A lot begins to vary once you hit your 40s. However one factor I wasn’t ready for? My hair texture. I’ve all the time had a slight wave to my hair, however during the last two years it’s change into extra coarse and frizzy. Now, let me preface this by saying I’m not definitely against texture, curls, and even a bit frizz. In any case, that’s what provides our hair quantity, definition, and character! No, it was the wiry, tough feeling of my hair that I used to be scuffling with. It additionally felt actually dry regardless of making an attempt each hydrating hair masks together with upping my hair nutritional vitamins and omega-3 consumption. In the summertime, I additionally air dry my hair extra and seen it was a lot frizzier than typical, making it more durable to type. As a rule, my hair would find yourself in a slicked-back ponytail or low bun. So, I did some analysis and located a hair smoothing remedy that may assist scale back and clean out the frizz and texture. Bonus: with out sacrificing my hair’s personal wave and motion.
Featured picture by Teal Thomsen.
Meet the Professional: Tania Whittier
It’s necessary to notice right here that I didn’t need dead-straight hair, simply an general softening and smoothing. I’ve heard from associates and colleagues how damaging different hair straightening remedies might be so I used to be on the lookout for a non-toxic keratin remedy that would give me comparable outcomes. In response to analysis and varied research, formaldehyde can enhance the chance of most cancers. Sadly, this can be a key ingredient in many of the well-liked hair smoothing remedies. Discovering a formaldehyde free remedy was vital.
That’s after I met Tania Whittier. With a roster of superstar purchasers, it’s secure to say that the acclaimed stylist has seen all of it. However it wasn’t till a consumer requested her a couple of non-toxic hair smoothing remedy that she determined to noticeably look into it. And he or she hasn’t regarded again.
I’ve had a number of pure hair smoothing remedies with Whittier now and I’m obsessed. Whereas security is all the time the highest precedence, efficacy is necessary, too. Properly, let me inform you, this one works! Learn on to study extra about this pure keratin remedy, the way it works, how lengthy it lasts, who the best candidate is, and extra.
Hair Smoothing Therapy: The Earlier than and After
As you’ll be able to see in my earlier than picture, my hair was curly with various frizz. And when you can’t inform from the picture, it was additionally coarse to the touch. However after Whittier’s remedy, it’s clean, shiny, and hydrated. Maintain studying to study why.
Poisonous Vs. Non-Poisonous Hair Therapies
The primary distinction between non-toxic hair smoothing remedies and conventional keratin ones is formaldehyde. The second largest distinction is the customization. This implies you could select the extent of straightness you need to obtain. (Maintain the wave, lose the frizz.) In contrast to conventional remedies, non-toxic choices will let you select how a lot motion you need to preserve in your hair whereas lowering the frizz.
I opted to be a bit straighter than my typical hair this time as a result of I wished a sleeker look. However my good friend and former colleague, Victoria Hoff who has thick, lengthy, naturally wavy 2B S-curls, was in a position to scale back the frizz with out compromising texture. Whittier all the time assesses the pure texture of the hair first to see what it does naturally and the way she will be able to play to that. Then it’s as much as the formulation, processing, and irons to create a customized end result.
There are a number of non-toxic hair smoothing merchandise accessible now. Whittier rotates between Puraluxe, Cezanne, and Leaf & Flower relying on the consumer’s hair. (She used Puraluxe on my hair.) One of many enormous advantages is that you simply don’t have to attend to clean your hair. “As a result of the remedy has gone into the cortex and is definitely sealed in, you’ll be able to resume your regular life instantly post-treatment, which is a large bonus,” explains Whittier. Sure, which means you are able to do a exercise or class on the gymnasium straight after, too.
How does it work?
Formaldehyde remedies work by pushing the keratin into the cuticle with warmth and the formaldehyde acts as its ending product. Whittier notes that this offers the phantasm of shine, however over time, the hair turns into dry as a result of it’s too harsh on the hair, particularly fragile hair.
Non-toxic remedies open the cuticle to permit the amino acids to enter the cortex of the hair versus the previous approach of excessive warmth combined with formaldehyde that created a poisonous carcinogen. “It really works higher as a result of now I’m in a position to management processing instances and warmth ranges together with mixing totally different formulation,” she provides. “This enables me to customise a remedy for each consumer as a result of not everybody desires stick-straight hair.”
Advantages of Non-Poisonous Hair Smoothing Therapies
Formaldehyde-free
Non-drying
Customizable relying on desired outcomes
Can wash hair instantly post-treatment
Pure elements
The Step-by-Step Course of From Begin to End
Step 1: Shampoo to scrub the hair however don’t use conditioner. Have a look at the feel of the hair and talk about desired outcomes.
Step 2: Combine, apply product, and permit it to course of. This enables the amino acids to enter the hair.
Step 3: Rinse out the hair 110% as a result of the water will neutralize all of the elements and any amino acids that didn’t make it into the cortex of the hair. This is a vital step in making a non-toxic remedy.
Step 4: Blow dry the hair.
Step 5: Flatiron the hair. That is additionally an necessary step as a result of the hair will inform you what it could actually and may’t deal with with the warmth. It’s all the time necessary to know the hair and instruments you’re utilizing. A special temperature and kind of iron could make a HUGE distinction!
Word: Therapies can take wherever from 1-3 hours relying on what sort of remedy you need and the way lengthy you want it. Your hair size and texture additionally come into play.Relying on the remedy, Whittier fees $125- $475.
How lengthy does hair smoothing remedy final?
Therapies can final wherever from just a few weeks to as much as six months. “Everybody has totally different texture and everybody desires totally different outcomes so it varies,” Whittier explains. “However the extra contrasting the feel is out of your pure, the quicker it would really feel prefer it’s rising out.”
Who’s the best candidate for a non-toxic keratin remedy?
Whittier says nearly everybody can profit from an amino acid smoothing remedy. “Even shampoos are beginning to boast about keratin and amino acids as a result of they assist to restore the hair,” she says. “It’s all about stability although, so undoubtedly discuss to your stylist to verify your hair stays within the candy spot!”
Submit-Therapy Outcomes
Week 1
That is my hair washed and air-dried one week submit non-toxic keratin remedy. As you’ll be able to see, it’s nonetheless very shiny and clean. The curl on the entrance is from me tucking it behind my ears whereas it’s moist—I just like the s-bend form it creates round my face.
Week 6
That is my hair air-dried and washed six weeks submit pure hair smoothing remedy. Whereas some texture has returned, it’s nonetheless clean and it feels extremely tender. There’s a wave to it that offers my hair form and motion however it’s not frizzy. I like it a lot.
Tania’s High 4 Manufacturers for Submit-Therapy Care
Whittier all the time recommends sulfate-free skilled shampoo that doesn’t have keratin or proteins in it. “A smoothing remedy places all of the amino acids in so that you don’t need to strive including extra; it will trigger your hair to really feel dry—it’s all concerning the stability,” she advises.
Each product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll all the time give an sincere opinion, whether or not gifted or bought ourselves. In the event you purchase one thing by our hyperlinks, we might earn a small fee for gratis to you.
Olaplex Every day Cleanse & Situation Duo
It’s sulfate free and helps to maintain your hair sturdy.
Oway Smoothing Package for High-quality Hair
Nice clear skilled Italian model that smells superb!
O&M Hydrate & Conquer Conditioner
One other nice clear line from Australia.
Innersense Renew Texture Hair Ceremony for Thick, Coarse, Curly Hair
Clear, straightforward to make use of, and superb high quality.
This submit was initially revealed on August 31, 2021, and has since been up to date.