Is a Smoothing Treatment Right for Your Pasadena Hair?

Hello, I'm Hasblady Guzman, founder of Bokaos Aveda. After more than 30 years in this industry, I've seen every hair challenge you can imagine. Here in Pasadena, one question comes up constantly, especially after a long, sunny day walking through Old Town: "What can I do about this frizz?"

Just yesterday, a client named Maria came in looking exhausted. She said, "Hasblady, I'm spending an hour every single morning with a flat iron trying to make my hair cooperate. I can't keep doing this."

The dry Southern California air is fantastic for a day at The Huntington Gardens, but it's brutal on our hair. Many people think their only options are spending forever with styling tools every morning or committing to a harsh chemical straightener.

But there's a much better way to manage frizz and get your time back. It's all about understanding the difference between smoothing your hair and permanently changing it. Let me explain what that really means.

Smoothing vs. Straightening: What's Actually Different?

It's easy to get these terms mixed up because they both promise smoother, more manageable hair. But how they get there is completely different.

Aveda's Smoothing Treatment

A smoothing treatment, often called a keratin treatment, is a semi-permanent solution. It doesn't break down your hair's internal structure. Instead, our Aveda formulas use plant-based ingredients to wrap each strand in a protective, smoothing shield.

Here's what it actually does. It reduces frizz by smoothing down your hair's outer layer, which is what causes frizz when it gets rough and raised. It cuts styling time dramatically. Clients from Altadena to San Marino tell me their blow-dry time drops by 40% to 60%. Imagine getting that time back every single morning. And it enhances shine because smoother hair reflects more light.

A big question I always get is about formaldehyde. Many older keratin treatments used it, and people are rightfully concerned. That's a major reason we're an Aveda salon. Our smoothing solutions are formaldehyde-free and silicone-free, relying on naturally derived ingredients.

The trade-off is it might not last quite as long as a harsh chemical version, but your hair's health is always our priority. It typically lasts about 8 to 12 weeks.

It's also important to have realistic expectations. If you have naturally curly hair, a smoothing treatment won't make it stick-straight. It will relax your curl into a softer, looser wave and make it way easier to style straight if you want to. It's about manageability, not total transformation.

My client Sarah has really tight curls. She came in wanting sleek, straight hair and assumed a smoothing treatment would do that. I had to be honest with her. I said, "Sarah, this is going to give you softer, more manageable curls. If you want stick-straight hair, we'd need to talk about a different service."

She appreciated the honesty. We did the smoothing treatment, and when she came back six weeks later, she told me, "You were right. My curls are so much easier to work with now. I can actually blow it straight in twenty minutes instead of an hour."

Chemical Re-Texturizing

This is where we get into serious hair chemistry. Services like Japanese thermal reconditioning or modern texture waves permanently alter your hair's structure. We're literally breaking the bonds that give your hair its natural shape and then reforming them into a new pattern.

This is powerful. For someone with very straight hair who wants lasting volume and movement, a modern texture wave can be amazing. These aren't the tight, frizzy perms of the 80s. Today's techniques create soft, natural-looking waves.

For someone who wants permanently straight hair, a service like Japanese straightening delivers that result. But it's a commitment. As your hair grows, your natural texture will appear at the roots, creating a clear line of demarcation.

I learned early in my career to be really careful about who I recommend this service to. About twenty years ago, I had a client who insisted on Japanese straightening even though her hair was already pretty damaged from bleaching. I should have said no, but I was younger and I wanted to make her happy.

The result was not good. Her hair broke off significantly. I felt terrible. I fixed it as best I could, but it taught me a huge lesson about protecting the client even when they're asking for something I know isn't right for their hair.

Now I'm much more willing to say, "I understand that's what you want, but I can't do that service safely on your hair right now. Let's talk about other options."

What You're Actually Investing

When you're considering a service like this, you need to know what you're signing up for.

For an Aveda smoothing treatment here at Bokaos, you'll be in the salon for about 2 to 4 hours, depending on your hair's length and thickness. The investment typically ranges from $250 to $400 and up.

For any permanent chemical re-texturizing service, a thorough consultation is absolutely essential. The process is much more involved, and the price depends on your specific hair needs. We have to assess your hair's health, especially if it's been colored, to make sure we can achieve the result you want without destroying your hair.

Maria, the client I mentioned at the beginning who was spending an hour every morning on her hair? She decided to do the smoothing treatment. When I told her it was $350, she didn't even hesitate. She said, "If this gives me back an hour every morning, it's worth every penny."

Three months later, she came back for another one. She told me it was the best money she'd ever spent on her hair.

Making It Last

Getting the service is just the first step. How you care for your hair afterward makes all the difference.

For a smoothing treatment, the first few days are critical. Don't wash your hair for at least 48 to 72 hours. This gives the treatment time to fully set. Use sulfate-free shampoo because sulfates strip the treatment from your hair. And avoid clips and ponytails for the first three days. Anything that creates a dent or crease can mess up the results.

For permanent texture services, you'll need root touch-ups every 3 to 6 months to blend the new growth with the treated hair.

My client Jennifer learned this the hard way. She got a smoothing treatment and then went to the gym the next day and washed her hair. She called me panicking because it looked frizzy again. I had told her to wait 72 hours, but she forgot.

There wasn't much I could do at that point. The treatment was compromised. She had to come back and we did it again, which cost her more money and more time. Now she sets reminders on her phone so she doesn't forget the aftercare rules.

Please Don't Try This at Home

I see ads for at-home kits and it makes me nervous. The chemicals used in these services, especially permanent ones, are extremely powerful. Without real understanding of hair structure and chemistry, it's incredibly easy to cause severe, irreversible damage.

Box perms and home straightening kits are the number one cause of what we call a "chemical haircut" where hair literally breaks off.

At Bokaos Aveda, our stylists are trained to analyze your hair and apply these treatments with precision. Your hair's health is our first concern.

Questions I Get All the Time

Will a smoothing treatment work on my color-treated hair?

Yes, it's generally safe for colored hair and can even help seal things down for extra shine. We'll always assess your hair's condition first during a consultation.

How long does the smoothing treatment last?

Typically 8 to 12 weeks, depending on your hair type and how well you follow the aftercare instructions.

What's the difference between a modern texture wave and a perm?

Think of it as an evolution. A texture wave uses larger rods and a gentler formula to create soft, loose waves and movement, rather than tight, uniform curls.

How often do I need root touch-ups for chemical straightening?

It depends on how fast your hair grows, but most clients come in every 3 to 6 months.

Ready to Find Your Solution?

The first step is always a conversation. Let's talk about your hair goals, your lifestyle, and what you hope to achieve. We can create a plan that gives you beautiful, manageable hair that you love every single day.

Come visit us at Bokaos Aveda Salon at 52 Hugus Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103. You can give us a call at (626) 304-0007 or book a consultation online.

We can't wait to help you conquer that Pasadena frizz for good.