How to Straighten Short Thick Hair

Last Updated: July 17, 2019

If your hair is short (shoulder-length or shorter), and is extremely thick, it may well be quite hard to style. It is frustrating when your hair won't cooperate but in this article, you'll learn how to straighten your short, thick hair with ease, and the end result should look nice and sleek.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Hair

1
Wash your hair. If your hair is going to stay straightened and look nice, it will need to be clean. Hop in the shower and wash it.
2
Wet your hair and get some shampoo. Depending on how long your hair is, you will need more or less shampoo. Use enough to thoroughly coat your hair, but no so much that it's an excessive amount.

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3
Scrub your scalp nicely, then rise all the shampoo from your hair.
4
Add conditioner. Use enough to coat your hair. Once it's on all of your hair, run your fingers through the hair strands, then let it set while you wash your body. The additional time helps to leave your hair soft and voluminous.
5
Rinse out the conditioner.
6
When you're done taking a shower, squeeze some of the water out of your hair, then wrap it in a soft towel or an old T-shirt. Doing this reduces the amount of frizz and breakage.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Drying Your Hair

1
Dry your hair first. Using a flat iron on wet hair can burn it, causing more problems. Brush out your hair with a comb, then dry it using a hair dryer.
2
Before you dry your hair, use some anti-frizz serum on it. Put a small amount on your finger tips and rub your hands together, then apply it about halfway down your hair.
3
Use layering to help with drying. Thick hair can be a pain to dry without taking up a lot of time, so put it up in layers. Use either a crocodile clip or a hair tie and tie up separate layers of hair.
4
Dry the first layer, then brush it out. Once that's done, move on to the next layer and so on, until all of the hair is dry.
5
Brush out your hair once more. Make sure that all of your hair is dry.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Straightening Your Hair

1
Put your hair back up in layers using the claw clips. This will make things a lot easier.
2
Heat up the flat iron. While you're waiting, spray some heat-protectant spray on your hair, so that the heat doesn't damage it.
3
Take a small strand (no bigger than 1 inch/2.5cm) and clasp it between the plates of the flat iron. Slide the flat iron down the strand of hair, going from root to tip. Do this about three times, then move on.
4
Continue using the flat iron, pulling down layers as you finish the last layer. Continue until all of your hair is straightened.
5
Brush out your hair. Then style it as you like, or leave it as it is!

Community Q&A

Question

What if I already blow dried my hair the day before? Can I still straighten it or do I have to do that process all over again?

Community Answer

No, not really. I also have short hair that is extremely thick. The best method that I find more efficient is slightly dampening my hair or adding a touch of de-frizzing oil to my hair.
Question

What if I have thick and short hair that frizzes up when I flat iron?

Community Answer

Check out the article on How to Do a Hair Mask for Frizzy Hair . Hair masks are great for your hair, and this one should help reduce frizz.

Warnings

Make sure that the heat level isn't too hot on the flat iron.

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Don't hold the flat iron in one place on your hair for longer than a few seconds.

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