BKT alternative?

[luckiestdestiny]

Hey Ladies. I'm going for it before September. Wanted to know if Design Essentials will work with Henna because it is something else I want to try this summer. I want to strengthen my hair, but not so much that it's snapping left and right. I have thin strands through I have dense hair, so I also want the coating of the henna to make each individual strand stronger. Please advise if anyone is doing both and how (and how long to wait in between if necessary).

 

[Sosa]

I'm going to check out DE cuz my hair is starting to take up too much of my life.
I want something that is DIY tho because I live in a small college town in North central Florida and there are no good black salons hair

 

[Channy31]

Hey Ladies. I'm going for it before September. Wanted to know if Design Essentials will work with Henna because it is something else I want to try this summer. I want to strengthen my hair, but not so much that it's snapping left and right. I have thin strands through I have dense hair, so I also want the coating of the henna to make each individual strand stronger. Please advise if anyone is doing both and how (and how long to wait in between if necessary).

my hair is also fine with high density, but i have no idea about henna. Sorry.

 

[Channy31]

I'm going to check out DE cuz my hair is starting to take up too much of my life.
I want something that is DIY tho because I live in a small college town in North central Florida and there are no good black salons hair

I love it, it's been 9 weeks now and has basically all gone. I'll be buying a bottle for myself soon, its so much cheaper!

 

[naija24]

can you use this BKT system while transitioning?

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

@luckiestdestiny, I hennaed in early June and did my DE two weeks ago, with no ill effects. The Q&A vid on Youtube said you can use this if you henna your hair. Use the same rules as for coloring in general, henna 1-2 weeks be for using DE or 2 weeks after.

 

[thebelleofelle]

Any thoughts on using DE verses getting relaxers?? I'm thinking about using either DE or BKT to straighten my hair during my transition.

 

[davisbr88]

Arosci is still holding up well in my hair. I wanted a change from straight hair, so I did a braid-out but I could've easily kept my hair straight for an additional week. I am really floored with how well it works.
I also ordered DE since I am not a huge fan of the acetamide ingredients in Arosci, so I am going to try that out when the Arosci wears off to compare the two.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

my hair is also fine with high density, but i have no idea about henna. Sorry.

MixedGirl Same here. I finally got up the nerve to try it. I am not a fan of changing something when it works but I'm thinking to get to even longer lengths it's time to reinforce my hair, or rather it will make it easier to get there.

But again, I don't want to over do and have a huge setback. I've come to far for that.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

@luckiestdestiny, I hennaed in early June and did my DE two weeks ago, with no ill effects. The Q&A vid on Youtube said you can use this if you henna your hair. Use the same rules as for coloring in general, henna 1-2 weeks be for using DE or 2 weeks after.

MyangelEyez Thanks so much for this. I'm thinking I should do the henna first maybe that way if it's dry I can whip it back into shape and infuse a ton of moisture before adding the DE a couple weeks later.

 

[Napp]

can you use this BKT system while transitioning?

Yes you can. I bktd through my transition and my hair ended up fine.

 

[Napp]

Arosci is still holding up well in my hair. I wanted a change from straight hair, so I did a braid-out but I could've easily kept my hair straight for an additional week. I am really floored with how well it works.
I also ordered DE since I am not a huge fan of the acetamide ingredients in Arosci, so I am going to try that out when the Arosci wears off to compare the two.

davisbr88 what is wrong with acetamide in the product? Please tell me if the arosci wears off. I plan on doing it when I hit apl

 

[naija24]

okay, big question.

is there a difference between Brazilian Keratin Treatment and the express version? is it worth it to get the express version or should i just spend the extra $$ and get the regular version?

 

[davisbr88]

Napp: Actually, I'm not finding anything on it. For some reason, I thought it was bad from something I read a few years ago. I will continue to research and report back if I find something!

 

[luckiestdestiny]

okay, big question.

is there a difference between Brazilian Keratin Treatment and the express version? is it worth it to get the express version or should i just spend the extra $$ and get the regular version?

You might want to go in the bkt thread as that is for the bkt (Brazilian keratin treatment). Treatments listed here are not bkt. This is for alternatives without all the formaldeheyed and other aldehydes.

 

[naija24]

You might want to go in the bkt thread as that is for the bkt (Brazilian keratin treatment). Treatments listed here are not bkt. This is for alternatives without all the formaldeheyed and other aldehydes.

luckiestdestiny sorry i didn't know there was a difference. i just thought it was all the same kind of thing with different names.

so far, i've seen salons that do BKT but not any "alternatives". because i keep searching online for Arosci or the like and no salon in Maryland seems to do it.

 

[Napp]

Also if anyone is interested I am currently learning about a new type of bkt called "keratin shock" treatments. these do not straighten hair but are moreso for reducing volume. they do not contain any special active ingredient or so they say. i will continue my investigation.

If anyone was interested in this it turns out that it's not made for afro hair. I was really disappointed! It was a waste of money!

 

[Napp]

You might want to go in the bkt thread as that is for the bkt (Brazilian keratin treatment). Treatments listed here are not bkt. This is for alternatives without all the formaldeheyed and other aldehydes.

For what it's worth, many or the newer bkt do not have aldehyde of formaldehyde. They have the same active ingredients as the products discussed in this thread but at a higher concentration and in a different medium.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

For what it's worth, many or the newer bkt do not have aldehyde of formaldehyde. They have the same active ingredients as the products discussed in this thread but at a higher concentration and in a different medium.

most bkts have a variation but I am sure there are advances. But the non bkts like design essentials for instance has silk protein to smooth down and strengthen hair. The chemical components of each were discussed earlier in the thread and broken down ( for varying products) so we could decide the safest and best posibilities. I've followed the thread and from the beginning. I was happy when this new generation alternatives came out. I've read a lot and had a wait and see attitude because I didn't want any set backs. Either way regardless of differences or similarities, she wanted to know about "strength" and what to do. I assumed she was going for an aldehyde because of that. The other thread and posters would be more helpful and knowledgeable about that so I wanted to point her in the right direction.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

luckiestdestiny sorry i didn't know there was a difference. i just thought it was all the same kind of thing with different names.

so far, i've seen salons that do BKT but not any "alternatives". because i keep searching online for Arosci or the like and no salon in Maryland seems to do it.

No need to be sorry. I just thought the other thread would have quick answers for you of the strength of Hyde or variation you need since that seems to be your question and this thread for the most part are trying to avoid that. Arosci and de can be purchased btw.so maybe your stylist can follow directions and do it for you if you are interested. The thread lists websites and pros and cons of each.
Excuse typos on my phone.

 

[AstroQueen77]

I'm noticing extreme retention of my new growth now that I BKT twice a year. It's marvelous.

 

[Dove56]

can you use this BKT system while transitioning?

naija24

yodie got us all hooked on Design Essentials Transitioning Mousse treatment which is made for "our" hair and specifically those of us that are transitioning but prefer straight hair.

 

[naija24]

naija24

yodie got us all hooked on Design Essentials Transitioning Mousse treatment which is made for "our" hair and specifically those of us that are transitioning but prefer straight hair.

do salons know about this treatment? I feel like most black hair salons just know about relaxers.

 

[yodie]

I just ordered a bottle off Ebay.

I found that alot of salons DON'T know about this treatment and will discourage you from trying it by saying it's not for our hair, etc. Well, what about those of us who need a little help, but can't wear relaxers? Do your own research or call DE and ask for a stylist in your area that does the treatment and check out that particular stylist. This is exactly what I did and I'm glad about it!!

 

[naija24]

I'm super interested in these treatments to aid my transition, but I dont' want to spend 2x what I would for a relaxer on something that lasts the exact same length of time.

 

[LivingDoll]

I'm super interested in these treatments to aid my transition, but I dont' want to spend 2x what I would for a relaxer on something that lasts the exact same length of time.

Hi naija24...

A relaxer is permanent. The treatments discussed here are temporary. They wash out/wear off within 12 weeks. I haven't seen anyone say that the DE or Arosci systems permanently altered their hair texture.

 

[naija24]

Hi naija24...

A relaxer is permanent. The treatments discussed here are temporary. They wash out/wear off within 12 weeks. I haven't seen anyone say that the DE or Arosci systems permanently altered their hair texture.

LivingDoll what I meant is that 3 months doesn't feel that long to me. I would not want to pay $175-200 for something that last three months unless I knew I'd get the full three months. I'd also like a professional to do it.

I read online that some last 4-5 months but I can't find any recommendations here.

 

[naija24]

also, has anyone here tried/heard of KeraStraight Smoothing Treatment? It's being done at Ulta for $159.

 

[Napp]

I just ordered a bottle off Ebay.

I found that alot of salons DON'T know about this treatment and will discourage you from trying it by saying it's not for our hair, etc. Well, what about those of us who need a little help, but can't wear relaxers? Do your own research or call DE and ask for a stylist in your area that does the treatment and check out that particular stylist. This is exactly what I did and I'm glad about it!!

the price isnt that bad on ebay:scratchch

im trying to decide wheter i should use the arosci that i have, get the DE transitioning mousse or get the inoar argan oil bkt.

I am still not sold on the DE because I havent seen enough post wash pics. i do not want what happened with the product i used before to happen again.

 

[Phaer]

I have read through three fourths of this thread, and I will definitely keep reading.I am very interested in the Design Essentials treatment, I have been looking for something to make the detangling my hair a bit easier, I find that I lose a lot of hair when I detangle. I would have possibly relax my hair already, but I really do not want any chemicals in my hair. For those of you that have done it do you have to blow dry and flat iron your hair every time you wash your hair? I am thinking of doing the treatment just for added protection but maybe wearing my hair without any heat for most of the 12 weeks. My hair seems to get heat damage very easily, so I would just get it done professionally the first time and then maintain my hair by just washing, deep conditioning and no blow drying and no flat ironing, after the first time.