Never before have we
had so many questions on a particular type of product. But it's
official! The word is out that there is a revolutionary new way
to straighten your hair permanently but not many people know about
it yet so hopefully we can shed some light on the process.
Often referred to as "Japanese
style straightening" or "Thermal straightening"
because a flat iron is used and the hair is super heated as part
of the process, the revolution is not so much in being able to
get your hair straight but the amazing condition it leaves your
hair in. Having seen this process done and checked out some of
the results I'm definately impressed, something not so easily
done as I've seen just about everything there is to see in the
world of hair care.
Curly, wavy or frizzy hair is left
looking healthy and your hair stays smooth and needs little or
no blow-drying. Of course, like with anything the actual results
you get are still about the skill of the person performing the
straightening.
Who can have it?
- Almost
anyone with curly, wavy or frizzy hair who wants it straight
(but Afro hair is too strong a curl for this type of product
at the moment but I have been told that they are working on
a formula for this hair type too).
- Even if
your hair has previously been coloured, highlighted, bleached
or permed it is still possible as long as the condition is good.
If you are not sure as to what constitutes good then make sure
the hairdresser does a strand test first.
Who can't
have it?
- Those of
you with afro hair as mentioned or extremely curly hair which
you cannot garanteed to get perfectly straight.
- Japanese
style straighteners can't be used over the top of previous straighteners
that are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide
based or chemical relaxers. In general you are not going to
know whether your last straightener was of this type but if
you can remember back to having it done a tell tale sign is
if your hair was shampooed twice at the time. Basically sodium
hydroxide straighteners require you to shampoo your hair and
then have a lotion applied then have it shampooed again. They
are also often referred to as 'lye' straighteners.
- A test
strand should be performed prior to trying this so that the
hairdresser can see how your hair will respond. If they turn
around and say it won't work for you or the condition of your
hair is not up to it, then it's best to believe them!
- 3 to 5
hours of your time! To see whether it is worth spending this
long in a salon, ask yourself how long it takes you to blow-dry
your hair straight and do the maths.
- $AU200
to $AU800!! Yes, it is expensive mainly because of the labour
involved. Shop around for best prices and make sure what is
included in the price you are quoted, sometimes there are add
ons that should be included i.e. a treatment or the cut. Some
salons offer all the home care products and a follow up blowdry
free as part of the initial cost, so shop around.
- The process
involves the initial use of a lotion applied to your shampooed
and treated hair, followed by hours of perfect flat ironing
with special, very hot irons and finally a naturalising stage
where your hair is rinsed or air oxidation as mentioned. I've
never been a fan of the smell of straighteners but these have
little or no smell to speak of.
Things to consider.
- If you
colour your hair you will experience a small degree of fade.
- You can't
shampoo your hair for 48 to 72 hours and should avoid any humidity
i.e. steamy showers or exercise.
- If once
you have straight hair and you hate it, you can perm after 7
to 14 days to make it curly again (but permed hair is not the
same as naturally curly hair).
Maintenance.
- You must
follow the after-care advice and use recommended products to
maintain the condition of your hair.
- If you
have very curly hair, your new growth will need to be done quite
frequently (every 4 months) and you should budget for this cost
(generally less than initial charge). If your hair is only a
little wavy you can go between applications for far greater
lengths of time.
© VirtualHairCare
|
