My favorite sister (well she’s the only one!) had her hair rebonded last Saturday. It took 5 hours to finish but the outcomes was worth it - she said. It was discounted @ Php1,500.00 (any length). For extra care, she had treatment done beforehand also at Php1,500.00 to ensure a great outcome. She’s as obsessed with hair like me. Teehee.

Lucky for me, I have a relatively tame and straight hair, but that did not stop me from thinking about getting my hair done too. When I asked my sister about the process of hair rebonding, the facts shocked me a bit. So I want to share it here.

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Hair rebonding is a process where the chemical bonds in your hair are broken, rearranged and bonded back again permanently using very strong chemicals. It is one of the most damaging things you can do to your hair.

During rebonding, perming lotion is added to soften the hair and break down its bonds. After this is washed off, hair is placed between 2 metal plates of an electric styling device, which uses heat to pull the hair rod-straight. A neutralizer is then applied to reset the bonds and stabilize the hair.

Hair is irreversibly altered after the perming process. Chemically-treated hair shafts are weaker and fracture more easily. This can lead to hair loss.

Hair become fragile and has to be handled with extreme care after treatment. A natural reflex, like tucking your hair behind your ears or tying your hair in the first month after treatment, can be disaster.

The process can also cause damage and burns to the skin and scalp. For example hair can be damaged if the various chemicals are left on the hair for too long, or if ironing is done with an iron at higher than 180ºc.

Conventional methods of straightening hair use hair-straightening lotions, which result in dry, brittle, and split-ends prone hair. Rebonding gives you softer hair but higher risks because it uses more toxic chemicals.

Maintaining the rebonded look means continual touch-ups, at least, every 6 months. This puts you at further risk of hair loss, eventually, and prematurely, leaving your full head of hair nothing but a memory. Source: www.beyondjane.com.

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Articles about Hair Rebonding by: www.indiaparenting.com

What is Rebonding?

Rebonding is a chemical hair treatment that makes your hair straight, sleek and shiny. It is a permanent and expensive procedure. Prices for the treatment may vary across salons due to products used, service, your hair type and post treatment care.

Each type of hair has a natural bond.Curly or wavy, are the result of natural bonds that give the hair its physical quality. The cream softener or relaxant used in the rebonding treatment breaks the hair structure. Then a neutraliser bonds the structure again and makes hair straight. In simpler terms the rebonding treatment changes your natural hair structure and restructures it.

Once your hair is straightened you have to touch up the new growth every three months, six months or a year, depending upon your growth.

The Process of Rebonding

The time taken to complete a rebonding treatment depends upon the length, type and thickness of your hair. Hair till mid back can take about 8 hours or more to be rebonded. A man’s hair might need three hours. Here’s the step by step approach to rebonding.

1. Hair is washed with a mild shampoo. No conditioner is applied. Hair is dried completely with a blow dryer keeping it on the medium level.

2. Hair is separated into parts. The cream softener or relaxant is applied to every hair shaft, keeping it straight. A thin plastic board is used to keep hair straight.

3. Cream softener or relaxant is kept on hair for at least half an hour or depending upon the hair type. Keeping it for too long may even harm hair. After that hair is steamed for 10 to 40 minutes, depending upon hair type and condition, and then rinsed.

4. Hair is blow dried and then keratin lotion is applied.

5. A flat iron is used to straighten hair further and break any remaining curls. The iron should not exceed 180 degrees. A ceramic iron is better than other metal irons. The salon expert will iron your hair until it is satisfactorily straight and shiny.

6. Hair is again parted and a neutralizer is applied to set the bonds and stabilize the hair.

7. The neutralizer is kept for at least 30 minutes.

8. The neutralizer is rinsed off with cold water. Hair is blow dried and hair serum is applied. A last touch of ironing is given with the straightening iron. Hair appears silky straight and shiny.

A salon professional will restrict you from washing your hair for minimum three days. It allows the treatment to set. You will be asked not to clip your hair, tie a rubber band or wear any other accessories in your hair for minimum three days. Wearing a shower cap while having a bath is also advisable, to prevent hair from becoming wet.

Is rebonding harmful for hair?

Any chemical process affects hair texture and quality. Excessive use of chemicals makes hair dry, weak and can even lead to hairfall. Hair rebonding requires post treatment care otherwise it may turn harmful. If you are suffering from hairfall, you must avoid rebonding or any other chemical hair treatment. Cheap chemicals, inexperienced hair stylists and weak hair can make rebonding a bad experience.

Hair rebonding can turn into a disaster if you do not take care of your hair. Hair will need extra pampering once it has been rebonded. You cannot ignore your hair just because it looks straight and shiny. Rebonding done from a reputed and trustworthy salon lasts longer and hair quality does not suffer. Discuss your hair condition and the treatment before your scheduled appointment.

How to take care of rebonded hair

Taking care of rebonded hair is very important to maintain a healthy mane. Only a well-looked after crown of hair can stay beautiful, always. Here’s what you have to do, to treat your rebonded hair with care and prevent hair loss.

* Use a shampoo for straight hair
* Use a conditioner every time you wash your hair
* Apply a hair serum after towel drying hair.
* Oil your hair regularly
* Use natural hair masks once a week before washing your hair. You can use aloe vera gel, curd or olive oil with an egg.
* Oil and steam your hair every fifteen days. You can wrap a towel dipped in warm water, around your hair. This will deep condition your hair.
* Consume a balanced diet. Include nuts and sprouts in your diet.

Hair that is taken care of will be frizz free and smooth to touch. Rebonded hair is susceptible to dryness. Therefore ensuring that your hair remains hydrated and full of life is very important.

Fixing Rebonding disaster

If you have already relaxed, rebonded or straightened your hair and your hair has turned into a disaster, you can try and fix it. Get help with these simple tips.

* Get a hair cut done
* Approach the salon you got rebonding done from. Ask them to repair the damage
* Oil your hair regularly
* Use hair serums or leave-in conditioners
* Get deep conditioning done every fortnight
* Avoid any other chemical treatment for next six months
* Tie a bun
* Learn some styling techniques from your stylist to make the best of your hair
* Wear a scarf

Your hair is a vital part of your personality. Be very careful before you expose your hair to any chemical treatment. Remember, that natural is the best. If your hair is difficult to manage you can try rebonding but with all due care.

There! All in all I think as long as we go to a reputable stylist and not settle for a cheap on then our hair-y experience will be a good one^^