This post about my permanent straightener was originally written in May 2014. Wow, look at that phone! There’s some good info I provided way back when. I wrote this a year into blogging. Looking back the only thing that has remained the same is getting the Japanese hair straightener done. Over the years you’ve been asking about this treatment and I’ve been answering your questions, via social media. So, I decided to go back and freshen up this old blog post to make it more relevant and to answer all your questions.
Images are from 2014!!
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The Japanese Hair Straightener
We all want what we can’t have. When it comes to my hair, I’m like everyone else. Unfortunately, God put me in the very curly and VERY frizzy hair line when he was creating me. If you know anything about Texas weather you know it can be hot and humid. Let’s just say my hair and Texas are not friends. Back in 2010 I was introduced to the Japanese hair straightener and my life has never been the same. This treatment makes the Brazilian Blow out look like a kids playground. Getting the Brazilian Blow out has formaldehyde and doesn’t last nearly as long. You pay so much for a temporary solution. For me, the Brazilian Blowout didn’t take and was out of my hair in about a month.
It’s permanent
Now let me be clear, you don’t want to go to just anyone! Since this is permanent you’ll want to make sure you research someone who has had years of experience and comes with a great testimony from other. If you’re here in Houston, I go to Sensia Day Spa and Lance is who does my treatment.
What I love most about having my hair done is when summer comes around. I’ve never been able to get in the pool and then get out without the burden of my hair. Now, I can jump in the pool and get out without worrying about frizzy hair. I know! Sounds unreal for us frizzy haired girls. I was a sceptic until the first time I washed my hair. A tear may have actually fell from my eyes. My entire life has been spent worrying about my hair…until now!
Have you ever known that girl with perfect hair? She can get in the water and then after she lets her hair air dry (She probably has the perfect body too). Well, you can now be that envied one.
How long does it take and how long does it last?
Are you sitting down? It takes all day! Depending on if you have to get touch ups done after you’re all finished. You shouldn’t have to but the first time I had mine done we were very conservative with the product and due to that we had to go in and put product on a few places that weren’t as straight as others. With that said, it could take up to 6+ hours.
How much does it cost?
I’ve done zero research elsewhere and can only tell you what I’ve paid. Unfortunately, the price has gone up over the years but worth every penny. Even when I didn’t have money…I managed to find a way to have my hair done. Years ago it would cost $500. This last time I paid $650. That is without tip. And don’t forget to tip the person who washes your hair each time.
The first time you go it will cost a little more because you’re having all your hair done. When you get your roots done, it should cost less. That’s at my salon. Each place could do it differently.
What’s the process?
- When you first arrive you have your hair washed. No need to come in with fresh hair. If you know your stylist then maybe they will give you permission to wash your hair before coming in. But more than likely they will want to wash your hair and strip it with a clarifying shampoo.
- If you’ve had anything done to your hair (color, bleach or previous Japanese Straightener) then a protection product will be placed on those areas. This sits for about 20 min.
- Hair is then washed with a special shampoo and conditioner. The condition sits for about 5 min. We repeat this.
- After that, hair is blow dried thoroughly and straightened with a straight iron. It takes forever to do this because it’s done in tiny sections to assure that every strand is straight.
- Now for the good stuff. The permanent straightener is placed onto hair and sits for another 20 min. Lance will then test the strands to see if it’s taken. He does it by lightly knotting the hair. If the knot stays then its good. If it bounces out of the knot then we let the product sit a little longer. 5 min max.
- Finally we wash it all out and put a deep moisturizing shampoo and conditioner in.
- Blow dry and go!
There you have it my friends. Hopefully your questions have been answered. If there are more leave them below and I’ll be sure to get those answered and added.
Shirt- similar + similar, Jeans: similar + similar + love these Necklace: Accessory Concierge, Kendra Scott Belt- similar + similar
Sunglasses: Ray Ban
Bracelets: J. Crew, Alex & Ani, Lovely B, Crystal,
Handbag: Louis Vuitton (old similar)
Is this treatment hard on your hair? I would love more information about it!
Yes, It’s very hard on your hair. Make sure you do your research and get the right person that knows how to do it properly. If you’re ever in Houston, Texas try my guy. xox
650 wow that’s expensive but I will do my homework! I need this. My hair is a frizzy, dry and coarse wavy curly mess. I straighten it as much as I can . Like you Ashley, I wash my hair only a couple of times a week. It’s so dry anyways it’s fine. What kind of drug store shampoo and conditioner would you recommend?
I know! The price kills me but once you try it…you’ll thank me. It’s that incredible. I love Pantene and Treseme from the drugstore.
Okay! I’m definitely gonna look into it. Ashlee how did you like the coal Pantene you tried? I remember seeing your story about it but didn’t know if it was worth it or not. About to make a target trip soon so need some ideas for shampoo and conditioner. I’ve been using Maui Moisture. Not my fav but definitely calms down the frizz. It makes my heart so happy that you are so engaging with your “friends” on here! Love chatting!
Love this! Never heard of this until now
Been wanting to try this for a long time. I live in Miami, FL so we also have the horrible humidity. I have done the Brazilian Keratin but that only last 3 months. Thank you for your input will look into trying this now.
Is this something you need to commit to maintaining? What if you decided not to go back and touch up your roots, what would your hair look like? TIA! 😘
When you say straight, you mean you can get out of the shower and let it air dry and not have to run a flat iron through it? I too was placed in the curly frizzy line and have always hated my hair. I recently got a keratin treatment which has helped TREMENDOUSLY but I do still usually have to run my straightener through the roots a little bit. I would love to not have to do anything.
When you say it straightens your hair, do you mean you can get out of the shower and let it air dry and not have to flat iron it at all? I too was put in the frizzy curly line and have always hated my hair. I recently got a keratin treatment which helped TREMENDOUSLY but I still have to run my flat iron through the roots. It only takes me 5 min but I’d love to be able to do NOTHING.
That’s exactly what I’m saying! How wild and crazy cool is that?
That sounds awesome!! So are you able to style it with curls if need be?
YES!!
Makes me want to hop on a plane to Houston just to get this done!! I loved seeing your stories right after. Your hair looked so silky smooth – like butter! Thanks for sharing!
It feels silky too! Come on.
I love that you are so honest about this! I wash my hair every day I am so jealous you do it once a week your hair is just gorgeous!!!!
I read your blog post and immediately looked for salons by me that have Japanese straightening, and there aren’t any! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since I live in Indiana. I am very interested in it though. My hair is thick and curly and gets frizzy with just a little bit of humidity. I need to look by where my mom lives and see if I can find somewhere! Thanks for all the info!
Find a cheap flight and come to Texas!! haha
I love the jewelry you have on. I have never heard of this hair straightener before. You hair looks so beautiful ♡
How long does it last? Do you have touch-ups done in between full treatments?
No touch ups. That’s the great thing about it being permanent! You just get your roots done as you desire.
How often do you need to do touch ups?
It’s permanent. You get it done as your roots grow out.
How often do you go? To get the full treatment? Basically, how often are you paying $650?
You go as needed. Since your hair grows out at the roots, it depends on how long you want to wait for that new growth to not have the treatment.
So if this is permanent, what do you do to style your hair each day? I know you typically wash your hair once a week, but any tools you like to use?
You can still style it any way you want. All it does is get the frizz out and straighten it.
Awesome! I’ll have to save up my monies! I moved to Houston about 3 years ago and the humidity and I still have not become friends.. HA!
It looks so good!! Can you curl your hair if you want to have a curled look?
So cool that they have something like this!! Is this only for people who have curly hair or can it be done on someone like me who has straight hair but just has a frizz problem?
Absolutely
How does this work on fine hair?
My strands are fine…I just have a lot of hair. So I would say just fine. Ask your stylist first to be sure.
That’s so awesome! Can you curl your hair, if you want a curly day?
Yes maam
Hi Ashlee,
Can you still curl your hair if you wish to, or is that not possible with the Japanese straightener in there?
😃
Never heard of this before you mentioned it but I’m definitely intrigued!! I don’t typically do anything to my hair so happy now that I can look into this!
I really would love to try this as i have naturally wavy hair, but I don’t live anywhere near a place that does this… I look forward to this growing trend, thanks for sharing!
Do you reccomend getting the treatment if hair is frizzy and just kinda of slightly wavy.
Either way.It’s am extreme treatment and works wonders for unruly hair.
Hi! Is it recommended to avoid this if you have very thin hair? I’m a sad victim of over-blonding and my hair has never been the same. I no longer have super strong strands. Thanks, AshLee!! Yours looks like a DREAM!
My hair is thin. I just have a lot of it! Maybe it was who you went to. That’s the biggest key! Thank you. Your’s in your pic looks gorg.!