F A Q
WHAT IS THERMAL RECONDITIONING?
Thermal Reconditioning is a revolutionary straightening treatment that makes the hair perfectly straight, smooth, silky, and glossy by restructuring the actual bonds of the hair. The practice, (which originated in Japan and has been available in the United States for about six years), has been featured in nearly every fashion magazine including In Style, Allure, Vogue, Marie Claire, Jane, Woman's Day, Cosmopolitan, Self, Oprah, Lucky, Glamour, and Elle. The treatment produces dazzling results that can last from six to ten months. Best of all, hair that has been previously treated will remain straight forever; only your re-growth will need touch-ups! Please take some time to browse this site. Our message board and photo galleries are updated regularly, so you can see for yourself how amazing this treatment really is!
What other terms are synonymous with Thermal Reconditioning?
Japanese Hair Straightening, Japanese Straightening,
Ionic Retexturizing, Thermal Restructuring,
Rebonding, Thermal Reconstruction.
What will my hair look like after the treatment?
In a word, gorgeous! It will be pin straight, very shiny, and incredibly silky to the touch. It will move beautifully and feel lighter, more alive. Your days of "helmet hair" will be over.
Can the treatment damage my hair?
Not if it's done by a well-trained, knowledgeable, experienced, Thermal Reconditioning professional. We can't emphasize enough how important this is. Please do not consider bargain hunting for this procedure - unless, of course, you are comfortable with baldness as a fashion statement.
What sort of hair damage might I experience as a result of a bad treatment?
If the stylist is not properly trained - or if he/she is inexperienced and not fully knowledgeable about the various products and techniques - you may see breakage, or even worse, spot-balding. This almost never happens with a qualified, competent stylist in a reputable salon. Tip: Don't be afraid to ask how long they've been doing Thermal Reconditioning and how many treatments they've performed.
You don't want to be one of their "guinea pigs."
Why are the old type of relaxers so damaging to the hair?
Most relaxers contain corrosive ingredients such as
Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Lithium Hydroxide,
Calcium Hydroxide etc. These ingredients corrode the hair
to the point where it is able to be straightened, but leave the hair feeling like straw and the curl returns rather quickly because these products "wash out" over time.
What kind of hair is suitable for Thermal Reconditioning?
All hair types can be treated.
What if I have short hair?
Your hair must be at least 4" long all around in order to be successfully treated. Obviously, if you're planning to maintain a short style, you will be cutting away some rather expensive hair on a regular basis. Also, you may need more frequent re-treatments because your new growth will be more noticeable than it would be with a longer hairstyle. Put simply, short hair and Thermal Reconditioning can be happy bedfellows, but are not a good match for the cost conscious among us!
Does it matter that I color my hair?
Tints and semi-permanent hair color that deposit color are not a problem.
After treatment, will I still be able to color my hair at home?
Since over-the-counter hair coloring products contain chemicals that can damage the hair, we recommend that you pitch your rubber gloves and assign this messy chore to a skilled professional who thoroughly understands the science of coloring Thermally Reconditioned hair.
What if I have highlights?
Highlights can be very tricky because some areas of the hair have been bleached and therefore may process more rapidly than the rest of the hair. To ensure against over-processing these delicate areas, the solution must often be rinsed out sooner than what would be ideal for the darker strands. As a result, the darker hair may not "take" properly. A prior consultation with your stylist is necessary to determine if Thermal Reconditioning is advisable in your case.
What if I bleach my hair? Is that OK?
Not usually. Hair that has been bleached is usually quite fragile and may not be able to withstand the treatment. A thorough consultation with your stylist is imperative and may include pre-testing. This involves cutting a few strands of hair to make sure that there are no surprises. Any good stylist should be happy to perform this test for you.
What about Henna?
A test strand should be performed to verify compatibility with Thermal Reconditoning solutions.
not usually a problem.
Will I still need to blow-dry my hair after the treatment?
Sometimes yes, but just tousling the hair to get the moisture out - a process that usually takes less than five minutes instead of the 45 minutes you've been spending! Some people will not need to blow-dry at all. In most cases you will not need any kind of brush.
After treatment, will I need special products to care for my hair?
Generally speaking, we believe that products specifically formulated for Thermally Reconditioned hair are best because they contain the specific ingredients and PH balances to keep your hair looking its very best between treatments. Basically, much depends on what hair care products you are using currently. If you wish, your stylist can discuss this issue with you during the initial consultation.
How many companies offer Thermal Reconditioning products?
The three main competitors are:
• Yuko Systems - manufactured by Yuko Systems-Japan
• Liscio - manufactured by Milbon Co.
• Bio Ionics - manufactured in the U.S.
How long will the Thermal Reconditioning treatment last?
Every single strand of hair that was treated will remain straight forever but your new growth will require re-treatment every four to six months. Some stylists offer a "Partial Reconditioning" to treat the part line (where you normally part your hair) and the area around the hairline. This makes it possible to go longer between full treatments because the roots underneath are less noticeable than top growth.
How much does Thermal Reconditioning cost?
Typically, from $300-$1000 depending hair length, thickness, amount of chemical processing already present in the hair, and, of course, the stylist's experience.
Why is it so expensive?
In contrast to more commonly known procedures, Thermal Reconditioning is a very lengthy process, which takes between three and six hours to perform. Because so many complex, intense, and time-consuming steps are involved, stylists can do a few each day - hence, the high cost. You find a salon willing to perform the service for less, but beware: this is an extremely difficult treatment and those who charge less often lack the proper training and experience.
When I get the new growth retreated, do they do all my hair again?
No. Only the new growth is treated: the other hair is usually protected with oil or a conditioner to prevent the solution from saturating the previously treated hair. If there is still curl or wave in the previously treated hair, solution may be applied, but only briefly.
Does treating the re-growth cost less?
Not usually, because the same amount of time is involved
with the re-touch.
Can Thermal Reconditioning be reversed?
Yes, and you can do it yourself - in the privacy of your own home! All you need is a pair of scissors. Simply snip off your sleek, lustrous, impeccably straight locks and let your "old hair" grow back in!