Japanese straightening: what it consists of, benefits and tips

If curly perms were the sensation of the 90s, in recent decades straight perms such as Japanese straightening are gaining more and more strength.

After all, this type of treatment is one of the most practical options when it comes to having straight, well-groomed hair: you can let it air dry without it getting frizzy and it hardly needs any regular care. With just one application, you'll have a pretty decent result for months and months.

If you're still not sure, in this post we'll tell you everything you need to know about Japanese straightening: what it consists of, how long it lasts, benefits and much more!

What is Japanese straightening?

Japanese straightening is a permanent hair treatment that allows the person receiving it to maintain straight hair (regardless of the natural state of their hair) for months without the need to use flat irons daily or any other type of straightening agent.

Yuko Yamashita is the Japanese hairstylist behind this celebrated permanent straightening treatment launched in 1996. Yuko constantly heard complaints from her clients at her salon, insisting that unruly hair is difficult to manage in the mornings and takes a long time to care for. Plus, on hot or humid days, the results were unpredictable.

The technique consists of applying a product and ionic straightening in several phases so that the properties of the product adhere to the hair. The result is straight, silky and smooth hair for several months, depending on the type of hair of the person receiving the treatment.

Check out this post where we tell you about the different types of hair that exist and the best treatments for each of them.

How long does Japanese straightening last? Tips for maintaining it

The average duration of Japanese straightening can range from 4 to 9 months. This wide range is due to the differences in hair types in women. Thus, excessively curly hair will have more difficulty prolonging the effects of the treatment.

In addition to our hair type, care and maintenance will also have a great influence on the duration of the effects of the hair. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Japanese straightening treatment:

• Avoid using a hairdryer. Try to dry it with a towel as much as possible and in the open air.
• After applying the treatment, try not to wet your hair for at least three days.
• Use shampoo and conditioner specifically for Japanese straightening.
• Do not use hair accessories during the first 72 hours after straightening: elastic bands, hairpins, headbands, etc. They could deform the shape of your hair.

Disadvantages

Like any professional hair treatment, Japanese straightening also has some disadvantages and contraindications that you should take into account:

• It does not have an exact duration: although your trusted hairdresser can provide you with an approximate duration based on your hair type, he or she cannot guarantee its exact effectiveness.
• You will need to do reinforcement: as the hair continues to grow, it is likely that if you want to maintain the effects of the treatment you will have to reinforce the roots (part not previously exposed to the treatment) periodically.
• Limit your styles: Keep in mind that if you get Japanese straightening, it will be very difficult to curl your hair if you ever feel like changing your look occasionally.
• It can have side effects: although they are not very common, this type of treatment can cause atopic reactions on your scalp. Your stylist will carry out a small test to make sure that this is not the case for you.
• It is not recommended for damaged hair: in this type of case, applying the treatment could damage the hair even more. Remember that you can improve the health of your hair with these hair oils or these vitamins that we recommend.

Difference between Japanese straightening and keratin straightening

The main difference between Japanese straightening and keratin straightening is the base product that is applied to the hair and the objective that is sought to be achieved with it.

While the main objective of Japanese straightening treatment is to achieve permanently straight hair, in the case of keratin straightening treatment, it is more focused on nourishing and hydrating the hair, although the hair will not be as extremely straight as in the first case.

Depending on your needs, we recommend that you consult with your trusted professional to determine what type of treatment you prefer.

Steps to do a Japanese straightening

These are the basic steps you should follow for an effective Japanese straightening treatment with good results:

• Prior hair analysis: We always recommend that you consult a professional. He or she will tell you if your hair type is suitable for the treatment.
• Preliminary test: before applying the product to your entire hair, you should check that it is not harmful to your hair surface. It is best to do a small test with a lock of hair and see what happens.
• Product application: Once you have made sure that the product is not harmful to you, the next step is to apply it all over your hair and wait between 10 and 40 minutes (depending on the type of hair and the damage to it) for it to be fully absorbed.
• Rinse your hair: after waiting time, it will be time to remove any remaining product and move on to the next step.
• Straightening: Once the hair is 100% dry, it is time to straighten it completely.
• Application of the neutralizer: each type of treatment has a neutralizer that must be applied after the language of the main product.

Japanese straightening price

The price of Japanese straightening can vary greatly depending on whether you choose to do it yourself at home, or if you opt for the help of a professional.

If this is your first time undergoing this type of treatment, we recommend that you first try a specialized beauty salon or hairdresser to avoid possible allergic reactions and to be recommended the products best suited to your needs.

The price of a professional Japanese straightening treatment can range from 300 to 800 euros . If we buy the products and decide to do it ourselves at home, the cost can be around 100 euros.