How to Do Thermal Ionic Hair Straightening

1. Cover shoulder area with a plastic cape or old towel and shampoo hair with Thermal Ionic Clarifying Shampoo.
2. Shampoo, towel dry hair thoroughly and treat hair with Thermal Ionic Leave-In Conditioner.
3. The porous areas (i.e., ends of hair) should receive more conditioner than the less porous areas to equalize the hair’s porosity.
4. Do not saturate the hair with conditioner, since too much conditioner will interfere with the absorption of Thermal Ionic STEP 1.
5. Comb and section hair into “T” partings. Sectioning at the nape of the neck, make 3/4" sections across the head.
6. Starting 1/2" from the scalp, apply Thermal Ionic STEP 1 from the container onto the hair with a tinting brush.
7. Spread the product through the entire length of hair including the ends, but avoid the root area.
8. Never apply the product to the scalp, since contact with scalp may cause irritation.
9. Gently comb hair straight with a wide-tooth comb and with medium tension.
10. Continue up to the top of the head, gently combing each section, making sure there is enough product on the hair at all times.
11. Cover the hair with a pliable plastic wrap while maintaining the hair in a straight configuration.

PROCESSING TIME:
(Process at Room Temperature)

Process hair for 3–5 minutes.

Take a small strand and tie a loose knot towards the distal end (i.e., end of hair strand furthest from the scalp).

Tighten the knot slowly and gently until the loops of the knot are closed. Do not make a tight knot. Place knot in the palm of the hand and release the distal end of the hair strand. If the knot remains “closed”, the hair has been fully processed. If the knot opens, the hair needs additional processing.

This “knot test” should be performed at different positions along the hair strand (i.e., top, middle and end).

If the “knot test” indicates that the hair is sufficiently processed at the more porous distal portion of the strand but not at the more resistant crown area, place the ends of the hair on a towel and spray this processed portion (distal area) with water to slow / stop the chemical reaction.

Repeat this “knot test” every 5 minutes until the processing is complete.

It is suggested that this “knot test” be performed at several different areas (i.e., back, sides and hairline).

When processing is found to be complete (7 to 30 minutes depending on hair type and condition), remove the plastic wrap and rinse the hair for at least 5–7 minutes with warm water, using a timer, to remove all of the STEP 1 lotion.

Excessively thick and / or very porous hair may take longer to thoroughly rinse and remove product from hair. Keep the hair as straight and stress-free as possible during the rinsing procedure.

THERMAL TREATMENT:

After hair has been adequately rinsed, dry hair so that approximately 20% of the water remains in the hair (i.e., damp hair).

This may be accomplished by using a warm hair dryer, directing the airflow towards the ends of the hair and tousling the hair with the fingers until the desired state of dampness is obtained.

Comb and section hair into “T” partings. Sectioning at the nape of the neck, make 3/4" sections across the head.

A hot flat iron, which is maintained at 170 degrees–230 degrees C range, should be placed 1" from the scalp.

[Note: To ensure consistent and optimal results, use only ConairPro™, Jilbere de ParisTM, Ceramic Tools™, BaByliss®Pro or Rusk® Ceramic Flat Irons.]

While maintaining the hair at an angle of 90 degrees, slowly and continuously pull the hair strand through the hot flat iron.

Do not maintain the hot flat iron in one place for any length of time or hair breakage / burning may occur.

This process may be repeated several times on the same hair strand to ensure that the hair is “pin-straight”.

This step is critical for maintaining optimal results. A comb should be used to direct the hair exiting the hot flat iron and to prevent burning of the fingers.

Since the hair near the scalp is more resistant than the distal end, it may be necessary to treat that area more than the distal end.

Some steaming will be noticed during this procedure. Continue this procedure up to the top of the head.

NEUTRALIZATION:

After thermal processing is completed, gently comb hair as smooth and straight as possible with a wide-tooth comb and apply Step 2 directly from the bottle in the exact same manner as Step 1, sectioning the hair at the nape and applying in 3/4" sections.

Periodically comb the hair with a wide-tooth comb while maintaining the hair in a straight configuration, in order to distribute the neutralizer evenly throughout the hair strands.

Process for 5 minutes, then rinse out the neutralizer completely for appro-ximately 5–7 minutes. Hair is now ready for styling.

For optimum results, especially on very resistant hair, you may want to pass the flat iron through one more time.

Do not shampoo hair for 48 hours.

REGROWTH TREATMENT:

Apply only to the new growth area, starting 1/2" from the scalp. After processing for 3–5 minutes, perform the “knot test” described above and continue testing every 3–5 minutes.

When the “knot test” indicates that the processing is nearly complete, comb the product through the remainder of the hair and process for an additional 3 minutes.

Rinse hair as described above and perform “Thermal Treatment” primarily on the new growth while quickly passing the hot flat iron over the previously treated hair.