What is the difference between Indian straight and Brazilian straightening?

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Today, more and more women choose toen their hair for different reasons. Straightening allows not only to change looks, but also to make wavy or curly hair much straighter. Hair straightening techniques have multiplied in recent years. Among the most popular straightening techniques are Indian straightening and Brazilian straightening. These two techniques are very different from each other and have their own principles and advantages. Have you heard of Brazilian straightening and Indian straightening and would like to learn more about what sets them apart from each other? We tell you everything!

Indian straightening, an aesthetic hair treatment

Also known as nano-Indian straightening, Indian straightening has the particularity of smoothing the hair and providing them with nourishing care at the same time, which allows for deep reconstruction. Indian straightening, unlike other types of straightening, does not use any active or chemical compounds.

Its main ingredient is amla oil. Amla is an extremely popular fruit in India because of its many benefits for hair. Amla oil is very rich in tannins and vitamin A, and helps promote hair growth while slowing down hair loss. It also brings shine to brown or brunette hair.

In addition to amla oil, castor oil and macadamia oil are also used for Indian straightening. Castor oil has fortifying and moisturizing properties, which allows it to hydrate and protect the hair well. Macadamia oil has excellent softening and regenerating properties. Murumuru butter is also sometimes used and has the effect of protecting the hair and improving its elasticity.

As for the application of Indian straightening, it is carried out like other types of straightening. So, if you want to do Indian straightening, you will first use a clarifying shampoo to open the scales of your hair. Then, you will apply the treatment and straighten your hair.

Indian straightening is an extremely effective permanent straightening. It is suitable for all hair types, whether they are wavy, curly, afro, brown, black, blonde… However, some professionals recommend that people with extremely thin and sparse hair avoid this straightening as it may cause their hair to lose volume.

Brazilian straightening uses keratin for long-lasting results

Brazilian straightening, like Indian straightening, not only straightens the hair, but also provides them with care to revive their shine. Unlike Indian straightening, which uses only natural products, Brazilian straightening is based on the use of keratin and formaldehyde.

Keratin is a protein that is naturally found in hair fibers. However, over time, keratin can be damaged and when this happens, the effects can be harmful to the hair. Therefore, providing keratin-rich active ingredients is not dangerous, on the contrary, it strengthens them.

Formaldehyde, on the other hand, is an organic compound that is widely used in laboratories and by taxidermists. It is used to preserve human or animal tissues. Formaldehyde is generally used in small quantities for Brazilian straightening and helps fix the keratin. Natural products such as cocoa, collagen, and fruit acids are also used for Brazilian straightening.

The technique of Brazilian straightening mainly consists of penetrating the straightening product into the hair scales using a straightener. Brazilian straightening has many benefits and is suitable for all hair types. Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or frizzy hair, it allows you to straighten your hair effectively.

However, it is important to note that Brazilian straightening should be adapted to certain hair types. For example, if you have very fine and soft hair, the product should be left on your hair for a shorter time.

Indian straightening is generally cheaper than Brazilian straightening

Indian straightening and Brazilian straightening are very different. The prices and duration of these two straightenings are also not the same.

The price of Indian straightening and Brazilian straightening

One of the main differences between Indian straightening and Brazilian straightening is the price. Indeed, the price of Indian straightening is generally much lower than that of Brazilian straightening. The price of Indian straightening done by a professional usually ranges from 170 to 230 euros. This price usually varies depending on criteria such as the thickness or length of your hair.

Note that to do Indian straightening, you are not necessarily required to go to a professional. If you master the technique, you can do your own Indian straightening. There are Indian straightening kits available on the market. These kits contain all the necessary products for Indian straightening. They usually cost between 50 and 100 euros.

For a Brazilian straightening done by a professional, you will need to budget around 150 euros for medium-length hair and 300 euros for long hair. However, to do your Brazilian straightening, you don’t need to go to a hair salon either. You can do your straightening at home if you master the technique. There are also kits available on the market for this type of straightening. They cost less than 100 euros.

The duration of Indian straightening and Brazilian straightening

Indian straightening, although cheaper than Brazilian straightening, has an excellent lifespan. It is generally effective on hair for 6 to 8 months in a row. However, to make Indian straightening last that long, you must take care of it and follow all the maintenance conditions. One of the most important conditions for the durability of this treatment is the use of sulfate-free shampoo. It is also important to avoid any washing for the seven days following the straightening.

Brazilian straightening, on the other hand, lasts an average of 3 months. On average, as it will depend primarily on how you take care of your hair. Well-maintained Brazilian straightening can last up to 6 months or more. To maintain your straightening well, you must follow a number of recommendations.

First, you should avoid washing your hair for the first three days after applying the product. This promotes better fixation of the keratin. Then, it is recommended to use sulfate-free shampoos. You should also avoid exposing your hair to sea salt and UV rays from the sun too much. Finally, remember to use moisturizing masks on your hair once or twice a week.

These two treatments must be done with care

Whether you want to do Indian straightening or Brazilian straightening, it is important to perform these treatments with great care. This is important for two specific reasons. First, if all the steps of the straightening (both Indian and Brazilian) are not followed, the straightening will not be successful. Either the result will not be satisfactory at all in the end, or the result will be satisfactory, but not at all lasting.

Second, if all the steps of the treatment are not followed, it can also be dangerous for your hair. For example, if you leave the Brazilian straightening product on your hair much longer than required, your hair can lose all its volume and be severely damaged. If the product touches your scalp, it can also have consequences. It is therefore important to take all necessary precautions to properly perform these two treatments.

Tips for successful Indian straightening

To succeed in your Indian straightening, you must first wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and leave it on briefly before rinsing it off. It is recommended to repeat the cleaning several times until your hair is completely rid of all substances it has been exposed to. This will facilitate the penetration of the Indian straightening treatment.

After shampooing, dry your hair with a hair dryer. You can then start applying your treatment. It is recommended to apply the product strand by strand while avoiding it touching your scalp, as this could disrupt the pH of the scalp or dry it out.

Afterwards, cover your hair with plastic wrap and let it sit for 40 minutes to an hour. You can then do a blow-dry. It is recommended to heat your straightener to 230°C. Also, take the time to straighten strand by strand.

Tips for successful Brazilian straightening

For Brazilian straightening, the first step is to do a clarifying shampoo. Once your hair is perfectly clean, you will now need to dry it. It should not be too dry or too wet. Afterwards, you can move on to applying the straightening treatment. This is the most important step of the process.

You will pour the solution into a non-metallic bowl, use a brush for application, and use non-metallic sectioning clips to apply the treatment strand by strand so that it can penetrate your hair fibers well. The product should not touch your scalp either. Once you have finished applying it, let the product sit for 15 minutes.

Now, use your hair dryer to dry your hair without rinsing it. The last step is to penetrate the product using a straightener heated to 230°C.

Use quality products for your different straightenings

If you choose to do your straightening in a hair salon, be wary of Indian straightening for 40 euros or Brazilian straightening for less than 100 euros. The product used may be of very poor quality. If you plan to do your straightening yourself, then you must pay special attention to the choice of your product.

You should refuse any Indian straightening product containing chemicals or active ingredients that are not normally supposed to be present. Opting for Indian straightening with dubious substances can have quite serious repercussions on your hair. As for the price, it can vary from one brand to another. To make the right choice, do not hesitate to do research on the internet to read reviews on each product and compare them based on their quality-price ratio.

As for Brazilian straightening, we strongly advise against products containing too much formaldehyde. It helps promote the fixation of keratin. The amount of formaldehyde in the treatment should be minimal. It is a substance that can be harmful if used too much. It is, in fact, carcinogenic. There are also Brazilian straightening treatments without formaldehyde. If possible, opt for this type of product. As for the price, it can also vary from one brand to another. So, don’t hesitate to make comparisons to choose the best product.

Whether for Indian straightening or Brazilian straightening, we advise against low-quality products. They will damage your hair.

Can you do Brazilian straightening after Indian straightening?

You did Indian straightening a few months ago and you are wondering if you can now do Brazilian straightening? It is entirely possible. But before doing Brazilian straightening, you will need to take the time to completely get rid of your Indian straightening.

Indeed, for this type of straightening, many oils such as amla oil, castor oil, or macadamia oil are usually used. Thanks to the high temperature of the hair dryer, these oils penetrate the hair fibers. However, Brazilian straightening does not go very well with these oils.

They prevent the keratin from deeply penetrating the hair fibers. This is why it is recommended not to put oil in your hair before doing Brazilian straightening. For your Brazilian straightening, you will therefore need to take the time to remove all the oil from your hair. You can do this by using a clarifying shampoo.

In many cases, one or two clarifying shampoos may not be enough to remove your Indian straightening. So, do not hesitate to go to a hair salon to get rid of it.