Marie’s bemused by Bio Ionic: I’m considering getting my hair permanently straightened using the Bio Ionic thermal straightening process. I did a bit of research but the information seems a bit too sciencey and kind of what you’d expect from infomercials. The website talks about “negative ionic, infrared and electromagnetic wave charges simultaneously” and shattering “water molecule clusters into micro-fine particles.” My alarm bells are ringing but I know The Beauty Brains will be able to confirm or deny!
This doesn’t come cheap either – I’m looking at $300 to $600 for something that may or may not leave my hair straight. Is this really the “biggest evolutionary leap in hairdressing ever” or the biggest load of bull?
The Right Brain’s recommendation:
The answer lies somewhere in between but probably closer to “bull.”
What is Bio Ionic?
Bio Ionic Inc., was founded by professional stylist Fernando Romero. According to his website, Fernando traveled to Japan where he discovered natural ion therapy. Today Bio Ionic has an entire line of products using this “powerful healing energy.”
What does Bio Ionic supposedly do?
The main claim of the line revolves around these natural ions that are “powerful enough to break water molecule clusters into micro-fine particles and penetrate the hair shaft. That means moisture balance is restored and the hair cuticle is sealed.” It’s a great sounding story, but it doesn’t really mean all that much in terms of real science. Water will penetrate into a hair shaft just fine without being converted into pseudo-scientific micro-fine particles, thank you very much. Of course, that doesn’t stop Bio Ionic from using this natural ion complex in their shampoos, conditioner, and styling products as well as their line of styling tools (blow dryers, flat irons, etc.).
Perhaps the most interesting product in their line is their so called Ion-Retexturizing System which is a “permanent straightening process designed for people with curly, frizzy or unruly hair who want to wear their hair permanently straight.”
Does Bio Ionic really work?
Their website contains a FAQ section that reveals Ion-retexturizing formula is based on Thioglycolate at pH 9.5 with a Neutralizer at pH 3.0. This chemistry will be very familiar to anyone who has had their hair permed. Thioglycolate is used to chemically break down the disulfide bonds in hair and the low pH neutralizer reforms the bonds to lock the hair into a new shape. This is old school technology used in a perms to to take straight hair and change its shape to curly. But there’s no reason that you can’t use the same chemistry to take curly hair and make it straight. So the answer is yes, Bio Ionic will straighten your hair.
But unlike a regular perm, Bio Ionics uses heat to boost the straightening power of the treatment. So, the answer is YES, this product will do what it says. It will permanently straighten your hair. But it has nothing to do with micro-fine natural ions.
Why is Bio Ionic so expensive?
You’re paying for the time and expertise of the stylist doing the procedure. Despite Bio Ionic’s claims to the contrary, if you’re not careful you can seriously damage your hair. (They are correct though, it is less damaging than other chemical straighteners like relaxers.)
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Bio Ionic’s Ion-Retexturizing System uses a combination of permanent wave chemistry and heat to effectively straighten your hair. But there is no special science or technology in their natural ion therapy that makes this product work.
What’s YOUR favorite hair straightening product? Do you use styling tools like Farouk’s Straightening Iron
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I have done the JHS for five years in a row. I believe there are three types of JHS, but i can only remember two of the three – one is thermal reconditioning – that is not truly permanent on your hair, and the price can vary dramatically. the one i do is called Liscio – which is permanent on the hair it’s done on, but not the new growth. Liscio is much more expensive than Thermal reconditioning. I’ve done TH once and it was not worth the price. I would highly recommend doing the Liscio version but there are places that charge an exorbitant amount of money – one that i went to for two years in a row in NYC. I won’t name it, but i do know of a place that charges $500 which was 50% less than the first place i did it and they did such a wonderful job. not sure if you would allow me to post the name, so please feel free to edit my post if need be, but the place is located in NYC Manhattan and it’s called Hidy Hair.
I have very frizzy, kinky, curly Puerto Rican hair and all my life i have relaxed it – damaging it beyond belief. Discovering the JHS was the next best thing to sliced bread, but there are precautions – you can not have relaxed your hair within a year of doing the JHS or streaked your hair, otherwise the JHS will thoroughly damage your hair.
I can only tell you this from experience. I love doing this, but yes, it is very expensive and when the new growth comes in, you will be a true believer when you see the difference between the new growth and the hair that has been straightened.
Find a reputable place though – it’s your hair which for me, is very precious.
i use farouk’s straightening hair iron, which makes my hair really straight, though it’s temporary. my hair is straight with some waves.
I am a salon owner in the Phila area and I finally found and I am a distributor of a CONSUMER SAFE hair straightener, Caribbean Dream Retexturizing Systems.I think that salon owners are so financially married to these harmful products, why would they expose themselves and their clients after all we have read about them. Caribbean Dream can straighten, frizz kill, hair tame (remove 50% of curl) or soft curl (change curl to soft wave), it can OVERLAP other relaxers, and can be used on color treated or highlighted hair, it leaves thehair shiny and manageable. No brainer, no fumes, no formaldehyde, no thio, no hepa filters, no masks. MScuz@aol.com
and myspace/cuzncompanysalonnspa
Caribbean Dream is now GLOBAL! We have distributors all over the world! Being a safe hair retexturizer does make a difference. Visit http://www.caribbeandreamhair.com
Would you please evaluate Caribbean Dream retexturizing systems and consummer results?
This article only half answers the question. Me personally, I color my hair, it’s dry and naturally wavy. I live in a humid climate. The flat iron is damaging my hair, and if it gets TOO humid, the waviness wins out. I’ve become so high maintanence if it rains or my hair gets wet because it just dries frizzy and looks horrible, so I panic trying to prevent it from getting wet. When I go to the gym, my bangs get curly and look ridiculous. SO, I was thinking of permanent straightening. Is this a good option? Is there a BETTER option than this?
Great post, i’ve been looking around online trying to find the best hair straightener for ages, this has really help me out.
i would like to encourage anyone who is thinking of doing bio ionic, cause i have seen a huge difference in growth of my hair and shine. seriously i have very frizzy hair similar to afro’s hair. after i have done my bio ionic hair straightening i have only been to the hair dresser 3 time to for a blow dry, not that i needed it but i had special events, so i had to look perfect… anyway i only costed me 350 dollras for the first treatment, and 8 month later i need to do my regrowth, guys 8 month later and it’s going to cost me 250 dollars, thats really nothing. you realy can see a different give it ago, but trust me this is the best thing that have ever been created for frizzy hair.
Hey gaby , I wanna do the Bio Ionic alco but … I’m afraid that after I sweat and I swim in the water sea … it will be curly and frizzy again. And besides I saw I have to use all of their products after the procedure to keep it like that. I’m afraid it won’t last more than 2 summer months to me … whad do you say? please help me … I want to do it in 2 weeks but I can’t decide between the Thermal reconditioning and the Bio Ionic…
Hi, I found a good website for share: ghd straighteners for sale, our ghd straightener online store:http://www.ghd-hair-straightener-uk.com.
ghd IV mini styler. The ghd mini styler creates perfect curls, enhances movement, increases volume and leaves hair smooth and straight. Ghd have recognised that smaller plates for city angels with short styles need that touch of divine intervention. This mini magic wand is also perfect for men’s hair.
This state of the art mini iron has a number of impressive technology features. It will put itself to sleep after 30 minutes of non activity. The use of next generation ceramic heaters and universal voltage guarantees you will always look your best, where ever you are in the world.
Features / Benefits
1. High Heat
2. Advanced Ceramic Technology
3. Smaller barrel (1cm/0.5 inches)
4. Perfect for men or women with 2 to 3 inches of hair.
5. Sleep Timer
6.Universal Voltage
I did bio-ionic retexturizer on my hair in January and I’m extremely satisfied with the effects! My hair are naturally fine and wavy…as well as during humid days they tend to bend, curl and do what ever they wish what looks pretty horrible. Few years ago I went to relax my hair with Loreal X-tenso and the effect was pretty nice , my hair were very sleek afterwards (even during drizzly weather) but they lost all of the volume as well:(:(:(
This year my hairdresser told me about Bio-ionic retexturizer and I’ve decided to give it a go. The effects are fantastic! My hair are not as sleek as after x-tenso but they are straight like I’ve just straighten them with an iron and they kept the volume I had before. As every relaxer bio-ionic has lighten up my hair a bit (I’m a brunette and I’ve used a semi permanent color in November to make them darker) but the effect is still 100% natural.
I’d recommend it to everyone who has been struggling with humidity side effects on their fine hair!!
Best regards Marta
Thank you! I really like this. If want buy? I recommend this site: http://www.diymyhair.com. They are a good seller.
I am using bio ionic since 2003, is good if u go with somebody who knows how to do it… and is checking u all the time during the proscess but if not…… u can ruin complete your hair……… so be really careful where u go….