How to fix wavy hair after straightening

Straightening your hair can be a fun way to switch up your style.

But if you have naturally wavy hair, heat styling can sometimes leave your waves looking limp, dry or uneven when you try to bring them back.

That’s because straighteners work by breaking down the hydrogen bonds in your hair to change its shape.

Over time, this process can weaken your strands, strip away essential moisture and disrupt your natural wave pattern.

Without the right care, your waves can lose definition, look flat and feel brittle.

And if you keep reaching for the straighteners to “fix” the look, you risk causing even more damage.

Don’t worry your waves aren’t gone for good!

With the right care, you can revive them and get them looking bouncy and healthy again.

Read on to learn how to fix wavy hair after straightening.

Repair and restore

If your waves are feeling particularly dry or brittle, treat them with a bond-repairing treatment like Merwave’s Repair & Restore Plex Treatment.

Formulated to target and mend broken hair bonds caused by heat styling, it helps strengthen from within while leaving your waves soft, smooth and frizz-free.

Apply it to damp hair after shampooing, leave for 30 minutes or longer, then rinse out.

Used weekly, it can dramatically improve elasticity and help your wave pattern spring back faster.

Deep condition

Straightening can leave your hair dry.

Treat it to a Deep Conditioning Mask once or twice a week.

This will help restore softness, shine and bounce.

Apply the mask starting at ends and work towards the scalp.

Leave it in for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

Encourage your wave pattern

When your hair is damp, scrunch it with a lightweight styling foam or Wave Cream.

This will help coax your natural wave pattern back into shape.

You can also try the “plopping” drying method: wrap your damp hair in a soft cotton T-shirt or microfibre towel for 15–20 minutes.

This helps waves form without frizz.

Give your hair a break and be patient

After straightening, your hair needs time to recover.

Put away the straighteners and curling irons for a while to let your natural pattern reset without more damage.

If you can, avoid blow-drying too. Air-drying will reduce further heat stress.

It may take a few washes for your natural waves to fully bounce back.

Stick to your wavy hair routine and avoid heat where possible.

If you do straighten again, always apply a heat protectant spray and keep the temperature as low as possible.

Prevention is the best way to keep your waves healthy, defined and strong.