy Hair

Another side effect of hair straightening is the development of split ends. Usually, split ends occur when the weak hair shafts break in the middle. In addition to being a clear sign of your hair's fragile and vulnerable state, split ends give it an unattractive appearance.

Dull and Lifeless Hair

Straightening hair makes it dull and lifeless. The natural oils of your scalp and the moisture in your hair are responsible for its shine, health, and beauty. By straightening your hair, you lose these natural qualities, causing your hair to become dull and lackluster.

Hair Loss

Regular use of heat tools not only damages your hair but also harms the hair follicles. Moreover, the chemicals used for permanent hair straightening severely damage the roots of your hair. When your hair roots weaken, what happens? Obviously, your hair falls out!

Scalp Itchiness

The loss of hair follicles leads to a decrease in the production of natural oils that keep your scalp moisturized. Eventually, this causes dryness, flakiness, and itching of your scalp. This issue can even spread to your forehead and neck.

Slower Hair Growth

Often, if you straighten your hair without using proper heat protectants, the hair cuticle is permanently damaged. This will also slow down the growth rate of your hair.

Uneven Hair Growth from the Roots

Frizz is one of the side effects of hair straightening, but do you know what's worse than all the issues mentioned? Obviously, after straightening your hair for a while, it starts to grow back with its natural texture. Then, you're left with curly hair at the roots and straight hair at the ends. You’d agree this look isn’t very attractive.

Itchy and Red Skin and Eyes

Some conditioners you use before straightening your hair release formaldehyde gas when exposed to heat. Frequent exposure to this strong gas can irritate your skin and eyes, causing respiratory problems.

How to Prevent the Side Effects of Hair Straightening?

• Always use a heat protectant before straightening your hair to prevent it from being completely damaged by the hair straightener.

• Try to limit hair straightening to twice a week. Given all the side effects, it's best to avoid doing this daily.

• Always use your hair straightener at a medium or low heat setting.

• Never straighten wet hair! Wet hair is at its weakest and most brittle state.

• Oil your hair and always use conditioner when you wash it to restore moisture to your hair. You can also use a deep conditioner every two weeks for better hydration.

• Every other week, use a natural mask made of yogurt, coconut milk, honey, and olive oil to naturally hydrate your hair.

• Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons in one cup of water) to restore its shine.