Hair Smoothening: Does It Cause Hair Fall?

Hair smoothening can make hair look straighter, smoother and easier to style. However, the process uses chemicals and heat, which can affect the condition of the hair shaft.

The key is to understand where the change is happening. If the hair is snapping along its length, the problem is breakage. If complete strands are coming out from the scalp, the cause may be different.

What Happens To Your Hair Strand During The Smoothening Process?

During the hair smoothening process, chemical products and heat are used to change the shape and texture of the hair. The treatment is applied to the hair, followed by drying and heat styling to set the desired finish.

The process can affect the hair in a few ways:

• Changes the hair texture: The treatment alters how the strands sit, making them look straighter and smoother.

• Smooths the outer surface: The hair feels less rough and becomes easier to comb and style.

• Uses heat to set the result: A flat iron is commonly used as part of the treatment.

• Can stress fragile hair: Hair that is already bleached, coloured or damaged may be more prone to dryness and breakage after chemical processing.

Can Smoothening Affect Your Hair Roots?

Yes, hair smoothing can affect your roots if the chemical keratin treatment products reach your scalp rather than remain on the hair strands. The risk is even greater if the product is applied too close to the skin, left on for too long, or used over cuts or injuries on the scalp. 

The products may also irritate sensitive scalps and cause inflammation or rashes. And with excessive heat, the treatment can create chemical burns and enough inflammation to damage nearby hair follicles.

However, if the products stay on your hair shaft, it can cause hair breakage (mid-lenght hair breakage). This is due to weaked hair strands and it is not the same as and hair loss or shedding from the roots (follicle-level detachment).

How Can You Tell If It Is Hair Breakage or Hair Fall?

Short, uneven pieces usually point to breakage, while complete strands coming from the scalp are more consistent with hair fall. 

Comparing the physical characteristics of shed hair strands helps distinguish between hair breakage along the shaft and true hair fall from the follicle:

Note: Chemical processing or chemical shock to the scalp can trigger shedding 2 to 3 months post-treatment. This is stress-induced hair fall which is also called telogen effluvium and it generally resolves by itself.

What Are the Signs of Hair Damage After Smoothening?

Hair damage after smoothening usually shows up as changes in texture, strength and manageability rather than sudden hair fall from the scalp. 

Post-treatment structural damage to the hair typically shows itself through specific changes in the hair shaft:

• Increased dryness: The hair feels rougher than it did before treatment.

• More breakage: Strands snap more easily during brushing or styling.

• Split ends: The ends begin to split or look thinner.

• Loss of natural texture: Curly or wavy hair may behave differently after repeated chemical processing.

• Rough or uneven lengths: Some areas may feel more damaged than others.

How Should You Care for Hair After Smoothening?

After smoothening, focus on gentle washing, regular conditioning and less heat to reduce additional stress on the treated hair. Follow the product instructions for your exact washing schedule.

To protect weakened protein bonds in the hair structure and minimise ongoing hair breakage, follow these post-treatment hair care practices:

• Use a gentle shampoo: Choose a shampoo that cleans without leaving your hair feeling excessively dry.

• Condition the lengths: Apply conditioner mainly from the mid-lengths to the ends to reduce friction during detangling.

• Use a conditioning mask when needed: A hair mask can improve softness and manageability but cannot repair severely damaged strands.

• Limit additional heat: Reduce the use of straighteners, curling tools and high-heat blow-drying.

• Handle wet hair gently: Use a wide-tooth comb and avoid vigorous towel rubbing.

• Trim severely damaged ends: Removing split ends can improve the appearance and manageability of the lower lengths.

Important Note - Avoid adding several new treatments immediately after smoothening. Give the hair time to adjust before introducing more chemical or heat-based services.

How Can You Reduce the Risk of Damage From Hair Smoothening?

The condition of your hair before treatment plays an important role in how it responds to further chemical processing. 

Before booking your treatment, follow these steps:

• Tell your stylist about previous treatments: Mention bleaching, colouring, relaxing or previous smoothening.

• Check the product: Ask which formula will be used and follow its recommended application process.

• Avoid treating fragile hair repeatedly: Hair that is already breaking may need a break from chemical services.

• Do not increase the heat yourself: The stylist should use the heat setting appropriate for the product and hair condition.

• Choose a well-ventilated salon: Some hair-smoothing products can release irritating fumes when heated.

• Avoid DIY chemical treatments: A hair smoothening at home procedure can be difficult to control when it involves strong chemicals and high heat.

Note: Formaldehyde or related chemicals released during heat processing contribute to scalp irritation and inflammation

When Should You See a Dermatologist for Hair Fall?

Persistent hair fall after smoothening should not automatically be blamed on the treatment. A dermatologist can examine your scalp and hair and help determine whether the concern is breakage, increased hair fall or another scalp or hair condition.

Consider seeing a dermatologist if you notice:

• Persistent hair fall: Hair fall continues or keeps increasing after the treatment.

• Visible thinning: Your parting looks wider or more scalp becomes visible.

• Sudden patches: Bald patches appear without an obvious cause.

• Scalp symptoms: You develop persistent itching, redness, pain or burning.

• Ongoing breakage: Hair continues to snap despite reducing chemical and heat treatments.

Take Care of Your Hair Beyond Cosmetic Treatments

Hair smoothening can make hair easier to manage when the treatment suits its condition. Gentle washing, regular conditioning, less heat, and enough time between chemical treatments can help maintain the result while reducing stress on the strands.

Smoothening should make your routine easier without forcing you into a cycle of repeated correction. When you choose the service according to your hair’s present condition and support it with a suitable routine, you stay in control of the cosmetic result.

Noticing persistent hair fall after a hair treatment?

 take Traya’s Hair Test and explore a personalised care plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my hair falling after smoothening?

Hair may appear to fall because chemicals and heat weaken the shaft, causing breakage during washing, brushing, or everyday handling rather than genuine root-level shedding.

Can a smoothing treatment cause hair loss?

Yes, a smoothing treatment can contribute to hair fall if it irritates or burns the scalp. More often, however, the visible strands result from breakage.

Is 100% hair fall normal?

No. Losing all or nearly all your hair is not normal. Sudden or extensive hair fall requires prompt assessment by a dermatologist to identify the cause.

References

1. Hatsbach de Paula, J. N., Basílio, F. M. A., & Mulinari-Brenner, F. A. (2022). Effects of Chemical Straighteners on the Hair Shaft and Scalp. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2021.02.010

2. Bloch, L. D., et al. (2019). Chemical and Physical Treatments Damage Caucasian and Afro-Ethnic Hair Fibre: Analytical and Image Assays. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15761

3. Fernandes, C., Medronho, B., Alves, L., & Rasteiro, M. G. (2023). On Hair Care Physicochemistry: From Structure and Degradation to Novel Biobased Conditioning Agents. Polymers. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15030608

4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Do You Have Hair Loss or Hair Shedding? American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/shedding

5. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Hair Loss: Who Gets and Causes. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes

6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products: What You Should Know. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/formaldehyde-hair-smoothing-products-what-you-should-know

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