Hair Color, Perms, and Straightening Have Evolved. But One Important Thing Has Not Changed.

Hair color, perms, and hair straightening.

Hairdressing technology has advanced significantly over the past few years.

Hair that was once difficult to work with can now often be treated successfully, and even perms or straightening on bleached hair have become possible under certain conditions.

One reason for this is the advancement of chemical products.

Another is the improvement of treatment technologies designed to protect the hair.

Even as a hairdresser working behind the chair every day, I feel that the changes over the past five years have been remarkable.

However, no matter how much products and techniques improve, there is one thing that does not change.

That is:

Chemicals are still chemicals.

That fact remains the same.

Advances in Products Have Expanded What Is Possible

In the past, it was extremely difficult to perform bleaching, perms, or straightening on heavily damaged hair.

If the hair did not have enough strength, there was a high risk of breakage or severe damage.

Today, product performance has improved, and application techniques have evolved as well.

Take bleaching, for example.

In the past, achieving a lighter color from naturally dark hair often required stronger products and longer processing times.

Today, improvements in formulations allow us to aim for lighter colors while reducing stress on the hair compared to before.

The same is true for perms and hair straightening.

Acid-based products and other innovations have made it possible to work with hair that was previously considered too damaged for these services.

In addition, repair ingredients and treatment products that are mixed into chemical services have continued to evolve.

There is no doubt that we can now perform services while reducing stress on the hair.

However, that does not mean the process has become completely damage-free.

The Principle I Value Most: Keeping Chemicals Off the Scalp

Hair grows.

Damaged hair can eventually be cut away.

But the scalp is different.

While cutting damaged hair can improve its appearance to some extent,
the scalp is something that must be cared for and maintained over the long term.

That is why, when performing color, perms, or straightening services,
I think not only about the immediate result but also about the potential long-term impact on the scalp.

For example, with hair color.

There is a technique known as “zero-touch coloring,” where the product is applied without directly touching the scalp rather than being placed directly against it.

Highlights and lowlights can also be effective design options that help reduce scalp contact.

The same principle applies to straightening and perm services.

I take care to avoid unnecessary contact between the chemicals and the scalp whenever possible.

Of course, no method can completely eliminate exposure 100%.

However,

“If chemicals are used, the goal should be to minimize unnecessary stress whenever possible.”

I believe this is a very important way of thinking.

The same applies to hairdressers themselves.

I do not recommend handling chemicals with bare hands.

Wearing gloves and protecting your own health is important as well.

Good health is what allows us to enjoy beauty and hairdressing for many years.

Personally, I always value what can be solved with a haircut first.

The foundation of every hairstyle is the haircut.

I see color, perms, and straightening as tools that support areas a haircut alone cannot fully address.

Of course, I am not against chemical services.

Hair color and perms are wonderful techniques that can bring enjoyment and confidence to people’s lives.

However, I do not recommend repeating them more often than necessary or continuing services that place excessive stress on the hair.

The condition of the hair.

The condition of the scalp.

Your lifestyle.

And your long-term health.

I believe it is important to choose services while considering all of these factors.

Beautiful hair and great hair design are absolutely worth pursuing.

But the foundation of both is health.

My goal is not simply to make hair look beautiful today, but to help people continue enjoying healthy hair and a healthy scalp five or ten years from now.

That is why I strive to reduce unnecessary stress on the scalp whenever possible while creating hair designs that can be enjoyed for the long term.