Hair straightening...update @ bottom

I know the "Thermal Reconditioning" threads have been beaten to death, but...

Do any of you girls regret having it done?

If any of you girls had a negative experience, could you FM me?

Did any of you girls find that your hair's health actually improved once your started having it straightened? Less breakage?

What about the "baby hairs" near the hairline? Do they fall correctly after the straightening or do they stick straight out???

Does the stylist ask where you want your part or hair to fall? Or do they automatically give you a center part?


As much as I love my curly hair, (especially since it's so different these days b/c it seems most girls tend to have straight hair), I'm still considering having it straightened...although my DH is afraid I'll be disappointed or freaked with the outcome and he'll find me "curled up in a ball under the desk crying."

Styling my hair is nearly impossible these days with an infant and I would imagine it's only going to get harder since we intend to have more children. It takes me 45 minutes to an hour whether I blow it straight or curly. As a result, my hair ends up in a bun...which I hate.

I'm contemplating giving Top Point a call for an appointment next week (unless you girls have any other salon recommendations.)

Message edited 8/31/2006 11:47:36 AM.

Re: Hair straightening...

Another question...

Do any of you have the # and address for Top Point???

I tried searching for it in theultimates.com, but can't find it, nor can I find it through a search on here.

Re: Hair straightening...

Top Point
37-05 Prince Street
Flushing
(718) 461-3378

I see some parts where it looks fried, but I think it was from the highlights I had done previously. Tracy at Top Point cut my hair afterwards & gave it a chopped look to cut off the damage ends. She did say that it was from the highlights but I just want to make you aware.

I absolutely don't regret getting it done one bit. My life is so much easier now that I can get out of the shower, comb it, dress the kids & run for the train. I haven't dried my hair in over a month. Baby hairs didn't fall right in the beginning, now they're fine. You should indicate where your part is but I've changed my part & it hasn't been a problem at all. It's also not pin straight, I still have a little wave in my hair if I go to sleep with it wet.

Here is my concern. Postpartum hair is tough to handle. Since your hair was in a resting phase for 10 months where there was little shedding, if any, your hair is going to change. Not only will your hair start falling out in droves if it hasn't already, but it will take about a year for the baby hairs to grow out.

It's made my life significantly easier. I now have decent looking hair (I'm hair-impaired). I hestitate to recommend it based on the amount of fallout that happens after a baby.

Hope this helps.

Message edited 8/22/2006 9:51:02 PM.

Re: Hair straightening...

I only have a minute but I just thought I'd chime in since I had TR done at 8 months post-partum. The reason I HAD to do it was just that - being a full time working mom with a new baby - there was just no way I could devote hours upon hours to my hair every week anymore.

I'll tell you the truth - when I brushed my hair for the first time at the salon right after they applied the first round of chemicals... the giant clumps of hair that came out downright SCARED me. If I didn't know it was because I was post-partum, I might have started crying.

BUT, my hair came out great, I love it and what I love even more is the significant amount of time it saves me(even now 5 months later when I have to blow dry the roots) so I definitely don't regret it. But I thought you should be prepared for the hair falling out. I waited as long as could stand it pp, and still lost fistfuls of hair. Afterwards the shedding was not as bad though. It's like the TR got out all the dead hair and then I didn't shed as much.

Just thought I'd put that out there for you and any others that may be considering doing this post-partum.

I had no problems with the baby hairs or my part (they didn't ask me, but I also didn't go to Top Point). As for health of my hair - my mom is a stylist, has been for over 20 yrs, owned a salon in NY, etc and she commented how healthy my hair was after TR. My regular stylist (since my Mom has moved to FL) also commented that my hair was healthy or even healthier since getting TR.

Re: Hair straightening...

Thank you for your responses girls!!

I think I'm going to go ahead and make an appointment. As of right now, I think the potential for hair damage/loss is worth the risk. (I went "porn star" blonde once, so why not give this a shot! )


Are there any recommendations for what stylist to request?

Re: Hair straightening...

I use Tracy

Re: Hair straightening...

Well, I made an appointment with Tracy for Tuesday.

Wish me luck!

Re: Hair straightening...

you wont regret it

when ever someone says JHS damages your hair

I respond...does my hair look damaged?

NO

does my hair feel damaged?

NO

my hair has gotten about a million times better!

have fun!

Re: Hair straightening...

Good luck!! You won't regret it.

Bring lots of quarters & if you can get there really early there is a $4 lot to park all day. Worth it not because you save a few dollars, but you won't be running out to the meter every few hours.

Re: Hair straightening...

all these straightening threads have me very excited and I'm ready to jump on the bandwagon...just a couple questions (couldn't find an answer on any threads..so sorry if these have been asked already)..

1) my friend and I would like to go to Top Point together...I hear a lot of people mention Tracy..but can you suggest someone else so we can do have the process done at the same time.

2) Can you have the process done if you are breast feeding?

Thanks!!!

Re: Hair straightening...

I've got another question girls...

How should I wear my hair to the appointment? Am I better to have it blown-out/straight? Or should I wear it curly? (Just so I know how to dry it tomorrow...meaing Monday b/c my appt is Tues.)

Thanks!

Message edited 8/28/2006 8:39:08 AM.

Re: Hair straightening...

selfishly bumping for folks to see my question

Re: Hair straightening...

Posted by Chatham-Chick

I've got another question girls...

How should I wear my hair to the appointment? Am I better to have it blown-out/straight? Or should I wear it curly? (Just so I know how to dry it tomorrow...meaing Monday b/c my appt is Tues.)

Thanks!

Re: Hair straightening...

I also have gotten it done and highly recommend it. I am going to hijack your post though and ask those who have also gotten it done, has anyone put anything special in their hair, like oil or something? I havent but I think maybe I should and could use some suggestions.
TIA

Re: Hair straightening...

It was pin straight so they wouldn't be able to see how much hair I had. They asked how long it had been since I washed my hair (it was the 2nd day), so they washed it and foiled my plans...

I was told to put the oil on my ends to avoid the flyaways since I have highlights. Occassionally I do it. Now I always get the glaze when I get color by my regular hairdresser to condition my hair. Works wonders.

Message edited 8/28/2006 10:54:48 AM.

Re: Hair straightening...

My third time getting it done it didnt take that well. But the rest of the times were a dream.

Re: Hair straightening...

Posted by Chatham-Chick

I've got another question girls...

How should I wear my hair to the appointment? Am I better to have it blown-out/straight? Or should I wear it curly? (Just so I know how to dry it tomorrow...meaing Monday b/c my appt is Tues.)

Thanks!

Re: Hair straightening...

Ok, so I had the straightening done on Tuesday.

When would you girls normally wash your hair after the treatment? Tracy told me 2 days, so should I wait until Friday or do you think it's safe to wash it today (Thursday)?

Re: Hair straightening...

I always give it an extra day

pics please!

Re: Hair straightening...update @ bottom

All I got to say is THANK YOU. (I owe you girls pics. I'll have to have my DH snap a few when he gets home.)

I can now get ready in under an hour (shower, makeup and hair included).

DH is all over me too. He's lovin' it! (My hair was often in a bun b/c I just didn't have time to style it.)

And...my sister hates me. Hehehe. She used to go to Salon Ishi in NYC for TR and pay $800-$1000 (and they told her that her hair would never be straight...and it never was with their treatments. It was just a very loose curl, but much more manageable.) She eventually got tired of paying the $$$ and tried a LI salon. They fried her hair and she hasn't had the TR since. Well now after seeing my hair, she's going to be paying a visit to Top Point.

Re: Hair straightening...update @ bottom

My review:
I showed up at Top Point by 9:30am on a Tuesday morning. (If you're interested in the TR, go on a Tues. The place is on the slow side and I was the only one having the treatment done.)

I parked in the municipal parking lot near the salon where they charge $3 for every 3 hours. It was pouring rain out, so I wasn't going to bother feeding the meter. I figured I would suck it up and just take the parking ticket. (It's $35 if you don't feel like feeding the meter. ) But, there is a $4 all day lot not too far from the salon.

I scheduled with Tracy, but both Tracy and Annie worked on my hair. I have to say, I felt Annie was more thorough (with the flat iron anyway), but they both did a terrific job. I ended up with 2 girls b/c my hair is so long (they kept calling me the Indian girl...meaning native american indian.) The girls worked on my hair from 9:45am until 3:30pm and they charged me the full $250 b/c of my hair length (as soon as I pulled my hair out of the bun, they told me it would be the full price b/c of my hair length.)

I don't seem to have any breakage (I keep checking the shower drain, towels, pillow cases, the brush, etc.) despite having processed my hair (I use permanent color.) I've also been using Kerastase Nutritive products on my hair since the TR to prevent any dryness/damage.

Hmmm...I guess that's all for now.

Re: Hair straightening...update @ bottom

I can't wait to see pictures!!!!

Re: Hair straightening...update @ bottom

Just wondering... for all you that have gone thru the japanese straightening process...
after you wash your hair for the first time, did you notice if you got a little more life to your hair? I just had it done yesterday..and it looks sooo severe. i'm trying to get use to it. it may just be that I need a hair cut and a good wash.
I've heard everyone talk about how excited they were after they got the JHS done...never heard anyone have any concerns afterward.
thx.

Re: Hair straightening...update @ bottom

Yes definitely. I walked out of there with pin straight hair. After I washed it, I was MUCH happier. It's been 2 months - I still can't believe I waited so long to get this done. I'm thrilled with it.

Chatham-Chick - I'm glad you like it! With 2 kids getting ready for school in the morning, it's a great time saver.

Message edited 9/17/2006 12:31:58 PM.