Brazilian straightening, Japanese straightening, straightening… We no longer know where to turn when we go to the hairdresser to straighten our hair. If these types of smoothing last longer than with a simple straightening iron, it is nevertheless necessary to know their advantages as well as their disadvantages. We explain.
Brazilian smoothing is one of the best known to the general public. It smoothes the hair while providing flexibility, for a natural look. Technically speaking, this type of smoothing is more considered a treatment since it is made from keratin (which is naturally present in the hair fiber). This active ingredient repairs the fiber by filling in any areas of the fiber where keratin is no longer present, which allows it to be perfectly smooth. Thus, it is suitable for all types of hair and allows to keep the flexibility of the hair while giving it shine. However, the effect of this smoothing is temporary and between 3 and 6 months (it depends on the nature of the fiber). Most hairdressers advise to do three Brazilian smoothings per year, because the chemical process to do it can still weaken the fiber (since we come to open the scales of the hair).
Cost of Brazilian straightening:between 200 and 400 euros depending on the length of the hair.
Unlike Brazilian smoothing, Japanese smoothing is permanent! It deeply smoothes the hair to make it as straight as chopsticks (like Japanese hair). To obtain a result that lasts, it is necessary to modify the structure of the hair thanks to chemical components. The technique is therefore not recommended for weakened, colored, highlighted and fine hair, which would be too weakened. It is therefore necessary to have healthy hair and if possible natural (no colo or bleaching in the month before) to perform a Japanese straightening. Be careful however, Japanese smoothing is considered permanent, but as the hair grows back, you have to touch up the roots at your hairdresser's every 2-3 months. There is an alternative that could be defined as the perfect mix between Brazilian smoothing and Japanese smoothing:Korean smoothing. This technique offers a more durable finish than Brazilian smoothing, and less sensitizing for the fiber, since it is made from henna.
Cost of Japanese straightening and Korean straightening:between 355 and 715 euros depending on the length of the hair.
This technique is well known to people with frizzy and afro hair, which are the most difficult to straighten. It consists in completely taming curls, but also frizz. There are products to perform hair straightening at home, but unless you know it well, we recommend doing it in a salon, with a professional who will not be afraid to say no if the hair fiber cannot support it. straightening. There are two main types:alkaline straightening (the most common), which is done with chemicals that will break the bonds of the fiber to stiffen it over the long term, and thiolated straightening, less sensitizing, but which is rather intended for western curly hair (which is therefore not frizzy). In both cases, the straightening will also remove the volume of the hair to make them perfectly straight. Straightening will have an effect that lasts 6 to 12 months, requiring touch-ups on the roots every 3 months.
Price of straightening:between 60 and 90 € depending on the technique and the length of the hair.
Whatever the type of smoothing performed, it is important to take care of your hair to repair the weakened hair fiber:mask, oil, leave-in treatment... Regardless of the product, the trick is to pamper the fiber to have hair in great shape!
