Are they the Same thing? I'm getting my hair permanently straightened tomorrow with my friend, who made the appointment, so I dont know if there is a difference in chemical straightening and the Japanese recondition straightening............. if the results are different and what is gonna happen to my hair.  I don't have "Curly" hair I would describe it more as an Afro. haha its just very thick and theres a lot of it and it gets HUGE when it air dries and it waves out all wacky in some areas. It takes me an hour to blowdry and straighten myhair with a flat iron so naturally I only do it if I'm going out. I would die to have hair that is just stick straight when it dries, and if there is gonna be a difference in results if what i'm doing is NOT the thermal reconditioning, I NEED TO KNOW soomebody get me back! ??? ??? ???

I believe there is a difference.  I listed some questions to ask in another thread here  - this is the link to that thread http://www.longlocks.com/salon/?board=products;action=display;num=1077640569

I'd suggest asking lots of questions before going through with the process.