Easystraight will destroy your hair

[Californian]

Originally Posted by Harleymom10860 Darn it! I missed the 20/20 show. I'm in Florida so the only thing on my TV the last couple of days has been the news and weather. Did they by any chance mention Easystraight? I read the article on the ABC web site but it sounded more like they were doing a story on salon straightening/disasters, if so I can't believe they would miss the chance to investigate Easystraight, you know they have probably had women getting in touch with them about it, I know I had sent an email a while back to someone who I think may have posted on one of the boards, asking if anyone had a story to share with them about their experience with hair straightening, if I remember, the email address was for someone at ABC.
Hi Harley,Although 20/20 did not feature Easy Straight, they talked about another OTC brand hair straightener called "Yoko" or something like that. They showed women with hair damage (breakage and bald patches). They mainly featured the Japanese Hair Straightening System (aka Thermal Reconditioning) that can cost about $800.00. They tested straightening products on three women with wavy hair and two of the women still had straight hair months later. One lady came back curly again.

Critics said that only about 10% of the women who use these products actually should and that anyone considering using these straightening products should get their hair analyzed by a pro first. They said it was a very damaging process (duh). A lady who is an expert in hair analysis showed microscopic slides of hair that had virtually exploded (broken off) after using straightening products. She says this is what hair looks like that has undergone this process. The main message of the show was "buyer beware and get a professional to analyze your hair first!"

It was only about a 15 minute segment (if that). I have it recorded on tape if you want to see it. I did not find it helpful unless a person had not yet had the process done and was considering it. Some of the hair damage they showed was worse than others, but none of the straightenign users were happy, that's for sure. The exception: The only two who were happy were 2/3 of the girls who guinea pigged the products. Although, I think they were especially chosen beforehand based on their hair textures and condition.

I bet you that EasyStraight was not mentioned due to concurrent legalities!

 

[rowantree]

Hey Cali, I think you'd be the one to know this - my belief is that the media can't touch the EasyStraight disaster until the class action lawsuit is filed. Then once it's filed, the media can report on it. What do you think? And how long does it take to file something like this anyway? Thanks!

 

[jole]

I wish I'd known about this forum before last week. I used Easy Straight on August 8 and it fried my hair. I've already spent over $100 in hair cuts, conditioning masks, special shampoos and conditioners, etc. I was worried about having to cut my hair again. Now my worries are mostly about saving my fried hair since it's falling in clumps every day for the last 4 days. I actually saved it and it looks like 10% of my hair has fallen. As a matter of fact, today I can see patches of scalp and the hairs closest to the root on top have turned sort of grey as if I have put baby powder on it. I guess my questions are 1) How long will it keep on falling? 2) Will it grow back or have I damaged the folicles? 3) Are there any products that will stop the falling and help repair the damaged hair? Thank you for any responses.

 

[HarleyMom]

Originally Posted by jole I wish I'd known about this forum before last week. I used Easy Straight on August 8 and it fried my hair. I've already spent over $100 in hair cuts, conditioning masks, special shampoos and conditioners, etc. I was worried about having to cut my hair again. Now my worries are mostly about saving my fried hair since it's falling in clumps every day for the last 4 days. I actually saved it and it looks like 10% of my hair has fallen. As a matter of fact, today I can see patches of scalp and the hairs closest to the root on top have turned sort of grey as if I have put baby powder on it. I guess my questions are 1) How long will it keep on falling? 2) Will it grow back or have I damaged the folicles? 3) Are there any products that will stop the falling and help repair the damaged hair? Thank you for any responses. Hi Jole, I am so sorry to hear that you have unfortunetly had your hair damaged by easystraight also, you are by far not the only one that this has happened too. I used easystraight on May 1st. and have been regretting it ever since, it fried my hair so badly that right afterwards I had to have 3 inches cut off, I then spent several weeks trying just about every hair conditioner and treatment out there, even a few home made ones, mayonnaise, olive oil, etc. With some of the products I could at least hide some of the damage but it was a time consuming task that I got tired of, every time I gently washed my hair I knew I was going to have to go through the whole routine again just to get my hair to look half way decent, I finally just got my hair cut short about 3 weeks ago, I hated to do it because before easystraight my hair was down to the middle of my back and I was hoping to keep it long, it will take me years to get my hair back to where it was before I used that garbage. I can recommend some of the products to you that helped me but the best advice is to be very gentle with your hair now, also if you look around on the board you will notice a thread for a Makeuptalk member named Smartstyle, she is a professional stylist and I'm sure she will be happy to help you out and give you some ideas on what to do. I'm glad you found the Makeuptalk board, I know everyone will welcome you like they did me right after my easystraight disaster began. Let me know if I can help you with anything or if you would like a list of the products that might help you.

 

[Californian]

Dear Jole,

First off, welcome to the board. Secondly, you are NOT alone; there are women all over the U.S. in the same boat! I have been made aware of this EasyStraight fiasco for several months now and I can address some of your questions, although not all of them since I am not an expert. According to what I have learned, and the research I have done, here are my responses to your q's:

2) Will it grow back or have I damaged the follicles?

On the show 20/20 that aired just a few days ago, a hair analysis expert showed hair that had been straightened under a microscope. The hair that has broken off has virtually imploded (exploded from the inside out). Yes, this sounds awful, but before you freak out too badly, the damage is done where the hair breaks and not at the follicle. This leaves you a few options:

a) cut the hair above the broken ends

B) cut a few inches off of your hair, grow it out gradually and keep trimming monthly until you have finally caught up. Arduous process, yes.

Think of it this way, if you had done this to a part of your body, say your arm, it would not grow back! Fortunately, with your hair it will! You just need to give it tender loving care and use some of the products recommended by HarleyMom and others who've had this happen to their hair.

Read this:

"Each hair on your body grows from a hair follicle, a tiny, saclike hole in your skin. At the bottom of each follicle is a cluster of special cells that reproduce to make new hair cells. The new cells that are produced are added on at the root of the hair, causing the hair to grow longer.

The living tissue that makes your hair grow is hidden inside the hair follicle. The shaft, the part of a hair that you see, is made of cells that aren't living anymore. That's important to know when you are messing with straightening your hair. If you cut yourself, your skin can heal, since it's living tissue. If you damage your hair, it can't heal. You just have to do what little you can to repair the damage or cut the damaged hair off and wait for more hair to grow back."

What this means is that the damage is to the hair itself and NOT to the follicle. The follicle is what holds the cells that cause hair to grow. So yes, your hair will grow back as the follicle continues to produce new cells!

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Regarding the time it takes to grow hair back, it can depend on hormones and DNA, but here is a generalized chart:

Below is a brief table of hair growth rates defined for people of different age and by the region of the body where the growth rate analysis was made (after Myers 1951). Typically, females will have slightly faster growing scalp hair than males of the same age but slower growing hair elsewhere such as on the leg. <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="95%" align=center border=1><!-- Table 01 Row 01 --><TBODY><TR><TD>Age category</TD><TD>Daily growth rate for scalp hair (mm)</TD><TD>Daily growth rate for eyebrow hair (mm)</TD><TD>Daily growth rate for thigh hair (mm)</TD></TR><!-- Table 01 Row 02 --><TR><TD>Pre puberty</TD><TD>0.41</TD><TD>0.14</TD><TD>0.13</TD></TR><!-- Table 01 Row 03 --><TR><TD>Adolescent/young adult</TD><TD>0.30</TD><TD>0.14</TD><TD>0.16</TD></TR><!-- Table 01 Row 04 --><TR><TD>Mature adult</TD><TD>0.34</TD><TD>0.16</TD><TD>0.25</TD></TR><!-- Table 01 Row 05 --><TR><TD>Retirement age</TD><TD>0.32</TD><TD>0.16</TD><TD>0.19</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

What this means is that the maximum growth rate for hair is about 6 inches (15 cm) per year. If you have short hair and are thinking, "It sure would be nice if I had hair down to my waist," then you are going to have about a four-year wait.

Lastly, here is an excellent link to hair info that will give you all kinds of handy tips on how to pamper your hair and grow it out again.

http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip214.htm I really like this site.

I hope that I may have helped a bit. SmartStyle will address your questions shortly I'm sure.

Take care,

Cali

 

[Laura]

Great info Cali..

 

[SmartStyle437]

Originally Posted by jole I wish I'd known about this forum before last week. I used Easy Straight on August 8 and it fried my hair. I've already spent over $100 in hair cuts, conditioning masks, special shampoos and conditioners, etc. I was worried about having to cut my hair again. Now my worries are mostly about saving my fried hair since it's falling in clumps every day for the last 4 days. I actually saved it and it looks like 10% of my hair has fallen. As a matter of fact, today I can see patches of scalp and the hairs closest to the root on top have turned sort of grey as if I have put baby powder on it. I guess my questions are 1) How long will it keep on falling? 2) Will it grow back or have I damaged the folicles? 3) Are there any products that will stop the falling and help repair the damaged hair? Thank you for any responses. Okay I had to get the brain working for this one. First off I am soooooooooo sorry to hear that this has happened you. But to answer your questions Jole. How long will it keep falling out? All this depends on your hair and how damaged it is to begin with, by the way you say your hair is it might take some time for it to stop all together, but there are things that you can do to slow the process down. Oral Supplements for your hair, is a great start. Another pointer, no heat unless it is a have to. Let it dry on it own, if you have to use a flatiron or curling iron keep it on a LOW setting. Do not brush or comb your hair to much or to rough. Will it grow back and have you damaged the follicles? It will grow back by all means, not as fast as what you would like I am sure of. But it will. Follicles normally are damaged when the hair is pulled out(not a common thing), if you have some type of scalp disorder or from burns(blisters from products such as colors, perms, relaxers ect) So I am sure your follicles are fine. What Products to use? There is nothing out there that can really repair damaged hair, it just masks the hair and protects it and keep it looking semi good, until you are able to get all the dead parts off. I would recommend ONLY Salon quality products. Joico is great, thier K-Pak(reconstructor) line works wonders on damaged hair. Nioxin(for thinning damaged hair) is great to, and it also has scalp stimulators to promote new hair growth. Both are very pricey but way worth the money. And both also have Human Kertin protiens in them. But if I where to choose between the two I would say Nioxin, seeing that your hair if falling out like it is. Now as far as styling products are concern, no matter if you use heat or not you need some type of product to protect your hair from everything(styling, sun, wind ect.) Redken makes one that is good(Anti-Snap) But i would stick with the Nioxin or Joico(K-Pak) lines. I sure hope this info helps, if there are any other questions I can answer for you, please feel free to ask. BTW Cali that was a great post.

 

[Californian]

Just wanted to say thanks for your comments, Tiffany and Laura.

Also.. I am glad it's hard to ruin hair follicles... at least it's a lot harder to damage follicles than it is to damage hair. If that weren't the case, we'd all be bald. Phew.

<-- Tiffany, Laura, and Cali in the MuT Hair Center

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Originally Posted by SmartStyle437 Okay I had to get the brain working for this one.
First off I am soooooooooo sorry to hear that this has happened you.

But to answer your questions Jole.

How long will it keep falling out?

All this depends on your hair and how damaged it is to begin with, by the way you say your hair is it might take some time for it to stop all together, but there are things that you can do to slow the process down. Oral Supplements for your hair, is a great start. Another pointer, no heat unless it is a have to. Let it dry on it own, if you have to use a flatiron or curling iron keep it on a LOW setting. Do not brush or comb your hair to much or to rough.

Will it grow back and have you damaged the follicles?

It will grow back by all means, not as fast as what you would like I am sure of. But it will. Follicles normally are damaged when the hair is pulled out(not a common thing), if you have some type of scalp disorder or from burns(blisters from products such as colors, perms, relaxers ect) So I am sure your follicles are fine.

What Products to use?

There is nothing out there that can really repair damaged hair, it just masks the hair and protects it and keep it looking semi good, until you are able to get all the dead parts off. I would recommend ONLY Salon quality products.

Joico is great, thier K-Pak(reconstructor) line works wonders on damaged hair. Nioxin(for thinning damaged hair) is great to, and it also has scalp stimulators to promote new hair growth. Both are very pricey but way worth the money. And both also have Human Kertin protiens in them. But if I where to choose between the two I would say Nioxin, seeing that your hair if falling out like it is. Now as far as styling products are concern, no matter if you use heat or not you need some type of product to protect your hair from everything(styling, sun, wind ect.) Redken makes one that is good(Anti-Snap) But i would stick with the Nioxin or Joico(K-Pak) lines.

I sure hope this info helps, if there are any other questions I can answer for you, please feel free to ask. BTW Cali that was a great post.

 

[Rouge047]

Originally Posted by SmartStyle437 Okay I had to get the brain working for this one. First off I am soooooooooo sorry to hear that this has happened you. But to answer your questions Jole. How long will it keep falling out? All this depends on your hair and how damaged it is to begin with, by the way you say your hair is it might take some time for it to stop all together, but there are things that you can do to slow the process down. Oral Supplements for your hair, is a great start. Another pointer, no heat unless it is a have to. Let it dry on it own, if you have to use a flatiron or curling iron keep it on a LOW setting. Do not brush or comb your hair to much or to rough. Will it grow back and have you damaged the follicles? It will grow back by all means, not as fast as what you would like I am sure of. But it will. Follicles normally are damaged when the hair is pulled out(not a common thing), if you have some type of scalp disorder or from burns(blisters from products such as colors, perms, relaxers ect) So I am sure your follicles are fine. What Products to use? There is nothing out there that can really repair damaged hair, it just masks the hair and protects it and keep it looking semi good, until you are able to get all the dead parts off. I would recommend ONLY Salon quality products. Joico is great, thier K-Pak(reconstructor) line works wonders on damaged hair. Nioxin(for thinning damaged hair) is great to, and it also has scalp stimulators to promote n...ew hair growth. Both are very pricey but way worth the money. And both also have Human Kertin protiens in them. But if I where to choose between the two I would say Nioxin, seeing that your hair if falling out like it is. Now as far as styling products are concern, no matter if you use heat or not you need some type of product to protect your hair from everything(styling, sun, wind ect.) Redken makes one that is good(Anti-Snap) But i would stick with the Nioxin or Joico(K-Pak) lines. I sure hope this info helps, if there are any other questions I can answer for you, please feel free to ask. BTW Cali that was a great post. SmartStyle thanks for the great info. When this first happened to me & I called the ES Customer Service and told her that I was using Nioxin - She told me to stop! That it was full of alcohol and I shouldn't use it. I think the ES people are really out to get us! I knew that it had the scalp stimulator's in it and it really feels good on the scalp, especially right after it happened. It is good to know that I can still use it. I have also been using the Redken Anti-Snap. Thanks!

 

[HarleyMom]

Originally Posted by Rouge047 SmartStyle thanks for the great info. When this first happened to me & I called the ES Customer Service and told her that I was using Nioxin - She told me to stop! That it was full of alcohol and I shouldn't use it. I think the ES people are really out to get us! I knew that it had the scalp stimulator's in it and it really feels good on the scalp, especially right after it happened. It is good to know that I can still use it. I have also been using the Redken Anti-Snap. Thanks! I still can't get over them telling me that I didn't leave the easystraight on long enough because even though my hair was fried and looked like straw it still had curl. Hell, if I had left it on any longer it maybe would have been "straight" frizz, a lot of good that would have done me especially when even more of it would have been on my bathroom floor.

 

[rowantree]

Thanks SmartStyle about the tip on Nioxin & the Redken Anti-Snap. I've been using a lot of stuff but nothing seems to be working. If I coat my hair with olive oil, it does smooth down & has some shine to it and that seems to be the only thing that makes it smoother. Today is a downer day, the stubble at the top of my head has grown and now I have an Alfalfa hairdo. Not to mention the handfuls of hair that come out each day. I have really thick hair, so imagine what I'd look like if I would have had thin hair to start with. ES President told me the same thing, that she thought I hadn't left it in long enough since my hair has tiny crimps. Just depressed today, my hair is about chin length, keeps falling out, keeps breaking off and I know a buzz cut would get it all done & over with but I look horrible with short hair so I don't know what to do. I am really depressed today, don't usually say this kind of stuff but I really hate those people at EasyStraight!

 

[Rouge047]

Originally Posted by rowantree Thanks SmartStyle about the tip on Nioxin & the Redken Anti-Snap. I've been using a lot of stuff but nothing seems to be working. If I coat my hair with olive oil, it does smooth down & has some shine to it and that seems to be the only thing that makes it smoother. Today is a downer day, the stubble at the top of my head has grown and now I have an Alfalfa hairdo. Not to mention the handfuls of hair that come out each day. I have really thick hair, so imagine what I'd look like if I would have had thin hair to start with. ES President told me the same thing, that she thought I hadn't left it in long enough since my hair has tiny crimps. Just depressed today, my hair is about chin length, keeps falling out, keeps breaking off and I know a buzz cut would get it all done & over with but I look horrible with short hair so I don't know what to do. I am really depressed today, don't usually say this kind of stuff but I really hate those people at EasyStraight! Rowantree I feel your frustration. My spikes are about 1 1/4 or so long now and are just peeking up through what little is left like they are saying "what the heck did you do to us?" I guess the good thing is that they are growing back. The worst thing is that my hair too continues to break off. I hate the thought of washing my hair knowing that each time I go to comb it there are gobs of hair in the comb on the floor, in the sink, on me, ..........

so I'm right there with ya gurl! Like you I have a lot (did have) hair. Had I not, I hate to think what I would look like. My question is........... are my "spikes" going to grow quick enough to make up for what is falling out.?? As it is today........ahhhh I don't think so

.

 

[rowantree]

Thanks, Rouge. You wouldn't believe the amount of hair left in the shower, then like you said, when you come it out. Just running my fingers through leaves me with gobs. Those spikes aren't going to grow fast enough and they're going to make us miserable until they get long enough to smooth down. I really get mad when I look at all the different lengths of hair at the ends. I did get it cut but only 2 days later it looked like I'd never had a thing done, it was back to being a mess. I'm off to email the law firm, I never did have much patience!

 

[rowantree]

I would love to consolidate all of the message boards that are online and find out a total number of women who have had their hair damaged by using EasyStraight. I know this isn't possible. I think once the class action lawsuit is settled & over with, we'll get a number of the women who filed, but how many women won't file?

At www.beautynewsnyc.com, a search on EasyStraight produced this message:

Posted by Webmaster, July 8, 2004

RE: EasyStraight Straightening System

We here at BeautyNewsNYC.com have been flooded with emails complaining about the EasyStraight system. Since we have never tried it, we must bow to what our readers tell us and will not recommend this product.

My only suggestion to you at this time is to call a few salons and ask if they use the OPTIMUM system or have one that's compatible to it.

Interesting! They won't even let their readers discuss it! At least here at MakeupTalk, we can complain away!

 

[Geek]

You can post away! We are unbiased here at MuT

Originally Posted by rowantree

I would love to consolidate all of the message boards that are online and find out a total number of women who have had their hair damaged by using EasyStraight. I know this isn't possible. I think once the class action lawsuit is settled & over with, we'll get a number of the women who filed, but how many women won't file?
At www.beautynewsnyc.com, a search on EasyStraight produced this message:

Posted by Webmaster, July 8, 2004

RE: EasyStraight Straightening System

We here at BeautyNewsNYC.com have been flooded with emails complaining about the EasyStraight system. Since we have never tried it, we must bow to what our readers tell us and will not recommend this product.

My only suggestion to you at this time is to call a few salons and ask if they use the OPTIMUM system or have one that's compatible to it.

Interesting! They won't even let their readers discuss it! At least here at MakeupTalk, we can complain away!

 

[rowantree]

Thanks, Tony! Ya know we love it here!

 

[Geek]

That is, of course, if ES doesn't kick down 2 million dollars to MuT, then we might become biased

LOL.

But if that happens, we will split it up evenly amongst all you ES problem girls. Hahahah!





Originally Posted by rowantree

Thanks, Tony! Ya know we love it here!

 

[Laura]

Originally Posted by Tony(admin) That is, of course, if ES doesn't kick down 2 million dollars to MuT, then we might become biased

LOL.
But if that happens, we will split it up evenly amongst all you ES problem girls. Hahahah!

LMAO, like these poor girls don't have enough problems!!!

 

[Californian]

Originally Posted by rowantree Thanks, Rouge. You wouldn't believe the amount of hair left in the shower, then like you said, when you come it out. Just running my fingers through leaves me with gobs. Those spikes aren't going to grow fast enough and they're going to make us miserable until they get long enough to smooth down. I really get mad when I look at all the different lengths of hair at the ends. I did get it cut but only 2 days later it looked like I'd never had a thing done, it was back to being a mess. I'm off to email the law firm, I never did have much patience! I don't think there is anything I can say to fix this for you. All I can say is that I am so sorry and your feelings are PERFECTLY valid. Right now you are being forced to rely on your inner strength! In my life and battles with brittle diabetes, I have been so down like you are feeling right now. I would like to share some things that I do to help me when I am dealing with things that I cannot control that depress me such as you are experiencing right now:
- Call your mom or a good friend. If your mom is cool, it is so great to have her listen to you. Mom's love you so much! Second choice: a good and funny friend who listens well.

- Have a good cry until you get sick of it. Then blow your nose, put on your mascara and some gloss so that you stop looking like you were punched in the face. Next, go for a drive in the country while listening to some inspiring, upbeat music. Focus on all of the beatiful things around you ... leaves, sky, grass, animals, etc. Concentrate on something other than you.

- If you are at all religious, go to church. Listen to the message and focus on it. Pray for others while you are there. Something about being there just feels good.

- Do something for someone else (bake cookies, visit grandmas, offer to babysit, create a computer card for a relative, write letters, offer to take someone to the museum, etc.. etc..) The point is not to focus on you too much.

- Use your sorrow and depression as motivation. Let them motivate you to help someone else. Offer your support to anyone else in the same boat, use it to write congress, use it to form a local support group, use it to create something, channel it into something that will make you stronger than the depression.

Good things are like pebbles in the pond- the positive ripples keep going beyond where you can see! Same too with negative things, they last depending on how you deal with them. So choose the good stuff instead.

- Lastly, know, just KNOW that you are always beautiful! Always! You are a unique being who is more than her individual components. You are NOT your hair ... you are an intricate, smart, caring, and beautiful person- PERIOD. Put that in your bonnet and wear it everywhere!!!!! Know it and be it.

Sincerely,

Cali

P.S. I'll get back to you on the law question you asked

 

[Rouge047]

Originally Posted by Californian I don't think there is anything I can say to fix this for you. All I can say is that I am so sorry and your feelings are PERFECTLY. Right now you are being forced to rely on your inner strength! In my life and battles with brittle diabetes, I have been so down like you are feeling right now. I would like to share some things that I do to help me when I am dealing with things that I cannot control that depress me such as you are experiencing right now:
- Call your mom or a good friend. If your mom is cool, it is so great to have her listen to you. Mom's love you so much! Second choice: a good and funny friend who listens well.

- Have a good cry until you get sick of it. Then blow your nose, put on your mascara and some gloss so that you stop looking like you punched in the face. Next, go for a drive in the country while listening to some inspiring, upbeat music. Focus on all of the beatiful things around you ... leaves, sky, grass, animals, etc. Concentrate on something other than you.

- If you are at all religious, go to church. Listen to the message and focus on it. Pray for others while you are there. Something about being there just feels good.

- Do something for someone else (bake cookies, visit grandmas, offer to babysit, create a computer card for a relative, write letters, offer to take someone to the museum, etc.. etc..) The point is not to focus on you too much.

- Use your sorrow and depression as motivation. Let them motivate you to help someone else. Offer your support to anyone else in the same boat, use it to write congress, use it to form a local support group, use it to create something, channel it into something that will make you stronger than the depression.

Good things are like pebbles in the pond- the positive ripples keep going beyond where you can see! Same too with negative things, they last depending on how you deal with them. So choose the good stuff instead.

- Lastly, know, just KNOW that you are always beautiful! Always! You are a unique being who is more than her individual components. You are NOT your hair ... you are an intricate, smart, caring, and beautiful person- PERIOD. Put that in your bonnet and wear it everywhere!!!!! Know it and be it.

Sincerely,

Cali

P.S. I'll get back to you on the law question you asked

Cali - this is so sweet, just how did you get so smart!!

I especially liked your 3rd point. Since I have returned these past few years to my faith/church - my problems seem to be less of a burden. Even this ES burden, a few years ago I may have already hit rock bottom.

Thanks again for the kind words.