TR Line

Focus: Unconventional thioglycolate hair straightening method/Japanese Thermal Reconditioning/TR

It’s a four-step process. The first step “thioglycolate” softens the bonds of the hair. The second step, (heat oxidation) rearranges the protein (cystine/disulfide bonds) under the influence of heat, using a ceramic flat iron. The third step “oxidizing/neutralizing” puts the bonds back together. The forth step, reapplying the thermal ceramic flat iron, which helps get the hair straighter. Hence, the only difference between the traditional thioglycolate straightening system and TR is the use of ceramic thermal flat iron at 180 degrees Celsius. The new TR technique has been in use for a little over 7 years, and offers softer, and pin straight hair that defies humidity.

The characteristics of Thermal Reconditioning are based on “conventional principles” using thioglycolate as its reactive chemical with up-dated “new application” of thermal heat. The protein (disulfide bonds) rearranges under the influence of heat, and actually flattens the hair’s cuticle layer to produce permanently straight hair with ultra-gloss shine, silky feel and movement. The Japanese Thermal Reconditioning formulas are balanced to the process.

The technology is not new, what is new is the addition of the thermal ceramic flat iron. After sufficient relaxation has taken place, the cream is rinsed from the hair and the hair is dried at least enough to use the iron. There are usually a number of pre-treatments, shampoos, conditioners that accompany various systems. Very small sections are then “ironed” by “clicking the iron open and shut” through each section or slide through twice or three times. This can take a couple of hours for long hair. The hair is then oxidized with sodium bromate (most Japanese systems) or peroxide (other systems), and finished by drying and ironing again.

Relatively speaking, “Thermal Reconditioning corresponds to the invention or the release of ceramic flat iron”.” Voila! The thermal heat is a moderator of bond breaking, but bear in mind, it does not provide insurance against breakage. Your best insurance is the stylist, and not the salon or the product.

Japanese hair straightening technology smoothes curly and unruly hair with a revolutionary straightening system by using heat to restructure the hair's protein bond. When hair is heated at more than 130 degrees Celsius the cystine bonds combine again. This is called Heat Oxidation. To insure heat oxidation, the ironing temperature is usually set at 180 degrees Celsius. The result? Smooth, Sleek, Shiny, Straight, regenerated hair!

Thermal Reconditioning/TR a.k.a Japanese Hair Straightening System is a chemical process that will transform curly, wavy, frizzy hair into straight, shiny, silky and “frizz” free hair with little to no work required at home. The results can vary depending on your hair, some clients may not need to blow dry, some may need to blow dry with a paddle Brush. My clients have gone from 45 minutes with a blow dryer to 5-8 minutes. Gone now is the hassle of continually blow drying your hair. Wet or dry you'll have shiny and flowing beautiful straight hair. If you try this astonishing process you will think it is some kind of magic.

Japanese Hair Straightening System originally developed in Japan by Ms. Yuko in 1996. For the North American market it is commonly referred to as “Thermal Reconditioning” or “TR”. STRAIGHT TIO, Yuko, Liscio, Bio Ionic, iStraight, Alacial, Magic Straight, CHI Transformation System, Rusk Str8, Babyliss Thermal Ionic; they are formulated to chemically change the basic structure of curly hair into a straight form. This new technique requires a lot of training. Be very careful when choosing a salon as this process is very tricky and can give incredible results when done properly or damage the hair beyond belief if done wrong. As long as the technician is very skilled in TR you will not have a problem.

Alkaline TR. The best choice for resistant hair, Asian hair, hair with low elasticity, and hard to perm fine hair as well as normal, healthy hair.

Acid TR. Generally processed with the heat of a dryer or a steam machine since they take longer to penetrate and soften the hair. These are milder than alkaline perms and work at a lower pH to reduce swelling of the hair during the perm process. Thereby, reducing the chance of damage to fragile, and color/highlight treated hair. These “milder” solutions may have lower pH levels to accommodate certain hair needs. Nonetheless, they contain a higher percentage of thioglycolic acid.

Do not believe that a low pH, acid TR product is a cure for all highlighted, bleached, and damaged hair. If your hair is fine or fragile, it may be best to go the conventional way instead of TR. If the hair is bleached, highlighted over 5 to 10%, or damaged, it is best not to have your hair straightened to begin with. It’s not worth it.

Regardless of hair type, TR SHOULD BE reconsidered if, depending on the extent of damage; color treated hair may not be suitable to receive TR. If the highlighted hair is damaged, it SHOULD NOT receive any TR. Bleached hair SHOULD NOT receive any TR.

So that you know: TR is labour intensive, hence time consuming. The process may take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours with very little breaks in-between and requires a lot of patience on your part. The TR service results in seriously straight locks that may need just a quick blow-dry to perfect on your own. It is very difficult to curl hair that has been thermally straightened/TRd.

When to use unconventional thioglycolate hair straightening/Japanese Thermal Reconditioning method. Think about really straight, frizz free hair!

When naturally curly hair has a mind of its own, Japanese Hair Straightening System is a chemical process that will transform curly, wavy, frizzy hair into straight, shiny, silky and “frizz” free hair with little to no work required at home. Softens coarse, wiry hair, making it straight and supple, so it’s time pressured, and active life style friendly. It is permanent and will need to be re-touched every four to six months depending on the natural curl pattern and how quickly your hair grows.

Many women spend as long as an hour each morning blow-drying their hair straight. Japanese Thermal Reconditioning can transform even the most unruly, curly, and coarse hair into perfectly straight, silky, smooth, frizz free hair. With this new service, you can literally reduce styling to 5 to 10 minutes. For the first time a product has been developed to permanently transform the molecular structure of the hair shaft giving it a most luxurious youthful appearance. Japanese Thermal reconditioning flattens the hair’s cuticle layer to produce straight hair with ultra gloss shine, silky feel and movement. Eliminating frizz is a key benefit of the Japanese Thermal Reconditioning.

Japanese Thermal Reconditioning System will offer immediate savings to all those forced to spend their time and money each week in such a time-consuming manner. With this system, you can have the perfectly straight hair you’ve always dreamed about. When selecting a product you want assurance and knowledge-especially when dealing with permanent hair straightening. It is absolutely important that you select a stylist and a product with proven history of customer satisfaction.