Japanese Hair Straightening

[thekster]

This isn't too terribly crafty but there's a couple of hair threads on here, so why not?
In 2006, I had to take 12 hours of continuing education as required by law (I guess) in order to renew my cosmetology license, and 8 of those hours were a course in Japanese hair straightening. It was actually kinda fun, but very tedious. There were a LOT of repeated steps. In the class, we only did a mock straightening (where you don't use the actual chemical -the straightening- and use an alternative -gel or cholosterol, usually- instead..)

Halfway done. The straightened hair is SOOO much more smooth and shiny. You can see the difference in length here.

[ultimate_sacrifice]

That's amazing!

Even if you had straight hair, would it make it shinier, smoother, and softer?

[Dawn Octopus]

I've always wanted to have that done! But I haven't wanted to pay so much money -- Are the chemicals very expensive? My hair is already pretty straight, but I just love how shiny it is after I use a hair straightener.

[Buttermilk]

So when you get it straightened, then does it STAY that way?  do you have to redo it all the time?

[jMisSister]

Oh man, I totally want this done!  I straighten my hair every frickin' day...all the hours I would save...all the extra crafting I could do...LOL

[thekster]

Ultimate_Sacrifice - I imagine it would, but if you've already got straight hair, it would pretty much be a waste of money and time.

Dawn Octopus - No, I don't think they are expensive. I think I only paid about 30(?) for all of them, without the home hair-care products, but this was 2ish years ago so I don't really remember.
I bought mine from Armstrong McCall but you have to have a cosmetology license to shop there. I've even been stopped going in the door before by an employee asking to see my license hah. The reason Japanese hair straightening (it's getting tiring typing the whole thing out, so I'm just going to call it JHS now) is so expensive isn't the products; a lot of it is the labor put into it. I've seen prices anywhere from $300 - 800 and up. I think most salons charge based on length, density, and type of hair (fine, medium, or coarse). You may be able to find someone to do it a little cheaper if they do it on a day they're not scheduled to work (because they would be able to keep all of what you're paying instead of only making commission.) Retouches are still expensive because even though you only have to do the roots, you still have to go through the whole long-ass process.

Buttermilk - When you say "redo" do you mean get retouches? Or do you mean, straighten it with a straightening iron?
jMisSister - Do it! I loooove how soft it feels. When I did this on my mannequin, I couldn't stop touching it hah.

When I go back to my mom's house, I'll look at the little paper thingie that came with it to answer questions, if anybody else has them. I can't remember a lot of stuff cuz it's been a while since I've done it.

[myklia]

I would so love this (and I have already heard of it many years ago), but I am not willing to shell out the $$$$$.  I use my standard hair straightener every day (no one would really want to see me go without straightening).  Great work though.

[thekster]

Myklia, I know what you mean. I'm not willing to shell out the bucks either. I hardly even straighten my hair with a Chi, and that's free and only takes 15ish minutes hah. Thanks

[DeadDollie]

i took a class on this, it took almost half a day. omg sooooooo many repeated  steps ,but it was so worth it , it came out so shiny and lovely.

[aliceownsj00]

Ah I want to get my hair done like that... I've tried getting my hair relaxed and it curled up again the next day (I didn't wash it or let it get wet either.) My hair is so thick and frizzy... drives me insane haha