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While the promise of softer, smoother, and manageable hair has taken you over to Brazilian straightening, the results are very disappointing for you. Your hair is dull, dry and much more brittle than before. And although this may seem surprising, it is not. Indeed, unfortunately for some people, Brazilian straightening will have repercussions on the health of the hair. Often little explained upstream to customers, the bad surprise can be confusing and the solutions difficult to find. So, to help you in the quest for solutions to this problem, we will see today what to do against dry hair after Brazilian straightening? First, discover the causes responsible for dry and brittle hair with Brazilian straightening. Then find out solutions to remedy it.

Why do you have dry hair after Brazilian straightening?

Brazilian straightening, long considered an alternative to straightening, also reveals its share of negative surprises. And in particular the appearance of dry, brittle and / or dull hair. So how can this be explained?

What is Brazilian smoothing?

Brazilian straightening should more commonly be referred to as "Brazilian keratin treatment", since it involves injecting care products based on keratin of plant or animal origin into the hair. It is therefore not a straightening. This is to temporarily smooth the hair fiber for 3 to 8 months. Keratin is the main constituent of hair and is normally made by the body. It makes them strong, shiny and supple. However, over time and depending on the nature of the hair, natural keratin may run out. This is when the Brazilian smoothing takes on its full meaning. Indeed, the Brazilian smoothing allows keratin to be injected and fixed in the hair fiber by a chemical process which in principle allows to smooth, strengthen and repair damaged hair.

However, in some people the Brazilian smoothing can damage the hair and make it dry et brittles. But then, for what reasons?

Why can Brazilian straightening damage your hair?

Brazilian straightening is very often sold as being "natural". So, it is true that the keratin injected into the hair fiber is of natural origin since it is of plant and animal origin. However, thanks to the marketing around its benefits, we would almost forget that Brazilian straightening is far from being completely natural ...

A traumatic process for the hair

The process of injecting and sealing the keratin within the fiber can be traumatic for the hair. Indeed, Brazilian smoothing includes several steps:

• 1st step: Realization of a clarifying shampoo which strips the hair in order to be able to open the scales and inject the keratin into them.
• 2nd step: the product containing keratin, activators and sometimes silicone is applied to the strands and left to sit under a dryer.
• 3rd step: the scales are closed to trap the keratin in the fiber by passing an iron to heat several times at very high temperature.

You will understand, between stripping and smoothing at very high temperature several times, the hair goes through chemical processes and traumatic stages that can leave after-effects. Among these sequelae of Brazilian smoothing, you will find the appearance of dry and / or brittle hair.

Chemical substances

In addition, keratin does not smooth the hair. It just makes them softer, easier to style and stronger. Another product which is qualified as an “activator” will be injected into the hair: formalin. Now sometimes replaced by other equally harmful molecules. These activators will activate thanks to the heat and will modify the structure of the hair temporarily (from 4 months to 8 months). It's this chemical reaction which will come smooth your hair. And yet is considered to be both dangerous for human health, but also for the hair. Indeed, side effects have been noted after the use of a Brazilian straightening, such as excessive hair loss, brittle or drier hair.

Neglected maintenance

Finally, it happens that after a Brazilian straightening that makes our hair easier to comb and shinier, we neglect care. However, for avoid seeing dry and brittle hair appear after Brazilian straightening, the period following its application will be very important. In particular, you will need to use the right hair products, suitable for your hair and for straightening. This will first and foremost mean choosing a good shampoo without sulfates.

En conclusion

Brazilian straightening, which is intended to be natural, uses chemical and traumatic processes that can damage the proteins that make up the hair fiber. The hair will certainly be more flexible thanks to the injected keratin, but the hair will be deeply bruised and it is then that hair will become drier and more brittle.

What to do to repair dry and brittle hair after Brazilian straightening?

Unfortunately if Brazilian straightening made your hair dry, it will be difficult to reverse. Indeed, the process will have already weakened your hair and it will therefore be very difficult to repair your hair. However, if your hair is simply dry (and not split or brittle), you can hope to regain silky hair by using soft, healthy, moisturizing and nourishing products. But also by respecting certain prerogatives related to your lifestyle.

Use suitable products against dry hair after Brazilian straightening

A suitable shampoo

First of all, choose a good shampoo is essential to fight against dry hair after your Brazilian straightening. Best of allalternate between the use of a special shampoo "Brazilian smoothing" or "keratin" (to be used once a week) and a mild shampoo et natural. Both must of course be sulfate-free.

The special Brazilian smoothing shampoo helps strengthen and maintain the keratin that has been injected into the hair. The mild shampoo is made up of natural products that will hydrate and nourish the hair. Above all, it will strengthen and repair hair that has become dry.

Appropriate care

To combat the appearance of dry or brittle hair after Brazilian straightening, you will also need to invest in conditioners, masks et care also formulated without sulfates.

• First of all, to strengthen, nourish and hydrate your hair that has become dry after Brazilian straightening, make oil baths vegetable once a week. Indeed, a dry hair means that its hydrolipidic barrier (which protects the hair) is weakened. This barrier needs to be nourished and hydrated to regain its protective function. And vegetable oils are perfect for this since they hydrate et feed hair fiber. The best oils for this are: coconut oil, jojoba, Castor,Argan, Avocado, and Wheat germ. Apply a small amount of oil of your choice to all lengths and ends, without touching the roots. Leave on for at least 30 minutes. Then do your shampoo.

• Do once a week (or after each shampoo depending on the condition of your hair), masks or non-sulfated conditioners. Unlike shampoos, these products are specially developed to take care of the lengths and prevent them from drying out. Rich in moisturizing, nourishing and sheathing active ingredients, these products will allow your hair to regain a less dry texture after Brazilian straightening.

Dos and don'ts

To fight against dry hair after Brazilian straightening, you will have to pay attention to certain lifestyle and hair habits :

• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Indeed, UV damage and weaken the hair fiber. Your hair, which has become dry due to Brazilian straightening, will dry out even more in the summer if you are not careful. Wear a cap, scarf or hat to protect them.
• Protect your hair as much as possible from their contact with salt and chlorine which strip the hydrolipidic film of the hair. As a result, they dry out the hair even more.
• Cut your dry, brittle and damaged hair as soon as possible. Indeed, a dry, split and brittle hair will be very complicated to repair. Better to cut so that it grows back in better shape!
• Prefer drying in the open air rather than with a hairdryer. In addition, avoid as much as possible all sources of heat that are too high, such as the straightener. And if you do not want to do without it, try not to exceed a temperature of more than 180 degrees.

And for the next time?

If you're definitely not resolved on stopping Brazilian straightening, dig deep before you head back to a hair salon. Indeed, all smoothing and all lounges are not created equal. Some brands and products are of much better quality and will prevent you from ending up with dry hair after Brazilian straightening. So, inquire about customer reviews who went to exhibitions and performed the same service as you. Also try to have access to the composition list of the smoothing used and to learn about the components that should not be there.