Why Does My Hair Not Stay Straight When I Straighten It?

Toiling over a flat iron is no easy feat, but the sleek, straight, flowy results you get are more than worth it - when they last. If your hair won't stay straight after straightening it, there's something amiss, and we're here to help you figure out what's going on. In this article, we'll share several reasons why your hair reverts shortly after straightening and fill you in on what you can do about it. 

Your Heat Tool Wasn't Hot Enough

When straightening your hair, it's incredibly important to set your heat tool to the right temperature. Most know it's not a good idea to set your tool temp too high, but setting it too low can result in short-lived results. If you have wavy hair or loose curls, try setting your flat iron to around 325 to 350 degrees. If your hair is kinky or coily and coarse, you'll need to set your flat iron higher than that. Try a temp of at least 400 degrees and see if you get longer-lasting results. 

You've Got a Lot of Split Ends

Split ends are the problem children of the hair world. They stick out and curl up defiantly post-styling and can instantly ruin your straight styles. If it's been a while since you trimmed your hair and you're having trouble keeping your hair straight, it could be that your split ends need some attention. 

Never run away from split end maintenance; it takes just a few minutes and some hair cutting shears to get rid of them. Most will only need to remove about 1/4 of an inch to get them under control.  

So, break out your scissors and get to snipping! 

You Don't Keep Your Hair Dry

In order for your hair to stay straight, you have to stay away from humidity at all costs. It takes just a few seconds of high humidity exposure to ruin your straight do'. Here are some ways to keep your hair dry post-straightening: 

• Pull your hair up into a high ponytail before working out. 

• Put on a shower cap before hopping in the shower. 

• Try not to go out in the rain, and if you have to go out, cover your hair with a scarf, a plastic bag, or some other covering.

In addition to avoiding water, you can use an anti-humidity spray to keep the moisture in the air from getting into your hair. 

Your Hair is Naturally Kinky

The curlier and coarser your natural hair is, the harder it will be to keep it from reverting to its curly state. If you want to wear your hair straight all the time but your hair texture keeps coming through because it's super stubborn, you may want to consider getting a relaxer. It's a chemical process that breaks the bonds that make up your natural curl pattern. The result is straighter hair that's much easier to straighten (and keep straight). 

So, there you have it - several reasons that your hair won't stay straight after straightening it. We hope that the information presented in this article was helpful and that you're able to keep your hair straighter for longer. Good luck! 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.