How to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat in 5 Minutes? (6 Ways)

If you are anything like most women, you would love to have glossy straight hair that seems to shine with an inner light. Unfortunately, straightening curly hair involves damage – either by heat and sometimes also chemicals – and other methods can take hours if not days to produce appreciable results. This makes a lot of people ask the often-asked question, i.e. how to straighten your hair without heat in 5 minutes or something around this time. 

Luckily, there are many techniques and tricks you can use to straighten your curly hair without damaging it. Granted these will not give you the pin-straight, glassy results that an iron will, but they will give you hair that is markedly straighter than it was.

Table of Contents:

• Part 1:How to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat
• Part 2:DIY Hair Straightening Masks
• Part 3:BONUS TIPS

How to Straighten Your Hair Without Heat

1. Blow dry with cold air

If you’ve mastered a straight, sleek blowout, switch it up and try out your hair with cool air instead. Once your hair is about 75% dried, section like you usually would. Just flip your hair drier to the “cool” setting and finish it off using the low, even heat from your roots all the way down to your ends. This won’t take too much longer, but keep a straightening serum, spray, or even better, a leave-in conditioner, handy if there are any stray hair strands.

2. Roll with plastic rollers

Invest in large plastic rollers (over 1 inch in diameter). These can give you a look of slightly straight-wavy hair with lots of volume and gloss without the use of any heat. For this, divide your hair into small sections after you have showered. Use the rollers on your damp hair before bed or anytime you can leave them for around 3 to 4 hours. These might take some skill to get used to, but experts highly recommend these if you have medium to long hair.

3. Use straightening products 

Try one of the hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, leave-in treatments, and styling products that aim to nourish and straighten your hair. You could also try out some products specifically formulated to smooth your hair or make it more manageable.

Serums formulated for hair-smoothing and leave-in conditioning treatments infused with keratin help coat each of your hair individually, thus somewhat weighing the hair down. This can help in taming frizz and curl to leave you with more naturally straight-looking hair.

4. African threading

African threading is a traditional method of stretching hair that involves tightly wrapping yarn or thick thread around small sections of hair to stretch it by creating tension. To do this, section off your damp hair into parts, and begin to wrap yarn — or any thick thread — around each section of hair, from the roots down to the ends. Keep the thread in the hair until it’s fully dry, then remove the yarn and use a wide-tooth comb to carefully detangle your hair.

The following methods might take a little longer, and maybe even a whole night, but they’re incredibly effective and involve minimal effort!

5. Wrap your hair

Wrapping your hair in a specific way is a popular method for achieving straight hair without heat, but many aren’t familiar with this technique. Fortunately, there are countless YouTube tutorials on wrapping your hair since it’s a method that works for many different hair types.

You will require bobby pins (roller pins that are three inches long), and a satin scarf or turban for wrapping hair. Divide the top section along the hair part and smooth it out using a fine-tooth comb. Gently pull your hair tight and fasten it to the side of your head opposite its natural parting. Repeat these steps for every section of your hair. Now use a hair turban to secure it before going to bed.

6. Sleep with your hair wet

If the thought of sleeping with a hair wrap and set of rollers in your hair each night to achieve your desired straightness is a wee bit daunting, there’s a much easier way. Before you turn in for the night, a very loose ponytail at the crown of your head with a hair band. 

Tuck your ends into the band to form a loose bun and fasten with a hair tie. We suggest investing in a satin pillowcase if you sleep with damp hair. This can help take even more of the friction against your hair while you sleep and straighten it better.

DIY Hair Straightening Masks

Hair products can do wonders for your hair, but they don’t necessarily have to be expensive. Your hair can also deeply benefit from homemade hair masks to make it look even smoother and shinier. These natural hair masks help replenish the proteins in your hair which can make it look smoother and less frizzy.

Milk and honey mask

• Milk: 1 cup
• Honey: 1 tablespoon 

Mix both ingredients well. Work it through the length of your hair strands with your fingers. Put a plastic shower cap on for 1 hour so the product gets to penetrate well on your hair. Once done, rinse out with water. To get the best results, at least do this once or twice a week.

Milk and egg mask

• Milk: 2 cups
• Egg: 1 

Break and blend the yolk thoroughly with a fork and whisk well into the milk. Dip your hair and let it soak for at least 10 minutes. Now curl your hair in a bun and cover it tightly with a plastic wrap. Let it stay for another 30 minutes and rinse the product off with cold water. 

The plastic film works for you in two ways: it keeps your hair moisturized while the mask is working, and the heat that builds up inside helps the mask give better results.

Coconut milk and lemon mask

• Coconut milk: 1 cup
• Lemon juice: 6 tablespoons
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons

Mix all the ingredients in a microwaveable bowl. Pop it in the microwave for around 20 seconds until the mask just begins to mix well (this speeds up the process so it’s easier to mix). Stir, then pop it back in the microwave again for another 20 seconds repeat until it is a smooth consistency. Once it’s cooled slightly, smother it all over your hair, making sure you’ve coated every lock. Leave for at least an hour (the longer the better), then rinse out with water.

Aloe vera gel and coconut milk

• Aloe vera gel: 5 tablespoons 
• Coconut milk: 2 tablespoons
• Honey: 1 tablespoon

Combine the ingredients well. Apply to hair and leave in for at least 2 hours. Wash hair with a gentle shampoo. 

Rice flour and milk

• Rice flour: 4 tablespoons 
• Milk:  2 tablespoons 
• Honey:  1 tablespoon

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until it makes a batter. Put this into your hair and leave it in for at least 2 hours – or overnight if you can. Rinse it out with regular shampoo.

BONUS TIPS

• Wash your hair in cold water rather than hot to reduce frizz, making it straighter naturally. 
• You can train your hair to lay flat while it dries by wearing a hat. If you have longer hair, you may have to be adjusted and secured by twisting, tucking, and pinning to cover every inch of your head. 
• Consider drying your hair partially with your hairdryer on its cool setting and then coil and pin it against your head as you sleep. 
• Keep your hair’s natural moisture and smoothness by using hot oil treatments. The heat and saturation of hot oil will help to relax your very lightly wavy and curly hair. Natural oils like olive, sesame, or coconut oil will work wonders.

Final Words

Getting hair that looks sleek, straight, and beautiful is not an impossible task – you can even have the hair of your dreams without using heat or chemicals. But if you are not satisfied with the tips you have read, you could talk to a professional hair stylist for advice on natural hairstyles or opt for salon treatments that will help you achieve a sleek look without heat damage.

Your hair can learn to fall in a certain style from frequent styling; yet, too much styling damages hair and can cause hair loss. While you are at it, remember to let your wavy hair express itself from time to time. Ultimately you do what makes you confident and make sure to be gentle with yourself, whatever way you decide to go.