A peek into the world of amino acid based strengthening/straightening systems.

I love how the hair and beauty industry is constantly seeking to address the ever evolving needs of ladies (and men too actually) Once it became clear that a lot of women were seeking more natural alternatives in their hair and body products, it became normal to see things like 'paraben free' 'alcohol free' 'mineral oil free' etc. Shea butter, argan oil, Amla and coconut oil were the new 'It' ingredients and with the awareness of more and more women 'going natural' all of a sudden whole lines were created and dedicated to natural hair.

Seeing that the versatility of natural hair included the option to wear it straight one week and curly the next, we saw a rise in the Keratin and (a little more infamous) Brazilian blow out systems. Now these were products which helped straighten out curly hair - giving the client a chance to have her hair straight for up to 12 weeks before it reverted back to its curly state.

These systems began to gain popularity till it was discovered that a lot of them contained formaldehyde - a strong smelling gas that presents a health hazard when it is breathed in or comes in contact with skin; causing allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and lungs. If it accidentally gets into eyes, it can cause blindness! ( Na real wa!) The use of  the Brazilian blowout system has now been banned now in a lot of places.




Enter the amino acid based straightening systems - not only are they safer, but they don't break or rearrange the disulfide bonds in hair (the bonds that determine the curliness or straightness of hair) the way chemical based treatments would. They also help strengthen hair because the chains of amino acids fill whatever gaps exist in hair fibers - fortifying the hair and making it stronger, healthier and shinier.

These systems are also really great for ladies who are transitioning and want something that will help blend their textures as one common problem amongst transitioners is managing 2 different textures.

The systems I've come across use the active Cysteine amino acid which is found in keratin and since our hair is made up of keratin, using an active cysteine amino acid based product protects the hair and prevents it from falling out!

Now the Keratin treatments would require you to come back in 3 - 4 days to wash out the treatment but with the amino acid based treatments, everything can be done at one sitting in the salon.

Design Essentials Strengthening System used by us in the Salon

The process is still a little involved though depending on which brand you use as you need to wash the hair, apply the treatment, blow dry the hair and then seal in the treatment using a flat iron. After the hair has cooled, it  then has to be washed again, conditioned, dried and finally styled.

Which is why the Beautiful Textures system is piquing interest because it's a simple 4 step process which can be done at home - wash, condition, blow dry and flat iron!

Having said all that, not everyone is on board with anything that wants to (even temporarily) straighten their natural hair as they see it as the beauty industry still trying to introduce a relaxer(ish) type of product and make naturals view their hair differently. I think its just an option to wear your hair in a different form but that's my own personal opinion.

So is this something you would consider knowing it wont permanently straighten your hair or damage it but actually help strengthen/fortify it?