You may be fed up with your un-tameable frizzy locks and tired of battling with your hair straighteners every day. If you’ve considered a more permanent method of hair straightening, you’ve probably heard of one of the newer straightening processes available – the Japanese straightening system (Yuko and Liscio are two of the most popular and recommended systems of this type).
How does Japanese hair straightening work?
Permanent hair straightening basically uses a series of chemicals to alter the structure of your hair, banishing those waves to leave it wonderfully straight. An alkaline chemical solution is first applied to the hair to break down the bonds within the hair’s structure that create the unwanted curls. In the case of Japanese straightening, Ammonium thioglycolate (thio) is usually used and this is one of the gentlest formulations of its type.
Once the bonds have been broken down, with Japanese straightening systems, hair irons are then run over every section of hair to leave it absolutely poker straight. It’s only when the hair is completely straight that a neutralising solution is applied, and this makes the straightening permanent.
Japanese straightening isn’t really recommended for previously chemically treated or Afro hair types, as these are more delicate and susceptible to damage. A good stylist will carefully check the condition of your hair before carrying out the straightening process, and will match the strength of the formulations and technique accordingly to reduce the risk of damage.
The pros
- There’s no doubt that Japanese straightening systems leave hair dead straight and glossy looking, fantastic for those with frizzy, hard to handle locks.
- Styling time is reduced massively – no more tedious daily straightening or lengthy blow drying!
- Japanese straightening is permanent, so you’ll only need to have it redone once you’re root regrowth starts to show – maybe a few times each year.
What about the cons?
- Any chemical process is going to cause some damage to hair, no matter what the claims. OK, even the best ceramic hair straighteners will cause their own damage with repeated use, but the risk is far higher when it comes to exposing hair to chemicals. Japanese straightening has been known to leave hair delicate and brittle – it may look smooth and shiny, but this is down to the smoothed outer cuticle that reflects light well, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your hair is in better condition.
- It’s incredibly time consuming, so expect to spend roughly 3-6 hours in the salon depending on the length of your hair.
- It’s not a cheap option, and you will need to keep heading back to the salon if you want your hair to stay super straight.
- You can’t always be sure how thorough individual salons will be when it comes to minimising damage to your hair – some salons and systems use special heat protecting solutions and will apply protective pastes to your roots, so do your homework to make sure you only go to a well trained stylist so that your hair is looked after as well as possible during the straightening process.
For ultra straight locks it’s hard to beat Japanese hair straightening systems, but beware the risk of damage before you take the plunge.