askpixie.

05.24.03

Hi i have a few questions about the japanese relaxer treatement.

Is it Damaging to the hair?

How much does it cost?

I live in Metro Detroit do u know of any local salons who are doing this?

Please write back! thanks

-- Lisa Z.

Lisa Z.,

Most of the answers to these questions can be answered at the following url:

http://www.familysaurus.com/message_boards/Beauty/

This is a site where people that want more information about this process and people that have had the process or perform the process discuss the procedure, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the service.   Here is also a link to an article that describes the procedure and results in pretty good detail:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/73772_straight.shtml

Short answer to your query is:  

Yes, it is damaging. Essentially a perm is flat ironed into your hair. Some people swear it makes their hair more lustrous and wonderful than ever before, some people say it sucks serious ass. However, it is a zillion times less damaging to your hair than the former traditional straightening methods, which employed harsh chemicals like lye to break down and restructure the hair. It was intended to be geared towards asian hair, which tends to be a little more resilient and resistant to chemical and thermal damage -- most asian hair has a thicker cuticle layer than standard caucasian hair, making it more difficult to perm, color, or relax. Caucasian and "ethic" hair tends to be a lot more fragile concerning this service, but a savvy and experienced stylist can make a world of difference.  

Expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $700, depending on where you get it done, and expect to spend 4 - 7 hours on the procedure. Remember though, cheaper and faster isn't necessarily better or worse than pricier and slower. Consult with stylists and ask around your town, until you feel comfortable with a stylist and a salon.   As far as where to go to get it done in Detroit, your guess is as good as mine. Either no one in your town does it, or if they do, it's a secret. What I would do is look in the book for Korean hair salons, and then call them all and ask if they do Japanese Thermal Reconditioning. You might also see if there are salons in your area (like in the yellow pages) that advertise themselves as being Rusk salons, because they should probably offer Rusk Thermal Str8 treatments, which are the same thing.  

According to Rusk1.com, the following salons offer Thermal Str8, but I'm not sure where they are relative to where you live. Rusk1.com features a place where you can plug in zipcodes to find the nearest salon that carries their products and offers their services.  

Coloseum International
Thermal Str8 Certified
75 Kercheval Street, Ste. 102
Grosse Pointe Farms   MI   48236
phone: 313.881.7252

Inspire Salon
Thermal Str8 Certified
43668 Schoenher Road
Sterling Heights   MI   48313
phone: 586.532.0320

Christopher's
Thermal Str8 Certified
2450 Orchard Lake Road
Sylvan   MI   48320
phone: 248.681.1023

Chrystal Boji
Thermal Str8 Certified
7130 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield   MI   48322
phone: 248.932.7729

Fringe Full Service Salon
Thermal Str8 Certified
6231 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield   MI   48322
phone: 248.539.2211

Antonio Salon
Thermal Str8 Certified
29657 Orchard Lake Rd.
Farmington Hills   MI   48334
phone: 248.626.8020

Carroll & Co.
Thermal Str8 Certified
2232 S. Milford Road
Highland   MI   48356
phone: 248.887.0414

Salon Escape
Thermal Str8 Certified
47470 Grand River
Novi   MI   48374
phone: 248.465.1355

Gina Agosta Hair Color & Design
Thermal Str8 Certified
39831 Grand River Ave.
Novi   MI   48375
phone: 248.477.2266

  I hope this helps, and let me know how it goes!

-- pixie

Yesterday & Tomorrow.

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(if you want to know about some form of thermal relaxing, click here.)

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