Scootergirl, I can honestly say that Japanese hair straightening has changed my hair's life.
It's also called thermal reconditioning, and in the hands of a well-trained stylist, it actually will leave your hair in better condition than you started. And what I have found is that because my hair is straight, I'm blow-drying it less and messing with it less than ever before, which keeps it in better condition as well.
It's expensive -- plan on between $350 and $500 depending on the length of your hair. And the process is long -- between 4 and 5 hours, depending on how long your hair is. But unlike other relaxers or straighteners, the straightened hair never goes back to being curly. You will have to have the process done to your new growth, but depending on how fast your hair grows, that may just be twice a year. My hair grows slowly and I can get by with once every 6 or 8 months.
I no longer fret humidity, which still amazes me (and I've had this process done for about five years now) because my natural hair is frizzy. (If my hair was just curly or wavy, I don't think I'd bother. But it can be a fuzzy mess when left to its own devices, and I was just plain tired of messing with it.)
If you are looking for someone who does thermal reconditioning, ask how long they've been doing it. I think it makes a difference in their ability to decide how long to leave the solution on your hair.
I normally wouldn't reference web sites that sell products, but this one tells how the process works by a person who does it:
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Scootergirl, I can honestly say that Japanese hair straightening has changed my hair's life.
It's also called thermal reconditioning, and in the hands of a well-trained stylist, it actually will leave your hair in better condition than you started. And what I have found is that because my hair is straight, I'm blow-drying it less and messing with it less than ever before, which keeps it in better condition as well.
It's expensive -- plan on between $350 and $500 depending on the length of your hair. And the process is long -- between 4 and 5 hours, depending on how long your hair is. But unlike other relaxers or straighteners, the straightened hair never goes back to being curly. You will have to have the process done to your new growth, but depending on how fast your hair grows, that may just be twice a year. My hair grows slowly and I can get by with once every 6 or 8 months.
I no longer fret humidity, which still amazes me (and I've had this process done for about five years now) because my natural hair is frizzy. (If my hair was just curly or wavy, I don't think I'd bother. But it can be a fuzzy mess when left to its own devices, and I was just plain tired of messing with it.)
If you are looking for someone who does thermal reconditioning, ask how long they've been doing it. I think it makes a difference in their ability to decide how long to leave the solution on your hair.
I normally wouldn't reference web sites that sell products, but this one tells how the process works by a person who does it:
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1104.htm
And another practitioner, writing from Asia:
http://www.lamasbeauty.com/beauty/july02/Thermal_Reconditioning.htm
Here's a place to get started in checking out salons who do this procedure:
http://www.thermalreconditioning.net/portal/findasalon/findasalon.asp
If you decide to do it, come back and let us know!
January 19, 2009 - 10:43amThis Comment
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