Many people seek out smooth, silky, and straight hair, but finding which products to use to accomplish your desired look can be difficult. 

All hair straightening methods have pros and cons, but the cons of some methods are outright dangerous. The chemicals used in hair relaxers, for example, have been known to cause irritation and damage to the hair. Recently, they have even been linked to cancer. 

If you’re looking to find the best hair straightening method, we’ve narrowed it down for you and have highlighted some of the pros and cons of each method. The five hair straightening methods we’ll examine below are flat ironing, hair rebonding, chemical straightening, Japanese straightening, and keratin treatment. 

1. Pros and Cons of Flat Ironing 

Flat ironing involves using a hot styling tool to straighten your hair. The hot plates in the tool evenly distribute heat. As you move the tool through your hair, it stretches and flattens. It’s a temporary hair straightening method that’s popular because it’s accessible and easy to do at home. 

Pros: 

• Reduces frizz
• Works for various hair types
• Leaves a silky-smooth look 
• Quick and convenient for certain hair types
• Can straighten hair at home 

Cons:

• Risk burning skin or hair
• Hair can become dry and damaged over time 
• Especially time-consuming and damaging for people with very thick hair 
• The effect is temporary; hair typically becomes curly and frizzy again on humid days, and the effect is completely gone after hair gets wet  
• Often breaks hair, resulting in split ends and visible damage 

If you’re going to use a flat iron, invest in a good heat protectant for your hair. This can help prevent damage and will leave your hair feeling and looking healthier. If you’re looking for a way to quickly straighten and touch up your hair, this is probably a good option for you. 

2. Pros and Cons of Hair Rebonding

Hair rebonding uses chemicals to straighten hair. It works by breaking the hydrogen bonds in the keratin in your hair, then the chemical helps to make a new straight structure for your hair. 

Pros: 

• Leaves hair very straight (typically more straight than hair that is naturally straight)
• Helpful for people whose hair is typically unmanageable
• Permanent solution (of course, you’ll need to continue to have treatments as your new hair grows in) 
• Reduces the time it takes to style hair 

Cons:

• Takes a long time (a few hours in most cases)
• Can cause hair damage and breakage 
• Contains chemicals that have been linked to cancer 
• Need to go to a salon and pay a professional to rebond your hair 
• Doesn’t work for all hair types 

If you have hair that can’t seem to be tamed and you find yourself spending too much time on your hair every day, rebonding might be for you. It’s very important to weigh the pros and cons, however, especially because of the link to cancer. 

3. Pros and Cons of Chemical Straightening (Hair Relaxing)

Hair relaxing (also known as chemical straightening) is similar to hair rebonding in that it breaks down and then builds back up the molecules in your hair to achieve a straight and sleek look. Hair relaxing is a bit less intense than hair rebonding, and it doesn’t leave hair quite as straight. 

Pros: 

• Inexpensive when compared to other permanent solutions 
• Typically only takes about two hours 
• Permanent solution (of course, you’ll need to continue to have treatments as your new hair grows in)
• May look more natural than hair rebonding 
• Makes hair more manageable 
• Reduces the time it takes to style hair 

Cons: 

• May still need to straighten hair regularly 
• Need to go to a salon and pay a professional to relax your hair 
• Can cause scalp irritation and burn
• Can cause scalp dryness and flakiness 
• Contains chemicals that have been linked to cancer

Like hair rebonding, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of hair relaxing before deciding on this as your straightening method. Not only has the method been linked to cancer, but people have begun filing lawsuits against various chemical straightening brands after they developed cancer after using the products. 

4. Pros and Cons of Japanese Straightening (Thermal Reconditioning) 

Japanese straightening, or thermal reconditioning, uses chemicals and heat to restructure the protein bonds in your hair. It’s a permanent method that can remove curls, volume, and frizz. 

Pros: 

• Makes hair more manageable 
• Leaves hair soft and shiny 
• Customizable amount of straightness; hair doesn’t have to become stick straight 
• Permanent solution (of course, you’ll need to continue to have treatments as your new hair grows in)

Cons: 

• Can damage hair 
• Time-consuming; can take a few hours, and even up to eight hours for the initial treatment
• Can cause hair loss, especially for thick or colored hair 
• Limits hair color and highlight options
• Pricey; can cost $1,000 or more 
• Contains chemicals 

This is another permanent solution that is best for thick and unruly hair. It may not work as well for very kinky hair, but many people like this option because it’s a bit more customizable than other permanent options. Of course, the price and time commitment are things to consider. 

5. Pros and Cons of Keratin Treatment (Brazilian Straightening)

Keratin hair treatments use a chemical to add shine and gloss to hair. After the solution is applied, your hair is blow-dried. It’s a semi-permanent method that is a bit more gentle on your hair. 

Pros: 

• Semi-permanent, which can be a pro or a con depending on what you’re looking for
• Works for most hair types
• Improves shine and reduces frizz  
• Reduces breakage and makes hair feel healthier
• Works for colored hair 
• Not as harsh on hair as permanent hair straightening methods 
• Can be done at home, though it might not be as effective 

Cons: 

• Even though it’s semi-permanent, it can permanently alter the curl pattern 
• Releases harmful chemicals during the process 
• Not ideal for fine or damaged hair
• Can cause damage to hair if done repeatedly 

People who are looking for a semi-permanent hair straightening method that’s not quite as harsh as permanent methods might want to try Brazilian straightening. It’s ideal for most hair types and can leave hair feeling strong.