Rebonding hair...what do you think?

[Phoenix]

I'm thinking of having my hair rebonded (not sure why they use that term

). What do you think? Have you had experience with it? Does it damage yr hair? Is there anything you can do to keep it in good condition?

I have slightly below shoulder length hair. Although I like the texture of my hair (very smooth, shiny and quite fine but not too fine), it drives me nuts sometimes. It's not curly, it's not straight, it's slightly wavy and all in the wrong places!! It's so messy if I don't blow-dry it, which I don't most of the time (just too busy to spend time blow-drying my hair). It's so messy! I wish I had beautiful straight typical Asian hair!!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I have never heard it referred to as "rebonded" either, however techincally I assume your stylist is calling it that because is changing the bonds of your hair. Normally, however, I have only ever heard it refered to as thermal straightening or Japense straightening or ionic retexturing.

I like the techinique. I think it serves a purpose and looks nice. However, it''s very expensive ($200 and up, up, up and away) and similar to coloring your hair, you constantly need touch up''s for new growth. I''ve yet to see a stylist with (even at the MWBS) get someones hair pin straight...you will still, more than likely, have to blow it dry daily to completely smooth it out...but, the process does take care of the "grunt" work and blowing dry is far easier.

Once done, you''ve added a chemical element to you hair...so you have to be super careful when it comes to coloring your hair esspecially lightening it with decolorizer (bleach).

Before you go any further please do some homework to make sure this is something you really want, because like with the "perm" of the 80''s, if you change your mind you''ll have to wait until your hair totally grows out so you can cut it off to get rid of it....

Here is an interesting article about it....
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/9233/

 

[platinumrock]

Date: 1/24/2009 9:15:00 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I have never heard it referred to as ''rebonded'' either, however techincally I assume your stylist is calling it that because is changing the bonds of your hair. Normally, however, I have only ever heard it refered to as thermal straightening or Japense straightening or ionic retexturing.

I like the techinique. I think it serves a purpose and looks nice. However, it''s very expensive ($200 and up, up, up and away) and similar to coloring your hair, you constantly need touch up''s for new growth. I''ve yet to see a stylist with (even at the MWBS) get someones hair pin straight...you will still, more than likely, have to blow it dry daily to completely smooth it out...but, the process does take care of the ''grunt'' work and blowing dry is far easier.

Once done, you''ve added a chemical element to you hair...so you have to be super careful when it comes to coloring your hair esspecially lightening it with decolorizer (bleach).

Before you go any further please do some homework to make sure this is something you really want, because like with the ''perm'' of the 80''s, if you change your mind you''ll have to wait until your hair totally grows out so you can cut it off to get rid of it....

Here is an interesting article about it....
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/9233/

Well said. My sister had her hair rebonded a year ago, and although it looked great, she was in the salon for 5 hours. They took her hair strand by strand and chemically processed it, then they flat-ironed it to make it smooth. It looked great on her, and they did a great job, but the "team" of stylists were also very skilled and experienced. I''ve heard horror stories about "cheapo" rebonding procedures and severe hair damage. Whatever you do, make sure your stylist is skilled and knowlledable. Expect to pay a high premium for impressive results.

I was interested in having my hair rebonded as well (mine is slightly wavy), but I have highlights. I was told by her stylist that rebonding colored hair would be a risk for damage. So I took the safe route and decided not to. I''m sure there are stylists out there who are skilled at rebonding colored hair, but I''m not taking my chance.

I really wish I had the low-maintenance, sleek and smooth, wash and go rebonded hair like my sister, but I''m too chicken.

It definitely is something you have to consider with great thought since it''s a permanent procedure. But the results, when done right, are amazing! My sister looked like she stepped out of a Pantene commercial.

 

[HeartingDiamonds]

Hiya Phoenix,

My sister has coarse and wavy hair and she has been having this rebonding treatment done for the past 10 years or so. Good news is that she still has a full head of hair, but bad news is that her hair is sooooo damaged, dry and brittle. She has bimonthly deep conditioning treatments and uses special shampoos to maintain her hair. She goes about every 4 months or so and it costs her around $600 (eek!).

I personally do not think its worth all the upkeep, but she disagrees with me. She wants reed-straight hair and she is willing to pay the price (oh - we are Asian too!).

Good luck!!!

 

[niccia]

Hi,

I had it done about 8 years ago in Toronto. I had read all about it on the "Lovely Loons" message board, and I decided to it because my hair is very wavy and frizzy, especially in the humidity of Ontario. I found a girl in TO who had just moved there with her husband, but had a lot of experience doing them in a salon in NY originally. She really knew what she was talking about, and that made me comfortable because when done incorrectly the results can be terrible.
It cost me almost $1000 back then, and took over 6 hours. She was very cautious with my fine hair, and I ended up having to go back for a touch up again about a week later. Better safe than sorry though. While it still wasn''t pin straight without using a blow-dryer or flat iron, what I found was that once I did smooth my hair it stayed that way until I washed it again. It didn''t react to humidity anymore, and dried much smoother looking all on its own. My hair only begins to wave around my ears, so regrowth was not as issue for me for a long time. I also had her leave about an inch at the top of my head un-TRed so I didn''t get that super flat stuck-to-my-head look.
I loved it and considered it worth every penny. I never had it done again because I went home to the West soon after (where humidity is not an issue), and I also worried about the future damage of doing it too many times . My hair seemed fine the first time around though, and I used really high quality products like Pureology to keep it that way. I also did not color my hair or do anything else to it while it was TRed.
If you decide to do it, just make sure that the stylist you go to has done a lot of them before and knows what he/she is doing and what to avoid (ie. the 90 degree bends etc.).
Good luck !

 

[Harriet]

Phoenix,
Your hair looks just dandy in your pics. Are you sure it''s not the humidity that messes it up in Singapore? I have wash-and-wear-hair, but it looks awful when I go home until it settles down.

 

[sparkles]

Lien,

Don't do it baby.......it messes up your hair something chronic. You and I have been suffering from the same hair loss issues....albeit mine is not due to thyroid...

I really curly hair..I have had both chemically straightened hair and the Brazil rebonding,(done at papillon). The later was the better. Ultimately it might be best to have waves to give your hair body if it is fine and thin.

If you go ahead, be prepared to spend on conditioning treatments.

Harriet is right about the humidity...I lived 2 years in the middle east and it was the best HAIR years of my life.

If I could show you the hair products in my bathroom cabinet...!!!!

Have you tried using some anti-frizz products to tame your hair? I have switched to cheap shampoos , sulfate free ones are good too. My hair seems to like these products better than kerastase or all the other products I have spent a bomb on. Sometimes I just wash with conditioner.

I recently had 6 inches cut off and now its very layered. My new hairdresser has banned me from doing anything to my hair for months. I'm so grey and the last colorist thought the word "natural hair color" meant 3 shades darker. GGGrrrrrrr.

Good luck.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/24/2009 9:15:00 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I have never heard it referred to as ''rebonded'' either, however techincally I assume your stylist is calling it that because is changing the bonds of your hair. Normally, however, I have only ever heard it refered to as thermal straightening or Japense straightening or ionic retexturing.

I like the techinique. I think it serves a purpose and looks nice. However, it''s very expensive ($200 and up, up, up and away) and similar to coloring your hair, you constantly need touch up''s for new growth. I''ve yet to see a stylist with (even at the MWBS) get someones hair pin straight...you will still, more than likely, have to blow it dry daily to completely smooth it out...but, the process does take care of the ''grunt'' work and blowing dry is far easier.

Once done, you''ve added a chemical element to you hair...so you have to be super careful when it comes to coloring your hair esspecially lightening it with decolorizer (bleach).

Before you go any further please do some homework to make sure this is something you really want, because like with the ''perm'' of the 80''s, if you change your mind you''ll have to wait until your hair totally grows out so you can cut it off to get rid of it....

Here is an interesting article about it....
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/9233/

Thanks for your reply and infor provided.

I am not so much worried about the cost, as I only to the hairdresser once in a blue moon. I am always worried about them ruining my hair or cutting it badly that I''d rather not go at all. I''ve spent very little money on my hair, it''s ridiculous!

The article and what your''re telling me here are very interesting. I never knew it could be so damaging.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/24/2009 12:16:21 PM
Author: platinumrock

Date: 1/24/2009 9:15:00 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I have never heard it referred to as ''rebonded'' either, however techincally I assume your stylist is calling it that because is changing the bonds of your hair. Normally, however, I have only ever heard it refered to as thermal straightening or Japense straightening or ionic retexturing.

I like the techinique. I think it serves a purpose and looks nice. However, it''s very expensive ($200 and up, up, up and away) and similar to coloring your hair, you constantly need touch up''s for new growth. I''ve yet to see a stylist with (even at the MWBS) get someones hair pin straight...you will still, more than likely, have to blow it dry daily to completely smooth it out...but, the process does take care of the ''grunt'' work and blowing dry is far easier.

Once done, you''ve added a chemical element to you hair...so you have to be super careful when it comes to coloring your hair esspecially lightening it with decolorizer (bleach).

Before you go any further please do some homework to make sure this is something you really want, because like with the ''perm'' of the 80''s, if you change your mind you''ll have to wait until your hair totally grows out so you can cut it off to get rid of it....

Here is an interesting article about it....
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/9233/

Well said. My sister had her hair rebonded a year ago, and although it looked great, she was in the salon for 5 hours. They took her hair strand by strand and chemically processed it, then they flat-ironed it to make it smooth. It looked great on her, and they did a great job, but the ''team'' of stylists were also very skilled and experienced. I''ve heard horror stories about ''cheapo'' rebonding procedures and severe hair damage. Whatever you do, make sure your stylist is skilled and knowlledable. Expect to pay a high premium for impressive results.

I was interested in having my hair rebonded as well (mine is slightly wavy), but I have highlights. I was told by her stylist that rebonding colored hair would be a risk for damage. So I took the safe route and decided not to. I''m sure there are stylists out there who are skilled at rebonding colored hair, but I''m not taking my chance.

I really wish I had the low-maintenance, sleek and smooth, wash and go rebonded hair like my sister, but I''m too chicken.

It definitely is something you have to consider with great thought since it''s a permanent procedure. But the results, when done right, are amazing! My sister looked like she stepped out of a Pantene commercial.

I looooveee low maintenance straight hair, but I too am too chicken!!

I knew it''d take about 4 hours and am also not worried abt that, but Italia''s reply and yours definitely have me worried. They wanted to charge about S$600-700 (about US$500) inclusive of treatment (they say they only use Shisheido products), which is definitely not cheap but I''d be happy to pay this if I could get the effect I''d like without the accompanying damage.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/24/2009 2:24:30 PM
Author: HeartingDiamonds
Hiya Phoenix,

My sister has coarse and wavy hair and she has been having this rebonding treatment done for the past 10 years or so. Good news is that she still has a full head of hair, but bad news is that her hair is sooooo damaged, dry and brittle. She has bimonthly deep conditioning treatments and uses special shampoos to maintain her hair. She goes about every 4 months or so and it costs her around $600 (eek!).

I personally do not think its worth all the upkeep, but she disagrees with me. She wants reed-straight hair and she is willing to pay the price (oh - we are Asian too!).

Good luck!!!

Hi there Erica,

Hmmmm, the damage sounds terrible. I think I''ve made up my mind now after reading all of your replies. It''s just not worth it, I guess.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/24/2009 3:58:59 PM
Author: niccia
Hi,

I had it done about 8 years ago in Toronto. I had read all about it on the ''Lovely Loons'' message board, and I decided to it because my hair is very wavy and frizzy, especially in the humidity of Ontario. I found a girl in TO who had just moved there with her husband, but had a lot of experience doing them in a salon in NY originally. She really knew what she was talking about, and that made me comfortable because when done incorrectly the results can be terrible.
It cost me almost $1000 back then, and took over 6 hours. She was very cautious with my fine hair, and I ended up having to go back for a touch up again about a week later. Better safe than sorry though. While it still wasn''t pin straight without using a blow-dryer or flat iron, what I found was that once I did smooth my hair it stayed that way until I washed it again. It didn''t react to humidity anymore, and dried much smoother looking all on its own. My hair only begins to wave around my ears, so regrowth was not as issue for me for a long time. I also had her leave about an inch at the top of my head un-TRed so I didn''t get that super flat stuck-to-my-head look.
I loved it and considered it worth every penny. I never had it done again because I went home to the West soon after (where humidity is not an issue), and I also worried about the future damage of doing it too many times . My hair seemed fine the first time around though, and I used really high quality products like Pureology to keep it that way. I also did not color my hair or do anything else to it while it was TRed.
If you decide to do it, just make sure that the stylist you go to has done a lot of them before and knows what he/she is doing and what to avoid (ie. the 90 degree bends etc.).
Good luck !

Thanks for your reply. I think this guy is very experienced and the salon has been around for years. But I am scared now having read all the replies.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/24/2009 4:56:46 PM
Author: Harriet
Phoenix,
Your hair looks just dandy in your pics. Are you sure it''s not the humidity that messes it up in Singapore? I have wash-and-wear-hair, but it looks awful when I go home until it settles down.

Harriet,

Thanks for your reply and compliment.

I think you''re right about the humidity. It makes my hair more wavy but my hair has never been dead straight either. I love your hair though (from a couple of pics you posted a long time ago).

Perhaps when I go up to Shanghai my hair would not be so wavy (I hope!).

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 1/24/2009 7:26:50 PM
Author: sparkles

Lien,

Don't do it baby.......it messes up your hair something chronic. You and I have been suffering from the same hair loss issues....albeit mine is not due to thyroid...

I really curly hair..I have had both chemically straightened hair and the Brazil rebonding,(done at papillon). The later was the better. Ultimately it might be best to have waves to give your hair body if it is fine and thin.

If you go ahead, be prepared to spend on conditioning treatments.

Harriet is right about the humidity...I lived 2 years in the middle east and it was the best HAIR years of my life.

If I could show you the hair products in my bathroom cabinet...!!!!

Have you tried using some anti-frizz products to tame your hair? I have switched to cheap shampoos , sulfate free ones are good too. My hair seems to like these products better than kerastase or all the other products I have spent a bomb on. Sometimes I just wash with conditioner.

I recently had 6 inches cut off and now its very layered. My new hairdresser has banned me from doing anything to my hair for months. I'm so grey and the last colorist thought the word 'natural hair color' meant 3 shades darker. GGGrrrrrrr.

Good luck.

Thanks for your detailed reply, Sparkles.

Yes, I am still losing my hair but the rate of loss seems to have slowed down, since I am now on medication. I am sorry to hear you're losing hair too. Is there anything you can do to lessen the loss?

I must say hadn't thought abt anti-frizz hair products. Would they make your hair more greasy? I'd guess that these products have a higher content of conditioner to smooth out frizzy / curly hair (?). My problem is that I have a very greasy scalp (which I think contributes to the hair loss), so that might not help. But, you know, it might be worthwhile for me to try such a product for a while to see if it helps with my seemingly untamable hair. Can you recommend any particular brand or product?

I can't believe you had the whole of 6 inches cut off your hair!! That's a BIG change!!

I know what you mean about the colouring here. The hairdressers here do not know the difference between covering up grey hair and complete drastic colour change!