How to Straighten Your Hair Without Chemicals

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: December 23, 2022 References

If you have wavy, curly, or otherwise hard to tame locks, you may stare at people with straight hair enviously and think you'll never be able to have such easy-to-manage hair. Fortunately, straightening your hair without using damaging chemicals and other unnatural products is easy! You just need to learn some tricks for straighter hair and create some simple at-home hair straightening products.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Blow-Drying Hair Straight

1
Detangle your hair while it's wet. Use a wide-toothed comb to gently remove tangles without breaking your hair. Curly hair tends to tangle as it dries, so continue to comb it throughout the drying process.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
- Alternatively, use a boar bristle brush or any other soft bristle brush—for this part of the process, it's best to be very gentle with your hair.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
2
Part hair into four sections. Create one section from the crown of your head forward, one over each ear, and another from the crown of your head to the nape of your neck. It's best to dry the lowest layer of hair, closest to the nape of your neck, first. Use hair clips to keep the upper layers of each section of hair separated. Comb each section gently, taking care not to snap hair strands in order to remove tangles before you begin drying.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}

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3
Blow dry each section. While brushing with one hand, follow your brush with the electric dryer. Use the nozzle attachment for your blow dryer to help smooth out your hair. Move the blow dryer to-and-fro from the top to the bottom of each section in even motions. Once each section of the bottom layer of your hair is dry, let down another layer of hair from each section. Continue this process until all the layers of your hair are dried.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
- If your hair texture is on the straighter or finer side, you may be able to use cool air to straighten your hair. This takes a little longer than blow drying with heat, but it prevents potential damage to hair that occurs with the application of heat.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
4
Use a round brush if you want a slight bend at the ends. If you want your hair to be totally straight, stick with a Denman brush. However, if you want your hair to curl slightly under or outward at the ends, use a round brush as you blow dry your hair. Using a round brush can also add extra volume at your scalp.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
- For maximum straightening results, a Denman brush is the best choice—it will give you a sleek finish from root to tip.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
5
Wrap your hair around your head. This may seem like an unlikely way to straighten hair, but it actually works very well. Part your hair horizontally from ear to ear. Comb the front section down so it covers your face, the sides so they cover your ears, and the back straight down the back of your head. Starting from the top, comb the hair around your head in a circular motion, using a little tension to keep the hair smooth and taut. Continue from the top, working your way either clockwise or counterclockwise around your head.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
- When the last section of hair is wrapped, your hair should look like a flat beehive.
- Use neck strips to keep the hair in place, then sit under a hooded dryer anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on how thick and long your hair is.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Flat Iron

1
Choose a flat iron. The most important element to choosing your straightening tool is to find one that feels natural and makes straightening easier for you. However, a good rule of thumb is to select flat irons that are thinner for short hair and thicker for long hair. Before choosing a flat iron, consider the thickness or type of your hair. Thicker hair may require a wider flat iron to straighten a relatively small section, as this hair type makes it more difficult for heat to penetrate the layers of hair. If you have finer or wavy hair, choose a lower heat setting to avoid frying hair.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
2
Set your iron to the right temperature. Flat irons can heat up to 450 °F (232 °C) or higher. If your hair is thick or coarse, you'll want to choose a high heat setting between 375–430 °F (191–221 °C). If your hair is fine or damaged, use lower heat between 250–300 °F (121–149 °C).^{[10]
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- Test the heat by clamping your flat iron onto a piece of white paper. If it scorches the paper, it's too hot for your hair.^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
3
Start with dry hair. You can either blow dry or allow hair to air dry as you wish. An effective blow dry will enhance the smoothing process prior to blow drying. If you use a protectant spray, blow drying can actually make your hair healthier and easier to manage. This is largely due to the fact that blow drying prevents tangling that may occur when hair is allowed to air dry, and by brushing as you dry, the cuticles of hair are flattened making hair appear sleeker.^{[12]
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4
Separate hair into layers.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} Make sections on both sides of the head, one in the front, and one in the back. Lift and separate the top layers of each section, and clip them to your head, keeping them as straight as possible and leaving only the very bottom layer of hair free in each section.^{[14]
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- You'll do this the same way you did when you were blow drying the sections of hair, except as you straighten you'll work with smaller subsections.^{[15]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
5
Iron each strand. Starting with the bottom layer, select strands that are slightly thinner than your flat iron. You don't want hair to get pulled or broken by attaching to other parts of the iron. Gently move the iron from the top of hair, as close to your head as possible, all the way to the tips of hair.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} Continue until each strand is straightened. Typically, you'll need to go over each strand at least three to four times, depending how curly your hair is.^{[17]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding the Right Styling Products

1
Use a heat protectant. Even if you're trying to avoid using chemicals, there are excellent products available to help you achieve the sleek look you're after. One of the most important aspects of styling hair of any type is protecting it from the damage of heat.^{[18]
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Expert Source

Jasmin Todd
Curly Hair Specialist
Expert Interview. 2 December 2022.} Heat protectants are available in a variety of forms, but they all coat hair and allow you to style without damaging your locks.
- If you're blow drying and flat ironing, you may need to reapply your protectant before you begin ironing.
- Curly hair typically responds best to a cream-based or moisturizing heat protectant.
- If your hair is frizzy, look for heat protectants that add weight to hair and avoid volumizing products.^{[19]
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- You can even make your own protectant spray at home to ensure the product is 100% natural.
2
Apply smoothing serums after heating. These are great products to keep hair smooth and shiny after styling, but it's very important that they not be used to protect hair from heat.^{[20]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} In fact, serums will boil when heated, and they can significantly damage hair. Instead, choose a natural smoothing serum that utilizes natural oils to avoid adding unnecessary chemicals to your hair.^{[21]
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3
Choose the right shampoo and conditioner. In most cases, curly haired people need to find a shampoo that will clean their hair without drying it out. Look for shampoos that use gentle cleansers.^{[22]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} The right conditioner is essential when it comes to straightening hair and maintaining a sleek, natural appearance. The chosen conditioner should add weight to hair, so the style holds. Look for shampoos and conditioners that are specifically geared toward straightening hair.
- It's best to find two shampoos and conditioners that provide the result you're looking for. Overtime, hair chemistry changes. When you notice your hair no longer feels better after cleaning, switch shampoos to reset your hair's balance.^{[23]
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- If your hair is very damaged, consider adding a deep conditioner to your hair care routine once a week or every other week.^{[24]
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4
Research keratin treatment ingredients. Some of these products claim to be natural, but they contain harsh, damaging chemicals. However, if you choose keratin products with the right ingredients, they can offer easier to manage hair. Most of these treatments don't actually straighten hair, and those that do typically rely on the harsh chemicals. However, keratin treatments do make hair more manageable, significantly reduce frizz, and soften the tightest of curl patterns. Essentially, keratin products make it easier to straighten your hair.
- Before you buy, make sure the keratin treatment does not use formaldehyde, ammonia, peroxide, or thioglycolate.
- Many keratin products contain amino acids that are also great for hair. These are natural and preferable to chemical solutions as they improve your hair's health while making curls more manageable.^{[25]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can I straighten my hair naturally without side effects?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

If you're talking about temporarily straightening your hair, then sure. Using a flatiron isn't going to permanently damage things. If you're talking about permanently straightening it, then no.
Question

What's better, using chemicals or not using chemicals?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

It depends on what outcome you want. Chemical straightening is going to last longer, but mechanical straightening is usually going to be healthier if you don't have a professional doing it.
Question

I am a black girl. How can I straighten my hair without chemicals?

Community Answer

Many of the methods recommended in this article will be beneficial for African American hair and curly hair of all types. See the wikiHow article how to straighten African American hair for more details. It contains methods that specifically address straightening methods for African Americans.

Warnings

Make sure not to straighten too much on the ends because this causes them to become damaged.

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Heat can also cause great damage to your hair. Use a heat protectant spray to prevent damage, if you straighten with heat.^{[26]
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Expert Source

Jasmin Todd
Curly Hair Specialist
Expert Interview. 2 December 2022.}

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