Quest for straight hair: Rebonding vs Smoothening
Rebonding or Smoothening what to choose? Indeed a difficult question!
Every other girl has a dream of having straight and silky hair. Why not? Hair is the crowning glory of a person and defines one's personality.
Well, having straight hair is not a dream anymore. You can do it temporarily or even make it permanent too, but before you decide which process to go through, you should first know the pros and cons of both and then decide it for yourself as our hair is a big deal. Isn't it?
We know you do have plenty of questions in mind like, Does rebonding give your hair a fake texture? Is smoothening hair a better option than straightening? Does rebonding last longer than smoothening? Stay with us and all your uncertainties will be cleared.
What is rebonding/straightening?
Hair Rebonding is a chemical process that is done to straighten your hair permanently. Especially when you are fed up with frizzy and unmanageable hair, this technique proves the best for getting sleek straight hair.
Rebonding chemically breaks down natural bonds in the hair and re-arranges them to form new bonds for straight hair. In short, it is a permanent procedure that breaks the natural cell structure of your hair and re-structures it. This treatment makes use of a neutralizer to re-bond the structure of the hair, giving your hair the perfect texture and shape.
Hair rebonding usually lasts for a long time. Once the hair is straightened, it is required that you undergo regular touch-ups depending on the pace at which your hair grows. You may be required to touch-up every 3 months or 6 months.
Pros of Rebonding
The first and most important benefit of hair rebonding is that it gives permanent results.
The procedure of rebonding adds immense shine and life to your unruly hair. The results stay longer in this technique.
The manageability of hair is again an important benefit here. You won't be prone to frizz, your hair will not re-curl. And also you won't be required to use hair straightening tools to maintain the results.
Cons of Rebonding
After Rebonding, your hair requires utmost care and maintenance since it becomes delicate after the treatment. For the first month, you can not tie or even tuck your hair behind the ears as it can cause damage.
Rebonding can cause hair breakage, as it is a chemical process after all. The treatment utilizes chemicals and a significant amount of heat applied during the process.
The process of rebonding is expensive, especially considering maintenance. Hot oil treatments and regular touch-ups are necessary and time-consuming.
Toxic chemicals used in the process may cause hair loss. Also, hair gets weaker after every touch-up.
Is Rebonding Suitable For Every Hair Type?
Hair rebonding goes well with specific hair types. You should always consult your hairstylist about what chemical treatment is suitable for your hair type, to avoid any damage and breakage from taking place eventually.
With Rebonding out of the way let's move on to the other popular treatment to straighten hair - Smoothening.
What is smoothening?
Hair smoothening is a chemical process that uses a formaldehyde solution to saturate your hair strands, post which flat iron is used to set it. It is a temporary procedure that smoothens your hair and removes frizz and dryness. It is a quick fix for someone considering hair straightening.
Pros of smoothening
Hair smoothening is a mild treatment. The chemicals used for hair smoothening are not as strong as the ones used in hair straightening treatments, which makes this treatment less damaging.
It does not alter hair structure. This means it maintains a subtle natural look.
It tames frizziness and gives life to dull hair without any permanent damage being caused to hair.
Cons of Smoothening
It does not give perfectly straight hair. And due to this reason, this treatment can not be used for extremely curly hair.
The effects of smoothening are temporary and can last anywhere from two to five months. It also depends on the rate at which your hair grows.
It makes use of formaldehyde-based cream which can irritate eyes and skin.
Hair Rebonding Vs. Hair Smoothening – The Final Verdict
Both of these procedures have their advantages and disadvantages. Both of them are chemical processes. Also, both procedures require regular upkeep to maintain the obtained hair texture and structure.
Still, it has been statistically proved that rebonding causes more harm than smoothening, as the temperature used is high. It might also cause your hair to fall.
Therefore you should make your decision wisely and only after consulting your hairstylist. After all,
"Life isn't perfect, but your hair can be"