I am interested in Thermal Reconditioning (aka Japanese Hair straightening) and wondered if anyone knows about it.  I'm trying to grow my hair out and wondered how badly this would damage my hair and what the long term affects would be.  And, does it work?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Wikipedia has a brief blurb explaining what this is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_hair_straightening

I don't have any personal experience with this method, but I do know of 2 people who had it done.  Both loved it initially, but unfortunately, both found that it severely damaged their hair and both have ultimately cut off their long locks to remove the damage done by this process.

I don't think this is a good process for anyone who is trying to grow long hair.

I agree with BB.  I know a woman I used to teach yoga to and she had the Chinese hair straightening process done(I think it is similar to the Japanese one),initially she loved it and then there was the damage.  Personally I think any chemical process done to your hair will damage it.

I had a friend who had lovely blonde "Robert Plant" curly long hair. ::) He would have his mum straighten it with a relaxing kit.  His hair was like staw, poor thing. I agree these processes are not good for the hair or for anyone growing there hair.