Formaldehyde-free straightening, what is it? How it is done and the main advantages

Home » Beauty » Formaldehyde-free straightening, what is it? How it is done and the main advantages

Straightening without formaldehyde, as the name suggests, is a hair treatment to straighten hair free of toxic and aggressive substances.

When you talk about hair straightening, the first thing that comes to mind is the progressive brush, right? For a long time, this technique was the most used to straighten locks. However, there was a catch, the presence of formaldehyde, a toxic substance. Therefore, there began to be restrictions on the use of the substance and the cosmetics industry began to invest in options with the same purpose but free from the substance. Thus, formaldehyde-free straightening appeared.

For a while, many women even gave up straightening their hair because the only way to do so was using substances. But fortunately this is no longer a problem, as progressive brushes nowadays contain only the safe amount of toxic substances, and have formaldehyde-free straightening options.

In the case of straightening without formaldehyde, many people still question whether it really works. The answer is yes, it is possible to straighten your hair without formaldehyde, as there are other substances with straightening properties that are permitted by law and are not as aggressive.

Therefore, today we will better understand how straightening without formaldehyde works and how it is done. In addition, of course, to the main advantages of adhering to this straightening technique.

Formaldehyde-free straightening

As previously mentioned, the progressive brush is one of the main and most popular hair straightening methods ever made. It promotes a reduction in volume and frizz, and changes the hair structure to leave it smooth. However, despite promising what many women dream of, this type of procedure poses some risks, for health and for the hair itself.

On the other hand, formaldehyde-free straightening offers the same benefits as progressive brushing, such as aligned strands, without volume and without frizz, but without the risk to health. Without the main straightening active ingredient, these methods rely on other substances with a similar effect, which are regulated and not aggressive. Therefore, it is free from side effects such as scalp peeling, hair loss, burning eyes, and headaches.

In other words, straightening without formaldehyde is the best option for those who do not give up on having straight hair, safely and without damaging their hair. This is because in addition to not causing unwanted side effects, formaldehyde-free straightening also helps to keep hair healthier, as it is made from natural and chemical active ingredients that are not aggressive.

To give you an idea, there are currently more than 300 types of formaldehyde-free hair straighteners on the market. However, it is very important to check the product’s list of ingredients to ensure that it is truly substance-free.

How straightening is done without formaldehyde

In the case of progressive brushing, due to the presence of aggressive substances, it must be carried out in a beauty salon you trust. Even to guarantee the best result and lowest risks. In the case of straightening without formaldehyde, in addition to doing it in the salon, it is also possible to do the treatment at home alone. In this case, it is best suited for those who already have some experience in hair care.

So, regardless of whether you straighten without formaldehyde in the salon or at home, the procedure is the same. The first step is basic, it is to wash your hair with a deep cleansing shampoo, in addition to removing all residue, open the cuticle to receive the product. After removing excess water from your hair, it’s time to apply the product. The ideal is to separate the hair into parts to facilitate application. Once this is done, let the product act on your hair according to the instructions on the packaging, usually for 20 minutes.

So, after this period, it’s time to brush your hair using a hairdryer and then finish with a straightener, to leave the strands smooth. The next step is to wash your hair again to remove the product and apply a hydrating mask and rinse immediately afterwards. After that, straightening without formaldehyde is ready, but if you prefer, you can dry your hair again and finish with a straightener.

Tip: Before starting treatment, it is very important to test the product on a strand to check the possibility of allergies. So, if your hair becomes brittle or lacks elasticity, it is a sign that your hair is not capable of undergoing this treatment.

Advantages of formaldehyde-free straightening

Nowadays, the vast majority of formaldehyde-free straightening products have a specific substance in their composition: carbocisteine. It is an amino acid that opens the structure of the hair, that is, allowing the product to enter the hair cuticle and straightening to be done with the help of the straightener.

So, for the hair to be really straight, it is necessary to close the structure of the hair, in the progressive brushes, the formaldehyde that is responsible for this. In the case of formaldehyde-free straightening, it is ammonium thioglycolate and etalonamine, substances that replace formaldehyde, that perform this role, being much less aggressive and causing less damage to the hair.

Therefore, the main advantage of formaldehyde-free straightening is the possibility of straightening hair without any health risks. But in addition, the formaldehyde-free treatment also promises long durability, somewhere around three to five months, depending on the hair type and post-straightening care.

However, it is important to remember that straightening without formaldehyde is also a chemical process. Therefore, it also sensitizes the hair, but nothing compared to the problems caused by using formaldehyde.

Post straightening care

Obviously, after straightening without formaldehyde, the aim is to keep your hair smooth and impeccable for much longer. And as mentioned above, depending on your hair care after treatment, your results can be prolonged even longer. So, in addition to making the product stay in your hair longer, it is also important to take care of your hair health.

Therefore, after straightening without formaldehyde, the ideal is to avoid using anti-residue shampoos, as these tend to remove the product from the hair, reducing its durability. So, no washing your hair with deep cleaning products. The recommendation is to invest in specific hair lines for straightened locks, as these products contain active ingredients that help maintain the effect of the treatment in question.

Furthermore, it is very important to have a hair care routine, moisturizing it more frequently, at least once a week. This way it is possible to provide essential nutrients to the hair, which tends to have dry ends due to straightening. But be careful not to hydrate with deep cleansing, as this will not have the same effect as shampoos for this purpose.

Anyway, what did you think of this article? By the way, take the opportunity to also check out Japanese Progressive, what is it? How it works and benefits.

Sources: Desírius My Life Hair Salon Secrets

Images: Universal Organic Brush Organic Brush A Gazeta All Things Hair