This is excellent advise. Use a lower temp, give the flat iron time to recover it's temp to 375.
What brand are you using?
AtlantaJJ is your hair very fine?
I would say start with a formeldahyde free brand or one with minimal formeldahyde (0.02%) like QOD Max (I still have some of this if you want me to send you some for free). I actually stopped using QOD Max because it gets my hair bone straight so I use QOD Max Organiq now instead (no formeldahyde - cystine based) so I can keep my curl as well. I say work up to the 4% treatments, you might not need that much formeldahyde.
@AtlantaJJ is your hair very fine?
I would say start with a formeldahyde free brand or one with minimal formeldahyde (0.02%) like QOD Max (I still have some of this if you want me to send you some for free). I actually stopped using QOD Max because it gets my hair bone straight so I use QOD Max Organiq now instead (no formeldahyde - cystine based) so I can keep my curl as well. I say work up to the 4% treatments, you might not need that much formeldahyde.
I recently tried the treatment -- although I used Organix 30 day treatment because I heard it was better for your hair especially since I have fine hair -- and I don't really notice a difference.... My hair feels less dense [which is really good, I honestly wish my hair was only half as thick as it is] but it really didn't loosen any of the curl except a little in the front where my curl pattern was naturally looser anyway so that might just be heat damage.
should I just do the treatment again? with the same brand? after 30 days.. or should I try a different brand?
or is it that my hair is just really resistant and I should leave it alone?
BIGGEST QUESTION -- what products are y'all using? all my shampoos and some of my conditioners have sulfate/sodium/chloride which is advised NOT to use... what are the best (preferably drugstore) products y'all would recommend?
here was what my hair/process looked like http://livewonderfully.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-very-first-bkt-experience.html
I recently tried the treatment -- although I used Organix 30 day treatment because I heard it was better for your hair especially since I have fine hair -- and I don't really notice a difference.... My hair feels less dense [which is really good, I honestly wish my hair was only half as thick as it is] but it really didn't loosen any of the curl except a little in the front where my curl pattern was naturally looser anyway so that might just be heat damage.
should I just do the treatment again? with the same brand? after 30 days.. or should I try a different brand?
or is it that my hair is just really resistant and I should leave it alone?
BIGGEST QUESTION -- what products are y'all using? all my shampoos and some of my conditioners have sulfate/sodium/chloride which is advised NOT to use... what are the best (preferably drugstore) products y'all would recommend?
here was what my hair/process looked like http://livewonderfully.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-very-first-bkt-experience.html
This is a great thread. I just ordered teh KeraPremium original BKT system off ebay. I am natural and color-treated. Summer is my fast grow season but it's also when my hair is super dry because I wng every 2 days.
I just want more manageability and less frizz -- less shrinkage would be icing on the cake. My hair is fine and can break easily but it's also very resistant to relaxers, japanese straightening systems, etc. let's see how this works for me.
Thanks for all the info!
Hey ladies,
Which treatment would you recommend for a 4a who's trying to transition? I want a treatment that will not fully straighten my natural hair and will revert. Also, would I be able to use my DC (ORS) and co-washing conditioners with this on my head? I read biancaelyse's on the QOD OrganiQ and another thread on Organix BKT I'm thinking about trying it, but I'm wondering if any 4a's had luck with either. TIA!
Technically no. BKT is a protein that only coats the hair without chemically breaking the bond unlike texlaxing/relaxing. Generally, the risk of damage while BKT comes with heat damage due to the often recommended high heat of flat ironing.Ladies, I appreciate all of your responses. If I do the BKT, I will use Global, for my 4B hair. It's thick and I want straighter hair without texlaxing. So we'll see if I'm brave enough to take the plunge.
I'm at week 12 of stretching and I'm liking the thickness of my hair and wondering why I would ever want to texlax. I need to do something just not sure what.
NEW QUESTION: If I BKT and go back to Texlaxing...will that cause breakage?
Thank you!
Technically no. BKT is a protein that only coats the hair without chemically breaking the bond unlike texlaxing/relaxing. Generally, the risk of damage while BKT comes with heat damage due to the often recommended high heat of flat ironing.
I have a question for you: We both have the same hair type (4b) and you decided to go with the same BKT that I used. Can you tell me how long your BKT lasts when you get it done w/ Global? Thanx.
I have been BKTing since Nov. 2011. Currenlty I do a treatment with GB 4% every 4 weeks. I wash my hair every weekend w/ sulfate free poo and co wash mid week. I love the way my natural 4b hair looks after the treatment. But once I start week 3, the soft curls and coils are almost gone. Has anyone have this difficulty? I was considering about uping my treatments to 2x a month but I'm afraid of heat damage. Tell me what you think.
@Cruzankink If you use Global Keratin would you let me know how it turns out? I would appreciate it and maybe I'll give it a try if I hear of a few more 4b's that love the results.