When I think of adding any type of hair straightening technique to my beautiful, nappy roots my first reaction is to RUN! And run far, far away.
But in recent days, as my luscious strands began fighting to maintain a straight appearance amongst the gritty humidity of Atlanta, I knew hair-business as usual was no longer the case. I had to find new options, FAST.
My first attempt was to go natural. I love my kinky hair and wanted to explore styles that enhanced the original curl pattern I was blessed with. Unfortunately, that pure love soon turned in to a love-hate relationship. My curl pattern proved to be extremely tight (ya know, that shrink-to-your-head tight).
What I thought would be an easy wash and go routine was actually a labor intensive process. I found myself wetting and washing my hair almost daily yet I hated the feeling of wet hair against my scalp. I then explored the idea of doing braids and twists but realized that I’m way too impatient to tackle the hours of preparation it takes to create them….who has that time?! Fros, jerry curls, and everything in between just wasn’t my thing so I began looking for other options.
Then one day I came across a groupon ad for a local beauty shop selling Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatments. The idea peeked my interest, so I began researching. I learned that the process was a hair straightening technique similar to a perm, but the straightening effects were not permanent. I also learned that the treatment actually helps the hair by infusing protein in to the hair follicle.
Although all this sounded wonderful, I still had a level of skepticism. Black women were not the beauticians administering the hair treatment and although I struggle with my curl pattern, the last thing I wanted to do was lose it to a relaxer. But considering the state of my out-of-control hair, I leaped at the offer and took the biggest hair-chance of my life.
So, with all that said, here’s my encounter with the Keratin Hair Smoothing Treatment done at the Spencer Malay Hair & Med Spa in Atlanta, GA. The Keratin product they used is Keralyze.
When I first arrived, the staff was very bright and happy. Immediately, the stylist sensed my uneasiness about having someone other than a woman of color touching my hair and assured me that they would take good care of me. She explained the technique and what I would have to do to maintain it. She also gave me an up-sale speech by offering a membership that I could buy to save on future Keratin treatments (typically, the products wear out after 3 months and cost mucho dinero).
After the initial consultation, I was met by the stylist’s assistant (or what they call a Keratin Hair Specialist) who washed my hair (she added no conditioner). Once she was finished, we headed to her chair for the Keratin application. She parted my hair in 1inch by 1inch squares, applied the Keratin straight from the bottle, then combed it through from the roots to the ends. She used a small tooth comb to evenly disperse the product throughout my hair.
After the Keratin application, she blew my hair out with a roller brush and a ceramic hand blow dryer. She did this until the hair was simi-straight. The roots were not dry.
Then the stylist rejoined the process as her and her assistant began flat ironing my hair. They took very small sections and flat ironed the hair until it was straight. Unfortunately, they were not able to get my roots straight, but the hair seemed to be very silky. After they finished, she sprayed a little bit of oil sheen on it to make it shiny.
Her instructions to me on maintenance:
- She suggested that I press my own roots if I wanted to get them straight. I assumed they did not use those types of techniques in their salon so I didn’t complain.
- Flat iron my hair everyday for the next 7 days to keep it straight
- No sweating
- No hair ties
- No washing for the first 3 days
- Only wash my hair with sulfate free shampoo
(This photo was taken after I left the shop. As you can see my roots are not straight but the hair is really light and flowy.)
(This picture was taken after I went home and pressed my roots. NICE!)
Overall initial perception:
Although the treatment did not get my roots straight, my hair seems to be very flowy and silky. I plan to get the treatment at least one more time to see if the second go-around is better. Unfortunately, that night I got the treatment I broke a rule: I sweated. Nothing seemed to be different in the manner in which my roots curled, so I’m not completely sold on the treatment. I will post an update in a couple weeks once I’ve washed my hair. Overall, I left the shop with a bit more pep in my step because the service was nice and my hair was somewhat more manageable for that moment.
If you’re considering the Spencer Malay Hair & Med Spa for general hair care, I would definitely recommend. They carry a professional demeanor and their customers seem happy. However, I do not have anything to reference them against when it comes to the Keratin treatment so I can’t, in good faith, recommend them for this...JUST YET (especially since my roots were not straight). It’s hard to tell whether the treatment just did not work for my nappy roots or if it's their application of the treatment. I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say my hair IS a lot to handle! Once I’ve had a chance to work with my hair post-Keratin, I’ll have a better recommendation.
What I did not like about the treatment:
The treatment process entails A LOT of heat. I’d recommend doing a deep conditioner and a protein rinse before you get the treatment so your hair is better equipped to deal with the heat use.
Also, I do not like using a small tooth comb on my hair. It’s just way too small for my curls!
Comments (4)
not that bad
Response
Just read your Keratin Hair Smoothing treatment. I will be attending an instructional workshop here in L.A. next month in hopes to add this service to my skills. I don't have a lot of time so I will make this quick. I've heard of the product and process. Keratin is a protein found in the epidermis of the skin Hair is an appendage of skin (applying a high quality form of it is a condition/reconstructor in itself).. This may be the reason a moisturizer or conditioner was not applied before us. My BIG problem is the fact that this facility offers this service to clients with "over curly hair" however, they are not skilled in thermal texturizing "pressing with a comb." You hair looked nice and silky, however, I wouldn't pay $l50 (the average rate for this service) to anyone who couldn't completely perform the entire service. You should have left the salon ready to hit the town.
Voice It!
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Www.theblowoutqueen.blogspot.com