Thermal reconditioning is also known as the famous Japanese hair straightening treatment. It is the process by which you can get sleek, smooth, and pin-straight hair. You just have to visit a permanent hair straightening salon with any hair texture and within a few hours, walk out with straight hair. But is it bad for your hair? Here are some things you should know about thermal reconditioning.
What Is Thermal Reconditioning?
Thermal reconditioning or Japanese hair straightening treatment, is a very popular hair straightening treatment that includes the use of a hair straightening treatment as well as heat to give you that sleek and very pin-straight hair.
Japanese hair straightening was a very common hair straightening treatment back in the day, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t anymore. If you want to get really straight and sleek hair and want to free yourself from the worry of styling your hair on a daily basis, then this treatment is perfect for you.
Thermal Reconditioning Process
Here is what you can expect during a thermal reconditioning.
- First things first, you’re going to start out with washed hair. You have to wash your hair before the treatment, otherwise you won’t be able to do so after the fact. You want the hair to be untouched and unwashed after the treatment.
- Then, the main treatment is applied to the hair. It is known as a cysteine treatment and it is left on the hair for about 20 to 30 minutes max. After that, it is washed off the hair. This treatment helps to break down the hair protein and it makes the hair very straight and sleek, ready for the next step.
- After the cysteine solution, the hair is also nourished with several other treatments to keep the mane looking and feeling soft and prevent further damage. The cysteine solution can be damaging to the hair, so this step is imperative in order to prevent damage and make the hair look better in the end. If this step is skipped, then the hair can end up looking lifeless and dull.
- Then, the hair is straightened by using a flat iron. It is set at a relatively high heat, but for damaged hair, it can be 180 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent heat damage to the already dull mane. The hair is straightened in order to set the results of the treatment in place and it is also done to ensure that the hair is straight and sleek. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness of the hair. So, you want to sit patiently and let the technician work their magic.
- Then a neutralizer treatment is applied. The purpose of a neutralizer is to ensure that the hair doesn’t react with any of the other treatments and get damaged. It neutralizes the hair and balances the pH levels in the hair, which can go haywire when you apply one treatment after the other on the mane.
- Then, the hair is once again washed and the neutralizer is removed after a period of 10 minutes.
- Lastly, the hair is blow-dried straight and you’re pretty much finished. You now have sleek and straight hair.
Benefits Of Thermal Reconditioning
Permanently Straightened Hair
This is one of the most beneficial things about thermal reconditioning treatment. This treatment makes the hair super glossy and shiny, and it also leads to very straight hair that doesn’t need a lot of styling. The best part? It is also very much permanent, well, as long as you take good care of the hair.
This is why you have to ensure that you’re maintaining the hair right and using products meant for treated hair. That is going to lead to the best results and you will love the way your hair looks. If you have curly, coily, or frizzy hair, then thermal reconditioning will turn the look of your hair around.
Less Styling
This is also another very great benefit of thermal reconditioning and it is the fact that you don’t have to regularly style your hair. Your hair is straightened and all you need to do is brush it out and walk out the door.
You don’t need to pull out the styling tools and brushes to make your hair look beautiful and ready for the day. It is pretty much all done for you. You just need to give your hair a fluff and you’re good to go.
Plus, you think your hair appear too thin or flat after straightening, you can get extensions from a hair extensions salon Rockville for a thick and fuller mane.
Downsides To Thermal Reconditioning
It Can Cause Damage
Thermal reconditioning can be damaging to the mane. Think about it – you’re using treatments that break down the natural structure and texture of your hair, and then you’re topping things off with heat. Even if they’re not as damaging to the hair, they are still going to leave your hair feeling a bit dull and dry.
You definitely don’t want to change the way your hair looks. This is why you need to take care of the hair after the fact and ensure that you’re doing everything you can to restore the damage.
Hair May Appear Thin
Straight hair doesn’t have a lot of volume. You may not like your poofy, curly hair right now, but when your hair is straightened, the volume will drop significantly too. So, if you love the look of straight hair but also volume just as much, then this is going to be a tough decision to make, because you do want to make the hair straightened and sleek, but you also don’t want to let go of the volume.
So, with thermal reconditioning, the hair will be very flat and if that is not what you like, then you’ll have to go for something else that won’t sacrifice volume or look for ways to add volume to your hair. But before using any method, ask a hairstylist if this is fine for your treated hair.
Touch Ups Are A Must
Even if thermal reconditioning is a permanent hair straightening treatment, that doesn’t mean that you don’t even need to touch your hair up again. If you’re lacking in the maintenance department and you’re seeing that your hair is getting slightly frizzy after a couple of weeks, then you have to go ahead and get your hair thermally reconditioned again.
The frequency of the treatment will determine the degree of damage. So, you don’t want to do it too much. This is why it is recommended that you take care of the hair after the treatment, because if you don’t, then you’ll have to make your hair go through this turmoil too frequently.
Is Thermal Reconditioning Bad?
Well, yes and no. Yes, in the sense that the treatment does use harsh chemicals and heat, and you know when your hair is exposed to these things, it won’t be the same.
On the flip side, it is a great way to reduce the frequency of styling your hair on a daily basis, which is just as damaging. So, it is a very variable question and the result will depend on how you take care of the hair after the treatment.
Conclusion
Thermal reconditioning is a great way to get a straight and sleek mane, but it does come at the expense of damage to your hair if not applied or maintained correctly. So, you have to choose a reliable Japanese hair straightening salon Rockville for the treatment and care for your hair afterwards.