There are plenty of types of hair straighteningThis leaves consumers with great difficulties when it comes to choosing! Everyone wonders which type of straightening I should choose for my hair! What are advantages of progressive brushing over permanent straightening?
What we're going to try to clarify in this article is what the main types of straightening that exist on the market, explaining their main differences, advantages and disadvantages. This article is really an explanation, it's not directly linked to the services we do in our salons. We talk about some straightenings here that we don't even do in our salons.
We're going to talk more specifically about four types of straightening: progressive brushing, permanent or Japanese straightening, relaxing and laser hair straightening.
Progressive brushing
The progressive brush generally lasts between 3 and 6 months. It works very well on the hair, however it is thermo-active, meaning that you always have to use a hairdryer every day to get the straight effect. As a general rule, this brush does not leave hair 100% straight.
Generally, the progressive brushes have 3 steps: anti-residue shampoo, smoothing cream and finishing mask. The active ingredient in these progressive brushes is usually glyoxylic acid. These straightening can be with or without formaldehyde. We believe that formaldehyde should not be used, as it is harmful to health. These progressive brusheswith a few exceptions, it must not washing your hair for three days.It's important to keep the product in place so that it continues to have an effect. During these three days, it's important not to tie your hair up or tuck it behind your ear.
In the straightening the hair must be flat ironed in very fine strands, and it also has a pause time of between 30 and 60 minutes, which means it takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the hair and the technician carrying out the process.
Coloured hair can change up to three shades, i.e. become blonder, with yellowish, orange or greenish highlights.
Generally progressive brush can be done on any type of hair, even on highlighted or coloured hair. It's important to always tell the technician what processes you've had done before so that they can be sure of the compatibility and condition of the hair.
In our salon, this service is called formaldehyde-free straightening Slett.It has some specific features, which you should click on if you want to know!
Permanent or Japanese straightening
The permanent straighteningwhich is also commonly known as Japanese straightening.It really does leave your hair 100% straight for good, and you don't need to blow dry it every day. Generally, hair is left with a "straight and flowing" effect.
When we talk about permanent, we are always referring to hair that has undergone the straightening. The roots will grow back naturally, with the same shape and type of hair as before.
On the other hand, if it's permanent, the hair that has undergone the process will never go back to the way it was before. It will remain straight forever.
Generally, the active ingredient in this type of smoothing is ammonium thiogliocate.This means that it can only be done on natural hair and is not compatible with any other type of chemical. Therefore, no colouring or highlighting can be done before or after this process.
Since nowadays almost all hair is chemically treated in some way, even if it has been for a long time, it is always advisable to do a strand test before straightening.
These straighteners also generally have three steps: shampoo, straightening cream and neutraliser. There may be brands that work with more steps. A straightening iron is also used in the process, in the same way as a progressive brush, and the process lasts between 2 and 3 hours. The hair is ready the same day and can be washed or straightened as soon as desired.
Relaxation
This process is very similar to permanent straightening, usually using the same active ingredient (ammonium thiogliocate), but less concentrated. Therefore, in this case too, it is advisable to do a strand test before the process.
The main differences between the two are that in this case, there is no need to flat iron and the pause time is shorter. This achieves a relaxing effect, not a straightening effect. In other words, the hair is not 100% straight.
This hair relaxing it can be used to open up very tight curls, or to leave hair straight but with a little wave.
As a rule, it also consists of three steps: shampoo, smoothing cream and neutraliser.
Laser Hair Straightening
In this case we'll talk about laser straightening Michele Encke.This straightening is done in our salons. This straightening lasts 6 to 8 months, and you don't have to blow-dry your hair every day. The hair is 100% straight, with a natural effect.
This straightening consists of just one step, so the straightening cream is applied straight away to dry hair. No prior treatment is necessary.
The laser hair straightening is made with a photonic device that emits a light with a certain wave frequency, which acts as a catalyst for chemical reactions, i.e. it speeds up the process, making the straightening more effective, last longer and the hair shinier. Despite being called a laser, this light has nothing to do with the laser used in waxing or other treatments. It's more like an LED light, which doesn't cause any discomfort or increase in temperature.
What's more, this straightening process is compatible with any other type of chemical treatment done before or after this process, so it can be done on hair with highlights or colouring.
In the case of this straightening, your hair is ready on the day of the process and can be washed as soon as you wish. You won't need to wash it for three days or tie it up.
There may also be a change in colour, in the same way as with progressive brushes. We therefore recommend that if you are thinking of colouring your hair or doing highlights, you do so after straightening and not before.
In the case of natural hair, it generally doesn't change the colour.
If you would like to know more about the laser hair straightening click on the link.
Which is best for your hair type?
We don't have an answer for you! It all depends on the diagnosis made by a technician and the effect you want to give your hair! One thing's for sure, this process should only be carried out by professionals, and a lot of technique is required to achieve a good result without causing any damage to the hair or scalp. What's more, as mentioned earlier, it can be a risky process to carry out without a good diagnosis.
