How to straighten your hair at home: homemade creams and recipes you can use

The hair cosmetics market is always full of news that try to meet the most varied needs and expectations of customers.

Smoothing creams, for example, have been around for a long time, but are their formulas often "up to date"? to always deliver better results and please more and more people.

This type of product, widely used today, is a good alternative for people who, for one reason or another, are not happy with the appearance of their hair or, simply, for those people who, turn and move, bet on a new look!

Unlike what many people may think, straightening creams are different from progressive calls, also widely used to straighten the hair.

Non-formalin-containing straighteners act on the bonds of molecules by modifying the structure of the wire. Already the progressive, remove the water part of the wire and create a surface layer similar to varnish. The straightener causes the hair to assimilate the treatment and recover; not progressive because the wire is encapsulated and thus the damage it suffers is more difficult to reverse. Another big difference is that the progressive ones that contain formaldehyde are carcinogenic, while the straightener is not ?, highlights Wanderley Nunes, hairdresser who runs eight units of Studio W.

Read also: 10 secrets to having long and beautiful hair

Many straightening creams, for example, are based on thioglycolate. ? It straightens the hair, modifying the structure and, to the right extent, aligns the scales. The hair ends up having a bigger treatment. The downside is that if the product goes through time on the hair, it is very bad for the hair. Also, it cannot be used on hair that has lights; and the result is higher in virgin hair ?, comments Nunes.

Many people also turn to homemade recipes to make their hair smoother. There is no homemade recipe that changes the structure of the yarn. But there are some recipes that end up giving the hair a smooth look. Coconut oil, for example, moisturizes and makes hair look smoother, but by nourishing rather than changing the structure of the hair ?, explains Nunes.

8 Straightening Creams And How To Use Them Step By Step

Below are examples of straightening creams that are easily available for sale and that allow straightening to be done at home simply.

Is it worth mentioning that the effectiveness of each product varies greatly from person to person? The product that is perfect for one may have no effect on another. So it is always interesting to talk to a hairdresser you trust before betting on a hair straightening treatment!

1. Botox Lola Vintage Girls

It is a smoothing and volume reducing cream. It promises to restructure the hair fiber providing hydration and smooth effect to the hair. It has coconut oil, collagen and guarantees to be the ideal treatment for people looking for a product with easy application and excellent result. [Review]

Read also: 6 bad habits that make your hair weaker and thinner

How to use

2. Sfera Thioglycolate Smoothing Cream

According to the product description, it was specially developed for fragile and thin hair. With a totally ammonia-free, mildly scented and keratin-enriched formula, it provides straight, volume-free, shiny and soft hair. [Review]

How to use

3. Cadiveu Plastic Wire Reconstruction Mask

It was developed especially for chemically treated hair. According to the description, the product formula, with açai extract, cupuacu butter, phytonutrients and amino acids, penetrates deep into the capillary structure, filling all porous regions. Nourishes and moisturizes, recovering strength and elasticity of the hair. Antioxidant, prolongs the effect of chemical processes, ensuring shine and protection. The result is soft and regenerated hair. [Review]

How to use

Read also: Flat Iron: Common Mistakes You May Be Making

4. Lisahair Professional Straightening Cream

According to the description, it is a high quality professional straightening recognized for its tradition and versatility. It brings the strength of amino acids in silk combined with vitamin A, a powerful treatment complex that ensures smooth, soft, protected hair with a soft touch and a mirror shine.

How to use

The instructions for using the product are:

1. Wear gloves and cloak, and protect your shoulders with a towel or cloak.
2. Pour the contents to be used in a non-metallic pot (about 100 g for medium sized hair).
3. The hair should be without washing for 2 days, dry and without any finishing products, such as gel, combing cream and others.
4. With untangled hair, divide it into four parts with non-metallic hairpins for easy application.
5. With a comb or brush start the application at the back of the neck, distributing the product in very thin strands to half of the hair. Avoid touching the scalp.
6. After applying LisaHair Smoothing Cream to all strands of quadrant 1, move to the next quadrants by repeating the same process.
7. When the application is complete, return to quadrant 1 and, using a comb or gloved hands, pull the product to the ends. If necessary complete with more product.
8. Repeat this procedure for the next quadrants until all the hair has received the product. Let the cream act according to the time observed in the strand test. (The action time should be counted from the moment the application starts and not when it ends. Do not exceed the total time of 35 minutes.)
9. With plenty of water remove all LisaHair Hair Straightening Cream.
10. Then wipe off excess water with a towel, apply LisaHair Neutralizing and wait 10 minutes keeping your hair combed and straight during this time.
11. Rinse well and use a shampoo.

5. Salon Line Thioglycolate

According to the product description, it straightens, relaxes, nourishes and deeply moisturizes hair. Its formula is rich in vitamins A and C. [Review]

How to use

1. Wash your hair, wipe off excess water with the towel.
2. With the aid of a wide-toothed comb, untangle the hair gently without pulling or pressing on the scalp.
3. Divide the hair into 4 parts for easy application.
4. Using a plastic comb, start the application 0.5 cm away from the root, starting at the nape of the neck. Apply the straightening cream quickly, lock the lock the entire length of the hair, resting them on the hands.
5. Let the cream act for 5 minutes and do not comb your hair (they should remain at rest).
6. After the softening time of the strands, with a thin non-metallic comb, stretch each strand, starting at the nape of the neck. Comb the hair gently, in the same direction as the hair strands, pass the comb's hair cream to the hair. This phase should not take more than 5 minutes.
7. After straightening, let the cream act for a maximum of 15 minutes. Do not comb, the hair should remain at rest. In the case of fine and delicate hair, the time of 5 to 10 minutes is sufficient. Never exceed the maximum time of 30 minutes.

6. Henê Gel Rená

According to the description, Henê is the most natural way to achieve straight hair. With its gradual action, with each application the result gets better. [Review 1 / Review 2]

How to use

7. Plush Straightener

According to manufacturer information, Plush is a reliable straightening with natural effect. There are three product options for each hair type: Strong (for strong hair); Medium (for normal hair) and Soft (for delicate hair). [Review]

How to use

The manufacturer's guidelines are:

1. Apply Henê Plush, strand by strand.
2. Pull with a comb through the hair from root to tip, stretching the strands well. Cover them with a plastic cap for 60 minutes (the effect will be the same if the time is longer).
3. Rinse the hair thoroughly and wash it with shampoo and conditioner.
4. If you want a very smooth effect, you can make a brush. And if you want a wavy hairstyle, just let your hair dry in bobs.
5. 2 applications per week are advised until the desired result is achieved.
6. At the end of the straightening, which varies according to the type of hair and the desired result, only retouch the root every 15 days, avoiding taking the Henê Plush to the ends.

8. Novex Reconstructive Plastic

According to the description, it is a system that will replace the proteins and amino acids lost by the strands. It acts on the hair fiber by closing the hair cuticles and eliminating the rough appearance of the hair, leaving them deeply hydrated, soft and easy to comb. Not quite a straightening cream, but it promises a more disciplined effect on the hair. [Review 1 / Review 2]

How to use

Following the guidelines of Embelleze, manufacturer of the product:

1. Wash your hair, rinse well and remove excess water.
2. Apply Novex Max Keratin and let it work for 5 minutes. Without rinsing, apply Novex Reconstructive Plastic and let it act for + 15 minutes. Rinse well.
3. Apply Novex Capillary Shield and proceed with brush and board. Finally, use the Nutrire Tip Repair Olive Oil.
4. If you prefer, for immediate 3 minute treatment: apply to lightly lean hair and massage. After massaging, let stand for 3 minutes and rinse well.

These are the most commonly used straightening creams today; But of course, as with other products, the effectiveness of each cream depends greatly on the particularities of each hair.

But it is always worth researching the opinions of people who have already used this type of product and preferably talking to a trusted hairdresser who will help you choose the best straightening cream for your hair!

8 Homemade Straightening Recipes

Many people bet on homemade recipes to try to make their hair smoother, using, for example, cornstarch, honey, among other ingredients. Check out some commonly used combinations in this regard:

1. Use 1 cup of whole milk + 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Mix ingredients and apply to clean, dry hair. Leave for about 1 hour and rinse with plenty of water.

2. Use 100ml whole milk + 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 1 cup refined sugar. Mix all ingredients, heat and stir continuously until it begins to thicken. Wash your hair well with your shampoo. Dry well with a towel wiping off excess water, then apply the mixture to the strands. Put on a cap and leave it on for 2 hours. Then rinse with plenty of water.

3. Use 1 cup of tea + 10 drops of honey. Mix ingredients and apply evenly to your hair, letting it work for 1 hour. Then rinse and wash your hair with a mild shampoo.

4. Slightly heated olive oil. Heat a little olive oil and apply it warm on the strands, always being careful not to get burned. Leave on wires for about 1 hour. Then bleed and wash your hair as usual.

5. Use 4 tablespoons whole milk powder + 1 tablespoon honey + 2 tablespoons water. Mix ingredients until they see a paste, apply to hair by strands massaging from root to tip. Let stand for 1 hour and then wash only with water.

6. Use 1 cup of whole yogurt + 3 tbsp cornstarch. Mix ingredients until cream forms. Apply to dry and combed hair, letting it work for 1 hour. Then rinse and wash the wires normally.

7. Use 200ml of whole milk + 3 tablespoons ground chocolate + 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons liquid keratin. Beat the ingredients in a blender for about 1 minute. Apply the mixture to the hair by hair and let it work for 2 hours. Then wash only with water and conditioner.

8. From 2 to 4 tablespoons of coconut oil. Wash your hair with shampoo and dry it. Heat the oil in a water bath, apply to the still warm strands, strand by strand, and gently comb using the fine comb. Take the dryer and direct the hot jet on the wires for 5 minutes. Let the natural straightening work on the hair for 6 hours, and then shampoo the hair until all the coconut oil is removed.

Are home recipes dangerous?

Dermatologist Máira de M. Mariano Astur comments that this type of hair straightening is temporary. It lasts from one to a few days, depending on the frequency of hair washing. ? These straighteners do not change the strand structure, which is what is done in professional straightenings. The effects are prolonged as the person reapplies, because a more reinforced and repeated hydration certainly makes the hair smoother and silky ?, explains.

But according to Maira, these ingredients commonly used in homemade recipes are moisturizing products, offering no risks.

However, some products should NOT be used in home recipes, as the dermatologist points out:

Lemon: that can lighten the wires. • And if, after application, some lemon residue is left on the scalp skin or body skin, it can cause blemishes and burns on the spot. Does this happen because of what we call Phototoxic Dermatitis? that can be observed minutes or hours after contact with the offending agent (lemon, in this case) associated with sunlight ?, explains.

Coconut soap: It has caustic soda in its formula, which provides very alkaline pH and can temporarily change the structure of the wires. "Thus, it may overdry the scalp strands and skin, and may trigger allergic reactions on the scalp skin and body skin," explains the dermatologist.

Now you know: Whether using cream or betting on homemade recipes, there is no harm in wanting straight hair, but the important thing is not to do? No crazy? for this purpose. Respect the particularities of your hair and, if in doubt, be sure to talk to a trusted hairdresser who can recommend the most suitable treatments for your hair!

Just 1 Ingredient To Straighten Hair At Home Permanently (Better Than Keratin Or Rebonding) (May 2024)