Safety Issues and Concerns

Most of the new Brazilian straightening products contain dangerously high levels of formaldehyde.  While the products we use do not contain raw formaldehyde, they may produce a trace level of formaldehyde / aldehyde vapor when high heat is applied.  For this reason, we can state that formaldehyde is not an ingredient in our treatments, but, we cannot claim that they are formaldehyde free.  Furthermore, the level of aldehyde detected in our treatments, as well as in the airborne vapors produced by them, are well below OSHA’s guidelines for safety.  For this reason, we perform our treatments using state-of-the-art air purifiers with HEPA and UV technology to ensure the safest environment for our stylists as well as our guests.

Brazilian keratin straightening is a hot new process to reduce frizz and tame curly locks.

Our owners attended the International Beauty Show in search of the best and safest keratin straightening system available.  After much research, we chose two products:  Coppola Keratin Complex Smoothing Hair Therapy and Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Treatment.  These revolutionary smoothing systems infuse keratin deep into the hair cuticle eliminating up to 95% of frizz and curl from the hair, leaving the hair, soft, shiny and luxurious.  It is a fantastic non-toxic hair treatment that does not damage hair.  In fact, the more times you treat your hair, the healthier it becomes.  And, the more damaged your hair is to begin with , the more dramatic the results and the longer it will last.

With each treatment, the addition of keratin to the surface of the hair shaft makes the hair:

• softer and silkier

• straighter and shinier

• faster and easier to blow-dry

• need less styling and maintenance

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Our Style Team was certified in New York and are the
first in Kansas City to perform this amazing service.

This is not the same as a Japanese or thermal straightening

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Originating in Brazil, where it is usually called escova progressiva (progressive blow-dry), the treatment has been trickling here for a few years but has become widely available only in the last several months.  Technically, it is neither a relaxer nor a straightener, both of which use caustic chemicals to change the texture of the hair.  The Japanese straightening method, also known as thermal conditioning, has fallen out of favor because many users reported extensive damage, particularly when the process was repeated.

While Japanese straightening has been known to cause extensive damage when reapplied, the Brazilian counterpart causes no damage because it adheres to the hair shaft, instead of penetrating it.  By sealing the keratin-based formula onto the outer layer of the hair cuticle, Keratin Complex Smoothing Hair Therapy locks in moisture, hydrating the hair and giving it a shiny finish.

Once the treatment is completed, it is important to follow a prescribed regimen in order to maintain the sleek, silky texture.

We offer two brands in numerous formulas to ensure your hair
receives the treatment it needs. 

We also offer an Express Keratin Blowout which is less expensive
than the original treatment and lasts up to 60 days.

Q & A

What is the difference between the keratin treatment and the Express keratin blowout?

The keratin treatment is a more complex treatment, offering increased durability and longevity than the express blowout, lasting 3 - 5 months.  It is the only treatment recommended to smooth resistant curly hair.  The express blowout will smooth your hair only for up to 60 days, but you are safe to shampoo the next day with the prescribed shampoo (the original treatment requires a waiting period of 4 days in which you can not get your hair wet).  The keratin blowout only takes about an hour, as compared to 3 hours with the original treatment.  The keratin blowout is also the perfect solution to relax and condition a bad perm!

Will my hair become totally straight?

Keratin Complex Smoothing Hair Therapy will NOT straighten your hair.  Instead, this new revolutionary smoothing system infuses keratin deep into the hair cuticle eliminating up to ninety-five percent of the frizz and curl from the hair, leaving the hair soft, shiny and luxurious.

• Drying time is significantly reduced

• Little or no flat ironing will be necessary

• You can still curl or scrunch your hair, but without frizz.

• Your hair retains body & bounce rather than being poker-straight.

• Results vary from person to person, based on their hair's curl intensity and coarseness.

How does keratin help? 

At birth, the keratin level in the hair ranges from 70%-80%.  As we mature, keratin loss leads to a dull finish, frizziness, coarseness and loss of sheen.  By restoring and replenishing lost keratin to the hair, strands are again shiny, straight and frizz-free with a beautiful sheen and increased manageability.

What if my hair is already chemically treated or damaged?

This treatment actually gives the best results on damaged, porous hair.  You can think of it like this:  Imagine your hair is a road full of potholes and the Keratin Complex Smoothing Hair Therapy is brand new blacktop pressed on with a steam roller;  all the potholes are filled and the road is like new!  This treatment restores your hair to become silky, shiny, and more manageable.

• Unlike Japanese straightening, Keratin Complex Smoothing Hair Therapy causes no damage because it adheres to the hair shaft, instead of penetrating it.

• This can safely be applied to bleached, highlighted, and color treated hair and will actually improve the condition of the hair.

• The more damaged your hair is to begin with , the more dramatic the results and the longer it will last.

What happens as it grows out?

There is no line of demarcation as your hair grows out.

• Your natural curl is softened, not eliminated, thus significantly reducing drying & styling time.

• This treatment is slowly washed out of your hair in an average of 3-5 months.

• The process can be de-activated by simply changing shampoo rather than having to let it all grow out.

What if I've already chemically straightened my hair?

This can be applied directly over any other form of hair straightening

Can I color my hair?

You can color your hair the same day, immediately prior to the keratin service.  The color will be sealed in, leaving the hair vibrant and extending the life of the color.  Otherwise, you can color your hair 2 weeks after your keratin service.

Is this safe for African-American hair or other ethnic types of curl?

Keratin Complex Smoothing Hair Therapy is safe and effective on all curl types, regardless of ethnicity.

Do these products contain formaldehyde, like in other Brazilian straightening products?

Most of the new Brazilian straightening products contain dangerously high levels of formaldehyde.  While the products we use do not contain raw formaldehyde, they may produce a trace level of formaldehyde / aldehyde vapor when high heat is applied.  For this reason, we can state that formaldehyde is not an ingredient in our treatments, but, we cannot claim that they are formaldehyde free.  Furthermore, the level of aldehyde detected in our treatments, as well as in the airborne vapors produced by them, are well below OSHA’s guidelines for safety.  For this reason, we perform our treatments using state-of-the-art air purifiers with HEPA and UV technology to ensure the safest environment for our stylists as well as our guests.

What is involved in the procedure?

1. Your hair will be shampooed and clarified.

2. The Keratin Complex will be applied scalp to ends.

3. Your hair will absorb the product for 30 - 45 minutes under a plastic cap.

4. Your hair will be blow-dried completely with the product remaining in your hair.

5. A 400 - 450° (depending on your texture) titanium flat iron is used to completely straighten and shape your style.

Then, immediate after care:

1. DO NOT SHAMPOO YOUR HAIR FOR 72 HOURS!!

2. Do not wet your hair.

3. Do not place pins, clips, elastic wraps, headbands, sunglasses, etc. in your hair for 4 days.

4. If your hair gets wet or gets a crimp in it from sleeping, simply flat-iron the area in need.

5. Do not use any additional hair products for 4 days.

6. Wait at least 2 weeks to receive any hair color service, though color can be applied immediately prior to this service.

Once the treatment is completed, it is important to follow a prescribed regimen in order to maintain the sleek, silky texture