https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 07 May 2026 04:39:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-147214 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:55:32 +0000 agrace 147214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This might just be me but I have REALLY curly hair and over time it has just come to be such a part of who I am that I think I'd be sad if it were gone. If you are familiar with the Olympic snowboarder Lindsay Jacobellis - her hair is identical to mine in curl, length, etc. So, in other words, super curly. </p> <p>I do enjoy the occasional blow out for a big night out and just to have fun changing it up but it is kind of a relief to be able to go back to my curls when I want to. I have heard from someone who recently had the Brazilian method done that they liked it because they could still wear their hair curly but it was less frizzy. The downside she said was that it was also flat. </p> <p>Good luck with whatever you decide. I do hope if you do it you find someone who really knows their stuff - maybe even ask for a few references? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146952 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:40:03 +0000 taylor 146952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have gotten some invaluable info from Frances and Beth. It does indeed sound like you may have not got what you asked for the first time. I took a class in this MANY years a go and decided not to pursue it, as it doesn't fit most of my client's needs. It is quite expensive and takes time and patience on the part of the stylist, and well worth the money if you get the desired results...good luck finding someone with experience...check local salons for a stylist that specializes in this") </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146950 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:35:05 +0000 Beth 146950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just had my 7th thermal reconditioning since 2003. My hair is curly (think Julia Roberts or early Mariah Carey) but it grows wavy from the scalp and gets progressively curlier as it gets longer. I do a TR once a year and just blow-out the roots as they grow. It's expensive, but no more so than a year of coloring and the results are incredible. For about 6 months out of the year, I use no styling products, no round brush and no flat iron. Just 6-7 minutes using a blowdryer and my fingers. It's straight, it's shiny and it's completely resistant to humidity.</p> <p>Frances is right about using a very experienced stylist. I'd also tell you to stick with the genuine Japanese products (Yuko, Liscio, or iStraight) as their training tends to be much better than the others. When a TR is good, it's wonderful but when it goes wrong, the results can be really awful. I live in a mid-size city but haven't found anyone local I feel comfortable with; I used to get it done in Atlanta when I visited my sister...now I drive 2 hours to DC. The right stylist is everything. Interview the person and even ask if you can observe him/her doing a TR on someone else.</p> <p>The only downside that I find is that TR will make your hair very flat. I'm happiest with my hair 3-4 months after a TR when the roots are just starting to grow in and give a little lift. You don't really realize how much volume your hair has until it's gone:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146944 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:16:55 +0000 Frances 146944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochaccino, I get it done on a regular basis. My natural hair is the most viciously frizzy, unmanageable hair--not just a little wave or curl, but bird's nest frizzy. When we were little girls, my sister (who shares this affliction) and I used to scream and cry when our mother tried to brush or comb our hair and we would hide from her when it was time for a shampoo. As an adult, I spent over an hour EVERY MORNING for about 17 YEARS blow drying it with a big round brush and going over it with a straightening iron, but even that couldn't help when it was terribly humid or rainy. Needless to say, there was no better candidate for thermal reconditioning, and after 17 years, I had had it with the amount of time I was wasting on it and the inconveniences of having to wear a hat in the rain, fog and mist, not being able to go swimming without destroying it, etc. I went to a salon owner who was acknowledged to be one of the top TR specialists in the country, and it STILL went wrong the first time; however, any TR specialist worth their fee should be willing to guarantee their work and fix it free of charge if it goes wrong. This is an extremely expensive process that has to be done routinely--for most people, probably every 4-6 months. So any TR specialist worth his or her salt realizes that TR clients are an investment for them. They should ultimately want you to be happy so you'll keep returning to their salon. I was fortunate. My specialist insisted on fixing the hair (free of charge, of course) and doing it again when it didn't go well, and although those 2 TRs in a row were hard on my hair, it's been responsive to TR ever since. My TR guy even does a free touch-up for me every couple of months to extend the life of the thermal. </p> <p>And I have to say, as expensive and annoying as it is, it has practically revolutionized my life! I only have to spend 8-10 minutes blow-drying it in the mornings--a little more towards the end of the cycle. Usually I run over it quickly with a flat iron to give it a little more sleek shine and to try to give it a little volume and bounce. That's it. I now have time to exercise in the morning rather than spend a monotonous hour trying to manipulate my hair into something reasonably acceptable for the business world. I know most people would think the cost too obscene, but most people are not afflicted with this kind of hair. I'm thrilled with the results and for me and my life situation, this is a luxury that is worth every penny.</p> <p>That said, it's not for everyone, and if you're just dealing with a little annoying waviness that can be tamed with a good quality flat iron, it's probably not worth the cost. But if you decide to pursue this again, I would implore you to so some research and seek out a TR specialist in your region who has been doing this for a long time. Ask for a consultation, and go INTERVIEW him or her. Seriously, if you start doing this, you are going to want someone who will work closely with you over the long term to achieve the desired result; otherwise, it won't be worth the investment. And I think everyone's hair responds differently. Some will have great results right off the bat and others will have to work at it with their specialist to get it right. </p> <p>Hope this is helpful! : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146871 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:57:14 +0000 Mochaccino 146871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm...I also asked several people I know over the last few months, and this pretty much confirms what I suspected for the last few years. The treatment had virtually no effect on my hair, except for the fact that my hair is now strangely, permanently static-ey (is that a real word?). I assume the salon didn't really understand what I meant when I asked for permanent straightening, and gave me a brazilian straightening instead. Either that or I was just conned. I'm still hoping to hear from someone who got it done though. Everyone I know who's told me about it eithers know a friend of a friend who got it done, or they had it done themselves years ago and then chose not to keep it up for whatever reason. They all seem to think it's awesome though, and no one but me has had a bad experience. Still, I would hate to pay for this treatment a second time and still see virtually no results </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146843 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:38:12 +0000 Rosie 146843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't had it done but have a couple friends and my sister in law who get it done and they swear by it. I think it is important to go to a good salon, which will cost $$, but it seems like worth it. My friend doesn't have to do anything to her hair and it looks great and straight. My SIL has super wavy/curly hair and no time to do anything to her hair so it really works for her. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146790 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:52:40 +0000 JennyK (NC) 146790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a friend who was forever complaining about her hair. She put so much time and effort into having it straightened (creamed) at the salon and then blowing it out every day. She did the Japanese straightening several years ago and I couldn't believe the difference it made in her hair. Seriously - it was amazing. I have no idea whether it is damaging or anything and it involves expensive upkeep but it worked beautifully for her. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146784 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:30:18 +0000 rute 146784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Never did, but my hairdresser did, japanese straightening, her hair was soft and straight and she told me that even after the shower her hair was straight.</p> <p>I know it's expensive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146775 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:18:35 +0000 annagybe 146775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Never had it done but seriously considering it. My hair has just enough wave to be annoying. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-had-thermal-reconditioning#post-146733 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:53:45 +0000 Mochaccino 146733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>AKA japanese straightening, permanent straightening, magic straight etc... I had a slightly bad experience with it a few years ago, and now that my hair has grown out I've been considering getting it done again, at a different salon of course. Keep in mind, it's not the same thing as brazilian straightening/keratin treatment, which is what I actually suspect I was given years ago. If you've had it done, what was your experience like? </p>