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?
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.
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
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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 Shampoo 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 Treatment 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.