Are There Any Side Effects to Hair Straightening?

Are you tired of frizzy, unruly hair and looking for a sleek, straight solution? While hair straightening can offer a smooth and polished look, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential side effects before you book your next appointment.

From dry and brittle strands to scalp irritation and long-term health concerns, harsh chemicals like formaldehyde and sodium hydroxide in hair straightening products can take a toll on your locks, resulting in hair loss. Before you opt for a straightening treatment, read on to learn more about the dangers of permanent hair straightening and weigh the pros and cons.

What Is Hair Straightening?

Hair straightening is a cosmetic procedure of altering the texture of your hair with a chemical treatment or by using a hair straightener. Hair straightening gives a sleek look to pin-straight hair, but it does harm your strands, causing them to become dry, brittle, and damaged.

Side Effects Of Hair Straightening

You can achieve silky, smooth hair through hair straightening, effectively taming your frizzy, unruly hair. But is it worthwhile exposing your hair to harmful chemicals and heat? Let’s understand the side effects of hair straightening so that you might think twice before booking an appointment in the salon.

Hair Fall

Hair straightening can cause hair fall due to the harsh chemicals used in the process. These chemicals can weaken and damage hair, resulting in loss of hair and breakage. Additionally, repeated use of hair straightening products can cause long-term damage to hair follicles, leading to loss of hair density and hair loss over time. 

Dryness

Exposure to harmful chemicals and heat can strip natural oil from your hair, making it lackluster and frizzy. Gradually your hair starts losing its elasticity, making it dry and brittle. Experts advise limiting the use of styling tools and using a heat protectant whenever you are using a styling tool. 

Breakage

Excessive hair dryness can make your hair more prone to breakage as it loses its elasticity, becoming fragile and brittle. Styling tools and chemical treatment can damage the structure of the strands making them more susceptible to breakage from the middle of the strand. It also results in loss of hair density, making your hair look thin.

Permanent Alteration Of Texture Of Hair

In permanent hair straightening, the chemicals used can permanently change your hair’s texture. At this point, no DIY mask or home remedy can help you regain your natural hair in a short period of time. 

Frizz

The harsh chemicals and heat from the styling tools rob your hair of its natural oils, making it dry and frizzy. It is one of the many causes of loss of hair, too. 

Split Ends

The chemicals used in hair straightening can damage the scalp, resulting in insufficient hydration and nourishment to your hair (from root to tip), thus causing split ends, loss of hair, and a decrease in hair density. 

Itchy Scalp

Regular exposure to heat and harsh chemicals used in hair straighteners can damage the hair follicles and cause scalp dryness, as the scalp is stripped of its natural oils. This can lead to an itchy and inflamed scalp.

Poor Hair Growth

Chemical treatment during the hair straightening process can damage the hair follicles resulting in poor hair growth. An inadequate supply of moisture and nourishment to the hair follicles can result in stunted growth. 

Allergic Reaction

The harsh chemicals used in hair straightening may not suit people with sensitive skin, resulting in an allergic reaction.

Hair care tips for hair straightening

To prevent the side effects of hair straightening, consider the following tips:

1. Use a high-quality hair straightener with temperature control options to prevent excessive heat damage.
2. Opt for a heat protectant. Anveya’s Instant Volumizing Hair Serum protects your strands from heat. Apart from repairing the damaged strands, it also provides instant volume to your hair!
3. If you are undergoing severe hair fall after a hair straightening, then consider using  India’s first hair fall control solution from Anveya – Ban-The-Fall Oil-In Serum. This hair oil-in serum reduces hair fall and promotes the growth of thick, luscious hair. It can be seamlessly incorporated into your regular hair care routine. 
4. Limit the frequency of hair styling sessions to prevent hair breakage and hair fall.
5. Use gentle hair care products on your scalp and hair to protect it from further damage.
6. Ensure that your hair is well-hydrated and nourished throughout.  To experience an instant gush of hydration, pumping life into your thirsty hair, I recommend using Anveya’s Hair Bae Serum. The fragrance and feel of the product is pure chef’s kiss. 
7. Trim your hair at regular intervals to avoid split ends.
8. Let your hair air dry instead of blow drying hair to give a break to your hair from styling tools.
9. Consider applying a nourishing hair mask once or twice weekly to maintain scalp and hair health.

While hair straightening may give you the straight hair and sleek look you desire, it also comes with several potential side effects that can cause long-term damage to your hair and scalp. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. If you choose to go ahead with hair straightening, choose a reputable salon and stylist, use high-quality products, and keep up with proper hair care to minimize the risks. Remember, healthy hair is always in style!