Chinese Hair Straightening

Parent Cafe
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<p>Im with you ldmom
I have strawberry blonde hair and always wanted brighter red hair ( well that was after I came to terms with having red hair)
I have been coloring my hair off on and on for a while, and decided I would go back to my regular color.
So I had a foil process, very expensive to do it quickly so but that it still looked natural.
Well it looked natural all right, but every time I looked in the mirror I saw my mother-
so I changed it back ! lol</p>

<p>Permanents can be used for a lot of things- with really fine- healthy hair, a little damage will roughen up the cuticle so that you can do more things with it. You can also put your hair on really large rods- for instance when you have some wave, but not consistent as you would like.
But frankly there are lots of awful hair dressers out there- why do you think I cut my own hair for 20 years! :D</p>

<p>the hard part is- a big change is a shock and even if you want your hair straighten or curled or cut- it takes a few days to really decide if you like it or not.</p>

<p>Starting to straighten your hair is a big step, and one that isn’t easily reversed - so it might be worthwhile to make sure all other options ahve been explored.
Sarabeth a good designer would be able to cut your hair in a way to make the most of that wave I bet.
I have strange hair with a large wave pattern. If it is chin length or so it is fairly straight although with body, but when it gets longer it definitely gets a lot more wavy. But I finally have gotten a pretty good hair cut, that is growing out well, and it still looks good after 9 months ( time to go get it cut again). It probably would be worth asking around a lot particulary if you see someone whose hair cut you like.</p>

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<p>Wow, thanks for all of the info and links, which I will definitely check out and show her. I am not a fan of her getting this done, but I do understand her being tired of tying her hair up everyday, the frizz eminating out around her face, and being the seemingly only non-blonde, non-straight haired girl in her high school.</p>

<p>I will buy the book and check out some of the recommended products and see where it leads. Your info and advice really helps as my hair is as straight as can be and I know nothig about any of this.</p>

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<p>* being the seemingly only non-blonde, non-straight haired girl in her high school.*
My 16 year old has the kind of hair- I would have loved to have had in high school.
Long thick- ( but not too) wavy, honey blond ( the kind that is about 12 different colors).
However, most of her friends, are Asian or Hispanic or African American ( or just African)
She also hates to stick out, so she had me color her hair brown!
( and what a pain it is too)
I can totally understand kids who want to change their hair. It can be real distracting when you aren’t happy with part of your appearance, particuarly when you are a teenager.
Its worth it to do research and spend money I think on finding some one pretty helpful with your type of hair.
good luck.</p>

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<p>Wow, hadn’t realized what an issue hair is/was. I count my blessings that in this household, it’s not one of our issues (we do have more than our share of other issues). D & most of her friends have long, straight dark hair. They do have a blond with wavy hair, a girl who is a model & part African with kinky/wavy hair, a redhead with curly/wavy hair. I’m not aware of any of them doing anything to change their hair, other than to cut it periodically, sometimes donating their long hair to “locks of love.”<br>
Sorry, didn’t mean to hijack–resume, please.</p>

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<p>didn’t george costanza try some chinese herb something or other for hair (and look where it got him)</p>

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<p>There are also other tools that are good to use. You can find inexpensive haiir dryers with half round brush attachments(Vidal Sassoon and Conair make them) that do a good job as a first step on damp- wet hair. There are also round blower brushes that are great for getting that salon like result at home. As a matter of fact, I can’t use the Chi alone - have to use one of the other two first and then the flatiron is a lot easier to use and takes much less time.</p>

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<p>Heh. If it’s curly, women want it straight. If it’s straight, they curl it. WashMom has beautiful wavy hair, so she pines after straight hair, except for a few years in the 80s when she had it permed. It’s SO confusing…</p>

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<p>haha WashDad, ain’t that the truth. My husband has the same haircut he had when we were dating over 25 years ago. It’s a little shorter now and he has grown his sideburns a bit, but overall it’s just a slight modification of the same style. I, on the other hand, have had short hair, long hair, permed hair…</p>

<p>Sewbusy, I hope your daughter finds a style she loves whether curly or straight!!!</p>

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<p>I got my hair straightened with the Chi brand 3 times now. </p>

<p>The first 2 times, we were completely ripped off. My hair was EXTREMELY curly, intense ringlets, major frizz. I couldn’t handle it. We went to a woman at a fancy salon, it took 6 hours, and cost a lot! The second time it only took 4 hours, cost a little less. We were suspicious about the price at this point, so we checked around our local area for another Chi user. He only charged 65$! Around 400% less than the other price! My hair goes to around upper back, so it is pretty long. It only took 3 hours, and it has stayed for over a year, versus the 8 months. </p>

<p>It has had no bad effects to my hair, or my sister’s either. I am glad I did it, I still have some curls and waves, which I love. It is not straight, but it is a managable curl.</p>

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<p>This thread identifies reason #231 that having a female President will be a tough sell. </p>

<p>“Madam President, the world is coming to an end!!”</p>

<p>“Just a damn minute, I’m straightening my hair!”</p>

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<p>My daughter had her hair straightened 3 weeks ago. She had ‘resistant’ curls so the initial relaxation process had to be done twice. Aside from trips to have her hair rinsed she sat in a chair for 8 hours–She was happy to sit. She is 11 and for the first time in her life she can run her fingers or a brush through her hair without the slightest of discomfort. I love her hair curly and for the 5% of the time that her natural hair is newly washed, air dried, not slept on or rubbed against or matted or frizzy or whatever- it is very lovely. But, for now, at least, straight is just fine. As she matures she will probably be able to do the 6 steps needed to have pretty, curly hair. We spent 11 years loving her hair, and helping her to love it. Nothing wrong with change every so often. Will buy the book however!</p>

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<p>I read the book before I got my hair straightened. It suggested only using conditioner and not shampoo when washing your hair. Tried it for about a month…trust me doesn’t work.</p>

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<p>It may not be for everyone, but trust me, it can work. I have 3 adolescent daughters – no shampoo for years at our house and no greasy scalps either. </p>

<p>It really is a matter of personal preference.</p>

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<p>I have a few before and after pictures if anyone wants to see them. PM me.</p>

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<p>I don’t recommend this type of straightening treatment, they use harmful chemicals that can severely damage the hair, that’s why I prefer the flat iron which is safer and cause less damage, I use a good one, it’s the Karmin G3 Salon Pro that has tourmaline ceramic plates which leaves the hair soft, shiny, healthy and very straight.
Hope this helps and good luck. :D</p>

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<p>Living with…and enjoying hair. After chemo my hair grew in kinky…(I admit that initially I was thrilled to see any hair…but then not so much). A friend with very kinky frizzy hair introduced me to a product by a company called Bumble. It eliminated the frizz and, with a good hair cut (and “natural” highlights applied) my hair looked great.</p>

<p>(My hair is now wavy…the effects of chemo wore off).</p>

<p>If your daughter doesn’t have a lot of hair or it is fragile, flat ironing is dangerous. It will further weaken the hair. The Brazilian treatment (now sans phormalgahyde …spelling?) applied by a real professional works but is expensive.</p>

<p>A good hairdresser (with an appointment on a Tuesday when they are less busY) can give you options,</p>

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<p>I vote for the KERATIN treatment!
It can have a bunch of formaldehyde, so I recommend you do your research for the current status on that first.
But it actually strengthens the hair if done properly, and can be done on a spectrum from stick straight to wavy.
To make it last, one must use salt and sulfate free shampoo.</p>

<p>Prices have come down, but I would be sure to go to someone who is experienced with it. My hair person actually has a vacuum pipe she does the hair over, so it sucks the fumes out as she does it.</p>

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<p>I have been fighting my curls since I was a kid. In high school and college I did love the versatility of looking like a different person every day, sometimes curly, sometimes straight. However, after my children were born, my hair texture changed from big bouncy curls with a little frizz, to a lot of frizz and sporadic curls. Now, when I let it dry naturally I look like a mangy dog. </p>

<p>I have had the the keratin process four times. The first time, it was actually too straight for the first week. And yes, I couldn’t wash it for three days, and you can’t even pull it back, because, anything you do to it “marks” the hair. I was pretty slimy for those three days, but that after that i never appeared greasy. After that week, it was incredible. I loved it. But it barely last two months. The second time it was perfect, had more body but again didn’t last long enough. When I went back for the third time, my stylist donned a gas mask and gave me a towel to put over my face! Scared the daylights out of me. The product was getting a lot of bad press because of the formaldehyde levels, and others in the salon not undergoing the process were complaining. I swore that would be the last time. But alas, my younger S was accepted to college in Florida! The thought of move-in in FL in August, 98 degree heat and 100% humidity had me running back to the salon. This time they set up chairs outside in the parking lot so no one inside had to be subjected to the fumes. I sat there, thinking what am I nuts? It came out fabulous, but it was humid beyond belief when me moved in and my hair did not frizz or kink. But it was suffocating me, so had to be ponytailed anyway. That time I don’t think it even last 6 weeks. I haven’t been back since. Between my big fat round brush, my T3 flat iron and the In-styler, in “good hair weather”, I am still fighting the fight.</p>

<p>Anyone curly frizzy girl MUST read Curly Girl. Several years ago I did go to Ouidad - the Curl Expert - Salon in NYC, as I was tired of fighting. Had a very expensive haircut, and bought lots of “product”. Curls looked great, wore it natural for about three days, but felt messy and unprofessional. Not to mention that I am small and my hair overwhelmed me. Most of all, they are very big on the need for product, and no matter what I use, it all felt slimy, so much so that I felt my skin ooze after using it. So much for embracing my natural frizz. Soon thereafter is when I started trying the Keratin. </p>

<p>Again, my biggest issue with it is that it just doesn’t last long enough. Of course, I should be more concerned with what the ghastly chemicals are doing to me as I breathe them in. I swore that I was done with it. But then again, when I think of Miami next August, I might be back in the parking lot with the stylist in her war gear!</p>

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<p>Just an FYI - this thread is from 2007, possibly bumped up by a spammer.</p>