How to Straighten Men's Hair

Co-authored by Michael Van den Abbeel

Last Updated: July 29, 2020 References

If you’re a guy and want to straighten your curly or wavy hair, there are a couple of methods you can use. You can straighten your hair temporarily with a blow dryer and comb or you can use a flat iron in order to achieve straight strands. If you want a semi-permanent method, you can use a relaxer to chemically straighten it. Consider what kind of styling equipment and products you have and choose the method that works best for you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing a Blowout

1
Wash and condition your hair.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} Your hair should be clean and conditioned before starting the blowout. The conditioner may also help soften your hair, which will make it easier to comb if you have very curly hair. Once you’re done washing your hair, pat it dry with a towel.^{[2]
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- Smoothing conditioners may make it easier to comb your hair straight.^{[3]
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- If you have curly or tangled hair, leave in your conditioner and detangle your hair with your fingers.
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Apply argan or coconut oil to your hair to moisturize it. Apply a coin-sized amount of the oil into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Then, run the oil through your hair from root to tip.^{[4]
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- Argan and coconut oil will also protect your hair from heat damage.
- Moisturize the hair that you plan on straightening.
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3
Comb your hair as straight as you can. Run a comb from the ends of your hair down to the roots to prevent breakage.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} Work your way in sections as you comb all of the tangles and knots out of your hair. If you have slightly wavy hair, this process alone may straighten it. ^{[6]
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- Those with very curly hair will have to add heat from a blow dryer in order to get it completely straight.
- If you have tight curls, use a wide-toothed comb. If you have thinner hair, use a fine-toothed comb.
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Blow dry a section of hair as you comb it.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} Put the blow dryer on the medium heat setting and move it over your hair as you comb it. Use a nozzle attachment to help control the airflow. Comb down from the roots to the tips. As the hair dries, it should be straighter than it normally is.^{[8]
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- The blow dryer should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from your hair as you blow dry it.
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Blow dry and comb the rest of your hair. Don’t leave the blow dryer over one section of hair for too long or it could cause heat damage. Once the hair is straight in one section, move to a different part of your hair. Continue doing this until all of your hair is straight.^{[9]
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Apply a smoothing serum to your hair. Smoothing serum will reduce frizz and increase shine. Put a small amount into the palm of your hands and work the serum from your ends to your roots.^{[10]
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- Popular smoothing creams include Alterna Haircare Caviar CC Cream, Smooth ‘N Shine Hair Polisher, and Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Flat Ironing Your Hair

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Wash and condition your hair. Your hair should be clean before you flat iron it. Use a detangling shampoo and smoothing conditioner to aid in the straightening process.
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Dry your hair thoroughly. Unlike other straightening methods, your hair needs to be completely dry before you straight iron it or you could cause heat damage. Let your hair air dry or dry it with a blow dryer before you use the flat iron.^{[11]
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Apply a heat protection serum to your hair. Work the serum into your strands, from the roots to tips. Heat protection serum will protect your hair from any heat damage that may occur when your flat iron it.^{[12]
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- The serum should be applied to all of your hair.
4
Comb and flat iron a section of your hair. Turn the flat iron on to the lowest setting. Gather a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of your hair with a comb and close the plates of the flat iron around the roots of the section you gathered. Then, move the flat iron over the section to straighten it.^{[13]
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- The flat iron should be kept at 120 °C (248 °F) so as not to damage it as you iron it.
- Use light tension when using the flat iron so that you don’t pull your hair out.
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Continue flat ironing sections of your hair until it’s all straight. Continue ironing different sections of hair until it’s completely straight. If done properly, your hair should be straight without any waves or curls.^{[14]
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- Do not leave the flat iron on a section of hair for more than 1-2 seconds or you will burn it.
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Comb your hair to style it. You can also add a styling gel if you want your hair to lay a certain way. Comb your strands back to have a slicked back look, or you can part your hair to one side. Experiment with different straight hairstyles and choose the one you like best.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Chemical Treatments

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Don’t shampoo your hair for 2-3 days leading up to the relaxing treatment. Any irritation of your scalp will burn when the relaxer is applied and shampooing your hair could leave tiny micro-abrasions on your scalp.^{[16]
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- You can still comb your hair, just make sure not to comb too close to your scalp.
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Read the instructions on the relaxer before using it. Relaxer is a powerful chemical that can cause damage to your hair if you don’t use it right. The instructions will have specific application methods and treatment times so that you don’t damage your hair.^{[17]
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- Consider going to a professional instead of doing it yourself.
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Mix the relaxer chemicals together. Wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your skin from the caustic relaxer chemicals. Pour the chemicals together in the cup that’s provided until it’s well mixed and turns into a white paste.^{[18]
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Apply the relaxer with the application brush. Section off hair in the back of your head wide-toothed comb. Start at the ends of your hair and move your way to your roots and edges. Once you have full coverage over that section of hair, take another section and repeat the process until you've applied the relaxer to all of your hair.^{[19]
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- You may want to have someone help apply the relaxer to your hair.
- Your body heat near your edges will make the relaxer work quicker, so don’t apply the relaxer to your roots or edges first or your hair will get overly relaxed or damaged.
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Leave the relaxer in your hair for 10-15 minutes. The instructions should tell you the exact time you should leave the relaxer in your hair. If you notice any extreme burning or irritation, wash the relaxer out of your hair with clarifying shampoo.^{[20]
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Shampoo your hair with clarifying shampoo. If your relaxer came with shampoo, use the one that came in the package. If not, then you need to use a neutralizing shampoo because it’s the only kind that will fully wash the relaxer out. Once you get out of the shower, comb your hair and it should be straight!^{[21]
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- The relaxer should not stay in your hair for more than 10-15 minutes.
- On average, relaxer will keep your hair straight for 6-8 weeks.
- Follow up with conditioner and rinse it out with cold water.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I naturally straighten my hair?

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Michael Van den Abbeel is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar in Orlando, Florida. He has been cutting, styling, and coloring hair for over 17 years. Michael loves showing his clients how to wash and wear their hair easily and effortlessly. Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar is recognized as a Diamond Top Tier level Wella salon.

Michael Van den Abbeel

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

After shampooing and conditioning, use a blow dryer with a directional nozzle. Work with small sections of hair so they lay flat and straight.
Question

How much is a keratin hair treatment?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Like other chemical services, this will depend on the length of your hair and the experience of your stylist. Usually, Keratin treatments cost between $200 and $450.
Question

How much does it cost to get your hair straightened?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Professional straightening prices depend on both the stylist and the length of your hair. Usually, the service runs between $80 and $200. You will get the most accurate answer by booking a consultation.