Question:
Any Beauticians and Barbers here? Have a question for you.

All my life I've had curly hair, which I hate. Now it seems much worse since WLS and I've been shaving my hair almost off to stop the curls. (Curls are for girls I always say- lol). Anyway when I was a teen I tried a hair straightener that made my hair curlier than it already was. But it's been a good many years since my teen years and I'm hoping there are better products out there. However I do not want to spend a fortune trying all those products. Do any of you know a good product (I can use at home- preferably)? Thank you!    — Danmark (posted on January 30, 2003)

January 30, 2003
Hi Daniel! To answer your question, there are things out there you can use to calm down the curl...but a chemical treatment will always be the best way to win the battle. There is a new straightner on the market called the Japanese straightner (not over the counter), it's a little pricey but well worth it. There are several chemical relaxers on the market, just make sure that the salon you choose has plenty of experience with these treatments. Over the counter products are just not the way to go, they don't have the same strength as professional products and therefore just won't be able to give the effects you desire. Hope this helps!
   — Melissa S.

January 30, 2003
Daniel, there's a product called "Curl Free" made by Gillette which is very good and pretty easy to us. It will make your hair very straight, especially at first, then the body will come back gradually as it grows in. It's about $10, I think, but it's not carried everywhere. There's a discount drug store in the northeast calles CVS that I know carries it, but your best bet is to make calls to stores first to see if they have it, and call the largest chain drug stores first The Japanese system that Melissa is referring to is called thermal reconditioning, and yes, it's VERY pricey, but I'm sick & tired of spending hours blowing out my hair each morning, so I'm going for it. I'm also trying to plan it for about a month before my breast reduction, because I wont be able to blow dry my hair for a while, and you DON'T want to me go go "natural." (think cross between Medusa & Don King!) LOL Good luck.
   — Leslie F.

January 30, 2003
Hi Daniel, I too was blessed with VERY CURLY natural hair that gets on my LAST nerve. Good thing about this surgery - about 2 months postop I lost a lot of that curl. Now I have just the loose curls that I love.... maybe you'll be fortunate like me on that aspect. I fortunately was raised by a hair stylist... she became a hairstylist just to find something to do with my hair! I would advise, if you choose to go the route that so many have suggested here... doing the job yourself - what I've done in the past is just use regular over the counter perms and instead of curling it - comb it straight with a FINE tooth comb as I'm doing the processes... (Normally two steps - activator and nutrilizer. I would suggest that you DEFINATELY rinse twice as long as what the box recommends between the steps - maybe even longer - the reason most people "burn" their hair with home perms is because they don't rinse well enough between the first step and the second step. - I found that the best way to rinse after the 1st step (since I do it myself) is to just jump in the shower and let the showerhead go to town - making sure to rinse my body VERY WELL. oh yeah when you are doing the rinse after the activator - DO NOT scrunch your hair as you are rinsing - any curls you make at that time will stay when you are finished. Try to keep your hair as straight as possible. The nutrilizer locks in the permanent wave so before adding it to your scalp make sure you've combed your hair straight - take your time while combing though your scalp will most likely be tender. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top. Good luck - hope these suggestions work for you! Linda
   — lindajenkins

January 31, 2003
I too have curly hair which I have hated and I have straighten (w/blow dryer or products). I have had a chemical treatment at a salon, intended for African American hair- which cost me about $70 and it ROCKED! I was very HAPPY. I also have used home products intended for African American hair, that I have found works well- however I liked having the salon do it (all the combing etc.) The Japanese system, is VERY pricey, and as with all treatments, lasts until the new growth comes in. I would rather pay less- however I am sure that price goes down for touch ups. Still- I have decided to accept the once unacceptable, and I am now growing my bangs out. I figure once my hair is LONG (it's heavy) I will wear it curly for a change (being heavier will weight it down a bit) and look better. I can also then air dry it too! I say keep on SHAVING! My husband has very thick; full head of hair, while it looks great in a crew cut or when he keeps it up himself- personally- I always prefer him to shave it OFF. I think he looks clean cut... my own Mr. Clean. I like bald. Bald is beautiful.
   — Karen R.

January 31, 2003
Just here to express a little jealousy of your curly hair. Mine is stick straight and fine as a babies. I have always wished for a nice natural curl. sigh.....
   — **willow**

February 1, 2003
Daniel, I am a hairstylist in Canada, there are mant ways to straighten your hair however try this first before any others I think in the U.S there should be a product line by the name "Bed Head" I know nice name however I like it, and alot of my clients do as well. The next step is to blow dry your hair while it is in with a round brush. If this is too much work for you as it could be to many people, go to your local salon you can have your hair chemically straightened it takes about 30 minutes and the cost here is about $35-$90 however being that your a gentleman your hair is probly short and the cost should be closer to $35. You may have to repeat this usually my male clients come in every two to three months. I hope this helps
   — lynn C.