Ok..when I got the opportunity to try the Hair Serenity Service (Straight Hair with Cysteine) at Lakme Salons, I was a little wary since its semi permanent..and I have never colored, treated or done anything to my hair..in fact blow drying and straightening is also very rare..as I find that a little torturous for the hair..so I had to do my small little research..

I had shared about Hair Serenity before here and the difference between this and Keratin treatments..

I found out more and sharing with you guys here..

Why is Formaldehyde Dangerous?

Understanding the Reasoning
The danger comes when formaldehyde comes in contact with our bodies. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, but it’s so much more than that. Exposure to formaldehyde can lead to skin, eye, nasal and throat irritation, respiratory illnesses and severe allergic reactions, even from small, unspecified amounts found in products like a keratin treatment. This can lead to headaches, fertility problems in women, lesions on the body, abdominal aches, vomiting and even death. Obviously, a chemical that in small to moderate quantities can lead to a variety of health issues is bound to create some controversy. That’s why there are regulations on formaldehyde in everything from building materials to your everyday hair products.

Why You Should Go Formaldehyde-Free

Be simply inhaling formaldehyde fumes, both you and your stylist are exposed to higher risks of lung cancer.
While formaldehyde treatments had ecstatic customers singing its praises, plenty of women experienced dramatic hair loss from the treatment.
Formaldehyde is a dangerous, carcinogenic substance and should not be used lightly.

About Cysteine: Luckily, a new generation of hair straightening treatments have come along that are safer and more cost effective than previous keratin treatments. One treatment, known as cysteine Brazilian therapy came out fairly recently in the middle of 2011.

As the name implies, this straightening treatment is also from Brazil, but it is not a keratin straightening treatment. Instead, the treatment uses a naturally occurring, essential amino acid called cysteine to straighten the hair, making it a safer treatment than formaldehyde based straighteners. Cysteine is also more naturally absorbent, eliminating the need for a formaldehyde coating to seal the product in. As a result, this hair straightening treatment doesn’t contain any complicated chemical formulas that keratin treatments require.

How It Works: Cysteine & Its Effects
As far as treatment goes, cysteine Brazilian therapy is considered semi-permanent at best. However, several professionals state that treatments containing cysteine instead of keratin can, in fact, last between two and three months minimum.

Overall, cysteine provides a safer options for those looking for straighter tresses. Everyone, from type 3s and 4s to pregnant women, can use this formaldehyde-free hair straightening treatment.

So after being convinced that it won’t affect my hair (I am a little finicky about my hair), I tried to give it a shot..so I went to Lakme Salon in Mulund..

The first step being consultation with the expert..I bombarded him with questions..the usual me still having some doubts :p My biggest concern was whether the new hair that grows would be normal..and would the huge difference show up..I don’t like that half curly half straight look..and he said this does not go inside the roots of hair..and is just used over the hair..and the effect fades away slowly and the whole hair is normal as before again in around 3 months..so I was relieved..this is not straightening..its just smoothening hair and relaxing the frizz..the overall effect is very natural..since my hair is naturally straight with some waviness at the ends..it was not a dramatic difference for me..or such that someone would point out that I have got my hair straightened..

Step 1: Hair is washed thrice with a clarifying shampoo..

Step 2: Hair is blow dried and the Cysteine Complex is applied on each strand on 80% dry hair.

Step 3: The hair is wrapped with thin cling and kept for 35-40 minutes.

Step 4: Each strand is then blow dried..and then ironed with a flat iron..there are some fumes..but not much..

Step 5: Hair is supposed to be relaxed for 20 minutes. And then they are again washed..and a conditioner and serum are applied.

Step 6: Hair is then blow dried again without the heat..just to style and the acai oil is applied.

And tadaa..its done !!

Here is a short video to show the procedure:

The whole process takes around 3-4 hours depending on the length and thickness of hair as each strand is to be worked on individually.

They use the Amazon Series Range for the whole procedure..It was called Cysteine Infusion before..and they have named it Hair Serenity now..

The cost: Rs. 6499/- for below shoulder hair
Rs. 7499/- for above shoulder hair
Both excluding 12.36% service tax..

Ya its expensive..but the effect stays for 2 months..and it all safe and natural plus does not damage the hair during or after in any which ways..

Post treatment care: I have been told to use Sulfate Free Shampoos..so here goes my SLS shampoos for the time being..I am going to use Vedantika and Neev..thinking of getting the Lass Naturals Range..

I did surely recommend the hair serenity service for people who want natural looking, frizz free, straighter manageable hair without the side effects or after effects of formaldehyde..

Source: 1

P.S: Services were offered by the brand but it has not affected my opinion. My hair are more precious to me than anything :p