Japanese Hair Straightening Treatment

Dem - don't do it!!!!! My boss did it a couple of years ago (and her hair wasn't as curly as yours) and her hair looked like sheeit for like a year. The only time it ever looked passable was when she had it professionally blown out. It's expensive as heck and is hard on your hair. DON'T DO IT!

In my humble opinion, anyway.

Rachel - That's what I'm afraid of. Do you mean that her hair looked damaged and frizzy??
I am soooo sick of my hair! I want it straight and darker!!!

My sister gets TR done and her hair doesn't look fried at all. She used to get the regular straightening treatment and TR definitely makes her hair look healthy.

Here's a before and after shot:

Just so no one gets confused, there are two dif types of hair straightening treatments..

there are chemical straightners and then there is the japanese (yuko) straighteners....

here are some facts I've pulled up for you hun...

1. Q. Is Japanese hair straightening and thermal reconditioning the same treatments?
A. Yes. The hair is permanently straightened and reconditioned or repaired, simultaneously, through compressed thermal heat generated from a flat iron. The compression and heat transforms the hair into a straight configuration. The ironing process, which can take several hours, also seals previously applied proteins and conditioners into the hair, leaving the hair, soft and glossy.


2. Q. My hair has been colored and highlighted. Will thermal reconditioning work on my hair?
A. Yes. However, the highlighted sections are treated differently from the non-highlighted sections. For example, the highlighted areas might require a milder processing solution, shorter processing time, additional proteins/conditioners to repair/protect the strands, and a cooler temperature applied during the ironing process than would be required for non-highlighted areas. I customize every straightening treatment to address each client's unique hair type and condition. The majority of my clients have colored and highlighted hair. The results have been fantastic.


3. Q. Explain the thermal reconditioning process. What does it entail?
A. Thermal reconditioning includes a two-step chemical process, a flat-ironing segment and continual infusion of proteins/conditioners into the hair. First, an alkaline straightening solution is applied and removed when the hair reaches its optimal elastic state. Second, quarter-inch sections of hair are meticulously flat-ironed throughout the head. This process simultaneously straightens and repairs each hair. Third, a chemical neutralizer is applied to 'set' the hair in its straight configuration. Fourth, the hair is rinsed, blown dry and flat-ironed to a straight, glossy finish. The entire process can take an average of 5 hours. Extremely tenacious, thick, long hair could take longer to complete.


4. Q. I am pregnant and plan to breastfeed. Will it be safe for me, and my baby, to have my hair permanently straightened?
A. According to the producers of the thermal straightening treatment, there has been no scientific evidence that shows this process could be harmful to mother or baby. However, I encourage you to consult your physician. I would be happy to provide your specialist with information he or she might find of value.


5. Q. I am Afro-American, and my friend is bi-racial. We both have used lye-based relaxers on our hair. Would this be a problem if we wanted to get our hair permanently straightened using Japanese technology?
A. First, it would be safe for both of you to engage in thermal reconditioning or permanent hair straightening. However, just as in highlighted or other chemically-treated hair, special precautions would be taken to address the condition of this hair. For example, the virgin re-growth of each strand would require a longer processing time than its 'sister relaxed' segment. Likewise, the virgin growth might require higher heat compression temperature than the previously relaxed portion.


6. Q. How does thermal reconditioning differ from traditional relaxing methods?
A. Good question. First, traditional relaxing methods only relax hair, which eventually 'snaps back' to its original configuration: these methods do not, unlike thermal reconditioning, permanently straighten the hair. Relaxers are often lye-based with a Ph ranging from 10.0 to 14.0. In contrast, thermal reconditioning Ph hovers at a consistent 9.0, give-or-take.
Second, unlike traditional 'paste & comb' relaxing methods, thermal reconditioning requires the infusion of proteins/conditioners to maintain the hairs' integrity; it require the use of heat compression (i.e. flat iron) to realign the hair bonds into a permanently straight configuration; and it leaves the hair, straighter, glossier and healthier-looking compared to its predecessor.


7. Q. How long should I wait to shampoo or color my hair after a thermal reconditioning treatment?
A. Wait 48-72 hours to shampoo or wet your hair. Wait two weeks to color or highlight your hair. Because the hair will become more structurally porous-not visually porous-following thermal reconditioning, I recommend using a lower volume peroxide to touchup previously thermal/highlighted hair, and using 1-2 shades lighter than before when choosing an all-over color. However virgin re-growth can endure 40-volume high-lift color/bleach. Inform your regular stylist about the structural change in your hair so he or she can compensate for this when you have your color touched up.


8. Q. What qualifications/background should I look for when determining if a hair stylist has undertaken adequate training to perform Japanese hair straightening or thermal reconditioning?
A. First, the stylist needs to be a licenses cosmetologist. Second, the stylist should have been educated by at least one out of three global leaders/providers of permanent Japanese hair straightening technology. These include: Yuko System, Liscio Thermal Reconditioning and Bio Ionics Retexturizing System. All three have created straightening systems that give optimal results when used correctly.
Caveat: various companies have developed inferior 'copies' of the 'Major-3' systems hoping to capture the 'lower-end' market share. Rest assured that a percentage of salons will embrace this option.
Again, I encourage you to seek stylists trained in Yuko, Liscio or Bio Ionics systems. I have been trained by each of the 'Major-3' in order to provide my clients with optimal education, service and results, because I care.


9. Q. What can I expect to pay for thermal reconditioning and how long will it take?
A. My base fee for this service is $400. My 'package' includes: makeup and hair design to complement the 'transformed' you, and a roll of before/after photographs mailed to you. In all fairness to you, I require an in-salon consultation to help you determine whether this is the treatment for you. At this time I will flat-iron your hair to give you a 'visual' as to how permanent straightening would look like on you.
For the record, nationwide, fees vary on average from $400 and upward to $1,000-plus for the same head of hair.


10. Q. Will I need to use special shampoos and conditioners following this process?
A. I always advise clients to use quality support products on their hair. Following a thermal reconditioning treatment, I recommend using products designed by one of the leading providers/educators: Yuko, Liscio or Bio Ionics. Since these companies created the 'Major-3' Japanese hair-straightening systems, their products provide the best follow-up care. I have select items from these lines available to you upon request.

11. Q. What is the history of thermal reconditioning? I've recently become aware of the treatment.
A. Thermal reconditioning or Japanese hair straightening emerged in Japan about nine years ago. Since, Yuko System, Liscio Thermal Reconditioning and Bio Ionics Retexturizing System ha

WOW Jenny! Your sister looks fabulous! Does she still have to blow it out though? To get it that shiny and straight?

Thanks for the info Marcella - am I understanding correctly that thermal reconditioning is better for your hair than Japanese?

Also - what about when it starts to grow out? Do they then only do the roots (as with color) or do they have to recondition the whole head of hair?

My co-worker just had this done and it looks amazing. Her hair was very long with spiraly S shaped curls and it is now smooth and sleek.

She was especially happy the other morning when it was humid and foggy...not a bit of frizz all day.

She said that as her curly hair grows in, the salon would just treat those roots (kind of like touching up a color that starts to grow out).

I've been curly my whole life, and I'm seriously considering doing this!!!