Water reverts straightened hair because the chemical bonds responsible for holding your hair in its new, straight shape are sensitive to water and can temporarily be disrupted, allowing your hair to return to its natural curl pattern.
The Science Behind Hair Straightening and Reversion
To understand why water causes straightened hair to revert, we need to look at the structure of hair and the processes involved in straightening it.
Hair Structure: Disulfide and Hydrogen Bonds
Hair gets its shape primarily from two types of chemical bonds:
-
Disulfide Bonds: These are strong, permanent bonds that determine the natural curl pattern of your hair. Permanently straightening or curling hair requires breaking and reforming these bonds, typically through chemical treatments.
-
Hydrogen Bonds: These are weaker, temporary bonds that are easily broken and reformed by changes in moisture. They play a significant role in how hair responds to humidity and water.
How Straightening Works
When you straighten your hair using heat (like a flat iron), you're primarily manipulating the hydrogen bonds. The heat breaks these bonds, allowing the hair to be reshaped into a straight configuration. As the hair cools and dries in this straight position, the hydrogen bonds reform, temporarily holding the hair straight.
Water's Role in Reversion
Water disrupts the newly formed hydrogen bonds. Water molecules interfere with these bonds, breaking them down. With the hydrogen bonds broken, the hair loses its straight form and reverts back towards its original, natural curl pattern.
Factors Affecting Reversion
Several factors influence how quickly and completely straightened hair reverts when exposed to water:
- Humidity: High humidity contains a lot of water vapor in the air, which can break hydrogen bonds and cause frizz and reversion.
- Hair Porosity: Highly porous hair absorbs moisture more readily, leading to faster reversion.
- Hair Type: Some hair types are more resistant to straightening and more prone to reversion than others.
- Products Used: Certain hair products, such as anti-humidity sprays, can help protect the hair from moisture and prevent reversion.
- Technique: The quality of the straightening job itself plays a role. Properly straightened hair, using the right techniques, may hold longer.
Preventing Hair Reversion
While completely preventing reversion is difficult, here are some tips to minimize it:
- Use Anti-Humidity Products: These create a barrier that repels moisture.
- Apply Heat Protectant: This protects the hair from heat damage and helps seal the cuticle.
- Straighten in Small Sections: This ensures that each strand is thoroughly straightened.
- Consider a Keratin Treatment or Relaxer: These treatments permanently alter the hair's structure, making it more resistant to reversion. However, consider the potential damage before committing to such treatments.
- Wrap Hair at Night: Wrapping hair helps maintain its straightness and prevents it from absorbing moisture.
In Summary
Water reverts straightened hair by disrupting the temporary hydrogen bonds that hold the hair in its straight shape. Understanding the science behind this process can help you take steps to minimize reversion and maintain your desired hairstyle.
