Hair Straightening Cost Guide | Everything You Need To Know

Hair Straightening Cost 2024

Prices for hair straightening vary depending on where you are and how it is done. Is it affordable? It is, we think.

Learn more about at-home and salon treatments and how to save big.

How Much Does Hair Straightening Cost?

Do you want straighter hair? Unsure about how much it will cost to fix your hair permanently? You have many options to permanently or temporarily straighten your hair.

Hair straightening costs vary based on treatment type and location. Expect to pay as little as $5 (for an at-home relaxer) to more than $900 (for professional Japanese thermal hair straightening).

Keratin straightening treatments or Brazilian blowouts are other popular options. The cost of this procedure ranges from about $150 to $600.

But straightening methods are not only priced differently. They also have different levels of effectiveness. Some are better for certain hair types than others.

Is it worth spending $600-$900 on a treatment that may only last six months? Is it possible to straighten your hair with a $5 at-home relaxer? What are the best hair-care products?

We’ll give it to you straight in this guide. Keep reading to see the cost of each type of hair straightening treatment, how the treatments work, and their effects on your hair.

Hair Straightening Cost Guide

Depending on your chosen method, hair straightening prices can range from $5 to over $900. How can you estimate what you can expect to pay for such a broad range of services?

This will help you understand the average cost of each hair straightening treatment. Below is a list of the top three hair straightening methods and their average costs.

We’ve listed them in order from the least to most expensive. In the next section, you’ll be able to read more about each treatment, how it works, and how effective it is.

1. Chemical Hair Straightening Cost:

The chemical hair straighteners are also known as relaxers, and they work similarly to perms, and these straighteners do not create curls but loosen curls and make hair waves.

Salons that use professional-strength chemical straighteners are the most effective but cost as much as $250.

For as low as $5, you can purchase at-home chemical straightening tools with lower-power chemicals. Although they won’t straighten your hair thoroughly, these will reduce curls and minimize wave

• Low cost: $10
• Average cost: $115
• High cost: $250

2. Keratin Hair Straightening Cost:

Keratin hair treatment is one of the gentlest. Keratin is used to prevent hair curling by modifying the hair’s disulfide bond that holds it in its natural forms, such as a curl or wave.

Keratin treatments are also suitable for making hair look smoother and shinier. A keratin hair straightening procedure can be purchased at a salon for as low as $150

It is usually around $300. If your hair is exceptionally long or your stylist is a specialist in these treatments, you might pay up to $600 at a salon.

• Low cost: $150
• Average cost: $300
• High cost: $600

3. Japanese Hair Straightening Cost:

Japanese hair straightening can also be called thermal reconditioning or rebonding. This method straightens hair using powerful chemicals that dissolve the cysteine protein bond in the hair.

After the bonds are broken (between 15 and 20 minutes), the hair can be steam-treated and straightened using a hot flat iron. The hair is then given another chemical treatment to “seal”, allowing the bonds to become straighter.

This is the most expensive permanent straightening method, but it takes the longest. The treatment can be as low as $150. However, most people will pay between $300 and $600. In a salon with high-end amenities, you could spend up to $900.

• Low cost: $150
• Average cost: $300-$600
• High cost: $900

Types of Hair Straightening Treatments

Let’s look at the effectiveness of each straightening treatment, their working time, and how long they last. We will also discuss which hair types each treatment best suits and those that should be avoided.

• Chemical straighteners
• Keratin treatments
• Japanese straighteners

Chemical Straightener or Relaxer:

• Best for: Healthy, medium-to-thick coily, curly, or wavy hair; non-sensitive scalps
• Cost: $5-$250

Relaxers and chemical straighteners work in the same way as a curl-inducing perm. These chemical treatments alter or relax hair’s curls to reduce or eliminate waves.

Chemical straighteners target the hair’s disulfide bond instead of the cysteine protein links. The hair can take on a new form once these bonds have been broken.

This means you remove the curls and waves from your hair to make it straight. The professional products are stronger than the kits that come with chemical straighteners.

At-home kits are often sold as “no-lye relaxers”, which use calcium hydroxide (to break the disulfide bond) to make them work. Your stylist may use sodium hydroxide (lye) as a stronger and more effective chemical relaxer in a professional setting.

Keratin Treatment:

• Best for: Damaged or healthy thick, medium, or fine hair that is curly or wavy
• Cost: $150-$600

Keratin treatments are popular for straightening curly hair. Keratin treatments are gentle on hair, and this treatment is also known as a Brazilian blowout. Here’s how it works.

Your hair will be treated with keratin, the protein found in hair, nails, and teeth. The keratin solution will be infused into the hair to replace any protein loss.

Keratin seals the hair’s gaps and makes it smooth and shiny. The hair is straightened and smoothened by the keratin added to the bonds, causing curls, waves, or coils.

The stylist will use a hot flat iron (approximately 450 degrees) to seal the keratin solution into your hair. The solution lasts about six months, and you can use it again every 6-8 months as your hair grows.

Keratin shampoos, conditioners, and treatments can extend the treatment’s life. Keratin treatments can reduce curl by about 95% and add volume.

The extra weight of keratin-infused hair can also weigh hair down, which will hang straighter due to the added weight. This works best for hair that’s curly or wavy but not too oily.

 Japanese Straightener:

• Best for Healthy, undamaged thin or medium-thick hair that is curly or wavy
• Cost: $150-$900

Japanese straightening, thermal reconditioning, rebonding, or Yuko hair treatments are chemical and heat-based methods that straighten hair and break down and restructure hair’s cysteine protein bond.

These bonds have been broken, and the hair is straightened using extremely high temperatures (steam or flat iron). This chemical process takes approximately 15-20 minutes to break hair’s protein bond.

The hair is then heated to high temperatures using steam. This helps to restructure the protein bonds. To secure the protein bonds, the chemicals are again applied.

To finish the look, flat iron the hair at high heat. This treatment can take anywhere from 5 to 8 hours at the salon, and you will need to return to the salon after 72 hours to complete the last steps.

It may not be effective for all hair types, and the effect can last up to six months and cause more damage than other straightening methods. It should not be used on chemically treated hair.

Comparing Hair Straightening Cost and Effectiveness

We’ve talked in-depth about the three most popular methods for permanently straightening hair:

• Chemical straightening (relaxing)
• Keratin hair straightening (Brazilian blowout)
• Japanese hair straightening (thermal reconditioning)

While these are all comparable in terms of their effectiveness and cost, some outperform others. 

Chemical straightening treatment

The most cost-effective of all the hair straightening options are chemicals. An at-home chemical relaxer kit can remove curls from your hair for as low as $5, and effectiveness is the tradeoff.

An at-home kit is cheaper than a salon, but they use calcium hydroxide rather than lye. These are less effective than salon-grade lye-based relaxers, but they’re gentler on the scalp.

Keratin straightening treatment

The United States is very fond of Keratin straightening products. They work well and are affordable, and they last for six months and can add shine and smoothness. This is why they are often used on curly or very thick hair.

They are suitable for hair with damaged hair because they don’t cause as much damage as Japanese thermal straightening or relaxers. We consider keratin treatments to cost in the middle of the range, starting at $150 and going up to $600.

Japanese straightening treatment

Internationally, Japanese straightening techniques are gaining popularity. These methods combine heat and chemicals to straighten hair. However, clients may not be satisfied with the results because different chemicals are used.

This method works best for curly hair, wavy hair, and hair that is not too tight and winding. It does have a soothing effect; even on hair, it doesn’t 100% straighten.

The cost of a chemical relaxer can last up to six months, and it is usually priced at $150, but it can go as high as $900. Chemical relaxers are the best way to style your hair for a long time; however, they can cause hair damage similar to perms or hair colors.

Keratin treatments are affordable, especially for those with short hair. They can also be used on damaged hair, and Japanese straightening techniques aren’t always effective and won’t work on all hair types.

We think that keratin straightening treatments are more expensive than they are, and this is because of the great results and the six-month guarantee.

Is Hair Straightening Safe?

Yes, Hair straightening can be done by licensed and highly-experienced beauty professionals. Straightening your hair is both an art and science. When you want to straighten your hair, it is best to consult a professional.

Every hide is unique, and a professional will be able to tell you the pros and cons of each option. They will be able to advise you on the best hair straightening method for you.

Your permanently straightened hair can be touched up by a beauty professional as it grows. Your roots may need to be retouched every 6-8 weeks as your hair grows.

Hair Straightening Pros

Let’s look at some of the benefits that hair straightening methods offered:

• Permanent hair straightening can improve the texture of your hair and make it look smoother. Your hair will appear silkier and softer, and you will be very attractive with silky-smooth hair after the treatment.
• This treatment is not recommended for any particular gender or age group. Permanent hair straightening is available to anyone, from any walk of life to all ages. To reap the benefits of permanent hair straightening, you only need to have a large amount of hair on your head.
• Keratin hair straightening will give your hair a lot of nourishment. Keratin, a protein found naturally in hair, is present, and Keratin is an effective treatment that many people swear by.

Hair Straightening Cons

Hair straightening does make the hair look amazing but it has its own set of side effects and cons. Let’s go through some of those:

• A highly skilled professional is required to perform permanent hair straightening. You will need to wait if you don’t have the finances for this treatment.
• These solutions can be very scented, so it is best to dry your hair and keep it away from moisture, sweat, and water for at least a few days. You will be able to inhale the chemicals for a long time after the treatment, and others around you will also be exposed.
• Hair breakage is widespread after having your hair professionally straightened. Chemical solutions can damage hair and make it appear flat, and you may lose your natural curls.
• You will have a tough time styling your hair and it will take more time in drying. This will stop happening once your new, untreated hair starts to grow.
• Nearly every hair straightening product contains Formaldehyde, and Formaldehyde is known to be a carcinogen. Exposure to side effects can occur by inhaling or applying the product to your hair, irritating your eyes, nose, or skin.
• You are mistaken if you believe your “all-natural” hair straightening products will not harm you. Many products that claim to be free from formaldehyde or natural are filled with the same chemicals, which can turn into formaldehyde once heated. Many hairs straightening products made from keratin have high levels of formaldehyde that pose a health risk to consumers.

The Final Verdict

Remember that “permanent” doesn’t necessarily mean “forever.” It refers to the length of one life cycle for a person’s hair. Talk to the experts in hair styling to determine which treatment is best for you.

Every person dreams of having beautiful, straight hair. Although hair textures can vary from one person to another, it is best to have fun and experiment with the process. To get your hair shiny and straight, talk to your stylists.

FAQ’s About Hair Straightening

How long does a permanent straighten last?

How do I keep my hair permanently straight?

Olivia Davis

I am a beauty and hair specialist. I have been a hairstylist for nearly 4 years now. And love to explore different salons and their features. As a result, I decided to create a blog that tells people about the various salons and their pricing, services etc.