How to Maintain your Hair after Japanese Hair Straightening

Last Updated on January 3, 2023 by Gaga

What is Thermal Reconditioning?

Japanese Hair Straightening, also known as Thermal Reconditioning, is a permanent hair straightening treatment developed for those who want to spend less time styling their hair. The treatment works by using a combination of heat and chemicals.

Once you’ve got a Japanese straightening treatment, your hair requires little or no effort to get it looking completely straight. However, that doesn’t automatically mean your straightened hair doesn’t still require appropriate care. Your treated hair must be properly maintained to overcome the effects of chemicals and to prevent it from getting dry and brittle.

What Aftercare Is Required Within the First 72 Hours?

Woman brushes thermally reconditioned hair

The first 72 hours after receiving a Japanese hair straightening treatment is critically important. During this time the hair must not get wet in any way, whether it be due to shampooing, rain, swimming, or sweat. Skipping exercise during these 72 hours is highly recommended. This waiting period gives the treatment time to set in your hair.

Also, avoid putting any type of product in the hair, which means no hairspray, mousse, gels, wax, shampoo, or dry shampoo. Keep your locks as straight as possible and avoid tucking the hair behind your ears or pulling it into a ponytail. The use of hair accessories must be avoided as well as wearing hats, glasses, etc.

If your hair gets wet or bent, you should blow-dry and flat-iron the affected area immediately with a flat iron at a low temperature.

Long Japanese straightened hair

How to Take Care of Japanese Straightened Hair?

It is important to follow the instructions provided by your stylist and carefully protect and treat your newly straightened hair until the next touch-up. Swimming should be avoided for the first couple of weeks, as the hair mustn’t come into contact with chlorinated pool water during this time. Excessive exposure to the sun must also be avoided, in the first days after the treatment, which means wearing a hat when you are out in the sun.

Thermally reconditioned hair absorbs less moisture and dries more quickly. You don’t need to blow dry your Japanese straightened hair to maintain a straight look. You can blow dry it if you want to get the moisture out quickly. The blow-drying will take less than half the time it previously did. It would be best to use a dryer with a ceramic heating unit and tourmaline-infused inner components. Keep the hair dryer at the right distance and use a diffuser attachment to disperse the airflow.

Use only gentle hair accessories to avoid breakage. Avoid using hair elastics and look for more hair-friendly hair ties.

Some shampoos and conditioners (like sulfur-based anti-dandruff shampoos) have adverse effects on chemically straightened hair. It is important to use shampoos and conditioners that are specifically formulated for Japanese straightened hair to help maintain the quality of the treatment and keep your hair healthy.

Comb the hair with a wide-tooth comb to gently remove the tangles. Use a thermal heat protector when blow-drying to prevent heat damage. Use only a natural bristle brush and blow-dry in a downward drying motion to close the cuticle and prevent stripping moisture from the hair.

To revitalize your thermally treated hair, make sure to give it a protein-rich deep conditioning treatment once a week.

Thermal Reconditioning and Hair Coloring

Those who want thermal reconditioning but also want to color their hair shouldn’t do the coloring before they get their hair straightened. Hair that has been bleached and color-treated hair that’s damaged should not receive thermal reconditioning. For highlighted hair, the hair should only be highlighted up to 50 percent. Those who have hair that’s already color-treated, but not bleached or damaged, may get their hair thermal reconditioned, but the results they get may vary.

Find a reputable salon and consult a specialist to make sure that this straightening procedure is right for you. You will receive a pre-treatment to tell if it works for your hair type and condition. The outcome depends on what type of chemicals was used and how many coloring or highlighting treatments your hair has been through.

When coloring hair that has been straightened using the Japanese method, it’s important to wait at least four to six weeks after receiving the treatment to apply the color. Consider gentle, ammonia-free hair color. It’s a good idea to skip the at-home hair coloring kits and have the color done professionally. You must inform your hair color technician that your hair has been chemically straightened before receiving color service. You also want to make sure that the technician understands the effects of color on Japanese straightened hair.

Your colorist may suggest upgrading your hair color service with Olaplex or other bond-protecting products to preserve the integrity of your hair.

To keep the rebonded hair looking sleek and shiny, consider the cellophane hair treatment. This treatment uses hydrolyzed proteins and silicone polymers to seal the cuticle layer and keep your hair smooth and beautiful. You can do this treatment every 3 months to exchange hair color and maintain a high gloss shine.

Shampoos and Conditioners for Thermally Reconditioned Hair

This post contains links to Amazon. The publisher may get paid if You purchase something through the links without additional costs to You.

Chemical treatments and dyes tend to weaken hair, making it fragile and more vulnerable to damage. Chemically processed hair needs gentle handling. It is important to follow a strict routine when it comes to your hair care products.

Milbon Nigelle Er Shampooir?t=softerhair 20&l=am2&o=1&a=B002ALQOJ8 and Milbon Frizz Controlling Conditioner have been specially formulated to repair damage and maintain the softness and health of the hair after Japanese Hair Straightening. The duo also works to smooth out new growth, which helps extend the longevity of your treatment.

The products are pricey, but you can keep the original jar and order refill bags to get a larger amount of the product for your money.

The shampoo is very thick and although it doesn’t create a huge amount of suds your hair will be clean without feeling stripped.

The duo also helps keep hair conditioned and healthy between color treatments.

Leave in Treatment for Rebonded Hair

Milbon Deesse’s Aprou Moisture Milk Leave-In Treatmentir?t=softerhair 20&l=am2&o=1&a=B000SE7VSW repairs the cuticle layers of damaged hair, keeping it shiny, sleek, and soft. This leave-in treatment also blocks humidity and makes hair manageable. Apply a few pumps to your damp hair, before blow-drying. If your hair is permanently straightened, this product will help keep your regrown hair smoother, and more manageable.

Beautiful Asian woman with Japanese straightened hair

About the author

Website | + posts

Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.

 

52 thoughts on “How to Maintain your Hair after Japanese Hair Straightening”

  1. Can I do an oil massage on my hair? It’s been 2 months since I got my Japanese straightening done. Thank you.

  2. Yes, you can use hot oil treatment on Japanese straightened hair. Hot oil treatment biweekly would return some moisture to the hair follicles, preventing your thermally reconditioned hair from getting very dry. It also helps maintain the straightness and adds shine to your hair.
    Applying a small amount of jojoba, coconut or almond oil to the tips of your damp (not soaking wet) hair can act as a leave-in conditioner and condition your hair in preparation for the next shampooing.

  3. I’ve had Japanese Straight with Hair Color more than three months ago, can I apply hair color with treatment to my hair again now, since my original hair color is starting to grow already? Thanks.

  4. It is recommended to wait 4-6 weeks after getting your hair grows straightened to apply the color.
    I suggest you make an appointment at a salon and your stylist should be informed that your hair has been chemically straightened. If you dye your hair at home, use gentle, ammonia-free colors.

  5. I recently did Japanese hair straightening. My question is how many times I can apply coconut oil and use shampoo and conditioner on my hair in a week. You can also suggest some recommendations.

  6. After the three-day waiting period has passed you can wash your hair as often as you need. Always use conditioner after shampoo to provide easier detangling.

    Hot oil treatments on a weekly or bi-weekly basis are especially beneficial for chemically straightened hair. You can use coconut, olive, castor, avocado, almond, and canola oil. These sealing oils will help maintain the moisture balance of your hair.

  7. Hi
    Could you please suggest some more shampoo and conditioner brands that I could use after Japanese hair straightening?
    Thank you

  8. Your hair has already gone through chemical treatment and any further application of any chemical should be done and monitored by a hair professional. Find a stylist you can trust and don’t try to resolve the problem yourself, please.

  9. I’ve done my Japanese straightening 2 days back…and I have a lot of dandruff…how should I treat it without affecting my straight hair…please suggest me regular shampoo and conditioner too

  10. my problem is the tangles. as soon as I start to shampoo it, it gets tangled. have tried all kinds of shampoos and conditioners including Crede ER. it doesn’t help. after I get out of the shower I have to section it and use “mane and tail” and a wet brush. it’s a big job and I feel like I’m pulling my beautiful hair out. once the tangles are out I have no problem with the dry hair tangling. it’s gotten to the point where I dread washing my hair.

  11. You can use hair oils on thermally reconditioned hair. I would prefer hair shampoos that utilize sulfate-free cleansing systems.

  12. I rebounded my hair two years ago and I have been taking care of it but just this year it was ruined cause for a week I keep ironing my hair and now its damage and a little bit frizzy. should I do the hair treatment to go it back straight or should I chemically straighten my hair again? please answer me. I really need your help.

  13. It seems that your hair is too fragile to receive chemical treatment. Consult your stylist, please. He/she might suggest applying Hair Botox or Cellophane Hair Treatment to smooth unmanageable hair, tame frizziness and reduce the appearance of split ends. You might want to read the article
    “How to Reduce Heat Damage from Flat Ironing your Hair”. There is a link to the article in the sidebar area.

  14. I did my permanent straightening last nigh. applied the activator on washed hair, then ironed, then applied neutralizer. but in the morning now, my hair is being frizzy. What to do now? will ironing again help? if I get it done by this evening? will it help in permanent straightening or everything is useless now? PLEASE HELP:(

  15. Consult your stylist before you do another chemical treatment or overuse heat styling tools, please. Your stylist might suggest Cellophane Hair Treatment to help reduce frizz and boost shine. You also can try Milbon Straight Lisciocrystal Hair Treatment to repair the cuticle layers of damaged hair. Using a smoothing shampoo and conditioner can help maintain softness and reduce the appearance of frizz.

  16. I’m getting a hair treatment and I want to know how long after could I exercise and considering I sweat.

  17. After the three day waiting period. I’m starting the gym, meaning I will be sweating a lot. Can I put dry shampoo on my hair? Can sweating every day ruin my hair?

  18. Since the initial waiting period is over, you can get your hair wet. You can use either liquid or dry shampoo. Use gentle shampoos, designed for chemically treated hair. Make sure to avoid over-manipulation when brushing and blow-drying your hair. Wait at least one week before putting your hair in a ponytail.

  19. You can exercise, sweat, and wash your hair once the waiting period of 2-4 days (depending on the product) is over.

  20. Can I use Brazilian keratin treatment for my hair? I got the Japanese hair straightening.

  21. Please, be careful with chemical treatments to avoid doing irreversible damage to your hair. Discuss more gentle options with your stylist, such as cellophane treatment (gives a glossy shine to rebounded hair) or hair Botox treatment (improves overall look and condition of processed hair).

  22. A ceramic hair dryer with tourmaline-infused inner components is believed to be least damaging to chemically straightened hair.

  23. I got my hair treated 4 days ago and washed it after day 3. I did my best to find sulfur-free products and even did a hair mask because it felt really dry. After air-drying, it was really poofy. I’m worried I did something wrong and ruined my hair, or is frizz after a shower normal?

  24. I got the Japanese straightening done yesterday. How many weeks exactly do I have to wait before I can go on vacation as I am going to Jamaica and there will be a lot of sun and swimming involved.

  25. Had my hair straightened 2 days ago (they used Shiseido). Can I use Keratin Complex shampoo and conditioner? I’ve been using it since I began doing keratin treatments a few years ago. How long should I wait to color my hair?

  26. Keratin Complex Keratin Care Shampoo and Conditioner are keratin-friendly products. Make sure to wait 2-3 weeks after the treatment before dying your hair.

  27. My daughter plays volleyball and usually ties her hair in a tight ponytail. It looks like she has to wait at least 3 days before she can do that. Will it mess up her treatment if she needs to continuously put her hair in a ponytail after the 3 days?

  28. I got the Liscio straightening treatment 4 weeks ago and since then have lost loads and loads of hair, I have patches of regrowth coming back in at the top of my head wouldn’t be so bad if it was underneath and couldn’t be seen… I contacted my professional who specializes in the treatment who has stated she hasn’t heard of this before, is excessive hair loss something you have heard of and how can I stop it? Thank you in advance

  29. I suggest waiting about a week to make sure that the reconditioning process is settled in. If she has to put hair in a ponytail during that period, I suggest putting the hair into a loose ponytail to avoid any permanent dents or waves. After a week it would be ok to wear a tighter ponytail.

  30. I had my Japanese straight perm done last week, I waited until the 3rd day to wash. After it dried it was really frizzy and wavy I went back 4 days after and this time they applied the neutralizer, again I waited 3 days to wash. The results are better than the first time it’s not pin straight and it’s frizzy with dry ends with no shine. What should I do?

    Oh and my hair is color treated. Last time I dyed it was about 10 months ago.

  31. I’m considering getting the treatment for the summer but since I’ll be camping for 8 weeks, I won’t be able to straighten/blow dry during this time. I’ll also be swimming in the lake. Will the treatment still last?

  32. Japanese hair straightening is a permanent straightening treatment and it is supposed to last until the new hair regrows. You don’t need to straighten/blow dry your hair to maintain a straight look. Swimming in the lake will not harm your treatment since the water in a lake doesn’t contain chemicals (I hope so).

  33. Can I use Olaplex 3 after having Shishido straightening I do color my grey roots black every 8 weeks? thanks

  34. Yes, your chemically treated hair will benefit from using Olaplex number 3 once a week. You also may discuss with your stylist to incorporate Olaplex steps 1 and 2 into your coloring service.

  35. I got my Japanese hair straightening done and my stylist has recommended 1 day after which I can shampoo. Just confused as most of you recommend 3 days.

  36. Aftercare suggestions may vary depending on the straightening product. However, I would wait at least 2 days before shampooing my hair.

  37. I got my hair straightened two weeks ago and now the hair falls out like 40 hair strands a day! I did coconut plus olive hot oil treatments two times, I use keratin and argan Tresemme conditioner twice a week and shampoo once a week. I have thin hair and I m worried about the hair fall. what should I do?

  38. It’s normal to lose 40 hair strands per day. If you start to experience more significant hair loss, this means that your hair follicles have been affected by chemicals in hair straightening products. If you are worried about the condition of your hair, reduce the use of chemicals, including those that permanently straighten your hair by reshaping internal hair bonds. Such treatments can make your hair very fragile. Thermal reconditioning itself can make hair look thinner. You can add almond and jojoba oil to your hot oil treatment to reduce hair fall. If you experience breakage, consider trying a bond-building shampoo (such as Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo or CAVIAR Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Shampoo) to boost hair elasticity.

  39. I’ve dyed my hair over a week ago at home and in 2days want to get the Japanese permanent hair straightening done, will the treatment work on my dyed hair.

  40. You should consult a hair professional in your area. If your hair is still in good condition after coloring you can receive thermal reconditioning treatment.

  41. I got the Japanese hair straightening treatment done, 2 months ago. Can I apply argan oil as a leave in conditioner? It’s completely organic, without any chemicals.

  42. My hair was smooth for 2 months. Can I start the second treatment? How long should I wait ?
    Thank you

  43. It is too early for the “second Treatment”. Your stylist will determine the right time to apply the treatment to new hair growth. Also, consider switching to a milder hair smoothing treatment.

Comments are closed.