how to straighten hair without heat

To turn your wavy or curly hair into a bone-straight 'do, stylists typically look to chemical treatments and hot tools. And while options like Keratin and a Brazilian blowout certainly get the job done, overtime, they can be detrimental to your hair health. There are, however heat-free methods that allow you to straighten your hair naturally—damage-free!—using everything from milk to flat wraps at home. Of course, they don't work for everyone (they're best for folks with wavy or fine hair) and the results won't be quite as sleek as using a relaxant and a flat iron, but if you are looking to try straightening your hair the natural way, here are the most effective options.

If you're skipping the heat and chemicals, set your expectations.

You can certainly straighten your hair at home without heat, but it won't be easy. "All of these methods take time and aren't perfectly straight techniques," says Aaron Grenia, the co-founder of IGK Hair and Salons. Celebrity stylist Orlando Pita, founder of Orlando Pita Play, concurs: "Sure, it's possible but it's important not to get your hopes too high, particularly if your hair is extremely curly to begin with."

Ready to go? After you shower, try this.

It might conjure up images of your grandmother, but good old fashioned rollers are still worth using! "A wet set is the best way to straighten your hair naturally, especially if you have very curly or coarse hair," says Pita. "Start by applying a light spray or mousse at the roots and comb through, making sure your hair is tangle-free. (You can try these detanglers.)

Next, apply foam or velcro rollers around the head to damp, not wet, hair. Rollers can be used across all hair types and textures. Place big rollers at the crown. By playing with the size of the rollers, you can create a bump at the root or a nice curve at the bottom, depending on the desired look. Make sure hair is completely dry before removing rollers," encourages Pita.

Not into rollers? You can also opt for a leave-in conditioner post shower to "hydrate your hair and protect it from frizz," says Grenia. Next, he recommends parting your hair, brushing it straight, then letting it air dry for five to ten minutes before brushing it straight again. "Repeat until your hair is dry, adding more leave-in conditioner if needed. This method takes time and won't get you perfectly straight, but it helps you avoid heat styling." A brush specially designed for damp hair, like the Wet Brush, is a good bet.

You can also naturally straighten your hair overnight.

Start by showering, then comb or brush through your wet hair. Next up: the flat wrapping technique. "Take your damp hair, and comb sections flat to your head. Wrap your hair around your head until all the length is up, and pin it tightly with bobby pins," says Grenia. Then, wrap a silk scarf to cover and protect your hair from frizzing during sleep." When you wake up, your hair will be smoother and straighter. Pro tip: use a satin pillowcase too, in order to reduce friction. Here are some great options.

Feel adventurous? Give milk a go.

"Coconut milk is supposed to be the best for a 'milk mask,' but most milk (besides almond) can work work," says Grenia, noting that the heavier the milk the better. "Leave it in like a conditioner for about ten minutes, rinse, and then let it dry naturally." Grenia cautions that this method works best for wavy hair, and doesn't provide the same straightening benefits for curly hair. "It will just soften the curls," he says.

But, will these techniques work permanently?

Unfortunately, no. But, there's always hair botox!

For more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io