If you have an Afro and you want to straighten it, then you're not alone. Many people who have naturally curly hair choose to straighten it at some point or another. The challenge is that Afro hair isn't easy to straighten, but with the right process and products, it can be done! In this article, I'll explain how to use an Afro hair straightener on Afro hair for maximum results and minimal damage.
Pick the right Afro hair straightener.
The first step to getting your Afro straightened is picking the right Afro hair straightener. You'll want to look for an Afro hair straightener that has adjustable temperature settings, as well as titanium plates. You also want it to have an ergonomic design so that you don't end up hurting yourself while using it.
Thoroughly wash your hair.
If you're straightening your hair for the first time, it’s a good idea to wash it with a mild shampoo and conditioner that is designed especially for Afro hair. These products will help remove any buildup from styling products or oils in your hair. Next step: use a blow dryer on low heat to get rid of any moisture left in the air.
Dry your hair completely with a towel to remove excess moisture.
Dry your hair completely with a towel to remove excess moisture.
Use a blow dryer to help straighten the hair and make it easier to comb through, but don't overdo it. It's best not to use too much heat on your Afro because too much can damage it and cause frizziness or breakage.
Combing wet hair can be damaging—especially if you have an Afro! Don't do this; always wait until after you've dried your hair before combing it.
Brush your hair thoroughly to detangle it.
Brush your hair thoroughly to detangle it. This will help to reduce the amount of breakage when straightening your hair. Setting aside time to comb through the entire head, starting at the roots and working down toward the ends of each strand, will make this process more manageable.
There are a couple of different ways you can go about detangling your Afro:
(1) use a wide-tooth comb or (2) use a brush with a comb attachment. A wide-tooth comb is preferred because it won't snag as easily on curls—especially if they're tightly wound!
If you have trouble finding electric straightener combs with wide enough teeth, try using a regular comb on one side and then flipping it over to use its narrow edge for finer work at the ends of each strand.
Divide your hair in sections and hold them firmly in place with a hairpin or hair clip.
You can use a rat tail comb to hold the sections of hair as well.
Take one section of your hair and start straightening it, bit by bit.
To start, you'll need to isolate a section of hair that you'd like to straighten. It's best to take small amounts at a time, starting with the ends and working your way up towards the roots. To do this, hold each section firmly in place while still holding down one end with your other hand.
Before you begin straightening, make sure that your hair is completely dry! If there is any moisture present on it, it could cause serious damage to both your hair and the straightener itself as well as potentially cause an electrical fire/electrocution hazard.
Next thing is next: don't pull too hard when using this method! The goal here isn't really to get rid of frizz—it's more about making sure that frizz won't come back again later (which does happen sometimes). Pushing too hard will only cause damage and breakage over time so be careful not to overdo it!
Last but not least. Don't work on one section for too long because heat can build up quickly under all those strands being held firmly against each other by fingertips covered in oil or lotion residue—and then before long we're talking burns, baby!
If you follow these steps, you can straighten Afro hair without damaging it.
The first step is to pick the right Afro hair straightener. If you have Afro hair, it's important that your Afro hair straightener has a high temp setting. If your hair is coarse and thick, then this will minimize breakage and damage while keeping your hair straightened longer.
Finally, remember that some heat protectant sprays can cause dryness (and therefore frizziness) if used too much or too often on afro-type curls/coils, so only apply them sparingly before using an appropriate brush or comb through with no product to secure maximum results!
Straightening your Afro hair with an Afro hair straightener is a great way to give yourself a different look and feel. If you follow these steps, you can do it without damaging your hair.
