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Straight and Healthy Hair

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You may have heard about a revolutionary hair straightening system.  Some people call it Bio-ionic Straightening system others might call it Japanese Straightening system.  These are the only two variations of the straightening system with which I have first hand experience.  However, there are other variations like the CHI Japanese Straightening System and other types of thermal reconditioning but I can't speak too much about these.  I suspect they are similar.  In any case, hopefully I can give you some guidance to help you see if one of these treatments is right for you.

I'm no expert but I am definitely a consumer and I can tell you what I have learned in the past 4 years that I have been getting the Japanese or Bio-ionic Straightening done to my hair.  I also have friends who have opted for this treatment so hopefully I can give some guidance.

First of all, without getting technical, I will tell you this... this treatment is AMAZING.  If you have unruly, wavy, curly, kinky, or hard to manage hair and you would prefer straight, soft, easy to manage hair... this could be the right system for you. 

The biggest, #1 drawback is the cost.  When I used to get my hair permed, the old damaging way, it would never cost more than $100 (tip included).  No matter where you go, this sytem will likely cost you $500-1,000 or even more per visit.  And if your hair grows fast, you need to go back more often to get your roots done.  New growth is new growth and unfortunately, they have not come up with a system that affects the hair from end to root.  So you have to go back.  This can get a bit pricey!

 

Los Angeles, CA salons

Here are places in the greater Los Angeles area where you can go.
Pia Hair Salon
If you live in or around Los Angeles and you want to go to the best salon for the hair straightening system, you must go to Pia. They are professional, very detail oriented and the best stylist I've ever gone to for this system. Not only that, they are the most affordable around. I have flown back to California from Boston just to get my hair done at Pia. It costs more for me to get it done in Boston than to pay for a plane ticket and get my hair done at Pia. This is a hidden treasure. They use the liscio hair straightening system.

Average cost of hair system = $250-350.

They are fast, provide excelent service, friendly, and affordable. Five Star service. I highly recommend.

Boston, MA salons

Lord's & Lady's Hair Salon
The salon I go to when I'm in the greater Boston area for my hair straightening is Lord's & Lady's Hair Salon in West Roxbury, a little outskirt of Boston. They use the bio-ionic system. In May 2006, I paid $525 + I gave my obligatory 10% of $50 for a tip. This trip to the salon cost me $575 total and it cost me to rethink my next trip. I might take a trip out to California to visit Pia's salon. I would be able to see my friends, enjoy the sun and get my hair done all for the same price it cost me to go to the salon in Boston.
Umi Salon
According to their website, Umi does bio-ionic straightening and their costs are from $750. To their credit, they are in the hip, expensive and happening part of town. Located on Newbury Street, Umi is in a great location and I bet they provide great services. I've never been there. They are a little out of my price range.

From Kinky to Straight

Tanya's story

I'm biracial, half black & half white but my hair is all kinky. Yes, I'm used to setting up appointments with salons asking for the stylist who has the most experience with thick, coarse hair. I try to prepare the salons. They act very cavallier over the phones "Oh that's not a problem, many of our stylists have that experience. What time do you want to come in?" Well, when I walk in for my appointments the attitude is different. They start poking at my hair like it's something they have never seen. And it probably isn't. I have thick, thick, thick, course hair. The thing is that because I am biracial, the perms that are designed for white people are typically not strong enough and the perms that are designed for black people just don't give me the best results. They straighten my hair alright but they also dry it, cause split ends, and permanently damage my hair. Forget about having my hair grow past the middle of my neck. Also, once I washed my hair after a lye or no-lye perm, my hair would almost be back to the way it was pre-perm, but now it's damaged. What to do?

My friend Vineeta... she researched this Japanese hair straightening technique and found Pia Salon in Torrance, CA. She went there and swore by it. What could it hurt? I'd give it a try. So I went there about 4 years ago and I LOVE it.

Results: My hair straightened (permanently), it stayed soft, it grew longer than it has ever grown in my adult life. It is healthy. It is beautiful. Of course I have to go for touch ups every 3-5 months because when the new growth comes in, it needs to be addressed. But it is the only thing in my 30+ years of living, that I absolutely recommend for anyone who wants to straighten their hair the healthy way!

***WARNING****WARNING****WARNING*****WARNING*****WARNING

1) Be VERY careful about choosing this treatment option if your hair is already damaged or recently colored or permed. You may want to wait.

2) Be very cautious about who you go to. You should get a referral from someone or find out if you can talk to the hair dresser's customers who have had this service.

Kerastase Products

My hair dressers told me about Kerastase Substance Constructive to use as a leave-in conditioner. I love it. It keeps my hair soft and my ends protected. Only at the salon they cost a lot of money. I have been purchasing my supplies from E-bay because you can find one tube to be $10 cheaper. Why pay full price? You can find a 2.5 oz bottle at other online stores for $36.99 + S&H. Go to E-bay instead. Check out other Kerastase products too. These are really great products, going on light and naturally!
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Bio-Ionic Products

The one and only hair heat source

There are all sorts of flat irons out there and it's easy to get confused. I only recommend the Bio-Ionic flat iron. Believe me when I say "I have used dozens." This one works the best. Here's why. My hairdresser told me something like this. Bio-Ionic flat irons use natural ions that allow you to straighten your hair faster while protecting you hair from really high temperatures. It is my understanding that the ions from other manufacturer's of high-end flat irons, are man-made ions. While Bio-ionic creates natural ions, no other flat iron that I know of does. Prove me wrong!

OH MY GOODNESS, I just tried the hair dryer last night (September 2, 2006) and it rocks, people!!! It is one of the best hair investments I have made recently. It does dry your hair faster, straighter, shinier and healthier. My hair has never looked so good as it did last night. This is a must by item. Not an option!!!
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Redken Conditioners

I purchased a Nexxus conditioner because I didn't find Redken. They cost about the same but Redken is far superior. Even my hairdresser at Pia Salon (listed above) uses Redken. My favorite conditioner is the All Soft Conditioner, in a gold bottle. This stuff is great because once you wash it out you don't feel like it is still all over your hair. It helps with achieving a smooth soft texture when blow drying your hair.

When I used the Nexxus, I had to rewash my hair, and start all over with my Redken. Personally I use the Redken All Soft products. Desperate I went to a high end salon to purchase the All Soft Conditioner yesterday (10/10/06) and paid $26.95 before taxes. Save a buck or two and buy it on e-bay.
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Bio-Ionic Procedure

Bio-Ionic Application procedure
OK everybody, you know if you aren't a professional, you should not be doing this. But here is the website that tells you how to apply the bio-ionic system yourself!!! Not everyone can afford the normal $500-$1,000 salon costs. If this is you, you can give it a try and if you are willing to take the risk, you can buy the straightening kit for about $60.00 and do it yourself using these instructions. Remember, this is a risk.

I would recommend going to a salon once or twice before trying it yourself. That way you can watch and take very detailed notes on how the professional does it.

UPDATE!
On September 9, 2006, I applied this to my sister's hair. She decided she could no longer afford the cost of going to the salon every 3 months so she thought she would take a risk. Since both she and I have had our hair done professionally a combined total of 10+ times, she was confident that we could figure it out. It took about 1 hour longer than it takes in the salon because we wanted to be extremely cautious, especially with rinsing the product (very important), but my sister is thrilled. Two weeks later and my sister is still raving about her hair. It is a tough task and you must make sure you have all of the items you need to make this successful because there is strong potential for damaging your hair. Be careful!!!
Before and After photos
Here are before and after photos so you can see for yourself some of the amazing results.

Share Your Story

send email to: roaringheart@gmail.com

Have you had the Japanese or Bio-Ionic straightening done to your hair? What was your experience? Would you recommend a salon or a stylist in your town?

Did you have your hair permanently straightened by another hair product or system? Do you swear by it or do you warn others to stay away?

Share your personal story or give a recommendation on a salon, stylist, product or related service, please send an email to:

roaringheart@gmail.com

We may add your story to this page.

Information for hairdressers and consumers

Liscio hair products from Milbon
Since 1996, people across the world have used Liscio system to fulfill their desire for straight hair and Milbon provides that knowledge to professional hairdressers so that consumers can receive one of the best thermal reconditioning treatments around.

As a consumer, if you would like to purchase any of the liscio hair products, you can call: (800) 431-8438 and the Milbon sales group will recommend you to salons in your area that carries their line.

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