Earlier this month, I decided to stop my unofficial transition to natural hair. I also no longer wanted to be texlaxed. At this point in my life, I want bone straight hair without needing to blow dry and flat iron every week (I want to roller-set again). Initially, I considered doing a “virgin” relaxer treatment but my stylist Reniece suggested that I try the Zerran Reform Treatment instead. Here’s my experience with the Zerran.
Pre-Treatment Prep
Before my appointment, Reniece advised that I wash my hair, blow dry the roots straight and thoroughly detangle my hair. I was surprised that I could actually wash my hair the night before the treatment without worry of it burning my scalp (something that would not work for getting a relaxer). So I co-washed and blow dried my hair as instructed and did 8 large plaits/braids to keep my hair straight.
Treatment Application
When I got to my appointment, Reniece thoroughly detangled my hair again, re-braided the plaits and then shampooed with a special shampoo. One reason it was important to detangle my hair was to prevent matting during the wash. After she shampooed, we went back to the stylist chair to apply the treatment.
Reniece did a test section on two braids to see how my hair would respond to the treatment. She blow dried my hair, sprayed the Zerran and then flat ironed. After she got the test section straight, she shampooed the test section again to determine how much “reversion” my hair would have. Lastly, she applied the treatment to my entire head.
The Zerran had a light botanical scent and did not burn. Reniece applied the treatment with her bare hands and did not need to use a mask. About half way through the treatment, she turned on a fan behind us. There weren’t any fumes but I did cough occasionally because of the smell. But it was nothing alarming.
My hair came out bouncy, shiny, and most importantly straight. The last thing we did was my hair cut. I didn’t want to see or take before pictures because I knew cutting 4″ would be a greater shock if I saw just how much was removed. So I closed my eyes, and only looked after she was finished. My first reaction was “Pretty!” My ends looks so thick and healthy. Then she cut my bangs and styled my hair (click here to see pics).
Final Thoughts
I was very happy with how the treatment went and plan to continue using the Zerran. It is an all natural, permanent hair straightener, so while my hair won’t be “natural,” it will eventually be relaxer-free. I am not against relaxers, but since my hair was texlaxed, doing the Zerran was a less risky way of getting straighter hair without worrying about over processing.
The main “con” of the treatment is the cost. Treatment prices range from $275 and up (depending on where you live). However, the treatment is only done 2-3 times a year. The second “con” is that it’s difficult to get the edges bone-straight because the flat iron can’t get close enough. Reniece used a hot comb for the edges but a flat iron provides optimal results.
In my next post, I’ll share Reniece’s wash day recommendation and how my first wash day went after the treatment.
Have you tried this treatment? What was your experience? Would you use it?