Japanese straightening: what it consists of, benefits, and tips

If curly perms were the sensation of the 90s, in recent decades straight perms like Japanese straightening have been gaining more and more strength.

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

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

What does Japanese straightening consist of?

The Japanese straightening it is a permanent hair treatment that allows the person receiving it to maintain straight hair (regardless of their hair's natural state) for months without the need to use flat irons daily, nor any other type of straightening agent.

Yuko Yamashita she is the Japanese stylist behind this famous permanent straightening treatment launched in 1996. Yuko constantly heard complaints from her clients in her beauty salon, insisting that rebellious hair is difficult to manage in the mornings and requires a lot of care. Also, on hot or humid days, the results were unpredictable.

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

Take a look at this post where we tell you hair types that exist and the best treatments for each of them.

How long does Japanese straightening last? Tips to maintain it

The average duration of Japanese straightening can range between 4 and 9 months. This wide hairpin corresponds to the hair differences that exist in the different hair types of women. In this way, a excessively curly hair will have more difficulty extending the effects of the treatment.

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

• Avoid using the hairdryer. Try to dry it with a towel as much as you can and let it air dry.
• After applying the treatment, try not to wet your hair for about at least three days.
• Use shampoo and conditioner specific to Japanese straightening.
• Do not use hair accessories during the first 72 hours after straightening: elastics, hairpins, headbands… They could deform the shape of the hair.

Disadvantages

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

• It does not have an exact duration: although your trusted hairdresser can give you an approximate duration based on your hair type, they cannot guarantee its exact effectiveness.
• You will need to do touch-ups: since hair keeps growing, it is likely that if you want to maintain the effects of the treatment, you will need to periodically reinforce the roots (the part not previously exposed to the treatment).
• Limits styling options: keep in mind that if you get Japanese straightening, it will be very difficult to curl your hair if you ever want to change your look occasionally.
• It can have side effects: although not very common, this type of treatment can cause atopic reactions on your scalp. Your stylist will perform a small test to make sure this is not your case.
• Not recommended for damaged hair: in these types of cases, applying the treatment could further damage the hair. Remember that you can improve the health of your hair with these hair oils or these vitamins that we recommend to you.

Difference between Japanese straightening and keratin straightening

The main difference between Japanese straightening and keratin straightening is the base product applied to the hair and the goal you want to achieve with it.

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

Depending on your needs, we recommend that you consult with your trusted professional to see which type of treatment you choose.

Steps to do Japanese straightening

These are the basic steps you should follow for an effective Japanese straightening 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 all over the hair, you should check that it is not harmful to your scalp. The best is to do a small test with a strand and see what happens.
• Application of the product: once you have ensured that the product is not harmful to you, the next step will be to apply it all over the hair and wait between 10 and 40 minutes (depending on hair type and damage) for it to be well absorbed.
• Rinse the hair: after the waiting time, it will be time to remove the product residues and move on to the next step.
• Straightening: once the hair is 100% dry, it will be time to straighten it completely.
• Application of the neutralizer: each type of treatment includes a neutralizer that must be applied after the main product's application.

Price of Japanese straightening

The price of Japanese straightening can vary greatly depending on whether you choose to do it yourself at home or opt for a professional's touch.

If this is your first time undergoing this type of treatment, our recommendation is that you first try a specialized beauty salon or hairdresser to avoid possible allergic reactions and to get recommendations on the products best suited to your needs.