A hair straightener is a gadget that helps straighten curly or wavy hair. Straight hair is preferred by a lot of people since it is the easiest to style and also to care for. On the flip side, using artificial procedures to straighten hair can have some repercussions on the health of the hair. Read on to know more about ways to straighten your hair temporarily or permanently using hair straighteners.

• Temporary hair straightening: This is a technique that involves the use of heat and pressure to make the hair strands appear straight. The effects of temporary hair straighteners will wear off in a few hours or until the next hair wash.
• Permanent hair straightening (Chemical treatment): Chemical hair straighteners are more long-lasting and tend to alter the structure of hair to make them straight. These tend to last for months or even longer.

Temporary hair straighteners

• Flat iron
  This method could be a trial run for people who are unsure about altering their natural hair. It is better if the hair is washed and dried before using flat iron hair straighteners. The iron instantly turns wavy or curly hair straight with the application of heat. However, this look will last only till the next time you shampoo.
• Blow dryer
  Blow dryers are available with comb or rollers attached to them that can be used to make hair straight. Maintaining an even temperature is necessary as excessive heating can cause hair to become dry, damaged and dull.
• Hair straightening comb
  This happens to be the easiest and least time-consuming technique to straighten the hair. Just hold the hair tightly from the end and start combing from the roots to the tips, with a hair straightening comb. This too will last till the next time you wet your hair. It is advisable to avoid frequently using heat on hair.

Permanent hair straighteners

• Rebonding
  This treatment is most talked-about in chemical hair straighteners. Rebonding leaves your hair smooth and straight. However, there is no guarantee that the scalp will remain healthy and one might experience fine hair growth after this treatment. Also, one can clearly make out the difference between normal hair and rebonded hair, once original hair grows back.
• Keratin
  Keratin is a protein that is present in human hair, nails, and teeth. Also known as Brazilian straightening, this unique treatment infuses keratin naturally into the hair shaft. It is much safer as compared to other chemical hair straighteners. However, it is advised that you save up enough before you go in for this one, as keratin treatments tend to be expensive.
• Japanese straightening / Thermal reconditioning
  You need to have a lot of patience to go through this hair straightening treatment as it takes not less than 6-8 hours. First, the hair is exposed to chemicals to loosen the hair shaft, then it is exposed to heat to lock the bonds into a straight pattern. The final stage involves locking the straightened bond with chemicals. Be very cautious before choosing this technique as it can cause permanent damage in the form of dry, brittle and unhealthy hair.

It is always advisable to consult a professional before going in for any of these treatments.