Is Chemical Hair Straightening
The Best Choice For You? |
| Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright - All
Rights Reserved |
| Original Publication: 10/09/09 |
Introduction
Over the years the process of chemical straightening hasn't
changed but the name and description has. Hair straightening
is often presented as Japanese Hair Straightening, Yuko hair
straightening, Ionic Straightening or some other marketing label.
Even though the name for hair straightening has changed the
truth of the matter is that chemical hair straightening is still
basically the same as it has always been. And no, it was not
originated in Japan.
It has been around in the United States long before the Japanese
straightening trend set the country on fire with the arrival of Yuko
Japanese straightening in California.
There is a tremendous amount of misinformation on the Internet
about chemical hair straightening, which by the way is different
from chemical relaxing and Brazilian smoothing.
Much like permanent hair coloring, once you submit your tresses
to permanent chemical straightening there's absolutely no way to
alter the course for many months, if not years.
Chemical hair straightening, whether called Yuko, Ionic, Japanese
or whatever, utilizes extremely harsh chemicals which in essence
break the bonds of your your native born texture and then reform
them into straight panels.
The modern version of chemical strengtheners also utilize heated
flat irons which range in temperature up to 450 degrees. You
are first breaking your hair down, reforming them and then frying
your hair at high heats.
Yes, the hairdressers say it's fabulous and your will love your
stick straight strands. But will you? If you have already had
your hair chemically straightened and loved it, you may actually
like having your hair straightened. If you haven't, you need
to really take your time and do your research.
Virgin Hair Is Best But It's Rare
In today's hair conscious world people start highlighting,
lowlighting and coloring their hair as early as 8 years old.
In the world of baby beauty pageants even young girls who are just a
few years old have had their hair highlighted or low lighted.
The big loophole for professional hairdressers is to insist that
chemical straightening only be performed on "virgin" hair.
In fact, chemical straightening performed on hair which has been
previously colored, highlighted, lowlighted or relaxed can sustain
significant damage.
Although some hair pros say it's OK to chemically straighten hair
that was "minimal" prior chemical services, it is the exception
rather than the rule.
If a hairdresser pressures you to have chemical straightening
treatments and you are unsure, run for the door. Always get at
least three different opinions from three different hairdresser at
three different salons.
Why am I so radical about chemical straightening? I have
received many emails over the years from angry, sad, depressed,
frustrated people who are trying to recover from years of hair
damage due to chemical straightening treatments.
Is Chemical Straightening Ever OK?
I believe that everyone should wear their hair whatever length,
color and texture that makes them feel good about themselves.
If someone has been struggling with naturally curly hair for years
and really believes chemical straightening is the best solution for
them, I encourage them to follow their hears.
However, I do ask they do their research so they go into the
treatments with their eyes wide open and their strands fully
prepared.
Will Chemical Straightening Damage Hair?
Chemical hair straightening except in rare cases will damage the
hair. It also can not be reversed so that you can instantly
recover your natural curls or waves. You will have to wait for
your hair to grow out at the roots to return to your natural
textures.
Also, you may need to have the chemical straightened hair cut off
if you decide not to have the roots retouched with chemical
straightening solution.
Before You Take The Plunge Into Chemical Straightening
I recently consulted with a young woman (Kim) who had very
tightly curly hair without any chemical treatments for the past five
years. She felt her tight curls were keeping her from being
attractive. She personally just didn't like her curls, even
after joining the "love your curls" movement.
She has a long thin face and was unhappy because her natural
curls would extend past her chin when dry. She wanted a
fringe, she wanted straight strands and she believed her only option
was chemical hair straightening.
I suggested she do the following things before proceeding:
1. Make a detailed list of the reasons she wanted her hair
chemically straightened. I told her to add up the Pros versus
the Cons. In her case, the Pros won. She wanted to
continue her journey.
2. Make a list of all her questions about her hair and whether
she is a good candidate for chemical straightening.
3. Find the three best chemical hair specialists in her city
(Kansas City)
4. Schedule paid consultations (it's important to pay for a
consultation to avoid undue pressure to arrange for a treatment)
with each of the chemical hair specialists to discuss the pros and
cons of having her hair straightened. Ask for a list of
possible side effects.
5. Do research online to read feedback from other hair
consumers who have had hair straightening.
6. Wait at least two weeks before making a final decision to
move forward with straightening. This is to guarantee that you
are going into straightening with lots of thought and not as a whim.
7. Schedule the straightening at a salon that could offer
exceptional air ventilation or the option to wear a special mask.
8. Make sure to schedule the first chemical straightening
treatment of the day.
9. Pay with a credit card so that she could get her money back
if the treatment failed and the salon wouldn't return her funds.
Chemical Hair Straightening Results
Kim found three salons that specialized permanent hair
straightening and she selected the one she liked best. She
made the first appointment of the day and submitted herself to the
salon for Japanese thermal reconditioning, another name for chemical
hair straightening.
The entire process took almost six hours in the salon but she was
initially happy with the results.
It has been two months since her initial treatment and so far she
has very little root re-growth. Her hair grows very slowly and
she was advised it might take up to six months for her roots to grow
to a length requiring retouch.
She has reported her hair is extremely dry and brittle but she
still enjoys the straight strands including her fringe.
Would she do it all again? Yes. At least at this
point.
To counterbalance the dry damaged tresses she uses a daily spritz
of hair oil spray and applies a jojoba based oil to her ends.
She also has learned to dilute her shampoo and deep condition on a
weekly basis.
What Would The Curly Girls Say?
There is a huge movement, at least in the United States, at this
time, to love your curls, waves and kinks. The natural curl
and natural hair movement is against utilizing chemical
strengtheners, relaxers or smoothers to alter the natural texture of
the hair.
Ultimately everyone is responsible for finding the hair
treatments for their hair which makes them feel good about themself.
Would the Curly Hair Guru's agree? Maybe, maybe not but it
doesn't matter. At the end of the day it's important to do
your own research, go into any hair treatments fully aware of the
potential damage and outcome and then follow your own heart.
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