Professional hair straightening treatments offer a professional solution to smoothen out frizz in your locks and decrease daily styling time, often with lasting effects that could last several months or years depending on which treatment option you select.
Professional straightening options available today range from keratin treatments and Japanese thermal reconditioning, as well as hair rebonding. While some of these treatments can be purchased as home kits, others require professional application at a salon.
Keratin Treatment
Keratin, a natural protein found in our bodies and hair products, helps smooth our strands for less frizz and gives your locks a shiny, sleek appearance. Keratin treatments typically last six months when done at a salon and usually involve using products made with it to smooth hair strands.
Keratin treatments aim to smooth the cuticles on your hair to stop them from lifting and creating frizz, before sealing with heat from a flat iron set to 450 F. Keratin treatments can be considered safe when used appropriately, however overexposure or swimming in chlorinated or salt water could damage them over time.
Some keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, which is detrimental to health when inhaled, though there are now alternatives that don’t contain formaldehyde such as those utilizing glyoxylic acid for sealing. If you smoke or use permanent hair straighteners regularly, certain keratin treatments could increase your risk for certain forms of cancer; it is therefore wise to discuss risks and benefits with your stylist prior to opting for such a procedure.
Japanese Thermal Reconditioning
If you want sleek and straight locks, Japanese Thermal Reconditioning may be just what’s needed to achieve that look. This professional in-salon treatment employs a thio-based chemical and heat to permanently transform curly, wavy or frizzy locks into pin-straight locks.
Starting with a consultation to ascertain that this hair straightening method is appropriate for you and your individual hair type and texture, your stylist will apply solution to each section to break down natural bonds of each section before flat ironing and neutralizer application to “lock in” this new structure.
Japanese Thermal Reconditioning produces smooth, kink-free hair with incredible shine, lasting for six months or more. Unlike keratin treatments (also known as Brazilian blowouts) which only smooth the surface, Japanese Thermal Reconditioning alters internal bonds to achieve stick-straight strands – an extremely long lasting straightening treatment!
Hair Rebonding
Hair rebonding is an intensive in-salon chemical process that uses powerful formaldehyde chemicals to reshape your hair’s alignment into a pin-straight texture, according to Wiley. He recommends it as an ideal treatment option for people with curly or wavy locks as it straightens more of the natural texture than traditional keratin treatments can.
The process typically lasts 3-8 hours, depending on your hair density and length. After washing and shampooing your locks, your stylist applies relaxant on each section using plastic boards before steaming, rinsing and blow-drying your strands before finally applying keratin lotion as part of a final step.
Ideally, when considering rebonding as an option it’s best to refrain from getting your hair wet for three days after using bond-strengthening products so they have time to set and stabilize. Also be prepared for frequent touch ups and maintenance products if this option is chosen; when making this decision consider your willingness and capability of upkeeping this look.
Brazilian Blowout
Brazilian Blowout is an innovative new technique for quickly and safely smoothing frizzy, unruly locks in less time than with traditional keratin treatments. Not only will this treatment prevent split ends from appearing but it will also give hair an healthy shine that promotes an alluring, polished appearance.
Traditional keratin treatments use formaldehyde to produce smooth results; the Brazilian Blowout uses an alternative formula that produces silky and frizz-free results without the health concerns associated with formaldehyde use. While it can be safe for all hair types, it’s essential that your stylist understand your expectations and discuss any special considerations when selecting products to ensure the optimal experience for you.
Formaldehyde-free Brazilian Blowouts do not emit toxic fumes during their application, making them safer for both clients and stylists. ChemRisk conducted air testing of salons that use Acai Professional Smoothing Solution or Brasil Cacau Cadiveu which were found to release high levels of formaldehyde during blow drying process at levels higher than OSHA’s 15 minute STEL limit – in addition, these salons did not provide their customers with a valid Proposition 65 cancer warning warning.
