How to Straighten African Hair

Co-authored by Courtney Foster

Last Updated: July 22, 2024 References

If you're tired of your current style and ready to switch to a straight, sleek look, you've got a lot of different options to choose from. You can use a silicone straightener, blow it out, or use a flat iron to work through the curls. Chemical straighteners are also something to look into if you want a permanently straight style. If you want more information on how to straighten your hair, keep reading.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Cream or Hairdressing

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Pick out a good cream. Silicone creams and other hairdressing products are made with oils like petroleum and lanolin or silicons like dimethicone or cyclomethicone. ^{[1]
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Research source} This may be the simplest method for straightening your hair, but it's important to pick out the right product. Some creams and hair-dressings make your hair look weighed down or greasy. Read some reviews before you decide which product to pick up at the store.
- Oil-based products are easier on your hair than products with silicones, but all creams and hair dressings will wash out with shampoo, and they won't cause long-term damage like other straightening techniques.
Creams and hair dressings should be applied to damp hair for best effect. Shampoo your hair, rinse it out, and pat it dry with a towel to get it ready for the cream application.

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Smooth in the cream or hairdressing. Depending on the length of your hair, pour a liberal amount of cream or hairdressing into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together and then apply it to your hair, working from the roots to the tips to ensure every strand gets covered.
- As you put the product in your hair, use your fingers to pull the strands straight down. This will help your hair lose its curl as the product gets to work.
- Use a wide-toothed comb to help pull the cream or hairdressing through your hair.
There's no need to use a hair dryer or straightener; the oil or silicones in your hair product will keep your hair from curling up as it dries. Let your hair completely air dry, then style it as usual.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Blowing it Out

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Condition your hair. For any hair-straightening method you use that requires using heat to straighten your hair, it's important to condition it a few days beforehand. ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.} Heating dry hair will cause it to get brittle and may even make it break. Use a good deep conditioner on your hair about 2-3 days before you want to straighten it. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- Olive oil or coconut oil-based deep conditioners are great for your hair. Consider using these chemical-free options.
- You can also use a high-quality silicone-based conditioner a few days before you straighten your hair.
Don't shampoo it, just wet your hair when you're ready to straighten it, and blot it with a towel until it's damp but not dripping wet. ^{[4]
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You're going to blow your hair dry piece by piece. Start with one section and use a round brush to brush it straight, starting at the roots and brushing all the way to the tips. Make sure it's tangle-free. ^{[5]
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^{[6]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.} Smooth it all over your hair, from roots to tips, to protect each strand from the damaging heat of the hair dryer. This will also help your hair stay straight for a longer period of time.

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Find an effective multi-purpose hairspray. "For gorgeous hair, you want to avoid drying it out with too many products. That’s why it’s important to have one multi-tasking spray in your kit. Once it’s activated by the heat of your blow-dryer or flatiron, it protects against damage, adds shine, and locks in your style all day long without being sticky."
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Dry the first section. Take your brush and position it at the roots of the section of hair you're blowing out. Turn on your hair dryer and position it right next to the brush, at the roots of the hair section. Move the brush and the blow dryer down the hair section to the tips, slowly drying and straightening the hair at the same time.
- Don't move down the shaft of hair too quickly; you want to do it slowly, so the hair has time to dry.
- Use either the warm or hot setting on your hair dryer for best effect.
Repeat the process, section by section, until your entire head of hair is dry and straight.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using a Hair Straightener

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1
Start conditioning early. Hair straightening irons are particularly damaging to hair, because they apply direct heat. That means you've got to start conditioning your hair a few days or even weeks in advance to get it ready for the hot iron. Use a good conditioner in the week or two beforehand when you wash your hair, and do a deep conditioning treatment a few days before straightening day to make your hair soft and ready for heat. ^{[7]
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- If you want, you can deep condition on the day you want to straighten your hair. Just make sure to rinse it all out before you start the straightening process.
- You can also blow dry your hair before straightening if your hair is extra kinky. Follow the steps in the previous method and skip straight to the flat ironing technique.
Go ahead and wet it so you can dry and straighten it at the same time with your flat iron. If you used the blow dry method first, don't wet it again. ^{[8]
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Work it in from the roots all the way to the tips, since using direct heat on your hair can cause damage. ^{[9]
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Research source} Products made with Moroccan oil and argan oil are great for your hair and result in a sleek, shiny finish.
Choose a small section that you want to straighten first. Use a comb to comb it out straight, then smooth it out with your fingers.
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Straighten the hair. Close your flat iron around the section of hair at the roots. Pull it down the shaft of the hair until you've straightened and dried it all the way to the tips. If the hair is still curly, go over it once more with the straightening iron.
- You can apply more heat protectant serum as you go if your hair looks like it's getting dried out. ^{[10]
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- Don't go over the same shaft of hair too many times. This can make your hair start to get brittle. ^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Courtney Foster
  Licensed Cosmetologist
  
  Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
Doing a little at a time gives you control over how much heat you're applying to your hair, reducing the risk of damage. Take your time and go over each strand of hair until your entire mane is straight, sleek and glossy.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Chemical Straighteners

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Get a hair relaxing treatment. Hair relaxers work by treating your hair with an alkaline agent that breaks down the hair follicle to straighten it. ^{[12]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.} This treatment is effective and permanent. The downside is that it can also be pricey, and the chemicals can cause long-term damage to your hair and even your skin.
- Do research to make sure you go to a good salon to get your hair relaxed. Strong chemicals in the wrong hands can wreak havoc on your hair.
- Don't get a straightening treatment done on freshly washed hair. Go several days without washing first so your hair has some natural protection from the chemicals.
- You can also get a texturizing treatment, which is similar to a relaxing treatment but with less severe chemicals and a softer, wavier effect.
Keratin treatments last about 6 weeks, after which they wash out. They leave the hair looking straight and sleek, but some treatments contain formaldehyde. If you're worried about using chemicals on your hair and skin, skip this one.
In recent years this technique has become more popular. It's a sulfer-based treatment that is said to be less harsh on the hair, with permanent effects. If you're interested in this treatment, be sure to go to an experienced beautician.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you flat iron African American hair?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, but don't go over the same shaft of hair too many times. This can make your hair start to get brittle.

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My hair is super thick - how should I straighten it?

Community Answer

Try the wash, blow dry, then straighten method. It's the same for me too!! Just don't forget to oil your scalp and use heat protectant so your hair isn't damaged or dry.

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Question

What is Japanese hair straightening?

Community Answer

Japanese hair straightening a cream that goes on your hair. It stays in your hair for a while, then it is washed out, leaving your hair straight. This treatment is permanent to a certain extent; any new hair that grows will retain its natural texture.

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Tips

Ironing small sections will produce better results than ironing larger sections.

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Using heat in your hair every day can damage it.

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Make sure your hair is moisturized before you began to apply any type of heat to your hair.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Put your curly hair in a high ponytail and wrap it around your head at night. Sleep with a satin scarf or pillow, and in the morning your curls will be more defined.
Try to avoid brushing your hair when it's wet. Use a wide-toothed comb to brush it out when it's dry instead.
Use a heat protectant before flat ironing your hair.

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Warnings

DO NOT flat iron your hair while it is still wet or damp! This will DAMAGE your hair.

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Do not apply a flat iron that's too hot to your hair. Your hair will scorch and be damaged beyond repair.

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Don't flat iron your hair every day, this will just further damage it.

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If you see smoke during the straightening process that's fine, but if you hear sizzling STOP.

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Don't leave the iron on for a long time on one surface it will melt or burn the surface.

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Don't apply oil to your hair before you flat iron it, this will just increase the frying process which is not a good thing unless you absolutely want to fry off your hair and get loads of split ends.

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Things You'll Need

Flat iron/straightener
Straightening hair brush
Comb
Elastics/rubber bands or clips
Moisturizer
Brush
Shampoo
Conditioner

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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist

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How to Straighten African Hair

Steps

Using a Cream or Hairdressing

Blowing it Out

Using a Hair Straightener

Using Chemical Straighteners

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

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