Questions To Ask: Thermal Reconditioning
Advice From Vincent Scotto Of Vincent J Salon

WHAT TYPE OF MAINTENANCE WILL BE REQUIRED AT HOME?

Some systems will leave your hair silky straight with little to no work required at home while others will remove a percentage of the curl from your hair and you will need to blow dry and iron using special blow-dryer and irons to achieve a sleek look at home. Be clear as to what will be expected as to the at home care.

WILL I BE ABLE TO WASH AND WEAR? WILL I HAVE TO BLOW DRY? WILL I HAVE TO USE AN IRON?

Getting a direct answer to questions will avoid any misunderstandings after the process has been performed.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO RETOUCH THE NEW GROWTH?

Most clients will not need to retouch a TR for at least 6-9 months. This can vary depending on how quickly your hair grows and how curly it is at the root area. Clients with very curly hair close to the scalp may need to touch up sooner than 6 months while a client whose curl starts further away from the scalp may not need a touchup for 9 months to a year. The first interval is going to be an educated estimate -- a rule of thumb is the closer to your scalp the curl starts the sooner you may need a touchup.

WILL REPEATED TOUCHUPS DAMAGE MY HAIR?

A TR touchup requires great skill, much more than the initial process to insure that the hair is properly protected and conditioned. This would be a good time to find out if your technician is familiar with the process and what steps they take to protect your hair. Repeated Thermals should leave your hair in better shape than before the process due to the intense conditioning the ends should be receiving. No softening chemicals should ever come in contact with previously TRed hair.

WILL I BE ABLE TO COLOR MY HAIR AFTER TR?

After a period of two weeks it is safe to have your hair colored again. If you are coloring your hair at home it is advisable to have your hair professionally colored for the first touchup after your thermal. Special precautions will need to be taken for the first few times. It is best for a protein treatment to be applied to the hair before color to even out the porosity and insure great results. If your hair is highlighted you will need to switch from using bleach to either a high lift tint or a no ammonia lifting agent.

IF I CHOOSE TO GROW OUT MY TR WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

There is a process similar in application to a perm where the curl is put back into the previously TRed hair in order to balance the look as the new hair grows out. Much milder chemicals are used and the conditioning is very important during this process to make sure that the hair does not become dry and brittle. This is not a regular perm. Find out if your stylist is familiar with this process in case you want to go back to natural. It is usually best to wait at least 3 months after your TR before attempting to reverse the process. This will allow enough of the natural wave to return so the technician will be able to match your wave pattern.

WHAT IS YOUR POLICY REGARDING ANY CHALLENGES AFTER THE SERVICE?

Hopefully there will be no problem but it is best to be clear on this point. Thermal Reconditioning is a very expensive procedure and you need to know the salons policy on handling any challenges after the service. If a spot is wavy will they redo it. If the hair is dry will they condition for you. Most salons will want their work to be the very best and will be happy to help out.