I wanted to share some more information about straightening treatments that are not permanent but will help you get your hair straighter easier with a bit of curl loosening and defining during the period the treatments lasts.

It's official name would be Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT), which is a curl relaxer. Some also call it Brazilian Hair Straightening or Brazilian Blowout. It first came to the United States a few years ago. It has slowly gained more popularity since then with hairstylists in the US.

Some of you have heard of Japanese hair straightening which was hot a few years ago, it is called Thermal Reconditioning. This is a natural cornstarch-based hair relaxing system which makes use of a more gentle form of ammonium thyoglycolate, which is free of the traditional relaxing waxes or lyes along with special straightening irons. However, ammonium thyoglycolate and sodium hydroxide (standard relaxers) are still harsh chemicals. Most relaxers and straighteners have those chemicals in them.

The key part of BKT is that it is not a strong chemical process. It utilizes Keratin, which is the same protein our hair is made from, of course it is a different keratin, but nonetheless it is a similar protein. I would equate it to the difference between the hormones women naturally produce and the hormones taken orally for birth control. It changes how our body operates bit, but it is hormones we generally already produce.

PROS: Aside from the gentleness of the active ingredient, Keratin, there are other pros to this treatment. Another key part of this treatment is that it does not permanently straighten your hair as relaxers do. It also works better and longer on color treated hair or chemically processed. Another plus is that there is no demarcation line between the treated hair and the new growth. Additionally, the process is also a treatment that helps your hair because the keratin fits around the cortex of your hair and strengthens it, just as any keratin treatment does. The only difference is that this one is sealed into your hair.

CONS: As my brother would say, "if its too good to be true, its not true," so here are the bad sides to this treatment. The formula contains formaldehyde which is a known carcinogen that will irritate the eyes and lungs.Make sure your stylist is highly practiced and trained in this process, you will need a room with good ventilation and protect your face and eyes when they start to blow out your hair to keep from getting any on your face and in your eyes. There are some cases where people break out into rashes or hives the next day from exposure to the chemicals in rooms without proper ventilation. It has been noted that the process contains levels of formaldehyde that is against OSHA regulations. OSHA designates that .2ppm of formaldehyde is acceptable, while brazilian treatments have 3ppm and up. The FDA will be investigating this in the coming months [Source: ALLURE October]

Prices: Prices for this treatment start around maybe $180 but can range up to $300 and $400, especially for the more curly haired, coarse haired women. You know they always jack up the price when we walk in the salon...smh.

Time: the process lasts for about 2 hours and it keeps your hair noticeablly more manageable and easier to straighten for about 6 weeks to a few months (maybe 3 or 4). It also lasts longer on chemically processed hair or color treated hair. The life of the treatment also depends on how often the hair is washed.