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The quest for straight hair doesn’t end with flat irons and chemical relaxers. The world of thermal restructuring, which came out of Japan in the late 1990s, introduced curly girls to hair rebonding. Hair rebonding is a permanent straightening process that can help tame frizzy, unruly locks. While the silk and soft rebonding processes may seem like a godsend, they can take a toll on your tresses.
Silk Rebonding vs. Soft Rebonding
The main difference between silk rebonding and soft rebonding is that silk rebonding leaves your locks straighter than soft rebonding. The soft rebonding process uses the same chemicals to treat your hair, but leaves your hair more natural looking and not as stick straight. During the silk rebonding process, the thermal restructuring chemicals may stay in your tresses longer, leaving your hair shiny and super-straight, putting your flat iron to shame. While silk rebonding can give you the straight locks you desire, the harsher process does more damage to your hair than soft rebonding.
Hair Rebonding Process
If you are considering thermally restructuring your hair, your salon visit should always start with a consultation with a stylist who has experience rebonding hair. During this time, the stylist will learn about your straightening needs, choose the right type of straightening chemicals and calculate the right processing time for your locks. The rebonding process, which can take up to four hours, starts with a shampoo and primer that prepares your hair for the rebonding chemicals. Then your styling guru will apply the straightening chemicals to your locks and let them sit for the predetermined amount of time. After rinsing the chemicals out of your hair, the stylist will use an intensive moisturizing treatment to help protect and nourish your tresses. When you hair is dry, the stylist will use a super-hot flat iron to straighten your locks. If you want a soft rebonding, the stylist will turn down the heat on the straightener so you are left with a bit of wave in your hair. The next chemical applied to your locks is a chemical fixative that will set your style permanently. After the chemical finishes processing in your hair, your stylist will rinse it out and apply another conditioner to your locks. Before blow drying your hair and straightening it again with a flat iron, the stylist will apply a chemical to help protect your hair from the heat of the styling tools and replace some of the moisture it lost.
Follow-Up Treatments
The rebonding process is permanent for hair that is currently on your head. When you hair starts to grow, the new locks will have the same texture as your natural hair. Therefore, if you want to keep your sleek look, you’ll have to schedule followup rebonding treatments for the new hair growth.
Rebonding Aftercare
The chemicals used to thermally restructure your hair break down the natural proteins and bonds that keep your tresses hydrated, strong and flexible. To help your locks look shiny and hydrated, use a moisturizing conditioner every time you wash your hair and follow it up with a leave-in conditioner. In addition, use a deep moisturizing product that contains protein once a week.
