BKT question, PLEASE HELP!!!

[L.Brown1114]

so i have the chance of getting a BKT for free by someone who is building her business so i was wondering what it does exactly? i know it straightens the hair, but after you wash it was does it do to your curl pattern? and do most people straighten their hair after they wash it or rock wash and go's? how expensive do they usually run if i decided to get it again and can i do it myself?? sorry for all the questions

 

[lilikoi]

Please, before you decide, visit the "keratin treatment support thread"- ~160 pages long!- where you'll find everything you need to know about BKT!

Here's my experience. I have type 4a/b hair (mostly 4b) and I've done several BKTs since November 2009. Since my experience after an initial treatment (flat iron a 450 degrees KILLED my hair--major breakage) I've been doing it at a lower temp (350-400, at the most) with better results. I'm transitioning (6 months posts) and BKT makes my roots softer and more manageable. My hair is only straight after flat ironing. As soon as I hit the shower my hair reverts but the curl pattern is looser. I still get major shrinkage in the areas where my relaxed hair broke off at the line of demarcation after the November disaster. That area is now growing back nicely. I do my own treatments. I've bought from ebay or from LHCF members.

My experience has been positive but you need to educate yourself about the potential health hazards involved (most brands contain formaldehyde) and how to minimize them by taking precautions (such as ventilation, not letting the solution touch the scalp). Check out Sheba1's fotki for awesome wash n go pics. And also read Hijabiflygirl's post on proper flat iron temperatures and more.

BKT at a salon can be anything from $150-300 (or more) depending on where you live. If you DIY, the solution cost between $8-20 per ounce (depends on brand, seller) and you use 1-3 oz per treatment, based on the length/thickness of your hair. You need to have good flatironing technique. I would get if from a professional only if I really trusted them and had tons of references. Hairstylists in general have been brainwashed to used the highest temps. This could be really bad for your hair. So beware...

Good luck!

 

[coconow2007]

Here's the link - http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=357933

 

[me-T]

that thread is 160 pgs??? i've got my setting on 40 posts per page and it's still like 80 pgs long lol!
anyhoo, after the 1st wash, your curl pattern will come back, but it'll be a lil looser. if you overlap treatments (like me) you can eventually get to the point where it'll be straight out of the shower. if you want to keep your curl you can let it wear off.

as far as how one wears their hair afterward, really, i do the same things i did before. if you do wash and go's now, you can keep on. if you want to wear it straight more often, you can rollerset & whatnot.

the cheapest way to get it is on ebay. for about $50 you can get a 4-5 oz sample size. depending on how often you apply, and because you won't need more than 2 oz every application, the bottle will last for a while.

diy is the best way to go. it's cheaper, and, most importantly, you are in control of the heat.

 

[L.Brown1114]

thanks you guys! i will def do more research. im terrified of heat!!

 

[8HoursFromHome]

Ladies, thank you for all of the great info. I'm getting ready to do my first keratin treatment at home, Organic Thermo Fusion. I know I need to blow dry a few times during the process. All I have is a brush blow dryer, it's got a 2 inch barrel. Should I buy a conventional blow dryer or will this be sufficient?

 

[Tiye]

Please, before you decide, visit the "keratin treatment support thread"- ~160 pages long!- where you'll find everything you need to know about BKT!

Here's my experience. I have type 4a/b hair (mostly 4b) and I've done several BKTs since November 2009. Since my experience after an initial treatment (flat iron a 450 degrees KILLED my hair--major breakage) I've been doing it at a lower temp (350-400, at the most) with better results. I'm transitioning (6 months posts) and BKT makes my roots softer and more manageable. My hair is only straight after flat ironing. As soon as I hit the shower my hair reverts but the curl pattern is looser. I still get major shrinkage in the areas where my relaxed hair broke off at the line of demarcation after the November disaster. That area is now growing back nicely. I do my own treatments. I've bought from ebay or from LHCF members.

My experience has been positive but you need to educate yourself about the potential health hazards involved (most brands contain formaldehyde) and how to minimize them by taking precautions (such as ventilation, not letting the solution touch the scalp). Check out Sheba1's fotki for awesome wash n go pics. And also read Hijabiflygirl's post on proper flat iron temperatures and more.

BKT at a salon can be anything from $150-300 (or more) depending on where you live. If you DIY, the solution cost between $8-20 per ounce (depends on brand, seller) and you use 1-3 oz per treatment, based on the length/thickness of your hair. You need to have good flatironing technique. I would get if from a professional only if I really trusted them and had tons of references. Hairstylists in general have been brainwashed to used the highest temps. This could be really bad for your hair. So beware...

Good luck!

^^ Is there a brand that does NOT contain formaldehyde??

 

[lilikoi]

^^ Is there a brand that does NOT contain formaldehyde??

Softliss and Coppola are formaldehyde-free. Global also has a no-form version. There are others.

Check the BKT support thread (http://www.longhaircareforum.com/for...d.php?t=357933)

for all the info you might need (and them some...)

 

[Tiye]

Softliss and Coppola are formaldehyde-free. Global also has a no-form version. There are others.

Check the BKT support thread (http://www.longhaircareforum.com/for...d.php?t=357933)

for all the info you might need (and them some...)

Thank you.

 

[MarieB]

Ladies, thank you for all of the great info. I'm getting ready to do my first keratin treatment at home, Organic Thermo Fusion. I know I need to blow dry a few times during the process. All I have is a brush blow dryer, it's got a 2 inch barrel. Should I buy a conventional blow dryer or will this be sufficient?

When I do my treatments I airdry until my hair is just barely damp (rather than the naked blowdry), then apply the keratin, comb through, let it sit for at least a half hour, then blow dry. The most important heat application is the flat iron step, IMO. So, I think your hair dryer should be fine, but seriously, skip the naked blow dry; that is really not meant for AA hair, or any textured hair, for that matter. Good luck!

 

[8HoursFromHome]

I just got my Organic Thermo Fusion in the mail. I want to do it tonight but I won't be home until 7ish. Do you think 4 hours is enough for the process? My hair is ASL (almost shoulder length)

 

[8HoursFromHome]

...also, I saw some posts about scalp irritation. Did anyone have that problem? I figure if my head can take a relaxer (lye and no lye formulas) it can take anything...

 

[MarieB]

^^You should be able to do it in four hours if you're good with your tool. As far as scalp iriitation, make sure you don't apply the treatment to your scalp. I use a tinting brush, and I apply about the same as I do with a relaxer, close to the scalp, but not on it. Good luck.

 

[8HoursFromHome]

Thank you MarieB. I've been searching the boards for all the info I can find. (guess I needed a 'fresh' answer) I have found some posts about scalp irritation and other issues and benefits. I am so very thankful to everyone who has contributed to this site!!! I am salon-phobic and have been taking care of my hair basically all of my life. thank you LHCF!!!

 

[SummerSolstice]

i just did mine with softliss! Its amazing! I did someone else with marcia texiera or whatever its called and it was way too fumy for me... she loved her results but he 3c hair was very close to type 1 hair after that. Mine went from 4a/b curls to 3b/c waves. I LOVE IT. I just washed and put curls gel (forgot the name) and some avocado butter. My wash and go was SOOOOO PERFECT! OMG! and i'm running my fingers through my hair. right now. ok thats enough from me LOL i'm just so happy. My hair feels so strong too.