Brazilian smoothing is known around the world, but it is not the only one in the field! Other smoothing techniques are also on the market, such as tannin smoothing. But what is it really? What is it worth? What is the difference between Brazilian smoothing and tannin ?
Difference between Brazilian and tannin smoothing
Tannin smoothing has existed for centuries, since antiquity and the Middle Ages. It comes from Brazil like Brazilian smoothing, and is one of its ancestors. Another name used to designate tannin smoothing is taninoplasty . It allows you to smooth hair while repairing it. Curly, wavy, curly hair can use it without any problem. It can also be applied to people who have difficulty taming their frizz or spikes.
Tannins
On the scientific side, tannins correspond to molecules from plants, polyphenols to be exact. The latter are sometimes used in medicine to heal certain scars. Tannins are obtained from grape skin, generally, but also from certain tree barks.
Formaldehyde
To fully understand the difference between a Brazilian and tannin smoothing, we must take into account another notable element of this smoothing: it does not contain any formaldehyde elements . In fact, it is very natural, unlike some products used for a Brazilian or Japanese smoothing . Therefore, tannin smoothing is recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women and even for children.
For the latter, this smoothing technique is very suitable, because it is natural of course, but not only. Smoothing with tannin does not modify the internal structure of the hair. Your child will therefore be able to have smoothed hair for a few months and will then gradually regain their natural hair. Another positive point of smoothing with tannin is that it offers unstoppable protection against humidity. If you are used to having frizz at the slightest drop of water or sweat, this will be over with this smoothing!
Duration of a tannin smoothing
Regarding the duration of a tannin smoothing treatment, you can expect around 5 to 7 months before needing to do some touch-ups, provided you take good care of your hair of course.
For its part, Brazilian straightening is known to enrich the hair. It is therefore recommended for hair that is already weakened and damaged. It will allow this hair to regain life and shine. It is also recommended for frizzy or curly hair, in order to relax and better define the curls. To compare on a scientific level, Brazilian straightening brings new keratin proteins to the hair. While tannin straightening creates a new protein chain. Brazilian straightening is very widespread throughout the world, but sometimes certain products used are harmful.
For example, if you want to buy a kit specially designed to be applied at home, pay close attention to the composition. Some kits contain products used during a straightening treatment. So your hair will end up much more damaged than it was at the start, which is not the goal of a Brazilian straightening treatment.
So it is best to read the list of ingredients and choose a natural brand that swears by keratin . The latter is the key element of a good Brazilian straightening treatment, because it is a protein naturally present in your hair. It allows the hair fiber to be nourished, shiny and shapely. If your hair is dry or porous, you are probably lacking keratin.
Finally, these two smoothing techniques are very similar. They both allow you to smooth and relax your hair without having very straight hair like with Japanese straightening.
Tannin Smoothing Maintenance
Brazilian straightening and tannin straightening will both allow the hair to be deeply nourished and regain vitality. For the maintenance of your straightening, the advice is the same for both techniques. We advise you to use keratin-based hair care products, which will allow your hair to remain nourished and healthy . Do not use the plates too much, whether on one side or the other, it is not necessary.
For tannin smoothing, you can use them every two weeks; while for Brazilian smoothing you can smooth your hair once a week. In the latter case, this allows the heat to reactivate the keratin of the smoothing and therefore, to prolong its effectiveness. When your hair grows back, you will have to do a few touch-ups, but after several months.
Indeed, Brazilian straightening and tannin straightening will not make your hair completely straight as sticks. This is why your roots will look natural for a few months without worries. It is only after a few centimeters of regrowth that it can start to be annoying.
To achieve these touch-ups, you can either call on a hairdressing professional who will know what to do to obtain a natural result or you can do it yourself at home using a special kit. In this case, you will have to be very careful not to create a demarcation between your old straightening and the new one. The best thing to do is to do a complete straightening on all your lengths.
Conclusion: difference between Brazilian smoothing and tannin
Finally, tannin smoothing is a technique that still has a long life ahead of it before it disappears completely. Brazilian smoothing also continues to gain ground, but the two techniques are not similar in all respects, so you will have a choice. To summarize in a few words, these two methods are made to nourish your hair while relaxing it. For the price, the two techniques are in the same range: between 150 and 350 euros for the longest hair. The only notable difference is that tannin smoothing is much more natural than a classic Brazilian smoothing; even if we can easily find natural Brazilian smoothing.
