How to Straighten Curly and Thick Hair

Last Updated: August 10, 2020 References

If you have thick and curly hair, you know how hard it is to get it straight and keep it that way. After straightening, sudden rainy days create a hot mess, and you’re left with frizzy, thick, and semi-curly hair. Learn how to straighten your hair from shower, drying, to finish or find a professional who will do it for you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Shampooing Thick Hair Prior to Straightening

1
Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner to rinse away the dirt. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner as flat-ironing hair may cause damage to your hair. Shampooing and conditioning will remove unwanted oil and product build-up from your hair.
- Look for shampoo and conditioner products that are sulfate-free and jam packed with glycerin. Glycerin helps reduce frizz as it penetrates hair follicles, hydrating hair from the inside out. The closer glycerin is to the front of the ingredients list, the more it contains.^{[1]
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- Use a gentle shampoo and a smoothing conditioner. Straightening can be damaging to hair, even if your hair is thick and curly, so gentle products are important.
- When leaving in the conditioner in the shower, use a paddle brush to comb through your hair. This will help with the smoothening process while in the shower.^{[2]
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2
Co-wash if your hair is particularly dry. Co-washing means washing your hair with only conditioner. Hair that's thick or curly is prone to more dryness than average hair. If your hair is very dry and frizzy, you should try co-washing your hair before straightening it. Your hair may benefit from being co-washed a few times a week.
- Shampoo can remove a lot of the natural moisture from hair. Using conditioner may reduce your hair's dryness. As straightening your hair can cause it to dry out, co-washing may be very helpful for someone with thick or curly hair.
- To co-wash your hair, saturate your hair with water. Then, massage in your chosen conditioner. Give your hair three to five minutes to absorb the conditioner and then wash it out.
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3
Gently pat your hair dry with a towel to reduce friction. Do not rub! Wet hair is very weak and prone to damage. Blot the hair gently, and lightly wring the ends to soak-up moisture. Dry until it is slightly damp.
- Pat the hair downwards to promote straightening. Towel-drying in different directions enhances curls.^{[3]
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- Allow your hair to dry 90% of the way before you blow-dry. Concentrated hot air can frizz your hair.^{[4]
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4
Apply a leave-in conditioner or hydrating formula to prevent damage to your hair. If you don't have either, use a small amount of the conditioner or a dime-sized amount of olive oil. These coat your hair to prevent the intense heat from causing split ends.
- Don’t overdo it. Too much leave-in conditioner can make your hair limp instead of straight.
- Wash your hair with only conditioner twice a week to keep from washing away natural hair oils.
- Use argan oil for thick hair.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drying and Styling for Straight Hair

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Use a blow dryer to completely dry your hair for straightening. After you have done this your hair will probably be very big and frizzy. Don't worry - this will go away after you finish straightening it.
- Alternate the dryer between hot and low settings as you blow dry. This will help you prevent your hair from drying out, creating frizz and other issues.
- Make sure you point the blow dryer downwards from the roots as this will create an airflow that’ll naturally straighten your hair. Otherwise, your hair will frizz.^{[6]
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- It can take a very long time for curly or thick hair to dry out, so be patient. You should never apply a flat iron to damp hair, as this can cause damage.
2
Purchase the right straightener for your hair type. Ceramic plates work well for fine and thin hair, but go with gold or titanium if your hair is thick and curly. Make sure the flat iron you choose will work on your hair type and not cause any unnecessary damage.^{[7]
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- Buy a straightener that is an inch and a half or less. This size will help you reach your roots. Larger flat irons are better for styling but not ideal for straightening.^{[8]
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- Make sure your flat iron can go up to the right temperature for your hair. For thick or curly hair, your flat iron should go up to a heat setting between 380 to 410 degrees.^{[9]
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- Automatic shut-off features are perfect for any on-the-go lifestyle.^{[10]
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3
Turn on your straightener and select the right heat setting. Remember, hotter for thick hair, and cooler for thin hair. Wait for it to warm up to the temperature.
- Don’t go beyond 350 degrees. The 450 degree setting was created for salon-professional keratin-straightening, not for home use.^{[11]
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- Never straighten damp or wet hair. Using a hot flat iron on wet hair can cause the moisture to boil, causing your hair to break and literally fry. Ensure that your hair is completely dry before straightening.
4
Tie the top section of your hair into a bun, and start straightening the bottom part in sections. Place the section of hair between the two plates, squeeze, and glide down from the root to the tip. Once you’re done, unravel the top portion, and straighten in sections. Keep doing this until all of your hair is completely straight. Turn off the flat iron after use.
- Don’t run the straightener over the same section several times. This can cause more frizz. If the straightener is not fully doing it’s job on the first run, turn up the heat 10 to 30 degrees.^{[12]
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- Consider straightening your hair before bed then touching up the next morning. The night’s sleep naturally reduces frizz from the prior day’s blow drying and heat treatments.
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Finish with brushing your hair and using a straightening or shine serum. Wait for your hair to cool down prior to spraying with a light hold hairspray.^{[13]
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- Ensure that this spray or serum also lacks silicones and sulfates.^{[14]
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- Carry this serum around on rainy days for touch ups and flyaways.^{[15]
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6
Do not overuse your hair straightener. You should not straighten your hair every day if you don't know how your hair will respond. Straightening always damages hair to a degree. After straightening your hair for the first time, wait 48 hours to straighten again. After a week of straightening your hair every other day, assess the level of damage.^{[16]
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- Your hair will show damage by becoming increasingly frizzy and losing some shine. This is a warning sign that you're overdoing the straightening. However, if you hair does not appear damaged, straightening it every day may be safe for you.
- If your hair responds poorly to being straightened every other day, cut back to straightening your hair every 2 to 3 days.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting a Professional Keratin-Treatment

1
Research different salons in your area for "The Brazilian Blowout." This is an expensive yet effective way to get straight hair if you're tired of treating your hair daily. Keep in mind that some of the chemicals found in a Brazilian Blowout have been found to be toxic. If your health conscious, you may want to avoid this treatment.
- The results are normally impressive, defying the thickest and curliest of locks.
- It will last until your chemically treated hair grows out.
- Most hair types will have success with professional treatment, however, some hair of African descent or hair that is already chemically processed (with highlights or hair-dye) will leave to excessive breakage and damage.
- A keratin treatment will help minimize any frizziness in your hair.^{[17]
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  Professional Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}
2
Book an appointment, and set aside at least 3 hours for the treatment. Time and cost will depend on the length and thickness of your hair. It can cost an average of $175 to $350.
- Be prepared for your hair to not hold a curl after the treatment. Some will view the hair as lifeless, especially if you're used to wild curls.
- The flat ironing process reaches up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be incredibly damaging to your hair.
3
Maintain your straightened hair by frequenting the salon after your roots grow out. Depending on the speed of your hair growth, you will need to visit the salon to straighten out the roots again. This will generally be less time-consuming and less expensive compared to the original treatment.^{[18]
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- Ask your stylist when you should come in for a follow up treatment. The stylist may set your appointment before you leave the salon.
- You can keep doing follow up treatments for as long as you want to maintain the look of a Brazilian Blowout.
4
Buy additional products to maintain your straight hair. Most salons will try to up-sell their products for "The Brazilian Blowout" or particular keratin straightening brands. However, you do not need expensive products to maintain straightened hair. You can stop by a local drugstore or supermarket and buy store brand products for a cheaper price than products you can purchase at a salon.
- Buy drugstore brands that are silicone-based to reduce frizz. These work just as well as expensive salon products.
- Look for products that will be gentle on your hair but also less expensive than the salon brand.
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Finished.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you straighten thick curly hair fast?

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Arthur Sebastian is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Arthur has worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and received his Cosmetology License in 1998. He believes that the true work of a successful hair stylist comes from passion and a love for hairdressing.

Arthur Sebastian

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Try a keratin treatment! This will help minimize any frizziness in your hair.
Question

My mom took away my straightener and I have no products. What should I do?

Community Answer

There are some good tips in Straighten Hair Naturally.
Question

How do I straighten my hair quickly with a straightener?

Owls2014

Community Answer

Divide hair into sections and go up a heat setting.

Warnings

Be very careful not to burn your ears, neck, fingers or face!

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NEVER TOUCH THE IRONS - they can cause permanent burns to your fingers.

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Try to wash your hair at least 1 hour before you go to bed(especially if you have curly/wavy hair).

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