Hair Straightening VS. Hair Smoothing, Which One Is Better?

First of all, let's understand what is hair straightening and what is hair smoothing separately.

What Is Hair Straightening?

There are two main types of hair straightening: temporary hair straightening and permanent hair straightening.

Temporary straightening is accomplished using a hot styling tool such as a straightening iron or brush. It works by using heat to break hydrogen bonds in hair, then reshape them into a straighter texture. But temporary straightening is easily reversed by water or humidity and only lasts a few hours in non-humid conditions.

Permanent hair straightening uses chemical relaxers to permanently break the bonds in the hair shaft, then heat is applied to the hair, and more chemicals are applied to the hair to seal the new bonds. The alkaline agents in chemical relaxers may break the keratin bonds in curly or wavy hair, thus stretching and smoothing them, after which you can get soft and smooth hair. Permanent straightening usually includes keratin hair treatment, hair rebonding, etc.

What Is Hair Smoothing?

Hair smoothing or smoothening is a temporary chemical treatment that smooths hair, eliminates frizz and dryness, and leaves hair smooth, silky, and shiny. This method works by soaking your hair with a formaldehyde solution, then air-drying it and straightening it with the help of a flat iron. According to your hair care, the result can last up to 6 months or more.

Next, let's look at their advantages and disadvantages separately.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hair Straightening

After learning what hair straightening is, you must be particularly interested in knowing its benefits and drawbacks. Now, here are some of its pros and cons, let's take a look at them.

The Advantages Of Hair Straightening

1. Make your hair silky and smooth

Making your hair silkier and smoother than before is one of the benefits of hair straightening. Permanent hair straightening will improve the texture of your hair and make it smoother, which will make your hair look silkier and softer. If you complete a hair straightening treatment, your silky smooth hair will make you look more attractive and glamorous.

2. Suitable for all hair types

Another benefit of hair straightening is that it works on all sorts of hair. Hair straightening works on virtually all kinds of hair, including the coarsest and curliest strands. It keeps hair straight for a little longer compared to hair smoothing. But if you want your hair to be smooth and straight all the time, then you need to repeat it every 8-12 weeks.

The Disadvantages Of Hair Straightening

After understanding the advantages of hair straightening, let's take a look at its disadvantages.

1. Make your hair dry

The natural oils produced by the scalp keep your hair hydrated and silky. But when you overuse chemical products and hair straighteners and brushes, they can strip your hair of its oils and leave your strands extra dry. More seriously, it can lead to loss of hair elasticity and eventually breakage.

2. Itchy scalp

An itchy scalp is another disadvantage of hair straightening. When permanent hair straightening is performed, a special chemical is usually used, which can cause scalp irritation, itchy scalp, dandruff problems, and even fungal infections. If you experience these problems after straightening your hair, you should definitely see a doctor.

3. Permanent change of hair texture

The chemicals used for permanent hair straightening can permanently change the texture of your hair. If you want your hair back to its previous state, no amount of hair care treatments and hair masks will do the trick. Your only option is to wait for your hair to grow naturally.

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Hair Smoothing

Now, let's look at the pros and cons of hair smoothing.

The Benefits Of Hair Smoothing

1. You can regain your natural hair

Hair smoothing does not completely change the hair type, it only loses its effect over time and is washed out within a few months. Therefore, if you want your hair to return to its previous state, then you can wait for a period of time yet see and it can return to its previous natural state.

2. Make your hair manageable

Keeping your hair easy to manage is one of the benefits of smoothing your hair. Hair smoothing treatment leaves your hair silky and smooth and helps with hair management and styling. If you have curly hair that is difficult to comb or style, hair smoothing is a great option.

The Drawbacks Of Hair Smoothing

After we are clear about the benefits of hair smoothing, let's look at its drawbacks.

1. Cause split ends in hair

Causing split ends is one of the disadvantages of hair smoothing. During the hair smoothing process, your hair is exposed to high temperatures, which can make your hair dry and split. In addition, the chemicals used in the hair smoothing process can suck the natural moisture out of your hair strands, thus leading to split ends.

2. Hair thinning

During the hair smoothing process, because of the use of chemicals that are harmful to your hair and the exposure of your hair to heat, can cause hair breakage and thinning, which can reduce the density of your hair and eventually cause your hair to fall out and become thin.

3. Dizziness and teary eyes

The harsh chemicals applied during the hair smoothing process can lead to nausea and dizziness. You may also feel a burning sensation near your eyes and an itchy throat. In addition, hair smoothing treatments use a compound called formaldehyde, which can make the epidermis of the skin rough and itchy.

Hair Straightening Vs. Hair Smoothing, Which One Is Better?

Hair smoothing and hair straightening are two ways you can smooth your hair. In the battle of hair straightening versus hair smoothing, it can be hard to tell which one is better. You can choose the one that suits you according to your needs. But one thing you need to be aware of is that both of them will make your hair dry and split ends, so you need to treat your hair regularly.