The hair smoothening craze doesn’t look like it is going to die down anytime soon. So in this post, I going to explain all about hair smoothening from how it is being done, the different varieties of hair smoothening aka relaxing its pros, cons to the cost and longevity of the treatment. If you are on the fence whether or not to do hair smoothing then this post will definitely be useful to help you with the decision. Hair Smoothening has various names such as Rebonding, Keratin Treatment, Brazilian Blowout, Cysteine Treatment, etc. If you want straight, sleek, shiny, frizz-free hair without using flat irons or blow dryers daily these are the best bet.

hair smoothening before & after
Hair Smoothening Before & After

Hair Smoothening Procedure-

Firstly, a straightener cream is applied from scalp to the tip of the hair and covered with aluminum foils. That cream is left to seep into the hair strands for several hours. This cream changes the pattern of your hair strand from curly/wavy to straight sleek hair. After leaving it for a couple of hours it is then rinsed off with water and small sections of hair are taken and flat ironed carefully for perfectly straight hair. Secondly, a neutralizer cream is applied and left for another hour or so to permanently seal the straightened effect in the hair. After rinsing the second cream a blow dry with cool setting will be given to the new hair. The effects of this treatment will stay this way for about 6-9 months.

hair smoothing

Safety Measures During The Hair Smoothening-

These hair smoothening creams contain formaldehyde which is highly toxic and can cause scalp irritation, rashes, eye irritation from the fumes. Make sure you go to a well-reputed place for the treatment which has a good ventilation system. It’s best to avoid this procedure if you already have Scalp & Skin problems like Dandruff, Hair-fall, Psoriasis, Seborrheic Eczema, Acne, etc, as the chemicals can aggravate it even more. Or go for a milder treatment which doesn’t contain any formaldehyde. Like Cysteine Hair Treatments which does not contain any Formaldehyde and is a milder safer alternative.

Upkeep-

After the hair smoothening it is very important to buy a good shampoo, conditioner and hair mask to protect your new hairdo. Good hair care products can make or break your hair so do a lot of research before buying something. Dry hair becomes even drier. Hair fall cannot be controlled whatsoever. Hair strands start to break horribly. So take those weekly oil massages and hair masks (DIY Masks or Buy it from stores) and most importantly a good diet can change the way your hair & skin looks.

hair smoothing

Pros Of Hair Smoothening-

  • Sleek & straight hair
  • Makes hair soft & silky
  • Banishes frizz
  • No heat damage (except the one during treatment)
  • Hair doesn’t tangle easily
  • Cons Of Hair Smoothening-

  • Contains lots of toxic chemicals
  • Hot fumes
  • Very expensive
  • Could cause skin and scalp problems
  • Could cause respiratory tract irritation
  • Could make hair dry & brittle
  • Might cause severe hair fall
  • Costs For Hair Smoothening-

    The costs of this treatment could range from $$-$$$ depending on the volume, length of the hair and also where you are getting it done.

    Hope you found the Hair Smoothening post useful!
    Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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    See you in my next post. Until then, stay beautiful.

    Yours truly,

    Makeup Martini CEO

    14 Comments on Hair Smoothening Treatment Types, Longevity, Cost, Pros & Cons

    1. sindhu
      November 4, 2014 at 8:49 pm (9 years ago)

      informative post πŸ™‚ i never have guts for chemically treating my hair πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Pavithra Balakrishnan
        November 4, 2014 at 9:05 pm (9 years ago)

        Thanks Sindhu πŸ™‚ Yes it is a big decision because if something goes wrong you have to wait until your hair grows out!!

    2. Ayushi
      December 15, 2016 at 1:01 pm (7 years ago)

      I am taking a Loreal smoothning tomorrow. Your article was extremely helpful for me. πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Pavithra Balakrishnan
        December 23, 2016 at 9:35 am (7 years ago)

        I’m glad my article was helpful for your decision. πŸ™‚ x

    3. Kainat
      June 20, 2018 at 5:11 pm (6 years ago)

      Which treatment is best for smoothing ?

      Reply
    4. Taniya
      September 24, 2018 at 3:38 pm (6 years ago)

      Hello maam…I need a suggestion from you…m in my early twenties and having a dry,rough and frizzy hair and also an oily scalp….my hair becomes very much unmanageable at times….and m thinking for a hair smoothening treatment…but is a little worried and scared of loss and damage of my hair….as i have thin hair strands…so can you please suggest me the the right and the better option???

      Reply
      • Pavithra Balakrishnan
        October 3, 2018 at 6:38 pm (5 years ago)

        You can opt for Keratin treatment to tame the frizz and to smooth the cuticles and shaft! Make sure it’s formaldehyde free. Also for oily scalp humidity plays a big role.

    5. Tasneem Singapurwala
      September 17, 2019 at 5:52 pm (5 years ago)

      Which treatment is helpful for frizzy dry hair and a dry scalp

      Reply
      • Pavithra Balakrishnan
        October 4, 2019 at 3:19 pm (4 years ago)

        Try deep conditioning and nourishing hair masks. You can buy them from salons or DIY few masks at home. Make sure you do it frequently to see results.

    6. Ammu
      September 24, 2019 at 8:38 pm (5 years ago)

      Lasting of smoothening depends on what all factors? Is it depends on hair growth?

      Reply
      • Pavithra Balakrishnan
        October 4, 2019 at 3:18 pm (4 years ago)

        6-12 months depending on the care and hair texture.

    7. Twinkle
      January 20, 2020 at 11:49 am (4 years ago)

      My hair is curly,thick and unmanageable.i love my hair when it is wet..because my curls look more defined and bouncy then..but as it dries it becomes horrible…the tangles are never ending..please suggest me a way to protect my hair curls from tangles

      Reply
    8. Manisha Saru
      October 25, 2021 at 5:52 pm (2 years ago)

      Thanks for sharing. This was indeed a helpful article.

      Reply

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