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General Relaxing Faqs
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Part of the popularity of chemical relaxing stems from the fact that
the effects are more lasting. The day to day straightening options
often do not last from shampoo to shampoo.
Typically a strong relaxing treatment will last up to 6 months
depending on the hair's texture and growth. Most experts agree
that hair should be relaxed no more than every three months. While
relaxing may make hair more manageable and easier to control,
one misstep can cause terrible hair damage as well.
Avoid relaxing hair and then coloring it at the same time. This can
be very risky for the hair. If you absolutely must color and relax your
hair in the same time period it is best to relax the hair first and then
wait 2-4 weeks before color is applied.
What The Experts Say About Hair Straightening
While I was writing this article I talked to three hair care experts with
tons of experience in dealing with curly and unruly hair that might be
a prime target for straightening treatments. Their comments are
included for reference.
Antonio Soddu of CurlFriends
Antonio Soddu has been working with curly hair for years.
Recently this naturally curly headed hair mastro created his Curl
Friends line to help people with curly hair deal with their hair and
enjoy it. Although Antonio is not against people straightening their
curls if that makes them happy, he is more focused on helping
people really have fund with the curls that they were born with.
Curl Friends is a comprehensive system of high quality hair care
products that provide special conditioning needs for any degree of
curly, dry or unmanageable hair for men, women or children.
Recognizing that environmental factors play a significant role in the
condition of your hair, Antonio designed seasonal and
climate-specific products, which make curly, dry or unruly hair a
thing of the past. Curl Friends conditions and repairs hair that has
been overexposed to chemicals or the natural elements.
Barbara Lhotan Senior Educator For Paul Mitchell Systems
Barbara Lhotan is considered to be one of the top senior
educators for Paul Mitchell. She has worked on several major
fashion runways with Internationally known models. She is the
co-author and stylist of the best selling 5 Minute Updo book.
Although Barbara has had extensive experience with long hair, she
also works extensively with curly hair or any type of hair that "is a
major challenge". Barbara loves Paul Mitchell's relaxing treatment
for curly hair, thick hair that needs form and movement and
out-of-control waves.
Although Barbara definitely believes in using the Mitchell
straightening system she also warned against people with
previously damaged hair hoping for a miracle. As Barbara
explained, healthy hair can take a mild form of straightening with no
damage. However, previously fragile or chemically damaged hair
can become even more damaged and suffer from some serious
long term recovery issues.
Ouidad - Queen of Curly Hair
Ouidad is considered to be the queen of curly hair. Not only does
she have her own natural curly hair, she has spent many years
devoted to creating products and techniques that provides her curly
haired clients with options to control their own hair.
Using herself as a test subject and drawing upon her chemistry
background, Ouidad developed an entire line of protein and
vitamin-based products designed to revitalize and control curly hair.
Her first product, Deep Treatment was a smashing success.
Ouidad personally told me she does not recommend chemical
relaxing of curly hair. It is "a chemical process which can damage
fragile curly hair." However, if people are willing to "rebuild their hair
first and relink the hair chain" they can eventually have their hair
professionally relaxed without major damage.
She cautions that "any chemical relaxing must be done by a
professional." She also points out that chemically relaxed hair will
definitely "require extra special aftercare."
Ouidad uses a special trick for chemically relaxing hair. She "whips
up a mixture of a milder sodium hydroxide with a conditioner. She
explained to me that "the addition of the Deep Treatment brings
down the pH factor and results in a healthier much softer treatment."
Summary
Chemical straightening actually rearranges the basic structure of
overly curly hair so that is straight. There are three basic types of
chemical hair relaxers. These formulas range from the heavy duty
sodium hydroxide and the less intense ammonium thioglycolate or
"thio" formula. Guanidine hydroxide relaxers are referred to as the
"no-lye" relaxers.
Although some people do choose to straighten their own hair at
home, to prevent damage and burns to the skin and scalp, it is
strongly recommended that this process be performed by a
professional with a prior record of straightening experience.
Once hair has been chemically straightened it requires extra
special care to overcome the effects of the drying chemicals.
Relaxed hair will require deep conditioning treatments at least 1-2
times a week. Be sure to use a good detangling product and to
use a wide toothed comb to detonable from the ends of the hair to
the roots.
While straightening will offer a new range of hair styles, it should not
be undertaken lightly because it may damage the hair and it will
require a new commitment to post relaxing conditioning and special
hair care.
Chemical Hair Straightening Faqs Part 1., Introduction
Chemical Hair Straightening Faqs Part 2., How The Chemical Is Applied
Discuss this topic with others right now at the Salon Discussion Board!
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