Undoing Hair Straightening
I typically style my hair in a Japanese anime-inspired look (for visual reference) and take pride in its thickness and the subtle waves that appear after blow-drying. This is a routine I handle myself, which is somewhat uncommon for heterosexual men in Asia. The only issue I’ve faced is a slight irregularity in the hair at the nape of my neck (the lower back of the head), where the strands grow in a reverse direction. This led my stylist to suggest a relaxing or straightening treatment to make it more manageable.
After several regular haircuts and blow-dry sessions, I finally gave in to her suggestion two weeks ago, envisioning thicker, easier-to-style hair with a more uniform appearance overall.
Following the straightening service, I avoided washing my hair (with or without shampoo) for a week. But after my first wash, blow-dry, and application of wax or gel, I noticed my hair now falls flat and lifeless, with each strand seeming disconnected from the others. This is a far cry from my original wavy texture, which was much easier to style and had more natural volume. While the straightened hair looks fine - perhaps even desirable to some - it completely contradicts the look I was aiming for.
My current hair length ranges from 4 to 6 inches (or slightly longer in some areas), and I’m considering my options:
1. Can I undo the straightening without perming my hair? Is it possible to restore my original texture, and if so, what are the risks and preventive measures?
2. Would I need to perm my hair to regain thickness and volume? If so, what risks should I be aware of, and how can I minimize damage?
3. Should I simply wait for two months and let my natural hair grow out (at roughly one inch per month) in hopes that the new growth will make blow-drying easier? Or is this just wishful thinking?
4. Would cutting my hair short, like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt’s styles (a more traditionally "Western" short, masculine look), help? Or would this only emphasize the thin, straightened texture even more?
Chemical treatments (including relaxers and straighteners) can make hair more porous over time, leading to dryness and requiring extra care to maintain moisture and overall hair health.
The good news is that as your hair grows out, the new growth will retain your natural wavy texture. On average, hair grows about half an inch per month. Even if your hair grows faster than usual (say, one inch per month), it could still take around six months to regain your previous look.
Best course of action:
• Give your hair a couple of months to grow out.
• Consider getting a shorter haircut than usual to remove as much of the chemically treated hair as possible.
• As the new, natural hair becomes the majority, your original texture and volume will gradually return.
If you’re impatient, a perm could reintroduce waves, but this comes with additional chemical stress. Alternatively, styling products (like sea salt sprays or texturizing mousses) can help add temporary volume and movement while you wait for your natural hair to grow in.
A short, masculine cut (like the ones you mentioned) could work, but since straightened hair tends to lie flat, a very short style might emphasize thinness. A slightly layered cut could help add dimension while you transition back to your natural texture.
©Hairfinder.com
See also:
Hair straightening
Do men still perm their hair?
Is it possible to buy some kind of product that will undo chemically straightened hair?