In this era of social media, where we just have to ‘post’ this and have to ‘share’ that, nothing is personal anymore. People are Instagramming everything; selfies, their favourite food, their fab #OOTDs, new hairdos and what not! We have no self(ie) control whatsoever, right? And after spending a decent amount stalking my favourite beauty bloggers on the ‘Gram, I have concluded that a good hairdo can either make or break your look. It’s all about experimenting with different hairstyles and finding out what suits you best!
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And just like me, if you’re not blessed with fabulous hair (why Bhagwan, why?) that requires minimal styling, you should give hair rebonding a serious thought. While textured hair does look beautiful, it takes more time to style, especially if you have luscious curly locks or long and thick hair.
What Is Hair Rebonding?
Hair rebonding is not an ancient term, it is in fact, one of the most popular treatments that the customers opt for when it comes to changing their hair completely. So what is it? Hair rebonding is a semi-permanent treatment for your hair which involves using chemicals that straighten your hair, relax and tame it from within. It is a hair straightening and smoothening treatment that straightens every hair type, be it wavy or extremely curly. The chemicals help break down your hair’s natural bonds and rearrange newer bonds, resulting in straighter hair (hence the name ‘rebonding’).
The rebonding of hair starts with the application of a cream softener or a relaxant on clean hair (washed and dried), steaming and applying a keratin lotion, among other tedious steps… Don’t worry, we’ll delineate the entire process later on in the article.
Also Read: Complete Guide To Hair Smoothening At Home
Things To Keep In Mind Before Getting Hair Rebonding
By now, I’m sure you’re totally on-board with the idea of having rebonded hair and if you are a rebonding virgin, we’ll make sure that your first time is truly special!
Here are a few things to keep in mind before getting the treatment:
– It is permanent. Make sure you are well prepared for this massive change. Ask a few people who have had this treatment done before going for it.
– Since your hair is going to be chemically treated, be prepared for a few side-effects such as scalp getting burned and potentially irritated with the chemicals.
– If you have thin or weak hair, avoid this treatment. Use hair masks, natural hair packs or a natural hair spa at home to strengthen your mane from within and only then think about getting it done. If your hair breaks easily or is really dry, you can opt for hair smoothening instead.
– After the treatment, you may witness your hair getting thin and even hair fall out. Do not panic, with proper hair care, you will be able to combat these issues in no time.
– You will need to invest a lot of time and the best products in taking care of your mane after the treatment.
– It is an expensive procedure and you may require root touch-ups every 5-6 months, depending on how quickly your hair grows. For people with extremely curly hair, root touch-ups are essential to ensure that the demarcation line of chemically treated hair vs your actual hair isn’t noticeable. If you have wavy and straight hair, then you can get away by prolonging your touch up sessions.
– The rebonding process cannot be undone, so think wisely!
What Are The Steps Involved In Rebonding?
If you are planning to get the treatment soon, you have come to the right place. Here’s how you should be prepping your hair before the session:
Firstly, wash your mane with a mild or an all-natural shampoo as your hair is going to be chemically treated and you need to ensure that your hair is exposed to minimum chemicals. Air-dry them and you’re ready for your salon appointment.
Then, your salon expert shall…
- Ensure that your hair is clean and ready for the treatment.
- Separate your hair into two or more parts and start applying the relaxant on from root to tip. (If you have longer hair, the expert might use a fine comb to straight comb your mane). Make sure you are as still as stone throughout the process.
- Keep the product on your hair for 30- 45 mins (depends on your hair length), steam your tresses, condition and wash them thoroughly.
- Use a hair straightener to further straighten your mane to ensure no strand is left out.
- Apply the keratin lotion to your hair. This shall elevate the process while providing the right amount of nourishment.
- Apply the neutralizer to the ‘bonds’ and stabilize your hair. The neutralizer is kept for at least 30 minutes before it’s rinsed well with cold water.
- Apply the serum after blow-drying your hair. The serum acts as a protecting agent and makes your mane appear shiny and healthy.
- Finally, your mane is straightened again using the flat iron, just for the final touch.
- Make sure you do NOT wash your hair for at least 2-3 days after the treatment.
Precautionary Measures On How To Maintain Your Hair After Rebonding
Now that you have gotten your mane chemically treated, it’s time to take proper care of ‘em. Here are a few precautions after hair rebonding.
- Keep your hair loosely tied for the first few days after the treatment and skip accessorising your mane for at least a week.
- Ensure to wear a shower cap while taking a bath for the first 7-8 days as we would want the chemicals to wash away.
- Since a lot of chemicals are used on your hair, make sure you are taking good care and using all the right products.
- Oil your tresses once a week but do NOT keep it for more than 30 minutes.
- Nourish your hair with regular hair masks and packs. Use natural or food items on your mane like aloe vera, curd or an egg.
- Steam your mane regularly, at least twice a month.
- Opt for deep conditioning treatments once a week or do a hair spa at home.
- Use a shampoo that is specially formulated for rebonded hair.
- Always use a conditioner after shampooing your hair.
- After drying your mane, use a protecting or strengthening hair serum.
Hair Products To Be Used After The Treatment
When it comes to taking care of your mane after getting the treatment, you need to be very careful about the kind of products you use and only choose the best shampoo and conditioner after rebonding. Since chemicals are involved, it is only fair we give our mane the love they deserve!
This Dynamic Duo
Trust this dynamic duo to keep your mane looking all fresh and thick throughout the day! After washing your hair, keep the conditioner on your mane for at least five minutes before rinsing it off with cold water and say hello to gorgeous hair!
‘Coz Good Things Come In Twos!
If you feel your hair getting thin, this conditioner shall be your saviour. After washing your hair with a specialized shampoo, apply the conditioner on the lower strands of your hair. Keep it for at least 5 minutes and rinse it off with cold water.
Give You Mane A Dose Of Biotin
‘Coz There’s Nothing A Good Mask Can’t Fix
If you feel that your mane has gotten drier after the treatment, use this repair masque and watch your mane come back to life. As the name suggests, the masque penetrates deep into your mane and helps rebuild your hair follicles.
(Coco)Nuts About This Conditioner
For mane that can’t be tamed, you need to try our Power Up My Mane, Coconut & Jojoba Creme Conditioner. It will keep your rebonded hair oh-so-soft and the delicious aroma of coconuts will keep your hair smelling great all day. Win-win!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions related to rebonding of hair or common FAQs, read along and we bet all your queries shall be answered!
Q. Can I oil my hair after rebonding my hair?
A. Yes, you can oil your hair after rebonding but not for at least 5 days after the treatment. Regular oiling your hair is advisable as a constant source of nourishment for your mane. You can either use coconut oil or olive oil on your hair or even essentials oils as long as you’re oiling them regularly.
Q. When can I wash my hair after rebonding?
A. No and yes! No, you cannot immediately wash your hair after the treatment as it shall wash away the chemicals but yes, you can wash your hair a few days after the treatment. Make sure you use a specialised shampoo and nourishing conditioner after every wash that keeps your mane well-nourished.
Q. Can I cut my hair short after rebonding?
A. Yes, you can cut your hair anytime after the treatment. If fact, you should cut your hair regularly after the treatment as your hair begins to look too pointy at the bottom. We say go for a short bob like Rihanna and kill it with your #InstaGame!
Q. Do I need to use a special shampoo after the treatment?
A. A big yes! Make sure you use a shampoo that’s especially for chemically treated hair otherwise it shall do more damage than good.
Q. How long does hair rebonding last?
A. It actually depends on where did you get it from and how quickly your hair grows back. If you get it done by a known professional, it can last up to 7-8 months. But you do have to get it retouched after every three months or so to avoid that visible demarcation line.
Q. What is the real difference between hair smoothening and hair rebonding?
A. Many people think that rebonding and smoothening are the same thing but trust us, they are not. Rebonding involves the usage of special chemicals to make your hair straight, as opposed to curly or wavy hair. Smoothening, on the other hand, is a procedure to tame your mane. It makes your hair smooth and silky but its effect lasts for a shorter duration, about 3 months.
Q. What are the side effects of rebonding?
No hair treatments come without their share of pitfalls. In some cases, your hair can become weak and sensitive with averted frizz and also lead to hair loss. It is on part of the strong chemicals used to set the hair straight which makes your hair shafts weak. Sometimes, even a mild pull can draw your hair strand out of its roots.
We hope we have succeeded in answering all your queries and doubts regarding hair rebonding! Go ahead, get it done today.
PS: Have a great hair day, every day!
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