ARTec's texturesmooth vs. Phytospecific Relaxer

I would like some advice please.
I have used in the past ARTec's texturesmooth to relax/straighten my hair and it worked really well. ARTec's texturesmooth is not available where I live now so after reading a lot about Phytorelaxer and it is available where I live so I gave it a go and I liked the results; it made my hair shiny and soft but after 6 - 8 weeks the waves seem to come back in my hair but less, where ARTec's texturesmooth was really permanent.
My question is:
I have found ARTec's texturesmooth and I would love to use it but 2 months ago I used Phytorelaxer and I have it on the end of my short hair.
Is it a problem to use ARTec on the regrowth when the rest is Phyto? I will be having my hair cut after the treatment just to refresh the ends.
I would very much appreciate your advice.
Gaga

Yes, I would also like to know where I can find ARTec. I hear it's pretty good.

thanks. I think I'm gonna get both.

Hi,

Great topic. I am a huge fan of ARTec although I have never used the Texturesmooth. We sell the Phytospecific here at HairBoutique.com and there is detailed info here from Lisa who has tried both the Phytospecific AND the Rusk.

I have talked at length to the people at Phyto who do the training on the Phytospecific line..since we sell it here at HB.com. Phytospecific was designed to be much more gentle than a relaxing treatment you would receive at a salon. The same is true of Rusk. Both were designed for consumers to be used at home. The ARTec Texturesmooth was NOT designed for consumers but was designed for stylists and professionals. I know this for a fact.

Therefore the ARTec will tend to be more concentrated and more like a salon treatment then either the Phyto or the Rusk. Although you can buy the ARTec Texturesmooth and do it at home...keep in mind that ARTec did not intend the product to be used that way.

Rusk and Phyto did intend for their relaxers to be used at home. So they designed it to be as foolproof as possible. They take into consideration that consumers may not have the expertise that a hair pro will have. Therefore, in the many years that we have sold Phytospecific we have had almost no complaints about the results. However, we get almost daily rave emails and thank yous about the product.

It works. Yes, it grows out in 8 weeks or so...depending on a number of factors, but the risk of frying your hair is much less.

Keep in mind that the ARTec Texturesmooth, the Phytospecific and Rusk are NOT the same type of treatments as Yuko, Liscio or the Thermal Reconditioning treatments that are done in salons. The focus on the same results (smoother, straighter, less wavy or curly hair) but TR treatments use much stronger chemicals and I would never recommend that anyone that is a consumer undertake TR at home w/out the help of a professional.

One other thing to consider. Whether you have a full blown TR treatment like Yuko or a home treatment like Phytospecific or Rusk.....it does not work for ALL hair types and textures. Many TR pros will not apply the TR treatment to newly colored or damaged hair. Rusk and Phyto warn in their booklets NOT to use on newly colored hair or hair that is extremely damaged.

Thanks again for the topic. Very informative.

Best wishes,
Karen

Ditto to Bab's post. I bought my fav Phytojojoba from HB.com. No shipping, no taxes and got the package 2 days after I ordered it. Unfortunately the bottle had broken in UPS shipping. I emailed HB Customer Service at 6:00 pm on a Friday night when I got home and opened my package. By 8:00 pm I got both an email response back and a phone call from Customer Service. UPS picked up the damaged package first thing that following Monday and by Tuesday I had my replacement package, all at HB.com's expense & prompt resolution. They even included a gift for the inconvenience when it was UPS's fault (they threw the package off the truck and it broke the bottle on my concrete porch even though it was heavily cushioned and bubble wrapped).

I don't even get as good of service at Niemans or Nordstroms. :-) Just my own kudos.

ClaraBell

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

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

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

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.

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