Smooth and shiny hair without knots or tangles is the dream of many, especially those who are bothered by visiting beauty salons at least once a week and wasting long hours styling hair, although wavy and curly hair has become an acceptable fashion that many support;

However, millions of women around the world are resorting to well-known hair straightening methods, which are often called "keratin" and protein "hair treatment".

Keratin is a cosmetic product used to straighten hair. It is also called Brazilian Keratin Treatment or "Brazilian Hair".

Advertisements for keratin hair treatment products claim that they will naturally make curly or wavy hair straighter and smoother, that the products remove frizz, improve hair color and shine, and make hair look healthier.

In fact, the term "keratin treatment" includes a group of compounds and chemicals in unsafe proportions, some "keratin treatments", for example saturating the hair with a formaldehyde solution, and before the hair dries, high heat is used directly through (a hair iron) to fix it so that it remains smooth.

Formaldehyde is linked to nasal and brain cancer and possibly leukemia (Pixabay)

Misleading designation

"Keratin Therapy" is a misleading name, as keratin is a natural protein that the body produces in nails, skin and hair.

However, hair straighteners contain ammonium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide.

Others contain methylene glycol, formalin, methenal, and methanidiol, and direct heat helps the hair to absorb these toxic compounds, which strongly contribute to later hair loss and breakage.

Some hair straightening methods require a waiting period before washing it, although treatments containing stronger concentrations of formaldehyde can allow immediate washing, which is dangerous in both cases.

A 2012 study of keratin brands marketed in South Africa revealed that 6 out of 7 products contained 0.96% to 1.4% formaldehyde levels.

This percentage is 5 times higher than the recommended safe level of 0.2%, noting that 5 companies confirmed in the commercial data affixed to the package that the product is free of formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a substance found in low doses in household detergents, synthetic fabrics, carpets, and tobacco smoke, despite this;

However, touching it is not the most dangerous factor.

Rather, it is inhaled day after day, for periods that last for months and sometimes years, in the event that the woman uses these methods on a regular basis.

Formaldehyde is linked to nasal and brain cancer and possibly leukemia, according to the National Cancer Institute.

If your goal is to reduce curls, the straightening methods that cover them with a shiny layer that contribute to their temporary smoothing are likely to be less dangerous than products that are touted as straightening hair for months;

This is because changing the texture of the hair needs a strong chemical to bring about this total change in the nature of the hair.

Potential damages

Besides the potential damage from using chemical methods of straightening hair;

However, formaldehyde also causes allergic symptoms, shortness of breath and cough, itchy skin, rashes, nose and throat irritation and severe inflammation of the scalp that may reach the degree of burns, in addition to nausea, hair damage and hair loss.

Iron or hot hairdresser?

Using a straightening iron daily is the worst thing you can do, and while the high temperature (450 degrees) used in the iron known as "BaByliss" is not the best for straightening hair;

However, it is still less risky than using a heat-styling "blow dry" day after day.

Substances that destroy hair straightening compounds

If you have already used keratin and protein to straighten hair, it should be noted that sodium chloride (salt) and chlorine are among the most severe substances that contribute to breaking down the compounds used in hair straightening methods, which means that diving in the seas or going swimming contributes to the disappearance of these substances from Your hair.

Hair care products like sulfate-free shampoos and plenty of hair conditioners should also be used;

To avoid heavy shedding after using keratin.

Natural oils are an ideal alternative to straightening frizzy hair (pixels)

Healthy alternatives for straightening hair

Curly and wavy hair is usually drier than other hair types.

Therefore, avoid washing the hair more than once every two days, as too much shampoo can remove the hair's natural oils, which lead to dryness, and then hair breakage and loss.

Using a flat iron also temporarily straightens the hair, and you can get the same effect by drying the hair with a large, round bristle brush.

Condition your hair regularly to help make dry hair softer, shinier and stronger.

Natural moisturizing products can also help keep your hair and scalp healthy, such as olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and argan oil.