JUST
The phones are ringing again.
"Hello, I need my hair relaxed right now!" OK, but Please read this first.
If you are a new client and would like your hair relaxed we'll be happy to oblige. BUT (we've written it in caps because it's a very, very important "but". Very important for your hair.) Like all professional salons we would never put chemical's onto someone's hair at a first appointment. Our reputation is too important and your hair too valuable. It is just crazy to do this and we are appalled at the way some stylists are willing to take huge risks with their clients' hair. Though that's probably the point; it's the clients' hair not their own.
When you are using products that are strong enough to alter the make-up of the hair itself, and have the potential for extreme damage, it is absolutely essential that you know the client's hair - its porosity, elasticity, density and general strength, demarcation lines and damage from previous chemical services. To examine the hair properly it needs to be seen under wet conditions, which is why you should always have a conditioning treatment first as part of your first visit and consultation. There are also so many other advantages in having a treatment before relaxing the hair.
If you are a new client and would like your hair relaxed we'll be happy to oblige. BUT (we've written it in caps because it's a very, very important "but". Very important for your hair.) Like all professional salons we would never put chemical's onto someone's hair at a first appointment. Our reputation is too important and your hair too valuable. It is just crazy to do this and we are appalled at the way some stylists are willing to take huge risks with their clients' hair. Though that's probably the point; it's the clients' hair not their own.
When you are using products that are strong enough to alter the make-up of the hair itself, and have the potential for extreme damage, it is absolutely essential that you know the client's hair - its porosity, elasticity, density and general strength, demarcation lines and damage from previous chemical services. To examine the hair properly it needs to be seen under wet conditions, which is why you should always have a conditioning treatment first as part of your first visit and consultation. There are also so many other advantages in having a treatment before relaxing the hair.
"I can't afford a treatment and a relaxer"
"Oh yes you can". We don't like to contradict clients when it comes to their budget but just take a look at the way we work. You can extend the time between relaxers by 50% and even more when you have regular conditioning treatments with us. By reducing the number of chemical services per year you are already on the right road to healthier, stronger hair. The only way you can do this is by inserting at least one deep conditioning treatment between relaxers which will help to make your hair healthier, stronger and above all manageable. What's more, it won't even cost you any more money.
If you are currently having a relaxer every 6 weeks you can easily extend the time to 9 weeks between relaxers by inserting a treatment in between (we have clients who go even longer between relaxers). This means that instead of 9 relaxers a year you are reducing them to 5 (plus 5 conditioning treatments). When you add up the monetary cost of 9 relaxers compared to 5 relaxers + 5 treatments you'll find that you won't be paying any more money for your hair services. When you add up the benefits to your hair there is one HUGE difference, at the end of the year your hair will be far healthier, stronger and manageable. It really is a no-brainer.
"Oh yes you can". We don't like to contradict clients when it comes to their budget but just take a look at the way we work. You can extend the time between relaxers by 50% and even more when you have regular conditioning treatments with us. By reducing the number of chemical services per year you are already on the right road to healthier, stronger hair. The only way you can do this is by inserting at least one deep conditioning treatment between relaxers which will help to make your hair healthier, stronger and above all manageable. What's more, it won't even cost you any more money.
If you are currently having a relaxer every 6 weeks you can easily extend the time to 9 weeks between relaxers by inserting a treatment in between (we have clients who go even longer between relaxers). This means that instead of 9 relaxers a year you are reducing them to 5 (plus 5 conditioning treatments). When you add up the monetary cost of 9 relaxers compared to 5 relaxers + 5 treatments you'll find that you won't be paying any more money for your hair services. When you add up the benefits to your hair there is one HUGE difference, at the end of the year your hair will be far healthier, stronger and manageable. It really is a no-brainer.
"I've already treated my hair at home"... "I had my hair treated at another salon"
We'll avoid the question of what products have been used to treat your hair and get straight to the point: The most important reason for the treatment at a first appointment is so we can examine your hair in the finest detail. This needs to be done under wet conditions and we need to satisfy ourselves that your hair is in optimum condition to take the relaxer. It's in your interest and ours. Quite honestly any other way of working is completely negligent, unprofessional and not in the interests of the client.
We'll avoid the question of what products have been used to treat your hair and get straight to the point: The most important reason for the treatment at a first appointment is so we can examine your hair in the finest detail. This needs to be done under wet conditions and we need to satisfy ourselves that your hair is in optimum condition to take the relaxer. It's in your interest and ours. Quite honestly any other way of working is completely negligent, unprofessional and not in the interests of the client.
"No Lye relaxers are better, right?" No...
Quite the opposite, no-lye relaxers (marketed under various guises as sensitive scalp or children's relaxers) are the manufacturers’ way of reaching those who for whatever reason want to relax their hair at home. The US celebrity stylist Barry Fletcher sums up what most professionals think of no-lye relaxers in his book 'Why are Black women losing their hair' when he says: 'The no-lye relaxer is the worst product to hit the shelves in my 20 years as a hairstylist... it under-processes the hair, changes its texture and robs the hair of its moisture... consumers literally become relaxed - and careless - in their usage of no-lye relaxers because they are under the misconception that the products are harmless to the hair and scalp.'
Quite the opposite, no-lye relaxers (marketed under various guises as sensitive scalp or children's relaxers) are the manufacturers’ way of reaching those who for whatever reason want to relax their hair at home. The US celebrity stylist Barry Fletcher sums up what most professionals think of no-lye relaxers in his book 'Why are Black women losing their hair' when he says: 'The no-lye relaxer is the worst product to hit the shelves in my 20 years as a hairstylist... it under-processes the hair, changes its texture and robs the hair of its moisture... consumers literally become relaxed - and careless - in their usage of no-lye relaxers because they are under the misconception that the products are harmless to the hair and scalp.'
"Will you relax my daughter’s hair?"
Wherever possible we would advise against relaxing children's hair. Not because it will cause them any health damage and not out of some principle. The biggest problem is that children don't have the means or knowledge to maintain their hair between relaxers. As a parent you may see it as a one service solution. This is not the case, relaxers like all chemical services must be maintained if the hair is to remain healthy. What's the point of relaxing the hair only for it to deteriorate through neglect and break a few months later? The only time we would recommend relaxing children's hair is when the child and parent are totally unable to look after the natural hair and we are sure that the parent is aware of the investment necessary to maintain the hair. If you would like us to advise on how to look after natural hair, to make it more manageable, then please contact us.
Wherever possible we would advise against relaxing children's hair. Not because it will cause them any health damage and not out of some principle. The biggest problem is that children don't have the means or knowledge to maintain their hair between relaxers. As a parent you may see it as a one service solution. This is not the case, relaxers like all chemical services must be maintained if the hair is to remain healthy. What's the point of relaxing the hair only for it to deteriorate through neglect and break a few months later? The only time we would recommend relaxing children's hair is when the child and parent are totally unable to look after the natural hair and we are sure that the parent is aware of the investment necessary to maintain the hair. If you would like us to advise on how to look after natural hair, to make it more manageable, then please contact us.
"Should I use children's relaxers?"
There's no such thing. "Yes there is", we hear you say. "They're on sale in our local chemist". They may be packaged and marketed for children but they are just the same as adult relaxers. It needs a certain level of chemical reaction to break down the hair and straighten it and the "Children's Relaxers" need this strength just as much as the adult. The hair is the same the strength needs to be the same. What makes these products even worse is that they are no-lye relaxers (see above), marketed to children and parents who don't understand the long term consequences. If you are putting these relaxers on your child's hair, stop now.
We know it is seen as an easy option among some parents but please come and see us first for advice on relaxing your child's hair. You might be surprised when we show you how to look after their natural hair. Never let someone put chemicals on to your child's hair unless you are certain that they have the technical experience and qualifications to carry out the service and give advice.
There's no such thing. "Yes there is", we hear you say. "They're on sale in our local chemist". They may be packaged and marketed for children but they are just the same as adult relaxers. It needs a certain level of chemical reaction to break down the hair and straighten it and the "Children's Relaxers" need this strength just as much as the adult. The hair is the same the strength needs to be the same. What makes these products even worse is that they are no-lye relaxers (see above), marketed to children and parents who don't understand the long term consequences. If you are putting these relaxers on your child's hair, stop now.
We know it is seen as an easy option among some parents but please come and see us first for advice on relaxing your child's hair. You might be surprised when we show you how to look after their natural hair. Never let someone put chemicals on to your child's hair unless you are certain that they have the technical experience and qualifications to carry out the service and give advice.
Do you do organic relaxers or natural straighteners?"
It's amazing how devious marketing departments will get to sell products. We are completely honest with you - relaxers are chemically based because they need to break down the bonds in the cortex of the hair. So-called "organic substances" will not do this. Some natural straighteners use extremely acidic ingredients to enable a temporary straightening through blow drying and GHD's but this acidity is very damaging to the hair.
Other temporary hair straighteners include Brazilian Blow Drys, Keratin straightening systems or so-called Curl/Texture-Release products. All of these either use formaldehyde or chemicals which release formaldehyde on application of heat. Formaldehyde is highly carcinogenic and as a health danger to stylists and clients should have no place in the salon.
The term "organic" has been borrowed from the food industry by cosmetic companies to dupe customers into thinking they are using some natural product free from chemicals. In reality this is completely meaningless outside the food industry and there is no control over cosmetics labelled as organic. This has got so bad that in the USA they are looking at prohibiting the use of the term when used for cosmetics. Adding a few herbs to your shampoo might make it taste nicer but won't make it organic.
It's amazing how devious marketing departments will get to sell products. We are completely honest with you - relaxers are chemically based because they need to break down the bonds in the cortex of the hair. So-called "organic substances" will not do this. Some natural straighteners use extremely acidic ingredients to enable a temporary straightening through blow drying and GHD's but this acidity is very damaging to the hair.
Other temporary hair straighteners include Brazilian Blow Drys, Keratin straightening systems or so-called Curl/Texture-Release products. All of these either use formaldehyde or chemicals which release formaldehyde on application of heat. Formaldehyde is highly carcinogenic and as a health danger to stylists and clients should have no place in the salon.
The term "organic" has been borrowed from the food industry by cosmetic companies to dupe customers into thinking they are using some natural product free from chemicals. In reality this is completely meaningless outside the food industry and there is no control over cosmetics labelled as organic. This has got so bad that in the USA they are looking at prohibiting the use of the term when used for cosmetics. Adding a few herbs to your shampoo might make it taste nicer but won't make it organic.