Consultation
TR and BKT is a method we use to transform our artistic visions into striking straight, frizz-free hair design. As TR and BKT stylists, we are artists who use hair as our medium, we TR and BKT it to give it to give it light and movement and to make it respond to our imagination.
You’ve no doubt had heard of TR and BKT. You know that it involves using chemical solutions to change the hair’s inner shape to put movement, de-frizz and make the hair more pliable. You may also know some of the science behind TR – thio, disulfide bonds, neutralizer and thermal process using a ceramic flat iron at 180°C. And you may be a bit wary of the process because of all the horror TR stories.
While the TR process provides great results, not every head of hair is a good candidate for the treatment. All prospective clients are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre TR in-salon consultation to determine the probable results. This should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
The consultation and hair analysis procedure will reveal the condition of your hair to some extent. Such evaluation will determine the structural competency of the hair and help interpret the TR stylist’s findings before making your decision for Japanese Hair Straightening/ Thermal Reconditioning/TR and Brazilian Keratin Hair Straightening.
For example, the scalp, skin, nails, gives the TR and BKT stylist some clues to the client’s overall health condition. Below-average health or being on a crash diet may adversely affect the hair. It is important to remember that healthy hair begins with a healthy body and good nutrition.
Grooming products used on the hair are an important indicator as to whether the client is using properly formulated products of a proper pH value. Certain types of formulations or products of highly alkaline pH may cause chemical damage to the hair when used over a period of time.
Implements used on the hair are important factors when chemical/mechanical damage has been noted. The client may be shown the proper way to utilize home styling implements, such as flat irons, blow-dryers, including the use of thermal protection Leave-In treatments. Bobbie pins, etc., may cause pinch marks, rubbing the hair and causing friction damage to the cuticle. In such a case, the client is advised to discontinue use of the damaging implement.
The scalp condition gives a general overview of the scalp condition. If a client has problems with eczema, seborheic dermatitis (oily, flaking, raised reddened areas) or with psoriasis (dry, flaking, flattened redden areas), it is recommended that no major salon services, such as TR be given until the condition has been corrected and controlled by a physician.
Consultation is a total procedure that involves conveying to clients that the stylist performing the TR process is an expert, making the necessary examinations and tests, determining the hair’s structural competency, educating the client, recommending the proper reconditioning treatment, carrying it out, showing the client the improvement, and pleasing the client with continual and positive results. There are a number of detailed steps that are to be followed to ensure that the client receives the full range.
To visually examine and testing the mechanical strength of the hair fiber and make any necessary preliminary evaluation, taking hair tests is extremely important in the overall results. The hair tests taken must be representative of the entire head of hair.
Hair samples - Hair analysis is a step by step process
- It is necessary to test the hairs from each area of the head (left, right, crown. nape). Additional tests should be taken from any problem areas.
- Tests should never be taken from an area which will be cut or trimmed, no matter how damaged the hair may be. In such a case, the TR stylist would be analyzing damage that no longer remains a problem to the overall condition of your hair, thus receiving useless results.
- If you have a problem area where a) Color fades more rapidly. b) Areas that do not hold a set or style. c) Areas that are unmanageable or reveal breakage. Always ask for extra hair tests from any problem areas which you may complain of. Generally speaking, where there are problems of this nature, the condition of the hair is very much in question.
- Is your TR stylist taking representative samples? Always keep in mind that the TR stylist is selecting a very small group of hairs to represent a very large group of hairs, and for all results to be valid, the hair test must be representative.