Ask Karen - April 2007

Thanks for your email. Yes, you can permanently straighten your curly hair.  Although as the roots grow back, your hair will return to its natural curliness.

 

No, you can not do it permanently without chemicals.  

The way that curly hair is structured the ONLY way to get it straight it so break the bonds that cause the cuticle to curl.  That can only be done with straighteners that have chemicals.  There is no natural product that has ever been invented that can break curl bonds w/out chemicals.

 

The only way to straighten hair w/out chemicals is to use a round or flat brush, a straightening gel like Flat Out or Phytodefrisant or a similar smoothing gel and blow dry it straight. 

This straightening method will ONLY last from shampoo to shampoo and curls will return in humidity or dampness.

 

If you don't want to use chemicals there is absolutely no way to straighten your hair permanently.

 

Sorry I don't have the answers you need but this it what I know from many many years of research.

 

Best Wishes,

Karen Shelton

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December 16, 2003
Hair Grows Out Instead of Down?  

Question

Karen,

I have had this problem my entire life and I'm becoming aggravated by it: my hair always grows OUT instead of down. It is especially frustrating on the sides of my head because my fast-growing hair grows out past my ears - it doesn't look good at all! I have to trim it every week to a short length and I do not have the time to continue doing this. In addition, the thin, short hair shows my scalp and is inconsistent with the rest of my hairstyle.

My rigid, straight black hair seems resistant to anything I try to do with it.

The problem probably lies deep within the roots. Is there any way to permanently solve this? Any hair products? Or is it only solved by more complicated procedures...like surgery (although that may be too drastic)?

I appreciate your help greatly.

-Terrance

Answer

Dear Terrance,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately sometimes we all have limited options with our hair when it is biologically programmed to behave a certain way. People with naturally curly hair have similar issues with their hair to yours.

However, if I were going to make any recommendation I would suggest that you either wear your hair very short (which requires more frequent haircuts), very long (weight of hair will potentially force it to curve downward) OR I would suggest that you investigate having your hair either chemically relaxed or straightened.

If you already have straight hair you may think my suggestion is odd but it has been proven that straight hair will grow out instead of down due to the root structure.

Applying a relaxer will give the hair bend and flexibility and will soften the hair shaft from the root on down. This will often help the hair soften and grow down instead of out.

A straightener will potentially do the same thing but is a much more intense type of treatment.

You can have your hair relaxed at a salon or you can do it at home. Phyto makes home relaxers that are very safe.   We have been selling them at HairBoutique.com for years and receive great feedback from our many customers.

Many celebrities that have cowlicks that stick straight up, have the cowlick section relaxed to make it soft and bend down. 

A good stylist should be able to help you with this problem but you might do some additional research into the relaxing options that you might feel comfortable with.

Best wishes,
Karen Shelton

 

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