ARTec's texturesmooth vs. Phytospecific Relaxer

I know this is an old thread and maybe no one will read this, but I could use some advice on this topic if anyone can help. I had waited the last 4 months to grow my hair out and then relax it, and the 2 products I was deciding between were the Texturesmooth & Phytospecific. I chose to go with the Phytospecific and relaxed my hair last week. It was virgin hair in good condition, about 2 inches long. I think I must have left it in for too long because my hair has been extremely dried out. The max time it said to leave in was 25 minutes, and I left it in for about 22 or 23 minutes, less then the max time but it still fried my hair, which I was very afraid of. I have been conditioning like crazy with Phyto products, but dont know what else to do. Also, I noticed that the person who started this thread had asked a question that was never answered throughout all of these posts, and I have the same question now - Is it safe to use the Texturesmooth on hair that at the ends has previously been relaxed with Phytospecific? 

Thanks

Hi Orc. My hair is about an inch and 1/2 long. The front hairs reach my eyebrows. And I tried texturesmooth 2. I dont think number 1 would have done anything. But you say you left ur solution 15 minutes longer? Next time I will try that. I really don't care about burned hair, I just want straight hair!!! Hehehe.

Anyhow, yeah, my hair is a lot nicer now. It's no longer puffy and its straight and I have some movement which is awsome

Hi guys! I recieved my Texturesmooth and I tried it. The results are good. No burns or damage. Although it didn't make my hair stick straight like I was hoping for, it did make it alot smoother and less puffier than it was before. For some odd reason my hair was super straight after the procedure when the hair was wet. However, once it dried it became to wave a bit, but just a little. My hair is very resistant and thick. Overall I liked the results. I can now finally cut my hair short and spike it. :)

In the future I hope to relax my hair again. However, I hope to find a more powerful relaxer for my hair.

Does anyone have any information as to how to find a salon that offers the Artec TextureSmooth? I'm all for letting the pros handle it, but I'm having a really difficult time finding anyone in the Denver, CO area..

I'm going to use the PhytoRelaxer at home in the interim

It is really helpful reading everyone's advise and feedback. Enough that I'm scared to use the Artec TextureSmooth at home

To Cooldude,

Orc really covered this topic very well. I am not sure I would add much. The truth of the matter is that with every hair treatment there is a double edged sword. While hair color will brighten your overall look and relaxers will remove curls and frizz, the chemicals alter the natural composition of your cuticles. With relaxers, the actual chemical bonds in the hair are literally broken and then reformed to reshape the texture...thus breaking the curl pattern in your case.

Any chemical treatment brings the risk of dryness since chemical treatments alters the sebum balance of the cuticle and often alters the natural mosture balance.

The key to enjoying the benefits of relaxers (or color or perms) is to replace lost moisture. As Orc so wonderfully pointed out above, use good moisturizing products. You might want to experiment with diluting your shampoo formula or using one that is very moisturizing. I personally highlight my hair with does make it more dry. To compensate I use very moisturizing shampoos, rinse out conditioners and leave in conditioners. I also dilute my shampoo formula because my hair is so dry from highlighting.

Many people do comment after relaxing their hair or having it treated with thermal reconditioning that it appears to be "flat". This is because the curl pattern has been reshaped.

Add moisture and this should help with the dryness and some of the flatness. Of course since the goal of relaxing is to remove curl, the result is often going to be a much flatter feel to the cuticle.

You can also add a little texture back by scrunching your hair lightly when still damp and then blow drying on a low speed or letting your hair air dry to get a little movement.

As I said above, I welcome any emails to shelton@hairboutique.com. We also have a very good customer service team for dealing with product questions from our customers. You can either email me or customer-service@hairboutique.com and you will receive a prompt reply.

Best wishes,
Karen

Hi cooldude,
If you have just done it then give it a few day before it has a life in and no longer flat.
Probably you should not have applied it directly on the scalp.
I am surprised that it has dried your hair! Maybe Phytospecific is not the best relaxer as far as results are concerned but it always left my hair shiny and soft.
What hair products do you use?
You should use a leave in conditioner for a styling.
I personally fell in love with Phytospecific Beauty Styling Crème. It has Beeswax for hold and Shea butter combined with different oils that condition, hydrates and protects the hair.
It is an excellent products I tell you and it is designed for curly, frizzy and relaxed hair.
It keeps your hair moisturized all day long and even after you wake up.
But if you don’t like the greasy feel or look, then this product is not for you.
There is as well Phytospecific Moisturizing Styling Balm, which is a leave in conditioner, it does a good job but I found it, it weighs my hair down.
You can try Phyto #7 or Phyto #9 they both lighter than Phytospecific Moisturizing Styling Balm.
I relax my hair every now and again so I have a collection of Phytospecific products like a junky
I live in Europe and the Phytospecific line is French so it is a lot cheaper over this side by half the price.
I sound as if I am promoting the Phytospecific line
Anyhow, good luck and please let us know how you go.
I hope Karen gives you some advice too as she is the one with the experience and the knowledge

hello everone,

I have been a member of this griup for quite some time but normally like to read more than post. However, this topic relates to me and I would like someone's help who has experienced similar results.

After reading rave reviews about Phytospecific, i ordered Phytorelaxer II through HB and applied last Sunday. Over all results are OK but not as great as i was expecting. Both the frizz and curl are gone. But my hair has become really dry and almost flat. I timed the whole process and washed my hair within 25 minutes. Any suggestions.

Dear Orc,

Yes, we all got that you were only trying to share your own experiences and opinions. No one, IMO, was saying otherwise. I don't think anyone was trying to imply anything else about your post. I certainly didn't get that anyone doubted you or felt you had ulterior motives in any way. I think they were just trying to give both sides of the issue, which is what these boards are for. They are for discussion. That is only fair. You gave your side and Karen gave her side. Karen even said she appreciated your feedback and that she acknowledged that what works for some doesn't work for others and vice versa. I don't think she intended anything else by her response.

Bratty

Hi all,

I read on a different thread here at HairTalk that Orc recently had a terrible experience at a salon with a stylist that damaged his hair during a chemical application and he had to pay for it. Even worse, he had to live with the results. So I am sympathetic to Orc's blight having lived through my own bad chemical treaments at the hands of a "professional".

I know and very much respect Karen that you are very concerned (bless you for your caring) about letting hair consumers who might not understand, know all the pros and cons about various products. Especially chemical products that can and might harm them if they go into it uninformed.

So while I agree that everyone should keep in mind that some products work better in a salon setting, that does depend on finding a good stylist you can trust (as Sophie usually points out - rightfully).

Anyway, thank you to Orc for his input and to Karen for being concerned about providing both sides. There are always two sides to every topic and it is nice to be able to see all the opinions. Ultimately it could be said that your hair can be damaged at home or in a salon by any type of product if you don't have all the facts going in and don't time your time to find the best solution for you, your hair and your wallet. :-)

Bratty

Orc,

No disrespect to you but ARTec Texturesmooth was designed specifically to be used by stylists in a professional setting (salon, spa etc) with prior training from ARTec to the stylists. I know this because when the product was first announced I talked personally to the people at ARTec. They were concerned about consumers using the ARTec Texturesmooth at home and having problems or potentially burning or damaging their hair.

The fact that you used it at home and had a good experience is great for you. However, it is your personal experience and it was on your hair.

One thing I have learned in the many many years of dealing with hair and consumer hair issues is that every single head of hair is different. What works perfectly for one works horrendously for others. I have literally thousands and thousands of emails to show that point.

You are one person, who is a consumer using hair care products. One is designed for home care application and one is not. You used products that worked for you. That is great. I appreciate the feedback and the posts regarding that. It is wonderful that you found something that was better for you.

I encourage people to try many things. What works for me does not work for everyone else. I have probably typed that sentence 1000 times so that people understand that every hair type, texture, length, condition and environment plays a factor.

However, it does not mean that because you had one type of experience that was good that anyone or everyone else will have the same results. It also does not mean that because you had a bad experience with a different products that the product is bad. The reverse could be totally true for millions...or not.

Again...as I stated above....Phytospecific was designed to be soft, gentle and easily used by consumers. It does exactly what it is meant to do for most consumers. Again, not everythingworks for everyone.

I personally love ARTec. I still use Smoothing. I also love Phyto and Aveda. However, I understand that those are my own experiences based on my hair type, texture, condition and temperament.

It is important to comment that regardless of what type of straightening or relaxing product you use, as soon as your hair grows in at the roots, the results of the product will grow out. So there is no product on the market, whether ARTec or Phyto or Yuko that is forever. They are all temporary until your hair grows back and you either do a root application or you let your hair return.

To answer your question...the numbers or factors that Phytospecific would grow out in 8 weeks? Well I need to amend my statement. First of all I have had some feedback that Phytospecific will soften gradually but that the results will stay in the hair permanently. Just like ARTec. What I was referring to when I said "grow out" was the growth at the roots. Exactly like what happens with ARTec.

The factors equate to how fast hair grows from the roots. So if hair grows slowly, the Phyto could last up to 6 months. If hair grows quickly it could start it would be more like 8 weeks.

Bottom line, ARTec will grow out just like Phytospecific does because once the hair grows out from the root the true texture of the hair will always return. This is true with Phytospecific, this is true with ARTec and this is true with Yuko, Liscio and any straightener, perm, color or chemical application.

I could sell ARTec at HairBoutique.com if I wanted to. I could also sell Aveda and Paul Mitchell and Redken. I choose not to sell those products here at HairBoutique.com because I would be doing it w/out the express permission of those companies. Out of respect to hairstylists and the manufacturers I only sell products that I specifically have permission and a contract to sell.

I also do not sell products that I think might not translate well for home use because a large percentage of HB.com visitors want to use home products.

What you read above is true. I do personally support people who buy the Phyto products from HB.com. I took training from Phyto in the use or the products. I am not trained to support ARTec Texturesmooth and I would not begin to try.

Finally, I am not saying Orc that you are right or wrong. I am saying that you had personal experiences of your own on your own type of hair that worked for you. That is great. I am not saying that Phyto is better or ARTec is better. I am just sharing all the facts.

Why? Because I will be the one getting literally hundreds of emails from consumers about these products and I want to give all the sides.

Regards,
Karen