The hair is one’s crowning glory—it can either make or break one’s look. That is why most people are obsessed with getting smooth, shiny, perfectly behaved locks like those in hair product commercials. Some even pick fun and vibrant colors for their hair to express their individuality, or do anything to make it look attractive. Some get too obsessed that they sometimes overdo it, causing serious damage to their hair.
Newly opened Japanese hair studio Luve Heart’s and Be’s manager and hairstylist Shoya Kagawa shares some hair do’s and don’ts to maintain beautiful and healthy styled hair without damaging it.
1. Choose a hair professional to do your hair.
Finding the perfect hairdresser can be daunting and stressful, and the search for a hair fairy godmother may require tedious salon hopping and visits—which can cause some major disaster for your hair and scalp along the way if you’re not lucky—to know if he is “the one.”
Kogawa, who has been a hairstylist for more than five years in Japan and has moved to Cebu to provide Japan-quality hair service, went through rigorous training and tests on top of his license and certificates before practicing his profession as it is the requirement in Japan.
There is even a different license for hair stylists and barbers, so rest assured that the person doing your hair is skilled and knowledgeable enough.
2. Consult a hair expert before having something done to your hair.
Most of the time, people get excited about doing some changes to their hair without considering the condition of their hair. As experts, hair professionals know what is best for your hair, so they would know if you need a hair treatment before getting milk tea-colored hair.
3. Use high-quality and organic products for your hair.
One top cause of damaged hair is using hair products that contain chemicals like synthetic colors and dyes. The toxins and chemicals of artificial colors and dyes can harm the hair cuticle, leaving it exposed to oxidative damage, especially if it is made of coal tar as it may contain heavy metal salts that can deposit toxicity onto the scalp. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) must also be avoided when straightening the hair as it can actually damage your hair when used at high concentrations and at high pH levels.
Strictly following Japanese standards, Luve Heart’s and Be offers leading-edge hair treatments use innovative techniques, products and tools that are more suitable for Asian hair.
4. Avoid using keratin treatments, especially for damaged hair.
While it is true that keratin treatment can straighten your hair, it can also cause frizz and damage to your hair because it requires high heat to lock your hair in place. Keratin is a tough protein that can be found in hair, nails and skin. If it’s applied with heat or chemicals like a solution containing a formaldehyde derivative used in keratin treatments, the protective keratin in your hair will be damaged.
5. Wash your hair after Japanese-straightening it.
It has been common practice to avoid washing the hair for three days after rebonding using keratin treatment because it needs time to absorb the keratin and washing too early may cause dents on your hair. This isn’t the case with Japanese Straightening or Yuko, especially with the situation today when taking a shower after going out is highly encouraged.
Luve Heart’s and Be, located at 88th Avenue, Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., Banilad, Cebu City, features a modern minimalist interior accented with gold and white and has six treatment chairs with wooden tables and full-sized, arched and gold-framed mirrors, two automated hair washing chairs, a dedicated black leather lounge chair, a spacious counter and lockers.
The Japanese hair studio with a full Japanese workforce is open from Tuesday to Sunday except on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.