BKT users with long hair...please help the rest of us out!

Hi ladies, I appreciate the support, I have read the ENTIRE BKT thread, so please believe, I have done my research, but I have more questions and I need real life answers.

A little about me, I have 4b/c hair - I've been transitioning to natural for 10 months from a texlax and I am about to do something (BKT, Texlax, cut it all off (kidding - I think) but I need your help and knowledge. I'm BSL length or hovering thereabouts.

If you have longish, longer or long hair please let me know how BKT has worked for you. Ladies, if you would also like answer to these questions, please chime in and keep the thread bumping for responses.

You can just talk to us or answer these questions:

Which BKT do you use?
How often do you apply your BKT?
How long have you used BKT?
Are you natural or relaxed?
How long is your hair now?
Has BKT reduced frizz and problems with humidty, has it made the hair more shiny?
Do you like your natural hair texture with BKT? How has it changed?
Have you noticed any thinning or breakage from the product?
Any suggestions for newbie BKT users?

Thanks for starting this. I have been trailing the BKT thread the last couple of weeks. Not to mention most of the products mentioned I cannot get in the UK. I am due to visit the US in September so I will be making a list of products to come back with, including BKT!

I've been natural for 3yrs now but sorry I've never used bkt.

Thanks for this thread OP. I've read all the other threads too and the answers to these questions will help.

lana said:

Which BKT do you use?
How often do you apply your BKT?
How long have you used BKT?
Are you natural or relaxed?
How long is your hair now?
Has BKT reduced frizz and problems with humidty, has it made the hair more shiny?
Do you like your natural hair texture with BKT? How has it changed?
Have you noticed any thinning or breakage from the product?
Any suggestions for newbie BKT users?

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Hi lana

You tagged me but I am one of those people who think BKT is the debil and would never use it. I usually keep my thoughts to myself and stay out of a thread like this but since you invited me, I will state my stand. So folks who want to love BKT should probably stop reading.

Even the first time I saw results of it, I thought it turned hair from strong and "full of life", to wispy and lifeless...like hair of an old white lady who is malnourished or whom menopause dealt a bad blow. I could not understand the fascination. But then again, hanging limp hair has never tickled my fancy so maybe that is why I don't get it.

I was even shocked when one of our resident licensed stylist sang praises of it as she took us on a pictorial journey of the process. The thin wispy results that were claimed to show stronger hair because keratin was added had me SMH. I knew that was a lie. Still, I sat back and waited for an update. The update was "never again". She is someone who is serious about hair health and she witnessed the damage it caused and wanted nothing to do with it.

Then Reniece, a stylist I respect, tried it with a plan to introduce it to her salon. She changed her mind after that one trial run but for health reasons, not for the same reason that make me confused about the love foks have for it. If there is one stylist who has become huge because of her love and concern for her clients' hair, it is Reniece and she doesn't even want it. Not that that should mean anything, but to me, it kept her up on the pedestal I put her on coz she isn't turning hair into skinny wisps all for the sake of having straight hair.

So yeah, not a fan. Not the person to be giving advice on the product. It might've been improved and gotten better over time, and there may be people who swear their hair looks better and is stronger. Well, good for them. I have a different opinion, so we can agree to disagree. And there are several guinea pigs on the forum who have actually walked the walk and tend to agree with me that BKT is da debil.

Sorry to be a party-pooper.

http://www.relaxedhairhealth.blogspot.com/2012/11/chemically-straightened-healthy-hair-is.html Maybe, you should research the Japanese straightening system this Unicorn used on n_vizion's blog. I don't know the difference between the BKT and Japanese thermal relaxing system, but I think they're similar. Good Luck!

I'll ping Napp for you. She uses BKT's from time to time. Tag her if she doesn't reply within 24 hours.

I tried BKT. It was terrible on my hair. I found the Design Essentials Strengthening treatment and am very happy with it. It's amino acid based and doesn't harm your hair. No breakage, no burning. My hair stays straight and can stand up to humidity, without affecting my curl pattern. IMO it's a much safer option. It has strengthened my hair and i'm able to retain better with the treatment than without it.

MileHighDiva said:

http://www.relaxedhairhealth.blogspot.com/2012/11/chemically-straightened-healthy-hair-is.html Maybe, you should research the Japanese straightening system this Unicorn used on @n_vizion's blog. I don't know the difference between the BKT and Japanese thermal relaxing system, but I think they're similar. Good Luck!

I'll ping @Napp for you. She uses BKT's from time to time. Tag her if she doesn't reply within 24 hours.

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my hair is short so i didnt answer the questions. I have been using bkt off and on for a few years now. i never had the cash to really get into it but now that i have a job it is finally attaianable for me to do it more regulalry.

BKT and Japanese straightening are not the same thing at all. i like the curly look and thermal reconditioning would not allow me to have curls at all.

I think bkts are fine if you modify the instructions. some peoples hair cannot take them no matter what. no ones hair can withstand the kind of heat used to apply thats stuff by the directions on a long term basis. I dont care if the person is a stylist trained to do it or not. Most of the bkt horror stores are from people who went to a salon to get it done.

i have been bkting all through my transition and my hair is curly and full of life. i plan on keeping it that way!

I lost hair and suffered breakage along the hairline after BTK. I would never use it again.

lana said:

Hi ladies, I appreciate the support, I have read the ENTIRE BKT thread, so please believe, I have done my research, but I have more questions and I need real life answers.

A little about me, I have 4b/c hair - I've been transitioning to natural for 10 months from a texlax and I am about to do something (BKT, Texlax, cut it all off (kidding - I think) but I need your help and knowledge. I'm BSL length or hovering thereabouts.

If you have longish, longer or long hair please let me know how BKT has worked for you. Ladies, if you would also like answer to these questions, please chime in and keep the thread bumping for responses.

You can just talk to us or answer these questions:

Which BKT do you use? I have used several brands my favorite 2 would be OK keratin and QOD max organiq
How often do you apply your BKT? every 2-3 months
How long have you used BKT? off and on since 2009, regulalry since aug 2012
Are you natural or relaxed? natural
How long is your hair now? my hair aint long just did my bc after a 14 month transition with bkt.
Has BKT reduced frizz and problems with humidty, has it made the hair more shiny? bkt makes my hair less frizzy and more shiny when curly. i dont wear my hair straight much after bkting so i cant say how it helps for keeeping straight hair straight. when the treatment is in however my hair can stay bone straight even with sweat and humidity, depending on the formula.
Do you like your natural hair texture with BKT? How has it changed? yes its just like my regular hair except it behaves much better. it doesnt have the same feel as texturized/texlaxed hair which is kind of limp.
Have you noticed any thinning or breakage from the product?
i never noticed any thinning or breakage. i did get bad split ends from using high heat and many passes. BKT also did not stop my relaxed ends from breaking off during my transition, it just madethe NG easier to handle.
Any suggestions for newbie BKT users?

DO A TEST SECTION when trying a new BKT

dont rush the application or try to cut corners.

you do not need to blow dry hair first for application. towel dry is fine.

you do not have to get hair perfectly straight when blow drying product in.

2 flat iron passes at 340-370 will help to prevent damage and keep your curl.

the higher the temp and the more passes you flat iron with the straighter the end result is.

you can dilute a bkt with water to get a less strong result.

some times the most reviewed bkt isnt the best formula.

make sure you look at the type of hair and the desired result of people who give reviews. some people want to keep their curls and some dont.

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answers in blue. my hair is short but i feel as though i have a wealth of info on the topic from experience and research.

Nonie - thanks for your response, I tagged all of my LHCF friends since we help each other on this board. I'm glad you posted. I think it's great to get all the information on BKT, especially since I have already struggled to get to this length and state of health. I would hate to have to start over. Thanks again!

Thanks Napp for responding, I have read some of your other responses on BKT and I appreciate the feedback.

Why me? LOL! Nappy since 2007! Incidentally you have caught me at my nappiest...been wearing a shrunken uber nappy fro for 4 days now

Here is my BKT opinion. Everyone who gets it done seems to end up cutting, not trimming to remove damage. LHCFers who get it and rave mysteriously disappear from the boards or suddenly claim to have lost their hair obsession. That is my limited opinion & i'm sticking to it!

Like any process I think it's about the product and the application. Timing, how often you get it, how much heat...too many variables for my simple self! Good luck in whatever decision you make!

Nonie You pointed out all these the things I have read about and why I have been reluctant to try it but still hoping...

I thinking of maybe just tossing in pure keratin amino acids into condition because all I am hoping for from the BKT treatment is stronger hair and not so much of the straight as that bores more after a minute.

[USER=27073]growth2come[/USER];18549849 said:

Nonie You pointed out all these the things I have read about and why I have been reluctant to try it but still hoping...

I thinking of maybe just tossing in pure keratin amino acids into condition because all I am hoping for from the BKT treatment is stronger hair and not so much of the straight as that bores more after a minute.

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I keep seeing products (shampoo, conditioner) that seem to be for BKT hair at CVS. Because I am not a PJ, I never bothered to look into them as I don't need them. So instead of trying to be a mixologist and risking throwing off the balance of a good ol' conditioner by adding stuff, why not try those ready-made keratin products instead?

dontspeakdefeat is a licensed stylist and longtime LHCFer who knows about BKT first hand. Hope she can chime in. She might know if there is a new and improved formula or alternative.

The one I used was really great on my hair. However I rarely straightened it

I used QOD MAX Organiq. My hair straightens easily with heat, so I didn't nearly make a ton of passes with the straightener, it wasn't necessary. If you have hard to straighten hair, then yeah I can see that part of the process being a bear.

I used it because someone here used it on their daughter and had no issues. And being I'm asthmatic, I didn't really want to try the other types out there.

I have 3c/4a hair if that helps, I also didn't use it all the time (I still have half a bottle??) I haven't relaxed in I can't even remember how long...its been a while. I will say one thing though, the shrinkage is really something else I'm currently SL unstretched. I doesn't bother me but its funnier than ****.

-A

Which BKT do you use?

Marcia Texeira
How often do you apply your BKT? At most once a month
How long have you used BKT? almost 3 years
Are you natural or relaxed? I was natural for 2 years and then became relaxed
How long is your hair now? The sides are APL and the back bottom BSL
Has BKT reduced frizz and problems with humidty, has it made the hair more shiny?When I was natural a little bit. As a relaxed hair totally.
Do you like your natural hair texture with BKT? How has it changed? When I was natural it was more weaving when wet, and I loved how quickly it took for me to straighten the hair and the result I got with little effort.
Have you noticed any thinning or breakage from the product? no, but it helped me retain growth easier.
Any suggestions for newbie BKT users?
1) Test on a section first to see how our hair will react to the BKT.

2) Do your research about how to use the product and research the side effect as well. Ressearch in here, on youtube as well. Always go ont he channel of the actual BKT brand you want to use, you might find an instruction clip about it.

3) YOU GOT HENNA IN YOUR HAIR ..You might want to think twice about apply a bkt...You don't want a protein overload. Remember Protein overload = massive breakage.

3) IF YOU DYE YOUR HAIR... make sure to use an ammonia free dye. Garnier Olia is an example of it. You can color your hair and wait 10 days as a precaution prior to doing your BKT....NEVER do 2 CHemical treatment back to back....no matter how safe you think it will be....better be safe then sorry.

4) you relax your hair??? After getting your hair relaxed/touched up wait at least 10 days before doing a BKT. The reason why I suggest that is because usually after getting a relaxer you are supposed to do about 10 days heat free... or at least I do....again out of safety.

5) Just because they claim your need to use 450 doesn't mean you have to. Most companies will recommend using 450 to cure the keratin in your hair. The reason why many recommend 450 ,is because most flat iron do not maintain the temperature at a constant level. so you might have it on 450 but its actually going between 420 &430. which brings me to tip #6

6)If your hair is relaxed that is not a good idea to crank up your flat iron at 450 degree...it your hair is natural...still not a good idea. Use some heat protectant still...better safe than sorry.

7) research a flat iron specifically made or catered for keratin treatments....these flat irons are made in a way that they maintain their heat level for a long period of time. This means if it at 320 it will be at 320 not 322 or 299.

8) You cant find the information...call the BRAND ask questions... I f the person on the other side of the line sounds hesitant and scared of about advising you that you can use it on your hair....keep it trucking and find another brand. If call them and get no answer...call a salon that uses their product and talk to the specialist. They will tell you how its done. Remember call as a client and inquire how the treatment will impact your hair.

9) BKT hair mean sulfate /chloride free hair care products.... being following this rule...your BKT will last beyond 30 days.


__________________

Which BKT do you use?
I used Lasio, Rejuvenol and Marcia Texeira chocolate

How often do you apply your BKT?
Every 2 - 3 months. I use Henna now and not BKT.

How long have you used BKT?
I used BKT for about 3 years.

Are you natural or relaxed?
Natural

How long is your hair now?
APL

Has BKT reduced frizz and problems with humidty, has it made the hair more shiny?
I found that BKT reduced frizz and made my hair easier to comb from root to tip. That is a huge no-no for my hair without BKT but since it was coated/smooth from BKT it was easier to comb. I rarely wore my BKT'ed hair straight.

Do you like your natural hair texture with BKT? How has it changed?
My texture seemed looser with BKT. It revert back with no problems.

Have you noticed any thinning or breakage from the product?
I did not notice any thinning or breakage but other reported lots of problems with BKT which could be due to the high heat used. I never used 450 degree heat.

Any suggestions for newbie BKT users?
Have the BKT applied at the salon, at least the first time, so you know how to do it at home. I had BKT done at the salon the first two time, Lasio & Rejuvenol, and I also had the Marcia Texeira BKT applied by a professional.

Do not put a 450 degree flat iron on your hair. You do not need high heat for BKT to work and you do not need 10 passes. I used 2 - 3 passes at 350 degrees and it worked fine.

lana said:

Hi ladies, I appreciate the support, I have read the ENTIRE BKT thread, so please believe, I have done my research, but I have more questions and I need real life answers.

A little about me, I have 4b/c hair - I've been transitioning to natural for 10 months from a texlax and I am about to do something (BKT, Texlax, cut it all off (kidding - I think) but I need your help and knowledge. I'm BSL length or hovering thereabouts.

If you have longish, longer or long hair please let me know how BKT has worked for you. Ladies, if you would also like answer to these questions, please chime in and keep the thread bumping for responses.

You can just talk to us or answer these questions:

Which BKT do you use?
How often do you apply your BKT?
How long have you used BKT?
Are you natural or relaxed?
How long is your hair now?
Has BKT reduced frizz and problems with humidty, has it made the hair more shiny?
Do you like your natural hair texture with BKT? How has it changed?
Have you noticed any thinning or breakage from the product?
Any suggestions for newbie BKT users?

Click to expand...

I have not done BKT. I'm not interested in committing that kind of time or money. I do want to try the Silk Elements Kera Minerals treatment which someone reviewed here and said it did the trick. I just want to reduce the frizz a little and make it easier to straighten on the rare occasion I actually do straighten. I'm actually thinking about trying this soon. If I do I will bump the thread and add my review.

Let us know if you do it and how it went

IMO, a distinction should be made between the BKTs that contain formaldehyde and the ones that are composed of cysteine, particularly as it relates to the sharing of experiences and opinions. In that way, the OP can get as accurate a picture as possible.

it seems that the heat is what is causing the "bkt" damage. I got the Brazilian blow out when i was relaxed, but it really didn't solve the problem i was having. I've been natural for 1year and 3 months now, and i want to do the bkt because it will make my hair a bit more manageable, so i really dont care about wearing it straight because i rarely wear my hair out. If you ladies are getting a bkt, know what kind of heat your hair can tolerate. dont buy into the one size fits all rule.

@bellebebe, I don't know if it's just the heat. I use 446 degrees Fahrenheit when I flat iron so the 450 needed for BKT doesn't seem that bad. I've even used that on bare wet hair with no damage that I could tell coz my hair reverted fully (but I would not do that again!).

Here's what Cathy says about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDD6UpatYpU

Nonie said:

@bellebebe, I don't know if it's just the heat. I use 446 degrees Fahrenheit when I flat iron so the 450 needed for BKT doesn't seem that bad. I've even used that on bare wet hair with no damage that I could tell coz my hair reverted fully (but I would not do that again!).

Here's what Cathy says about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDD6UpatYpU

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Nonie

a typical bkt instructs one to flat iron the hair a crazy amount of times at 450 degrees. Like 10-20 times. Plus they ask you to blow dry the hair straight 2-3 times. Its alot of heat. Also you have to consider the product on the hair. If im not mistaken you use little to no product. Bkt formulas are thermally activated and act differently on the hair compared to something like a serum.

Btw how often do you straighten?

[USER=19315]Napp[/USER];18553225 said:

Nonie
Btw how often do you straighten?

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Once in a blue moon. Last time I did was April 2009. Straight hair bores me. Before the week is up, I am ready to wash it. One week is the longest I can stand to have straight hair.

Just so you know, I decided to leave the BKT idea alone for now. My hair doesn't tolerate heat well. Texlaxing worked best during the warmer months (updated to add that now I'm completely natural in 2014 and trying to figure out if I'll texlax again or not), I mean it grew from ear length to bra strap length, soooOOO for my hair texlaxing was the best option.

I wear my hair in a twist out most of the time and then I love to straighten it for special occassions and shake my hair around the house and out the door. My goal is to keep my hair healthy and find a routine that works for me. I guess I already had that and like DH says, I should probably just stick to what works. I'm aiming for mid-back length this summer.

I am interested in the Amino Acid Straightening system - like Design Essentials, but I think only licensed stylists can buy it. If someone has a link, please post it with an @(username) tag to me, so that I'll see it.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm sure your answers helped others as well.

Logged in and saw the "tag" message........

I've followed the occasional BKT threads on LHCF out of curiosity and I've yet to run into one that gave me even the tiniest desire to try it.

Heck - I followed texlax threads too (considered myself texlaxed when I wore relaxed hair) and have absolutely no desire to go back there either

But each woman (or man) makes her/his own decision on what's the best choice for him/her - it's just that neither of those options appeal to me.

Good Luck in your decision Lana and do what's best for you!!

yodie said:

I tried BKT. It was terrible on my hair. I found the Design Essentials Strengthening treatment and am very happy with it. It's amino acid based and doesn't harm your hair. No breakage, no burning. My hair stays straight and can stand up to humidity, without affecting my curl pattern. IMO it's a much safer option. It has strengthened my hair and i'm able to retain better with the treatment than without it.

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yodie

I ordered the Design Essentials Strengthening treatment, the silkening spray and sulfate free shampoo online on Saturday. I can't wait to try this out!!! I ordered QOD last week but since I know how that works I'm going to give DE a try. I will be doing the treatment myself since I'm OCD lol (I will keep you posted).

Thanks so much for your reviews!

lana said:

Just so you know, I decided to leave the BKT idea alone for now. My hair doesn't tolerate heat well. It does find texlaxed, I mean it grew from ear length to bra strap length, soooOOO for my hair texlaxing was the best option. Right now I have texlaxed ends and natural roots, about half and half (is the way that it appears).

I wear my hair in a twist out most of the time and then I love to straighten it for special occassions and shake my hair around the house and out the door. My goal is to keep my hair healthy and find a routine that works for me. I guess I already had that and like DH says, I should probably just stick to what works.

I am interested in the Amino Acid Straightening system - like Design Essentials, but I think only licensed stylists can buy it. If someone has a link, please post it with a tag to me, so that I'll see it.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm sure your answers helped others as well.

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lana

I ordered from here:

http://www.lhboutique.com/Design-Essentials-STS-Transitioning-Mousse-7-5-oz-p/36001.htm

LynnieB said:

Logged in and saw the "tag" message........

I've followed the occasional BKT threads on LHCF out of curiosity and I've yet to run into one that gave me even the tiniest desire to try it.

Heck - I followed texlax threads too (considered myself texlaxed when I wore relaxed hair) and have absolutely no desire to go back there either

But each woman (or man) makes her/his own decision on what's the best choice for him/her - it's just that neither of those options appeal to me.

Good Luck in your decision Lana and do what's best for you!!

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LynnieB Beautiful hair!!

Dove56,

Thanks. I just might buy my own bottle.