Are All Thermal Reconditioning Results the Same?
No! Thermal reconditioning (also called thermal hair straightening, thermal hair rebonding or Japanese straightening) is a method of permanently straightening curly, frizzy or unruly hair. The brand that your stylist uses will determine the type of results that you get.
Allow me to explain. Let's take the Yuko method of thermal reconditioning (to be referred to as TR from now on) as an example. The Yuko method is perhaps the best known. It was the first TR method to be introduced in the United States, therefore it has been around slightly longer than the rest. The Yuko method was developed in Japan and the type of results it produces are usually what people think of when they speak of "Japanese Straightening".
The Yuko method results in hair that is pin straight. The hair is sleek and healthy (when performed by an experienced stylist, of course). On many women it can tend to look almost flat-ironed when allowed to dry naturally. Some of the disadvantages are that the hair may end up looking quite flat to the head. Hair that has been treated with this procedure lacks body and will not hold any sort of bend or curl. Women who have had their hair "Yuko straightened" are locked into one hairstyle, which consists of being worn straight, straight, straight.
Another example of thermal reconditioning is the Liscio Method. The Liscio method is generally referred to as thermal reconditioning as well as Japanese hair straightening. This particular method of TR permanently straightens the hair but allows it to retain body and it can be curled and styled. I personally have found that most women want to retain body and bounce in their hair and want the option to use a round brush or curling iron. Yet another method is called Bio Ionic. This falls into the same type of straightening category as the Liscio method in that the hair can still be curled and will retain body.
All three of these TR methods permanently straighten the hair and result in healthy, humidity-proof hair that will not frizz in foggy or humid conditions. As you can see, however, the actual results vary. I hope this clears up some of the confusion that I often hear. You can find out more by visiting these websites: www.milbon-usa.com, www.bioionic.com and www.yuko-usa.com. I'm available in San Francisco to answer any questions in a complimentary consultation.
~ Blair
