By now, I'm sure you've heard of the hair straightening process invented in Japan that has swept America and made countless women forever grateful to it's hair-transforming powers. It goes by several different names - Japanese Straightening, Thermal Reconditioning, Straight Perm, and Japanese Straight Perm. So, what exactly can you expect after a thermal reconditioning service? Well, it's actually nothing short of miraculous, if you choose the right product and stylist.

I had my treatment done at a Japanese salon in Ohio that specializes in this service. After about six hours of sitting in the salon, being alternately shampooed, heated under intense heat lamps, blown out, flat ironed, and then going through the entire process again, I emerged from the salon with a completely retexturized, smooth and sleek head of hair. All together, the straightening process cost about $750, including a VERY generous tip and a large bottle of shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for my new tresses. The hourly rate for the service was $80, which is actually below most others that charge about $100 an hour. I was under strict instuctions to guard my hair from water or any type of moisture for the next 72 hours.

I was completely thrilled with my new hair. The light reflected off of it like crazy, and it blew naturally in the breeze, not at all dried out or artificial, like you might expect after a chemical treatment. It actually was in the best condition ever, which seemed counterintuitive since it had esentially just been through six hours of chemical and heat treatment. Nevertheless, it was absolutely and undeniably true.

I was told I would need to come back for a touch up on the new growth anywhere from 6 months to a year, depending on how straight I wanted it to stay and the rate of hair growth. It is now six months later, and even though it has more body, it is still shiny and smooth. I actually like it a little more with some body at the roots. It gives it a little extra lift, and the remaining hair is still straight and manageable.

There are some things you want to look out for when searching for a salon that offers thermal reconditioning. First, find out which straightening product they use. The best Japanese Straightening System is Liscio, and the second is Yuko. Both are made in Japan. Any others are to be cautiously researched. Liscio has produced the best results on clients, and if you've read about it anywhere, there is nothing negative to be reported. This is the system the salon I went to used, and my results were healthy and beautiful. Second, make sure the technician performing the service has plenty of experience in the process. Any good salon will provide you with before and after pictures of their work.

Third, be sure to be open and honest with the stylist about any prior haircoloring or processing, so they can adjust the treatment accordingly for the best results. Don't fall in to the trap of buying expensive shampoos and conditioners like I did (I spent about $85 on shampoo and conditioner).

You can actually use several quality, gentle shampoos and intensive conditioners and get the same, if not better, results ( http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/best-haircare-products-reviews.html ).

After Japanese Straightening, you do want to be sure to keep hair protected from the sun and moisturized, so frequent deep conditioning and an SPF spray or other UV protective hair product is highly recommended. You must wait at least one to two months before coloring your hair after the treatment, depending on your stylist's recommendations. If you can, go to a stylist who was actually trained by a top technician at the corporate headquarters for the system they use. This assures they have been trained correctly and specifically on how to get the best results possible.

What this means for you is a lower risk of getting a "botched" straightening job or damaged hair. Do your research. Get online and find the salons in your area that offer the service along with their credentials. After all, you don't want to waste your hard-earned money on something that is less than a superior result. The cost of the treatment can be very high, especially if your hair is particularly long or hard to "de-curl". Typically, the longer and curlier the hair, the longer the process takes, and the more you will spend.

Bottom line, if your hair is unruly, frizzy, or overly curly and you would like to have low maintenance, hassle free hair that is shiny and straight, the "Japanese Straight Perm" is just the thing for you. I know I will be going back for a second round!

Danna Schneider is the webmaster of the beauty and makeup product review and advice website CosmeticsGalore.com http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com and her new dedicated natural breast-enhancement site http://www.natural-breast-guide.com.- providing reviews and research on everything from natural breast enhancement products and cellulite treatments to self tanners, acne treatments, and makeup. She is a cosmetics and beauty product researcher and enthusiast.

Imagine the splash you'll make as you walk into class with a new short haircut, one that exudes confidence and style. Will your friends recognize you? Will the teachers do a double take?

Short hair styles are great for school because they are so easy to care for and they really make a statement. Short hair says to the world: "I'm confident enough to get rid of all that hair I used to hide behind. Now you get to see the real me!"

But making the cut won't be easy if you've had medium length or long hair for a while. After all, some of that hair has been with you for years. So to help you make the decision whether to "go short or go home", here are some of the pros and cons of changing to one of the new short hair styles:

Pros:

A time saver, especially in the mornings when you're in a rush.

Can be easily washed every day.

Requires much less care and conditioning than longer hair.

Looks sporty and fresh.

If you don't like your short hair style, just wait a few months for it to grow a bit and try another short cut.

Your earrings finally show!

Cons:

If you've never had short hair, it can take some time to get used to that "exposed" feeling.

Short hair styles need to be cut more often, every 4 to 6 weeks, to keep them in shape.

You might have to use more styling products than when your hair was longer.

Some people will try to convince you that guys don't like short hair on women, but don't buy it! This is about your style, your comfort, and your confident new look.

How Do I Know if Short Hair Styles Are Right For Me?

One of the best ways to decide which short hair styles suit your face and hair type is to consult with a stylist you trust. Bring along some magazine pictures of styles you like so you can discuss their suitability with your salon pro. He or she will take into account factors like the shape of your face and the thickness of your hair before recommending a cut.

A great innovation lately has been online hairstyling tools that let you try different virtual styles before you make the first snip. These websites allow you to upload your photo and overlay various hairstyle images onto your headshot, with excellent results. It's a great tool that's easy and fun to use. (Suggestion: Invite your friends over and throw a hairstyle selection party!)

So before you make the leap to any of the new, short hair styles, do some research and find the one that suits you best. The new virtual styling tools are an exciting way to update your look without the stress and uncertainty.

Nancy Faizabadi is a professional hair stylist and the founder of ShortHairStyle.com. Visit http://www.short-hair-style.com to find hundreds of ideas and tips for short hair styles and to read reviews on products like the new virtual hairstyle makeover tools.

A healthy lifestyle supplemented with proper diet is the magic key for healthy and beautiful hair. But our fast paced life generally doesnt allow us to follow it. But these hair care tips along with some hair care products might just do the trick for you.

Hair Care Tips and Products

. Hair Spray: Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with two cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in refrigerator. If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce of alcohol as a preservative and thenthe spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.

. Hair Cocktail:

. For instant shine: Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throuigh your hair. Leave on for five minutes, rinse and you will see a shine instantly.

. For Dandruff: Dissolve two aspirins in your dandruff shampoo and watch how it clears up. Use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward.

. For greasy hair: Use face powder. Put a little at the root of your hair before straying. If it is a serious problem, put the powder on heavily for 15 minutes wash completely, condition lightly, and style.

. Sweet shine: Honey applied in a small amount while washing the hair will give you a great shine.

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. For Dry Hair:

For dry hair, increase the intake of polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower oil, margarine and eat food rich in Vitamin B like pulses, brown rice, bananas etc

Tip: Avoid Salty foods.

. For Oily Hair:

Mix equal amounts of aloe vera gel and shampoo, plus a tablespoon of lemon juice. Diet for Oily Hair: Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, salads and fresh fruit.

Tip: Avoid fried and greasy foods. Also say no to red meat.

. Home remedy for Falling Hair:

Take 10-15 leaves of the large Ber fruit. Burn them in mustard oil, make a paste and apply on your hair for 1 hour and then wash it. This remedy surely works and prevents hair loss for almost everyone.

Tip: Never sleep in a tight braid or ponytail. Never brush wet hair too. It is always advisable to let your hair dry naturally than to use any heating equipment. These practices can cause hair breakage or loss of hair over time.

Must Visit: Quick Fix your dandruff and hair care tips in summer at http://www.weightloss-health.com/hair%20loss%20hair%20care.htm

About the Author:

Ashley Green: for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

Look out for more hair loss and hair care tips at Hair Loss, Hair Care Tips and Products

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