permanent hair straightening

doma

Has anyone had their hair treated - permanent hair straigtening?

How long did it last you?

And would you recommend it?

P.S I have long wavy hair.. and really want straight hair for my wedding and the month following ( without having to carry my straighter with me)

Thanks Gals

Vegas_2010_Bride

I did try to chemically straighten my hair when I was a little kid so I don't remember other than it just took some, but not all, of the curl out. What I do know is that it will only last until your hair grows out, then the roots will be what your original hair was. You could try straightening your hair now to find out how it does and later closer to the date if the first trial works, but be aware that you might get a mad case of the frizzies because of all the chemicals. The straightener might just be your best bet in the end but either way do some deep conditioning before and after your big day so you don't fry your hair too much.

tldh

I didn't permanently straighten it but would offer the following advice.  Be really sure this is what you want and that you want it to be permanent.  I began using a flat iron on my long curly hair about five years ago.  Two years ago I decided I wanted my curls back and was horrified to learn that the flat iron blew out the ends of the curls and they were permanently straight.  I had to get a shorter haircut and am still trying to get the length back.

If you ever decide you want your curls back, the growing out phase would be really strange looking because you would have straight hair with wavy/curly roots.

flyjawn

my girlfriends who are black or biracial all swear by japanese thermal straightenging.  it's quite remarkable how straight and soft their hair ends up.  

it's pricey though...

trix1223

Sorry, I don't have an answer, but the question "how long does permanent hair straightening last?" made me laugh.

Belle2Be

Chemically straightened hair still usually needs a flat iron to keep it straight, its a misconception that you will wake up with prefectly presentable straight hair.

As for how long it lasts, it depends on your hair texture, it can be permanent if you have fine hair, but it can also regain a little of its wave after about 3-5 months. And your roots will be wavy also. It's not a dumb question, "permanent" hair color only lasts about 3 months also before it starts to fade.

jelique7

I have had my hair Japanese straightened and its very pricey but it did look good but you will always need a straightener. Try the Brazilian blowout, its pricey too but its better for your hair it only lasts about 12 weeks.

chelley599

There is also the keratin straightening treatment but I know that is pricey and it is supposed to last a few months.

http://hairstyling.suite101.com/article.cfm/brazilian_hair_straightening

jamjar11

I have heard that real salon professionals who specialize in the products and techniques can do an amazing job, but you will still need the flat iron either way. My only real advice is do not try the at-home chemical straightening products. I did this when I was a teenager, and my hair has never been quite the same since. It completely damaged my hair, and it was still not even completely straight, I still had to use the iron, which damaged it further. Also, a good stylist will never use intense chemicals in your hair if you have had it lightened. A friend of mine wanted to get a perm and the stylist would not do it because she had her hair lightened. Unless you are truly unable to tame your hair with the flat iron, I would say it is probably not worth the chemical damage. You are going to have to have the iron with you on your wedding day, anyway.

MsTG0510

A few of my co-workers do the Japanese straighening and love it. I believe you can't wash your hair for the first few days and your hair will be pretty flat in the beginning but they find it worth it. They also have extremely wave/curly hair.

stephl3055

I've had the Japanese straightening done for the past 6 years or so.  It is expensive and takes a long time (especially the first time).  I think my hair was about 4 inches past my shoulder and it took about 6 hours the first time.  Now it takes about 2 or 2.5, depending on how much I need re-touched.

It will make your hair really flat for a few weeks until it starts grows out.  While it isn't completely maintenance free, I went from about 35 minutes of straightening to about 5 minutes.  Also, I don't need to blow-dry my hair because it dries relatively straight.  Most hair stylists recommend getting it re-touched every 4 months, but I've gone as long as 9 months in between my touch-ups during the winter time because my hair doesn't get as frizzy then. 

If you're serious about it, make sure you go to someone that has done the straightening multiple times.  My hair stylist was trained in the CHI process and has other clients that get it done, so she's very experienced.  If you get someone who is not experienced, it can ruin your hair. 

Also, some people have a bad reaction to the chemical they use.  The first time I went, my eyes were burning and my skin turned pink in the areas that she applied the solution.  I haven't had any issues beyond the first time, but it does bother some people. 

kpwedkk

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_permanent-hair-straightening?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b6015a2c-1ce9-4f5b-a0ac-740031d685c9Post:08789367-176d-455b-b9d5-4cb01b8cc414">permanent hair straightening</a>:
[QUOTE]Has anyone had their hair treated - permanent hair straigtening? How long did it last you? And would you recommend it? P.S I have long wavy hair.. and really want straight hair for my wedding and the month following ( without having to carry my straighter with me) Thanks Gals
Posted by doma[/QUOTE]


Chemicals and flat ironing your hair can really damage your hair and lead to hair loss.  Any method that folks are suggesting don't last that long because your hair grows.   

soniatews

Ive gotten the Brazilian Blowout twice now and I am totally hooked!

I have fairly long, somewhere between curly and wavy hair and I use to blow it out then flat iron it every single day!

The first time I got it done it was perfect for about a month, I would literally step out of the shower and it stayed stick straight. Then it slowly got wavier and wavier,  I lasted about 3 months before I got sick of it and went back for more.

As you keep doing it, more and more chemical remains in your hair,  so it lasts a little longer each time. Its been about 6 weeks since my last one and its still very straight, with only slightest wave, and that’s straight of the shower. It still looks perfect if I blow it out a little. But I don’t have to use my flat iron at all, yes it starts to wear off Ill touch it up with my flat iron, but in the beginning if you use a flat or round brush when blowing drying it, it looks straight.

Yes, I have more split ends than normal, but it doesn’t look like hay or anything, its still worth it for me

And yes its expensive, but its so popular right now, there are numerous salons in Los Angeles that offer a first time deal of $150.

If you want it straight for your wedding I would say it do 2-3 weeks out,  its actually a little limp in the beginning bc it is so straight

In my opinion, its totally worth it, it saves me so much time getting ready.

soniatews

I thought perhaps you guys might enjoy a before and after

Dont laugh, I had braces in this pic, but it was taken in Hawaii where I didnt want to have blow it out all the time so I gave in and wore it curly



Also, I went back into my calendar and its been 9 weeks since my last Blowout, not 6 like I though, I took this pic a few mins ago in the bathroom, I didnt use a flat iron on it this moring, but I sleep on it so I fixed it up a little with a round brush.

melliott09

I did Keritan (sp?) and it DIDN'T work! I spent a sh8t load of money and took about 3 hours!

My hair is a combination of curly, wavy and straight. Since having kids, my hair texture has changed sooooo much.

If you want it straight, I would recommend having it blown out, maybe with a Keritan(sp?) type shampoo or hair product. This is the non-chemical version of hair straightening.

onlyhope70

I'm a hair stylist and many people get confused about what a keratin treatment it. Yes, it has no chemicals in it, but it doesn't take out all the curl. It is not used like a relaxer. It instead takes out alot of frizz and controls a little of the curl. Any chemical treatment will last until you start seeing what your hair naturally does. If you later decide that a chemically straightening system is no longer for you, you could always get a loose perm down the road to get your curl back. After doing chemicals services you may need to do some sort of reconstructive treatment to get your hair back to feeling healthy again. If you're commited to having straight hair, I would suggest going to a few local salons to get their opinions on how to get there. In all honesty, no one jumps out of the shower having their hair doing exactly what they want.

Best of luck!

Jeansandscott

I have done the japanese hair straightening and LOVED it. I am DYING to get it done again as it has been a year of high maintance hair for me without it...which brings me to my question.....if I get it done again will it still hold a curl for an updo style for my wedding? Anyone have experience with this?!