Els Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 I'd planned to get it done at a salon upon graduating from college - I have the most terrifyingly frizzy hair-tips that show very plainly when I let my hair down, my face doesn't suit a ponytail and I honestly think I'd look more professional with sleek, straight hair. I tried leave-on conditioners, hair serums, oils, etc to counter this previously - to no avail. I understand I could get the same results as a chemical straightening by blow-drying and flat-ironing my hair every morning, but the average time for my hair thickness would be around 20 minutes a day, so I've been told, and I'm not willing to spend that much time each day just for straight hair. Also, I'm so clumsy I'd probably accidentally damage my hair or burn myself. However, I did a little research and most sites claim that chemical straightening is extremely damaging to hair structure. Then again, they also claimed that hair dying, bleaching, perming, heat-styling... practically anything, really, would damage the hair. So I'm taking that with a pinch of salt. Yet, I am kinda wary about how easily damaged my hair would be after doing that. And I am frankly not the most careful person around - wouldn't like to tug a strand of hair behind my ear and find the entire strand broken in my hand. Has anyone tried it, and can comment?
sally4sara Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 My old stylist worked in a salon devoted to straight hair (mine is so stick straight and I use to wish it were curly). It is damaging to the hair; as much as a perm was when I use to get them. But since you seem fine with conditioning treatments, you might be fine. The only things I have to warn you about is finding a place that will only do your roots when touching it up instead of going over the hair that has already been treated again. It is a rip off scam to charge you more for the extra chemicals each time and it worsens the hair damage. The other thing is when a person gets a perm and it starts to grow out, it isn't as obvious as when they've had their hair straightened and it begins to grow out. You could straighten only the new growth, but it will still be somewhat obvious depending on how curly your hair is and humidity through out the day. So estimate how likely you will be able to get in for touch ups and afford the upkeep prior to getting the treatment. Otherwise, if you end up not being able to afford it when you need it, it will look really odd and you'll have to either start curling your hair everyday or cut off the straight part.
Author Els Posted May 12, 2010 Author Posted May 12, 2010 I honestly don't think that would be much of an issue as my top hair is really straight - it's just the ends that stick out in all possible directions, from chin downwards (my hair is slightly longer than shoulder-length). How bad IS the damage? I've seen my friends get them and they haven't had any complaints, but I dunno. Would you really need to use daily serums and leave-on conditioners to prevent it from turning into a disaster, or is it only necessary during the first few weeks, and then I can revert to my usual habit of just washing the hair with conditioner every day or two?
sally4sara Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 I honestly don't think that would be much of an issue as my top hair is really straight - it's just the ends that stick out in all possible directions, from chin downwards (my hair is slightly longer than shoulder-length). How bad IS the damage? I've seen my friends get them and they haven't had any complaints, but I dunno. Would you really need to use daily serums and leave-on conditioners to prevent it from turning into a disaster, or is it only necessary during the first few weeks, and then I can revert to my usual habit of just washing the hair with conditioner every day or two? I have really fine hair so the chemical damage from perms was heavier (lots of breakage at the ends and mid point) than it would be for someone with thicker strands of hair. They use the same chemicals to straighten hair as they do to perm it. I have seen it look good, but it was on someone with thicker hair strands. They also did a weekly deep conditioning.
Author Els Posted May 12, 2010 Author Posted May 12, 2010 Was it bad enough that you wouldn't do it again, though? My hair is pretty coarse and thick, definitely doesn't look fine or fragile. Otherwise, what else would you suggest in place of chemical straightening (other than flat irons)? Japanese thermal conditioning is above my budget.
CollectiveVelvet Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 You should try a Brazilian blowout. I had mine done and it went from very, very kinky to smooth, silky and straight. I think I paid $150 or $200.
laRubiaBonita Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 i think it depends on the chemicals they use to do the staightening. i used to get mine straightened- which by the way is a misnomer... i would still have to blow dry it straight. they use the lyebased chemicals, and while yes it does damage your hair, you probably wouldn't really notice the damage. perms damage the hair shaft too- as will chlorine, sunshine, heat, etc..... i will tell you the chemicals they put on my hair to straighten it would burn my scalp and other skin that it touched though
Luv2dance Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 You should try a Brazilian blowout. I had mine done and it went from very, very kinky to smooth, silky and straight. I think I paid $150 or $200. I have heard really good things about these, but around here they are $200-300. Not supposed to be damaging like chemical straightening.
sally4sara Posted May 12, 2010 Posted May 12, 2010 I looked into it further and was told by my current stylist that the damage is also relative to how heavy the curl is naturally. She says the chemicals break down the structure of the hair. A light wave won't take much to get straight resulting in less weakening due to less resistance to a straight line, but a tighter curl will have the entire shaft altered from its natural state and will be left weakened more for it. I sent her your woe (frizzy tips) and she says it sounds less like something you need a straightening process for, and more like something that can be taken care of with regular hair trims, conditioning treatments, and vitamins.
Author Els Posted May 12, 2010 Author Posted May 12, 2010 i will tell you the chemicals they put on my hair to straighten it would burn my scalp and other skin that it touched though Oh my. If so, how did they do your roots? Or they just try not to touch your scalp? I've read that there are 3 types of chemicals used - 1 lyebased (the strongest) and 2 other milder non-lyebased ones. And really, it isn't any good without blowdrying? My friends claimed they didn't need to blowdry theirs unless they wanted it pin-straight though, it was acceptably sleek and tame without. You should try a Brazilian blowout. I had mine done and it went from very, very kinky to smooth, silky and straight. I think I paid $150 or $200. Can't afford it. :/ I looked into it further and was told by my current stylist that the damage is also relative to how heavy the curl is naturally. She says the chemicals break down the structure of the hair. A light wave won't take much to get straight resulting in less weakening due to less resistance to a straight line, but a tighter curl will have the entire shaft altered from its natural state and will be left weakened more for it. I sent her your woe (frizzy tips) and she says it sounds less like something you need a straightening process for, and more like something that can be taken care of with regular hair trims, conditioning treatments, and vitamins. Thanks for the help! I do go for regular trims - but the nice state of the hair doesn't even last the week! I also take vitamins and use conditioners. Also, it isn't only frizzy, it all curls outward at the ends - like a mushroom. Heh. No frickin' idea why. Besides that, my entire hair is extremely thick, and I was hoping straightening would 'flatten' it down some, as I've noticed that post-straightened hair tends to be flatter.
norajane Posted May 13, 2010 Posted May 13, 2010 Can your stylist find another hair style that would be more accommodating to your current texture? Maybe it's the kind of cut you have that makes your hair unwieldy.
Author Els Posted May 13, 2010 Author Posted May 13, 2010 (edited) I've been going to a cheap regular stylist (15 bucks) most of the time, since I had to tie my hair up during most of my graduate program (clinical practice rules) so it didn't really matter. While she made decent cuts, she really isn't educated in hairstyling so I figure if I wanna do that, I should go get myself a different stylist. However, 'educated' stylists in my place charge about 80 bucks upwards per haircut. Would it really be worth it? I guess if she could really work miracles it would be, but I'm skeptical. Probably it's the culture too - almost every girl here has either straightened or permed hair, with very few having natural hair and actually letting it down. So perhaps it's been ingrained in me that no matter how good the stylist, my hair won't be any good natural? Hm. I have switched stylists a couple of times, and this was the best I got so far. The rest managed to make my hair look zig-zaggy even IN a ponytail. Granted they were all cheap though. Funny thing is, some of my friends went to them too and theirs looked PERFECT. Theirs was straightened and probably easier to cut though. I would take a picture of the back of my head and put it up for a short while if it would help, but I'm not sure if that would be going against forum rules? Edited May 13, 2010 by Elswyth
curiousnycgirl Posted May 13, 2010 Posted May 13, 2010 I am afraid your budget will not support what you want. I've been down this road - so I know a thing or two. The old fashioned straightening is very damaging in my opinion, and does not actually straighten to the point that you don't have to style/blow dry/pull straight when you wash your hair. I've been getting the Japanese thermal reconditioning for 6 years or so, and it actually improves the health of my hair dramatically. I AM able to walk out of the shower and let my hair air dry - and I am very happy with the results. The down side is that as your roots grow out - you will need to either blow dry or just use stronger gels. I get this done 3 times a year. My mother has been doing the Brazilian since it was first introduced in the states. She chose this one because it can be done on peroxided hairs. She swears by it. I've never considered this one because you are told to NEVER swim in a chlorinated pool again - sorry I can't do that! I have a friend who does the newer Brazilian thing, that sort of washes out in a few months. She loves it - but clearly you need to do it more frequently and your hair will become curly again. I strongly recommend you wait until you can afford the right treatment for your hair and your lifestyle. Good luck!
Author Els Posted May 13, 2010 Author Posted May 13, 2010 Grr, that's why I feel like strangling any men who say it doesn't cost much to look good! The non-thio hair relaxing process costs about 200 dollars of my currency. Japanese thermal costs upwards of 500 here (because of the converted cost). Correct me if I'm wrong though, but I've heard that thermal is also damaging, just with better-looking results?
curiousnycgirl Posted May 13, 2010 Posted May 13, 2010 My personal experience with Japanese thermal reconditioning is that my hair is stronger and healthier. I am finally able to grow it long again - for years it would break when it hit a certain length. However not all thermal reconditionings are the same. I once tried a salon that is close to my house, and I had terrible breakage and other unpleasantness. So it is imporant to get references and know where you are going. I started getting it done back when you heard prices upwards of $800 US. The salon I go to is Japanese and everyone who works there was trained in Japan. Their price has been somewhere between $250 (first time I went) and $300 (amount I pain in February) for all the years I've been going. If you are anywhere in the NYC area, PM me and I'll give you the details.
Jilly Bean Posted May 13, 2010 Posted May 13, 2010 If your hair is already severely damaged, as it is with your "frizzy tips" then ANY kind of chemical treatment is going to break that hair right off. I vote cutting off the damage, then babying your hair until it grows out again. Then you can consider a treatment once it's in better shape. But, you are right. ANY chemical treatment will be damaging, except perhaps a semi-permanent color, as that deposits color without ammonia, and therefore fills in the hair shaft, rather than stripping it.
Author Els Posted May 14, 2010 Author Posted May 14, 2010 NYCgirl: I don't like anywhere close to NYC, I'm afraid. But thanks! If your hair is already severely damaged, as it is with your "frizzy tips" then ANY kind of chemical treatment is going to break that hair right off. I vote cutting off the damage, then babying your hair until it grows out again. Then you can consider a treatment once it's in better shape. But, you are right. ANY chemical treatment will be damaging, except perhaps a semi-permanent color, as that deposits color without ammonia, and therefore fills in the hair shaft, rather than stripping it. I'm really not sure if it's damage or just my natural hair type though? I don't swim, I don't go out in the sun much, I don't heat-style my hair or put anything on it. I wash with shampoo and conditioner everyday (I know this is rather often but I live in an extremely humid and dusty country). And, once cut off the tips seem to remain okay for only a week before they get the same way again. But you're right, maybe I should try 'babying' it and see how it goes. I was considering doing a hairmask and wrapping it with a deep hydrating conditioner once a week. Any recommendations for affordable products for that? Also, would it be okay for me to post a picture of that? :/ Cause I don't know how else to describe how it looks.
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