Has anyone had BKT long enough to fully revert back?

[LiberianGirl]

And you know guys? It's not like a single bkt is going to significantly loosen the curl. You have soooo much control over how much it loosens. I'm going to post the change in my curl with each treatment (I've had 2). That being said, although I'm happy with the result, I don't think the difference between one pic and another is enough to get in a bunch over. I didn't go from kinky kinky hair, to mear waves. It's not a texlax or texturizer. Nothing like it, really. All the pics you see of the super straight hair are only immediately following the process while the treatment is "curing". After the first wash, curls return, only slightly looser (or more loose, depending on whether the hair has been chemically processed).

The first pic is my hair 6 months ago, virgin. The second is after my first bkt. The third is after my second bkt.

View attachment 33365View attachment 33367View attachment 33369

Someone said that these questions were raised when bkt first came to the board. I think the fact that no one has come back to say, "BKT KILLED my hair" coupled with the fact that many that started using it are still using it is a huge testament to the treatments effectiveness and the lack of gremlins in the closet.

Even if someone did come and say, "BKT didn't agree with my hair". What does that mean really? How many people have hair thriving while relaxed while others are unable to relax without their hair being ravaged with damage? So BKT has been around long enough that if it's absolutely destroying hair left and right; or even not beneficial to hair left and right, we should see some serious examples by now. We're talking two years right here on lhcf. And we will murder a conditioner that doesn't perform well.... I feel we would have seen something more by now.

Your hair is beautiful Sheba but your texture looks dramatically different. I didn't think BKT changed 4ab hair so much.

 

[dany06]

I've heard that it can take up to a year to fully revert back. But I've also heard of people attempting to strip the treatment because it made their hair to flat. Im not really sure how that worked out either.

 

[princessnad]

HI LADIES!!

I am a 4a who has done BKT and my hair fully reverts in 2-3 months with regular treatment (like now) or it reverts in 1-2 months if I use a clarifying shampoo or a shampoo with sodium chloride. I'm surprised so many people are saying their hair doesn't revert, give me your regi so I wont have to do the treatment so often!

You can see my initial natural texture in my BKT album in my profile.

Nope and I don't think my hair ever will. I stopped using bkt about a year ago. I'm thinking about getting just the roots done like a relaxer. We'll see.

Do you think it has anything to do with how often you use heat or how often you BKT'd? I remember asking you about it and you stating for a while you wore your hair straight 24/7 and that you did BKT treatments both with and without formaldehyde every month. I'm pretty sure I'm remembering properly. Let me know if this isn't the case. Constant heat can always affect curl pattern.

I find it a bit scary that people are more concerned with whether their hair reverts to its natural state or not than with the fact that they will be inhaling formaldehyde over a certain period of time (and possibly regularly). It's one thing using it to take off nail polish, it's another thing using this stuff all over my head and close to my brain.

That's true. My main concern was the formaldehyde. But after researching how often we ALL inhale formaldehyde because anything under .02 is not necessary to report on labels of other cosmetic product (especially make up) and realizing that warnings of cancer, dna damage and reproductive problems referred to really elevated levels of formaldehyde, I upgraded and got the 4%. No shame.

We really need to look at the scare tactics we fall prey to. How many chemicals do you inhale on a daily basis just walking down the street next to industrial workplaces, cars and trucks? Doing this 4 times per year with a fan, open window, and mask is not going to be the thing that gives me cancer.

RE: the bolded, I wonder why they don't just get a relaxer. It seems these treatments are costly and potentially hazardous. I'd sooner get a relaxer than do BKT over and over, but that's just me.

BKT actually leaves your hair stronger instead of weaker like a relaxer. You can control the amount of "straigness" from BKT. Though some people claim it is possible not to go back to the orignal texture, if you want the natural look again and you were a 4b, certainly you can stop for a while and become a 4a and eventually go back to 4b without ever going through the BC. It doesn't seem like rocket science why they do it. It's called choices. Many people say they go natural because they want to be able to go from being kinkycurly to straight at the drop of a dime. BKT helps make this happen.

Earlier in my transition there was no way I could use a rollerset to straighten my hair. That is my choice way to straighten now! (except when I'm 2 or more months in)

 

[princessnad]

Hmmm...good point.

Thank you. You know ether isn't exactly healthy either, but I'll leave this alone now
I'm sorry for hijacking the thread...

I plan on going back to my initial texture after I BC. But if I ever get the urge to loosen my texture, or if I'm getting frustrated with single strand knots, difficulty detangling etc I know I won't be seduced by a relaxer. I'll just get a temporary BKT and if I regret it, it's just a matter of 3 months before I can go back to my original texture.

I'm a very indecisive person so BKT is the greatest for me. I can bounce between two styles without having to go through the agony of transitions and BCs. Works for me and worth the money.

I am transitioning and was getting so frustrated with wet buns because they were breaking off my fine hair. But that was just about the only style I could do transitioning. And I refused to do the BC. My face is too fat for all that. BKT saved me from relaxing which was really not the best option for me because it made my hair prone to breakage. I'm very happy this product has hit the market.... now it's time for them to come out with a formaldehyde and ether free product that is just as effective so we can get the rest of you ladies on board. Trust me you all would love it!

 

[Morenita]

I am relaxed but I am concerned for the naturals undergoing this because it seems like they are going on faith that their hair will eventually revert back to natural. I would hate to see all these lovely heads re-transitioning in a few months.

I've been thinking the same thing. I for one, plan on sitting by and observing it all just in case. It seems like a great relaxer alternative and it could be fantastic to do once in a while to switch things up, but I too worry about the long-term effects, whatever they may be. Transitioning is hard work! There's no way I am doing this all over again

ETA: Read through the whole thread. Whoa! What did I just walk into My I still think BKT is a nice alternative, provided that it has no adverse health effects and that these companies are advertising it properly. I'm glad to hear from some ladies that your hair has fully reverted, and even more glad that so many of you are loving it! I just hope that in the long run, if there do turn out to be other individuals with no reversion like Socalli (her hair hasn't reverted yet, but hopefully she will keep us updated in case it does), then it will be made known that there is no guarantee of having the hair you had before the treatment. If not, somebody needs to get sued. We work too hard to keep our hair gorgeous!

 

[secretrose]

Thanks for posting your review. It's good to have another testimony. I went through your album but i didn't see any texture shots of your hair after the BKT reversion. I saw texture shots before the process and only straight shots after. Am I looking in the wrong place?

I plan on going back to my initial texture after I BC. But if I ever get the urge to loosen my texture, or if I'm getting frustrated with single strand knots, difficulty detangling etc I know I won't be seduced by a relaxer. I'll just get a temporary BKT and if I regret it, it's just a matter of 3 months before I can go back to my original texture.

I'm a very indecisive person so BKT is the greatest for me. I can bounce between two styles without having to go through the agony of transitions and BCs. Works for me and worth the money.

I am transitioning and was getting so frustrated with wet buns because they were breaking off my fine hair. But that was just about the only style I could do transitioning. And I refused to do the BC. My face is too fat for all that. BKT saved me from relaxing which was really not the best option for me because it made my hair prone to breakage. I'm very happy this product has hit the market.... now it's time for them to come out with a formaldehyde and ether free product that is just as effective so we can get the rest of you ladies on board. Trust me you all would love it!

 

[crazydaze911]

These are some of the same conerns people had a little while ago. Now its seems like no one brings them up. I know the formulas have improved but I refuse to believe things are 100% honky dory

Honestly I see this as a typical LHCF phase. People just get wrapped up. One person makes a post with fabulous hair and everyone follows...

Actually, someone brings it up in EVERY BKT thread i read - lol (even when the persons hair looks fabulous) - we LHCF sisters have learned through setbacks to question everything - which is good). And then someone like me comes along and reminds them that small amounts of formaldehyde are in many house hold items, etc, etc - same song and dance. Im not trying to be confrontational but its true.

But if were ONLY talking about reversion, we should leave arguing the formaldehyde thing out of it for now - IMHO. I had the real BKT done once, and then 2 formaldehyde-free (yes, i know its not really formaldehyde free, etc) treatments in a little over a year. My hair did revert. I am not getting this treatment done at all this summer b/c i like salt water and chlorine so i will try to post pics really soon. It hasnt been 2 months just yet, so it hasnt fully reverted. i will keep you guys in mind and post when it does.

I can understand why pple never let it wear off cuz its great but twice a year is good enough for me. its expensive and i miss using my regular conditioners that have sodium chloride.

 

[crazydaze911]

RE: the bolded, I wonder why they don't just get a relaxer. It seems these treatments are costly and potentially hazardous. I'd sooner get a relaxer than do BKT over and over, but that's just me.

BKT protects and strengthens the hair. a relaxer does the opposite in my opinion. And even if someones hair, by chance, didnt revert, i would doubt they'd have to bc to get a normal head of hair back...

ETA: oh sorry -didnt see Princess already answered - we think alike, i guess - lol

 

[KnottyGurl]

There may be things we use on a regular basis that contain formaldahyde and are probably harmless, but I'm not going to ADD to the exposure I'm already getting. Also, I don't know why it's called a "scare tactic" to inform others about what you learn. If it's okay to post the positives, why shouldn't we post the not-so-positives?

Some people actually go out of their way to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals they come into contact with. I'm one of them. I was interested in BKT at one time, but if, health-wise, it's no better than getting a relaxer, then what's the point? Choosing between beauty and health is not a hard choice for me. I'd rather do the extra 30-40 minutes of work. But that's just me, and that's ok.

Gg

 

[Ediese]

Your hair is beautiful Sheba but your texture looks dramatically different. I didn't think BKT changed 4ab hair so much.

I would have to agree with you. My current texture looks like the last attachment. If I get the treatment, I wouldn't want to loosen my texture anymore.

 

[Ediese]

It seems that almost everyone that is praising BKT likes the loosened texture and plans on continuing the upkeep. For those who want temporary straightening and want the option to go back to their original texture and move on, this may not be for you. We have testimony from someone who said their BKT hair did not revert after a year of stopping, also said they may need to keep getting their roots touched up to maintain the same texture throughout their head. Some people don't have the money for BKT touchups. Also if your newgrowth does not exactly match your BKT hair, there will be a line of demarcation that can potentially lead to breakage. Weigh the risks and make your decision. 'Tis all.

I haven't read through the whole thread, but I was wondering if this person had multiple treatments done or did their hair not revert even after one treatment? I was thinking about getting it done once to try it out.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

To get rid of a relaxer, you will need to cut it out.erplexed

With BKT, you just need to let it wear off after 2 - 4 months. Eventually, for me at least, I will have a head full of curls with no more straight ends.

DH finally understands why I am cutting my hair every few months - to get rid of the relaxers & texlaxed ends. He thought that relaxed hair reverted and that is why he is in the salon watching women get touch ups every 6 - 12 weeks. He did not ever notice that only the roots are touched up with relaxers.

BKT is not that expensive - at least not in Brooklyn, NY. I paid $75 for my first BKT (Lasio One Day) and $99 for the second BKT (Rejuvenol). If it lasts for 4 months (using WEN Fig) then it's only $25 per month average. I was paying $75 for relaxers every 12 weeks.

RE: the bolded, I wonder why they don't just get a relaxer. It seems these treatments are costly and potentially hazardous. I'd sooner get a relaxer than do BKT over and over, but that's just me.

Yes, it reverts 100% if you allow it to wear off.

If you get BKT, it will wear off in 3 - 4 months with weekly washing, 2 months for daily cowashers & faster if you use sodium shampoos. Everyone whom I spoke to about BKT said that it is temporary. I even corresponded with stylist who apply BKT to their clients every 3 - 4 months since it does fully revert. Denise Kingsley is a good resource - you can google her and email her as well. She uses BKT so much that she worked with a designer to create a fume extractor for her salon.

However, there are some people who use BKT once a month in order to get straight hair right out of the shower. Presumably, if BKT is used so often as to have 4a hair become straight hair even when wet, then maybe it will take much longer to wear off, if it wears off at all?

I won't ever find out since I will not ever use BKT once a month in order to have straight hair out of the shower. I like the versatility of frizz free, looser curls with less shrinkage....which is what BKT is doing for me.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

It seems that almost everyone that is praising BKT likes the loosened texture and plans on continuing the upkeep. For those who want temporary straightening and want the option to go back to their original texture and move on, this may not be for you. We have testimony from someone who said their BKT hair did not revert after a year of stopping, also said they may need to keep getting their roots touched up to maintain the same texture throughout their head. Some people don't have the money for BKT touchups. Also if your newgrowth does not exactly match your BKT hair, there will be a line of demarcation that can potentially lead to breakage. Weigh the risks and make your decision. 'Tis all.

That - if nothin' else does it fer me brother....I don't want to be dependant on that product.

What?????!

Eh, since it is not marketed for us, this might make sense. Loose textures would even see much of a difference.

That does prove it permanance though

 

[Ediese]

That - if nothin' else does it fer me brother....I don't want to be dependant on that product.

What?????!

Eh, since it is not marketed for us, this might make sense. Loose textures would even see much of a difference.

That does prove it permanance though

I think only one person mentioned that there hair remained permanently straight. She didn't mention how many times or how frequently she did it. I think if the treatment was done repeatedly over a shorter period of time that's when it doesn't fully revert. If it's done once and allowed to run it's course (3-4 months), your hair reverts to its natural texture.

Please correct me if I'm wrong ladies.

 

[Southernbella.]

BKT is not that expensive - at least not in Brooklyn, NY. I paid $75 for my first BKT (Lasio One Day) and $99 for the second BKT (Rejuvenol). If it lasts for 4 months (using WEN Fig) then it's only $25 per month average. I was paying $75 for relaxers every 12 weeks.

See, that's expensive to me because I was a DIYer when it came to my relaxers. Even the DIY BKT kits cost a lot more than your average relaxer. I guess if you're used to salon relaxers, the BKT isn't that much different.

 

[keepithealthy]

I think only one person mentioned that there hair remained permanently straight. She didn't mention how many times or how frequently she did it. I think if the treatment was done repeatedly over a shorter period of time that's when it doesn't fully revert. If it's done once and allowed to run it's course (3-4 months), your hair reverts to its natural texture.

Please correct me if I'm wrong ladies.

....hmmmm that's what I thought too....

 

[secretrose]

quoting SoCalli's BKT testimony for anyone who missed it.
In the first quote she is alluding to her sister's hair who BKT's and now has straight ends.

I agree with the bolded as long as the ends don't get any straighter. My sister's ends are pretty straight. Too straight for my liking. It could be b/c her hair is more damaged than mine (she gets it colored red).



Yeah, the reason why it hasn't worn off completely could be for a variety of reasons. When I first started using bkt, I was wearing my hair natural 24/7. I would using nothing, but organic/natural products so the bkt never really stripped off my hair. I just kept adding the bkt over previously bkt'd hair that never wore off (I only continued to get it done b/c the roots needed to be done. The ends were fine). Anyway, this could be the reason why it never really stripped from my hair.

I used to get it done every three to four months. I think I stopped about a year ago (not on purpose. I bought the wrong one and didn't want to pony up the extra cash to get more). The change is not radical for me. You can tell that my roots are natural. The ends of my hair are looser than my roots. However, you can see a big difference in my sister's hair. The ends are pretty straight compared to her roots. She colors her hair often though.



No, my hair towards the ends look like they have been bkt'd as opposed to my roots. It might revert if I used a harsher shampoo. I don't know. I've read testimonials from white women saying that their hair did revert back. I don't think they would lie about that. Again, my hair may be due to using really gentle products.

ETA: For those who want their hair to go back, you may want to do it less often and stay away from super gentle shampoos. You could also try doing the whole head once and then just doing the roots thereafter.

 

[Rei]

quoting SoCalli's BKT testimony for anyone who missed it.
In the first quote she is alluding to her sister's hair who BKT's and now has straight ends.

i would need more proof than this. There are many factors involved here. was socali using heat often? could it be some heat damage as well or just the bkt. she also mentioned her sister colors and may heat style. too many unsure factors to say something proves something one way or the other. i will wait for more people to answer

 

[Ediese]

quoting SoCalli's BKT testimony for anyone who missed it.
In the first quote she is alluding to her sister's hair who BKT's and now has straight ends.

Thanks for posting this. That's exactly what I thought.

 

[sheba1]

I would have to agree with you. My current texture looks like the last attachment. If I get the treatment, I wouldn't want to loosen my texture anymore.

Yes, the 2% loosened my texture quite a bit! It was exactly what I wanted. For those that want frizz free curls but do not want looser texture there is a "keep the curls formula". HTH

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I think only one person mentioned that there hair remained permanently straight. She didn't mention how many times or how frequently she did it. I think if the treatment was done repeatedly over a shorter period of time that's when it doesn't fully revert. If it's done once and allowed to run it's course (3-4 months), your hair reverts to its natural texture.

Please correct me if I'm wrong ladies.

Thanks for that update...

 

[sheba1]

I think only one person mentioned that there hair remained permanently straight. She didn't mention how many times or how frequently she did it. I think if the treatment was done repeatedly over a shorter period of time that's when it doesn't fully revert. If it's done once and allowed to run it's course (3-4 months), your hair reverts to its natural texture.

Please correct me if I'm wrong ladies.

This is what I have gathered, Ediese. The one person was SoCalli, also. She mentioned that she uses all natural products on her hair which don't appear strong enough to completely remove the treatment. She mentioned that she hasn't bothered to be more aggressive about stripping the treatment because it doesn't bother her to maintain it.

 

[BostonMaria]

Question for the ladies who have used BKT and also texturized their hair in the past

Can you tell me if your hair felt the same in both instances?
When you dry it curly, is it soft?

 

[girlyprincess23]

You know what I would love to see, I would love to see the statistical data behind the "formaldehyde MAY cause cancer" assertion. Because if they had solid statistical data there would most likely be a general consensus (all regulatory bodies would match not this level here and that level there) and there would be no "may". You know for me anyways there is a lot of statistical references and regulation that is missing if indeed formaldehyde was firmly linked to cancer. Just my .02.

 

[berryblack]

Let me add on the formaldehyde issue---I went to mortuary school and worked in a funeral home. The embalmers big issue wasn't with the formaldehyde but with the blood. We were seriously covered from head to toe for fear of blood pathogens. Any little splatter got you a bleach bath like out of the movie Silkwood. No one even spoke of formaldehyde in fear.
Look, I'm not advising gals to go formaldehyde crazy nor would I advise anyone to sit in a room full of chain smokers...I'm just stating embalmers with years upon years of experience were not concerned. 'Tis all.

Also, I haven't washed my hair yet so I can't tell y'all about my texture, yet. Good or bad, I'll give an update!

 

[dany06]

Question for the ladies who have used BKT and also texturized their hair in the past

Can you tell me if your hair felt the same in both instances?
When you dry it curly, is it soft?

Its barely curly and very very soft. Doesn't even feel like my hair.

 

[sheba1]

Hey BostonMaria, JayAnn did both. She mentioned her views on texlaxed and bkt'd hair below. I hope more respond to your question. HTH

I guess I'll find out one day, but I have no interest in letting this wear off at this time. My hair is much softer, smoother, no frizz when air dried. My wet bun rocks, it's basically what I wanted it to look like when I decided to texlax, but I hated the way the texlax looked when it air dried. Which is how I wear my hair at least 5 days a week. If it doesn't revert - big deal. You grow it out and start over. This may be "new" to us but if it was permanent they would advertise it as such because the target market would probably like it better that way. "We" are not the target market, which is a plus for me.

 

[SoCalli]

So what's the difference between this and a relaxer? I think a lot of members were lead to believe that their hair would revert back to its natural state. Now, this might give some pause before trying the BKT treatment.

I think the difference is that a relaxer straightens your hair, but bkt doesn't (if your hair is not damaged aka already relaxed aka colored). Their hair may revert back. I'm just saying my curls are still loose and does not match my roots. Again, this may be due to using really gentle products. I also read that it takes 18 months for bkt to fully wear off. I think I've gotten them at least 3 or 4 times (always waiting between three and four months to get a new one).

But here you are referring to looser texture, right?

After doing the BKT for so long, it has loosened your curls so that it looks more like a texturizer??

(Which isn't a problem for me, I still plan on doing it!)

Yeah, my hair is not straight. My curls are just looser. My sister's ends are straight either just wavy (it has no curl). Remember, her hair is cooler treated.

Do you think it has anything to do with how often you use heat or how often you BKT'd? I remember asking you about it and you stating for a while you wore your hair straight 24/7 and that you did BKT treatments both with and without formaldehyde every month. I'm pretty sure I'm remembering properly. Let me know if this isn't the case. Constant heat can always affect curl pattern.

No, I just started using heat on a regular basis August (I think it was August) of 2008. Before then, I only used heat on a low setting once every three months to trim it.

I think only one person mentioned that there hair remained permanently straight. She didn't mention how many times or how frequently she did it. I think if the treatment was done repeatedly over a shorter period of time that's when it doesn't fully revert. If it's done once and allowed to run it's course (3-4 months), your hair reverts to its natural texture.

Please correct me if I'm wrong ladies.

I did my BKTs once every 3 to 4 months. I've probably had the treatment three or four times max.

quoting SoCalli's BKT testimony for anyone who missed it.
In the first quote she is alluding to her sister's hair who BKT's and now has straight ends.

Her ends are wavy. I just asked her, and she says that she feels the treatment wears off. I would disagree with her on that, but that's what she says! She said it could also be heat damage (We flat iron our hair on different settings. I do mine on 370, and she does it on 410. I blow dry my hair on medium, but she does it on the high setting). I would think that the BKT would protect her hair from heat damage, but who knows. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Let me add on the formaldehyde issue---I went to mortuary school and worked in a funeral home. The embalmers big issue wasn't with the formaldehyde but with the blood. We were seriously covered from head to toe for fear of blood pathogens. Any little splatter got you a bleach bath like out of the movie Silkwood. No one even spoke of formaldehyde in fear.
Look, I'm not advising gals to go formaldehyde crazy nor would I advise anyone to sit in a room full of chain smokers...I'm just stating embalmers with years upon years of experience were not concerned. 'Tis all.

Also, I haven't washed my hair yet so I can't tell y'all about my texture, yet. Good or bad, I'll give an update!

Formaldehyde ( from what I have read ) is absorbed easily by the lungs, and other mucus membranes when HEATED ( anything above 90 degrees farheheit)

No funeral director is heating up a body to embalm it... But when this product is used - it has to be baked in the hair.

 

[brownbean96]

bump..bump