Japanese Hair Straightening: How Long Does It Last and Is It Right for You?
What if you could remove the tedious daily hair straightening ritual from your morning routine? Do you envy those lucky straight-haired people who don’t have to spend precious time to smooth down the frizz and unkink their unruly locks?
Japanese hair straightening can give you the change you’ve been wishing for. Replace the time you’d otherwise spend fixing your hair with something you enjoy, like sleeping! Enjoy the convenience of having straight hair without fighting for it.
Chameleon Salon explains the technique of Japanese hair straightening, what factors determine its outcome, and who is or isn’t a good candidate for this method of styling.
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How Long Does Japanese Hair Straightening Last?
Japanese hair straightening, also referred to as “thermal reconditioning,” is a chemical treatment invented in Japan in the 1990s. It is performed to remove all frizz, curls, and waves from hair. The process breaks the bonds that constitute curly or wavy hair structure and creates new bonds for completely straight hair.
The results are permanent for the hair treated. Chameleon Salon performs complete Japanese hair straightening treatments and retouches. Call us today to schedule a consultation and find out if you’re a good candidate.
3 Factors That May Affect the Outcome of Japanese Hair Straightening
Several variables can influence how your Japanese hair straightening treatment turns out. First, you’ll need to do your research to make a good choice of stylist because if the treatment is done wrong, you may have irreversible damage on your hands. A competent stylist will be sure to complete every step of the process in order and with the appropriate tools and ingredients.
If you comply with the guidance of your stylist after treatment, you can trust that the treatment will last as long as it’s meant to. Don’t let just anyone perform this treatment on your hair. For best results and to avoid damage, see a professional at Chameleon Salon.
#1: Your Stylist
Clients should always look for stylists who are certified in cosmetology and very experienced. Don’t choose a stylist without perusing other customers’ reviews first to make sure the person performing a permanent and complex treatment on your hair knows what they’re doing.
You might even want to visit a stylist’s salon a few times before entrusting them with such a high-stakes service. Go there for a trim or temporary style to see how well they do and whether you feel comfortable around them.
At Chameleon Salon, our goal is to make our clients feel comfortable and welcome, regardless of gender or body type, and meet all their hair styling wishes.
#2: The Process
You must attend a consultation before getting a Japanese hair straightening treatment. This is to ensure you understand all the implications involved, such as how you will need to care for your hair after treatment and its irreversible nature.
As for the treatment itself, it is critical that all steps are done properly and in the correct order:
A cysteine solution is applied to break down the bonds in the hair. It works within 20 minutes.
A conditioning treatment nourishes the chemically-treated hair and helps prevent breakage.
The hair is reshaped during a blow-dry/flat iron process into a straight bond instead of curly. This part of the process is the most time-intensive because only small sections are straightened at a time. It may take hours.
A neutralizer is applied to restore the hair’s pH balance and so the hair “remembers” the new shape created.
#3: Aftercare
Remember these three important restrictions:
Moisture: Extra care must be taken for the first two or three days following treatment to keep your hair out of humidity or rain. You should also avoid showering or exercising vigorously enough to sweat. Any moisture could make your hair return to its original texture. This is because the hair is still undergoing oxidation and water will shield oxygen from your hair.
Pressure: Avoid putting any pressure or tension on your hair to avoid impressing kinks into it. For example, don’t tie your hair back with a rubber band, tuck it behind your ears, or manipulate it in any way. If your hair is affected, such as when you sleep, you can use a flat iron at a very low temperature to straighten it back out.
Color: Do not color your hair or have any other chemical treatments on your hair for at least two weeks. Use shampoo and conditioner products that are recommended by professionals for chemically treated hair to avoid damage.
Are Retouches Required To Make Japanese Hair Straightening Last?
The hair that is initially treated will never need to be treated again — it will stay straight until it is cut. Any new growth, however, will need to be treated to match the rest of your hair.
A stylist needs two to three inches of hair to carry out a retouch treatment. Depending on how quickly your hair grows, you may only need to get your hair retouched every six to twelve months.
What To Expect From Japanese Hair Straightening
Following treatment, you will enjoy hair that is completely straight, smooth, and shiny with significantly less frizz. However, there are some things you need to do to keep your hair in good condition:
Avoid too much direct sunlight.
Avoid swimming in chlorinated water.
Perform a deep condition once per week.
Avoid hairstyles that involve too much tension.
Use a sulfate-free shampoo.
Hair Types, Textures, and Conditions Unsuitable for Japanese Hair Straightening
If your hair is already damaged or weakened, it’s best to avoid Japanese hair straightening, as it could cause further damage and, perhaps, hair loss. Hair can be weakened by:
Bleach or other lightening treatments
Overstyling
Heat damage
Henna
Keratin treatments
Some hair textures will take less favorably than others to Japanese hair straightening. If your hair is thin, fine, or already smooth, a keratin treatment may be more appropriate for you. For best results, discuss your hair’s prospects after Japanese hair straightening with a stylist in a respectable salon.
Get Smooth, Straight, and Stunning Hair With Japanese Hair Straightening With the Certified Professionals at Chameleon Salon
Whatever your cosmetic needs, Chameleon Salon has a stylist who can serve you. We have served the Portland area for over 13 years, growing our styling staff to 18 members.
The Chameleon Salon difference lies in:
Our use of ceramide- rather than dimethicone-based chemicals in the neutralizing solution to straighten your hair. Ceramide is more nourishing and safe for your hair.
Our acceptance and encouragement of your gender-affirming styling needs.
Our ability- and size-inclusivity. We have accommodations such as a wheelchair accessible entrance and extra-wide salon chairs.
Besides Japanese hair straightening, our stylists also provide the following services:
Hair cutting
Styling and extensions
Color
Keratin treatments
Balayage
Blonding
Updos and wedding hair
Color correction
Blowout services
Call us today to schedule an appointment and learn how Chameleon Salon can best serve you.
