‘Why Japanese Hair Straightening Should Be on Every Service Menu’
Hiro Kudo, Creative Director of KIKU Salon
The industry’s landscape is constantly changing and we’re seeing fashion and hair trends evolve once again. After years of being heavily influenced by the effortless texture and natural movement of the ’90s, the early 2000s are beginning to enjoy their own reinvention. Thankfully, we’re not returning to the days of repeatedly clamping hair with straighteners to achieve pin-straight results. Today’s clients want sleek, healthy-looking hair that still has movement, shine and longevity. This is where Japanese Hair Straightening has an important place in the modern salon.
Originally developed in Japan, Japanese Hair Straightening is one of the most technically advanced chemical restructuring services available. Unlike temporary smoothing treatments, it permanently restructures the treated hair, creating sleek, manageable results that remain until new growth appears. I believe that for my clients, the benefits extend far beyond having straight hair. For them, it means less time styling each morning, hair that resists humidity and frizz with a polished finish every time, less use of heated styling tools and most importantly, long-lasting, low-maintenance results – who doesn’t want that? For many clients, it completely changes their relationship with their hair.
At KIKU, every service we offer has a purpose. Japanese Hair Straightening isn’t simply another treatment to add to a price list. It represents precision, technical expertise and a consultation-led approach to hairdressing – qualities that are deeply rooted in our Japanese philosophy. While many salons offer temporary smoothing services, very few choose to offer permanent thermal straightening. It requires a significantly higher level of technical knowledge, careful planning and complete confidence in hair analysis. For us, that challenge is exactly why it deserves a place on the salon menu. It allows us to offer clients a genuine long-term solution rather than a temporary fix, while showcasing the craftsmanship and technical excellence that define specialist hairdressing.
However, it must be noted that Japanese Hair Straightening is not suitable for every client. This is not a treatment that should ever be approached as a one-size-fits-all approach, and professional education in the product and application is essential before offering it within a salon. Every consultation should include a detailed assessment of the hair’s condition, previous chemical history, natural texture, elasticity and overall suitability. In the salon, we carry out a comprehensive consultation before a booking is confirmed, ensuring the treatment is both safe and capable of delivering the result the client expects. It’s just as important to know when not to perform the service as knowing how to perform it!
As straight, polished hair finds its way back into fashion, Japanese Hair Straightening offers salons an opportunity to meet this renewed demand in a healthier and more considered way. Rather than encouraging clients to rely on excessive daily heat styling, it provides a long-lasting solution that improves manageability, saves time and delivers consistently beautiful results. For salons willing to invest in the education, technical training and consultation process required, Japanese Hair Straightening remains one of the most rewarding specialist services available – not simply because of the results it creates, but because of the confidence it gives clients every single day, and that’s why we believe it should be on every service menu!
