Question:
Any Beauticians and Barbers here? Have a question for you.
All my life I've had curly hair, which I hate. Now it seems much worse since WLS and I've been shaving my hair almost off to stop the curls. (Curls are for girls I always say- lol). Anyway when I was a teen I tried a hair straightener that made my hair curlier than it already was. But it's been a good many years since my teen years and I'm hoping there are better products out there. However I do not want to spend a fortune trying all those products. Do any of you know a good product (I can use at home- preferably)? Thank you! — Danmark (posted on January 30, 2003)
January 30, 2003
Hi Daniel! To answer your question, there are things out there you can use
to calm down the curl...but a chemical treatment will always be the best
way to win the battle. There is a new straightner on the market called the
Japanese straightner (not over the counter), it's a little pricey but well
worth it. There are several chemical relaxers on the market, just make sure
that the salon you choose has plenty of experience with these treatments.
Over the counter products are just not the way to go, they don't have the
same strength as professional products and therefore just won't be able to
give the effects you desire. Hope this helps!
— Melissa S.
January 30, 2003
Daniel, there's a product called "Curl Free" made by Gillette
which is very good and pretty easy to us. It will make your hair very
straight, especially at first, then the body will come back gradually as it
grows in. It's about $10, I think, but it's not carried everywhere.
There's a discount drug store in the northeast calles CVS that I know
carries it, but your best bet is to make calls to stores first to see if
they have it, and call the largest chain drug stores first
The Japanese system that Melissa is referring to is called thermal
reconditioning, and yes, it's VERY pricey, but I'm sick & tired of
spending hours blowing out my hair each morning, so I'm going for it. I'm
also trying to plan it for about a month before my breast reduction,
because I wont be able to blow dry my hair for a while, and you DON'T want
to me go go "natural." (think cross between Medusa & Don
King!) LOL Good luck.
— Leslie F.
January 30, 2003
Hi Daniel, I too was blessed with VERY CURLY natural hair that gets on my
LAST nerve. Good thing about this surgery - about 2 months postop I lost a
lot of that curl. Now I have just the loose curls that I love.... maybe
you'll be fortunate like me on that aspect. I fortunately was raised by a
hair stylist... she became a hairstylist just to find something to do with
my hair!
I would advise, if you choose to go the route that so many have suggested
here... doing the job yourself - what I've done in the past is just use
regular over the counter perms and instead of curling it - comb it straight
with a FINE tooth comb as I'm doing the processes... (Normally two steps -
activator and nutrilizer.
I would suggest that you DEFINATELY rinse twice as long as what the box
recommends between the steps - maybe even longer - the reason most people
"burn" their hair with home perms is because they don't rinse
well enough between the first step and the second step. - I found that the
best way to rinse after the 1st step (since I do it myself) is to just jump
in the shower and let the showerhead go to town - making sure to rinse my
body VERY WELL.
oh yeah when you are doing the rinse after the activator - DO NOT scrunch
your hair as you are rinsing - any curls you make at that time will stay
when you are finished. Try to keep your hair as straight as possible.
The nutrilizer locks in the permanent wave so before adding it to your
scalp make sure you've combed your hair straight - take your time while
combing though your scalp will most likely be tender. Start at the bottom
and work your way to the top.
Good luck - hope these suggestions work for you!
Linda
— lindajenkins
January 31, 2003
I too have curly hair which I have hated and I have straighten (w/blow
dryer or products). I have had a chemical treatment at a salon, intended
for African American hair- which cost me about $70 and it ROCKED! I was
very HAPPY. I also have used home products intended for African American
hair, that I have found works well- however I liked having the salon do it
(all the combing etc.) The Japanese system, is VERY pricey, and as with
all treatments, lasts until the new growth comes in. I would rather pay
less- however I am sure that price goes down for touch ups. Still- I have
decided to accept the once unacceptable, and I am now growing my bangs out.
I figure once my hair is LONG (it's heavy) I will wear it curly for a
change (being heavier will weight it down a bit) and look better. I can
also then air dry it too! I say keep on SHAVING! My husband has very
thick; full head of hair, while it looks great in a crew cut or when he
keeps it up himself- personally- I always prefer him to shave it OFF. I
think he looks clean cut... my own Mr. Clean. I like bald. Bald is
beautiful.
— Karen R.
January 31, 2003
Just here to express a little jealousy of your curly hair. Mine is stick
straight and fine as a babies. I have always wished for a nice natural
curl. sigh.....
— **willow**
February 1, 2003
Daniel, I am a hairstylist in Canada, there are mant ways to straighten
your hair however try this first before any others I think in the U.S there
should be a product line by the name "Bed Head" I know nice name
however I like it, and alot of my clients do as well. The next step is to
blow dry your hair while it is in with a round brush. If this is too much
work for you as it could be to many people, go to your local salon you can
have your hair chemically straightened it takes about 30 minutes and the
cost here is about $35-$90 however being that your a gentleman your hair is
probly short and the cost should be closer to $35. You may have to repeat
this usually my male clients come in every two to three months. I hope
this helps
— lynn C.
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