Japanese ION Hair Straightening

I need to get my hair straightened again. My hairdresser charges me $3500 for the process which includes Japanese Treatment & a cut. Do you think it's a bit expensive?

My friend had her hair straightened by Robbie at The Firm, he did a fantastic job, best she has ever had. She said they had a promotion happening, I think it cost about $1800 inc the treatment, try giving them a call, she is very happy.

What is the name of the BEST brands / products for hairstraightening..

What is actually the Japanese "ION straightning" process ?

Thanks for all your advices...

Just a few stupid other Q about straightening...

1) In Europe people are all raving about the 'YUKO' straightening process, which "seals in" protein / moisture into the hair while straightening it...

However, nothing here is advertized as the Yuko process.... so i guess it comes by another name... What would be the equivalent, in your opinion ?

2) What is the difference (or advantages) of the ION straightening system compared to non ION ones ?

3) Can you name a few straightening products i can actually ask for directly in a hair salon ? Would you recommand Japanese, US or Euro brands ?


Thanks in advance...



THanks inn advance

m.

Hi Douglas,

Thanks for your time to answer all these questions. You're very dedicated and believe in what you do very much...... very inspiring!

I did end up going to get my hair straightened again. They did a great job, but I find it difficult to maintain that at that price, especially when the locals tell me they only pay about $500 for the complete job.

I know and understand that hair types are very different. Mine is particularly difficult to manage, so I couldn't deal with any complications.

I once went and had a cheap straightening job done & I spent over a year trying to grow it out and get it back to life again. It was very damaged and burnt out!


Douglas, can you please tell me why we shouldn't use the silicon stuff on straightened hair?


Where can I get the Cystein Protein stuff from?

Is Cystein the brand name?


Thanks!

People do keep in mind that the straightening products now have a variety of formulations meaning that one brand say 'ion' can have 4 formulas for different hair types. Originaly there was only one type but many of the 'better' companies have created versions for all different hair types. It would be good to ask the salon or stylist what type of solution they are using or at least for what hair type. If they say there is only one for all hair types then I would be a little worried.


Many things to consider when having this done so its good to ask alot of questions. Lots of good advice from Douglas there which is very helpfull.

Thank you Douglas, D-man & the others for your advice.

Now, researching the forum, i've found a discussion where merits of plates v. blowdry for "straightening" the hair during the permanent straightening process, to avoid the too straight / unlively / lank hair effect.

1- Can the hairdresser actually blow dry straight the hair during the process of permanent straightening instead of plates, and not "ruin" the hair (thought they were made fragile by the chemicals breaking the cystein bonds) ?

2 - Which one shall i prefer, to have very straight but still lively looking hair (like all those hong kong / japanese ladies, with "natural" straight hair....

Thank you so much guys, especially the hair experts....


Eventually, a HK Chinese colleague of mine, who straightens her hair (did touch them before to check that they were not damaged or anything), brought me to the place she goes to, local place, affordable for my budget (straightening with Wella products + extra nourishing treatment for about 600 HKD, including tips - don't know if you have to in HK, but i did...). In fact i had so much talked about straightening my hair and my fears, etc. that she booked in an appointement in as well as for herself (little unexpected, as i had a friend gathering the same evening, but i did not miss the chance of the "guide").


The pros :

- nice job, hair so smooth and silky i can't believe it : better that any brushing i

have ever had

- the master always tries the elasticity of hair before and many times (like 5 or 6 times) throughout the process + they spread the product application over time, so as not to spoil the end of hair which are more porous


The cons :

- As never had hair straightening before didn't know whether i should or not have some "volume" on the top / sides, they advised me top a bit only : now, i think a bit of sides would have been nice as well, as a "normal" brushing - anyway since hair will grow, i'll get the volume back at the roots in a month or so..

- Haven't washed hair yet, will update tomorrow about after shampoo result, but should be ok because after last moisture treatment, master hairdresser just dried hair with hairdryer and fingers


- Warnings :

- I have very thick hair (i mean each hair strand is thick - Indian hair) and had been using organic shampoo & mask & conditionner w/o silicones for a while, so my hair were in good condition

- Language can be an issue.... fortunately colleague was there & one attendant had been studying in Australia for 4 years (working there during her school break),

- Spent 4 hours in a salon.... most of it without my specs on (= not able to read) - should have put on lenses or brought music.... (colleague just had a trimming, so left before me)


Conclusion :

Rather happy with the result, but :

- Would never have tried it with thin European hair, as not sure they are used to deal with it (+ was the only no Chinese non Cantonese speaking person in the salon)

- You need to know what you want, technically speaking, as they are not used to what we, in Europe, mean by "straight hair" compared to what Chinese people mean by "straight" hair....

Therefore, if you can afford it, try to save money for a while, to go first to a more expensive salon used to westerners vocabulary & western hair.

Sorry guys, i've been out of town/ busy for a while...

My hair are still great, but need conditionner or mask after shampoo...

otherwise, it's just a matter of wash and go : i don't even comb them after leaving the house, and they look so nice once naturally dried .... (less straight than when leaving the hairdresser, more like "natural" western straight, which is great).

Am definitely happy about it !

(Much more than when i had my hair "straightened" in Paris a few year back, where they did not really master the technique, and just applied a Carlson Softshine relaxing mixture on my hair on 20 min, then wash & mask, that really dried my hair....but that's a different story)

Douglas


I wonder if u would be kind enough to contact me directly? My hair is a source of frustration. It is naturally wavy in parts but not everywhere. The texture I am told is a cross between Asian and Western hair (huh?).


I am tired of the way it looks now and am on the verge of changing the look entirely. which would involve CUTTING 4 inches off, perming, and later, colouring. OMG.

i want to ask the schwarzkopf glatt???what is this ?is someone can tell me?