Sushi Samba (of hair)

There’s a restaurant my friends and I are addicted to called Sushi Samba. A fusion of Brazilian and Japanese fare, it is our Restaurant Week spot-of-choice and at the top of our special occasions list.

I realized last night after returning from Shampoo Avenue B, my new village hair haven, that my hair IS Sushi Samba.

I returned there yesterday to see Daniel to get the a little hair therapy. With half-grown out Japanese thermal straightening and months of flat ironing damaging, I was a bit of a mess. Daniel promised to try the new rave of Brazil on me.

The Brazilian Keratin treatment is a revolutionary treatment that is both less expensive and safer than the Japanese straightening treatment. (Which I fear is the root of my breakage dilemma, and protein was but a scape goat.)

Keratin is a type of protein high in sulphur and the amino acid cystine, making it tough, elastic and insoluble, and is the main protective substance in our hair, skin and nails. It’s tough stuff and when infused into the hair will improve and repair the quality of the hair from the inside, and this strength, elasticity and moisture result in the smooth, soft, shiny and straightened effect.

Technically, this is not a relaxer or a straightener, it’s just that keratin makes your hair stronger, which makes it straighter. (TAKE THAT, WEAK CURLY HAIR!) Alas, it is not permanent for that reason, either - and will have to be redone every three months - interestingly, the more damaged your hair is, the longer it generally lasts.

The process is way simpler than the Japanese straightening as well. You begin with a shampoo designed to open the cuticle and then blow dry. Following that, you iron small bunches of hair close to the scalp with a lower heat (warning, this part smells a bit funky, but it’s for a good cause!). Then iron the entire head with a high heat to seal in the keratin.

The results? I went to my Relay for Life benefit last night at Cocoa Bar with smooth, silky, straight hair. Plus, it made the color that Harley gave me last week even shinier and brighter. I need to wait a few days to wash my hair, but then it should stay straight for about 3 months as the keratin washes out, and then need a redo. Oh, and rumor has it I have to stay away from sodium chloride as well, which possibly can cause the the keratin to wash out sooner. (So much for being a salty girl!)

Summary: Yay!