Brazilian straightening is undoubtedly the star of hair salons. Today's fashion is for soft, shiny and smooth hair, but how to deal with a failed Brazilian straightening ? Zoom in on the reasons as well as the solutions.
What is Brazilian straightening?
It is a keratin-based treatment that can be done at home or in a salon. Its purpose is to relax the hair fiber by sheathing it, and thus facilitate daily styling.
Brazilian straightening is generally carried out in 3 stages:
- The hair scales are opened using a clarifying shampoo.
- Apply the smoothing product strand by strand.
- Then we seal the treatment by applying heat using a hair straightener.
In general, this treatment allows a significant reduction in the volume of natural hair, and instant smoothing upon application of a heat source: it is a thermoactive treatment . It is most often suitable for all types of hair, whether colored, highlighted or damaged.
Formerly criticized because of its formula, which contained a product that turned out to be carcinogenic (formaldehyde), Brazilian straightening has since been subject to certain bans, and is now a straightening treatment without health risks.
See also: Our complete guide to learn more about Brazilian straightening
Failed Brazilian straightening: the reasons?
Sometimes, applying keratin straightening does not produce the desired result.
What factors could be causing your Brazilian hair straightening to go wrong? What solutions are available to you to fix it? We answer all of these questions in this section.
When we talk about " failed Brazilian straightening ", we are generally dealing with two cases: either the straightening is ineffective and no difference is visible, or the hair is rough and damaged after the keratin treatment. It can also happen that people trigger allergic reactions during the application or that a worrying hair loss appears.
What are the most common causes of a failed Brazilian straightening?
You did not follow the recommendations of your hairdresser or the instructions
Some Brazilian straightening treatments, after being applied, require a setting time before being rinsed so that the product adheres correctly to the hair and the result is optimal and lasts over time.
If you don't respect this time frame , there is a good chance that after rinsing, you will see very little, if any, difference between your hair before and after the Brazilian straightening.
Likewise, if you do not follow the instructions not to tie your hair up for 72 hours, you risk ending up with unsightly creases. So take careful note of all the recommendations related to your keratin treatment.
Your Brazilian straightening was applied incorrectly
Sometimes the effects of a Brazilian hair straightening treatment, especially when done at home, are more than disappointing: you get hair with a heterogeneous shape. Some strands of your hair are perfectly straight and shiny while others are voluminous waves and have a completely different texture.
Most often, this is due to poor application of the product ; the process of achieving a Brazilian straightening treatment can be long and tedious with certain kits (except with My KERALOVA ), and in particular the steps of applying the keratin straightening treatment and using the straightener.
These must be done very carefully, strand by strand, taking care to apply the same amount of product to each strand. It is also important to make sure to pass the straightening plates the same number of times on each strand.
If for one reason or another (fatigue, inattention, forgetfulness, etc.) one of these steps is neglected, you will end up with hair that is only partially straightened.
The product you have chosen is of poor quality.
Some products offered online or in supermarkets have a formula that does not allow optimal results. This is generally due to an ineffective composition , which is not sufficiently rich in nourishing (oils, butters, etc.), moisturizing (aloe vera, etc.) and smoothing (keratin) active ingredients.
The results are then very light and can disappoint you if you were expecting perfectly straight hair. Remember to read online reviews before embarking on a Brazilian straightening treatment.
One of the product's components has caused you an allergy or hair loss
It may happen that you have an allergy to components of the Brazilian straightening. A formaldehyde level that is too high, not meeting French standards, could for example trigger burns and the formation of scabs on the scalp.
Some people even complain of significant hair loss several weeks after Brazilian straightening. This is why it is important to pay particular attention to the composition and formula of the treatment you select.
The temperature of the hair straightener was too high
The heating appliances that your hairdresser used to apply the hair treatment can reach temperatures of up to 250 degrees. They can therefore tend to weaken and damage the hair, especially if the temperature used is too high compared to the thickness of the hair.
It is therefore crucial to contact a specialized professional if you have your smoothing done in a salon, and to read and follow the instructions carefully if you carry out the treatment at home.
Your hair was too fragile to support Brazilian straightening
Although Brazilian straightening is known to restore shine and suppleness to hair, it still contains some chemicals. These products are safe for healthy or slightly damaged hair.
On the other hand, on the finest and most fragile hair, these products combined with the heat of heating products risk having a harmful effect and the hair risks not coping well with the Brazilian straightening and ending up completely rough and broken.
So make sure that your hair is at least minimally healthy before considering treatment and always choose a straightening treatment containing keratin , which can also repair your hair.
We have discussed the different causes that could be behind your failed Brazilian straightening treatment. If this straightening treatment had no effect on your hair, or if it was counterproductive, that is to say it damaged and broke it, you are probably wondering how you can fix the situation, depending on the origin of the problem…
How to fix a failed Brazilian straightening?
Redo a Brazilian straightening
If after having carried out your Brazilian straightening the result is disappointing or uneven, you can perfectly do another one while avoiding making the mistakes which caused the first failure.
Be careful to ask your hairdresser for the recommended interval between 2 Brazilian straightening treatments. If the two treatments are carried out too close together, they may have harmful effects on your hair or scalp.
Nourish AND moisturize your hair
Hair, like the entire human body, needs to be hydrated, but also nourished. Indeed, these two terms are often confused and the difference can be difficult to make. Hydrating the hair is the act of bringing it water thanks to aloe vera, glycerin or even honey.
On the other hand, to be nourished, the hair needs proteins and fatty substances that are found in keratin or in vegetable oils and butters. A balance between hydration and nutrition is therefore necessary for healthy hair.
Recognizing and treating dehydrated hair
Hydration is essential for shiny, supple and bouncy hair. Dehydrated hair will be rough, dull and will tend to tangle quickly.
To allow for optimal hydration, use water-rich products such as aloe vera, which applied as a weekly mask, will restore the shine and suppleness your hair has lost.
Nourishing dry hair
Contrary to what you might think, dry hair does not need hydration but rather nutrition. If your hair is dry, it will have a straw-like texture and will be particularly prone to frizz and frizz.
Fats are essential for the health of your hair and to allow it to be strong and less brittle. Split ends will be less likely to appear and your hair will grow faster and be healthier.
In general, weekly oil baths (coconut oil, argan oil, castor oil, etc.) and hydrating protein masks with keratin or treatment protein will help your hair regain its hydration.
Cut your hair
If your lengths or ends are brittle and split, you will have to consider cutting them. Yes! Unfortunately, and contrary to what the ads would have us believe, split ends cannot be repaired.
So make an appointment with your hairdresser who will take care of cutting the most damaged part of your hair. In general, a few centimeters will be enough to give new life to your hair and in the opposite case, arm yourself with patience, it is better to have short and healthy hair than a long mane with the texture of straw.
Consult a dermatologist
If your scalp has been damaged or your hair loss persists, consider consulting a dermatologist. They will assess the extent of the damage, prescribe appropriate treatment and advise you on the steps to follow.
Use a clarifying shampoo
Clarifying shampoos are cleansing products that aim to remove residue and buildup of dirt and products from your hair.
When applied, Brazilian straightening is applied strand by strand, then sealed by the application of heat.
This product therefore remains on the surface of your hair for several weeks, despite washing.
If the straightening product you have been using does not suit you, leaves a greasy film on your hair or tends to suffocate and damage it every time you straighten your hair with an iron, then it is time to remove it.
To do this, ask your hairdresser to recommend a clarifying shampoo that will remove all the keratin product from your hair.
However, people with colored or highlighted hair should be very careful when choosing their clarifying shampoo, as many formulas can alter the color of their hair.
Finally, using a clarifying shampoo should not be too frequent, one to two applications per month are enough to purify your hair, and overuse of shampoo could weaken it by attacking its own keratin.
Trying food supplements
Your Brazilian straightening treatment was a failure. Given the disastrous state of your hair, you have lost patience and decided to cut it. All you have to do now is wait patiently for your beautiful mane to grow back.
Certain dietary supplements can help you promote growth and strengthen the structure of your hair.
- Spirulina, well known for strengthening hair from the roots
- Brewer's yeast, excellent as a basic treatment for hair but also for nails
- Pollen, extremely nourishing since it is rich in fats and proteins
- Royal jelly, which promotes the regeneration of hair fiber.
Of course, follow the dosage recommended on the label or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Avoid overdosing on food supplements, even if they are natural.
Brazilian straightening is the miracle solution for countless people around the world. This treatment has many virtues and most customers are satisfied with it.
However, sometimes the result obtained is disappointing; invisible effect, allergy, heterogeneous result or even damaged hair. Many factors can indeed be at the origin of a failed Brazilian straightening.
So follow these few steps carefully to avoid getting to this point:
- Choose Brazilian straightening kits without formaldehyde and with keratin like My KERALOVA.
- If you are doing your own treatment at home, pay particular attention to the composition of the selected product as well as the ratings that this product has obtained.
- Ask your hairdresser any questions you may have and follow all of his or her recommendations carefully.
- If you experience intense burning sensation, rinse the treatment immediately.
If it's already too late and your Brazilian straightening is completely ruined, don't panic, there are many solutions!
