For a long time many dreamt of a smooth long haired look as impossible. After hours of using the hair irons even sometimes the clothes iron, like the cat, the curl comes back. Smoothing techniques nowadays are more durable and less aggressive. Or are they? Japanese systems do not use Formol, Brasillian shock treatments do.
For the bargain hunting hairbies the Japanese ionic system's are cost prohibitive, five years ago I was charging them at 400-700 dollars Bio Ionics and though they may have come down a bit in price they are also very difficult to source for English speaking hairdressers in Buenos Aires and those of us that are left do not use them (so far as I know). There is one salon that does it but I cannot recall its name or the barrio.
Funnily, hairdressers using these Formol services wear safty protective gear such as goggles, mask and gloves, yet I have never seen them worn by clients. Not so funny things to look out for are burning sensations in the throat and eyes, perhaps if you meditate you may even sense yourself straightening from the outside in... There are products which have less Formol but obviously they do not last as long.
For those wanting a home DIY options maybe an alkaline shampoo 10-15 minutes followed with a very good acidic conditioning treatment may work. Any hairdressers reading this might chime in with their thoughts. DIY at your own risk.
Decisions decisions, long smooth hair or a shorter life. Worth it? Well curly frizzy haired people seem to be voting yes in the tens of thousands and let's face it, as a species we are not prone to doing things that prolong our own or other's lives anyway. Recently, many businesses have been disguising the use of "Formaldehyde" on their packaging with less harsh names like methylene glycol which is a compound that when leased with heat, is released in the air as the same name they are attempting to substitute! Hairdressers have been doing this for years, remember when your hairdresser used to BLEACH your hair? Now they only use powder lighteners, (same same, love you long time, bye bye).
Importance of a good professional English speaking hairdresser in Buenos Aires
or to find a professional who is expert in this type of system when choosing a smoothing technique cannot be stressed enough.
It should be borne in mind also that in some hair salons price is given by the
length of the hair which can increase the cost Initial cost.
BAD EXPERIENCES? The results you possibly experienced are not because of the chemicals, it is most likely because the stylist did not use them properly. Consultation and stylist
experience are the most important factors when performing these procedures.
Japanese straightening
This technique consists of applying various chemicals which react with
heat treatment and change the base structure smoothing the hair.
The hair must be in the best possible condition, though there are solutions for normal, coloured or highlighted hair.
Your English speaking hairdresser in Buenos Aires or other competent professional will analyze each case individually and it's always advisable to make a strand test to see the response of the hair.
Japanese straightening specialists requires about 5 hours making it an expensive
treatment, salon cost of the Bio Ionics packs was from memory 120 dollars cost, and then you have salon charge on top of that.
The result is permanent and only needs doing again when your regrowth comes through.
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Brazilian Keratin Smoothing
This technique is not as durable as the Japanese system is keratin based
and in most cases contains formaldehyde or Formol for changing the structure of the hair.
In some cases the formaldehyde in Brazilian keratin straightening is replaced by other types of chemicals and lasts for 4-6 months. The keratin fuses with the formol leaving the hair permanently restructured.
The progressive Brazilian keratin straightening is sometimes confused with the keratin smoothing but there are ig differences between the techniques and results.
The former is a permanent system, which has to be repeated as the hair grows, the
other doesn't because it does not change the structure of the hair.
This type of technique is beneficial for hair condition and getting rid volume, frizz and even hair waves. It naturally eliminates wave movement without achieving the results
of the smoothing with Brazilian keratin service.
P.S. After trying twice to post this on BAexpats.org I tried to add this as a truncated post but I've been disallowed or banned, again. Don't know why... again, what ever. They, the moderators, (it's a given that there are the usual handful of bitchy trolls on any forum), but the moderators are a bit sensitive and wierd there. I recommend www.baexpatsite.com please support this forum where people can speak freely.