Elements and Performance Criteria
- Consult with client and assess hair.
- Access and review any existing client hair straightening history or create for new clients.
- Determine, through discussion and questioning, nature of client dissatisfaction with current degree of hair curl or wave.
- Discuss client preferences, and expectations of desired degree of relaxation of curl or wave using visual aids to assist.
- Engage client in discussion about lifestyle and self-care factors that may impact on success of protein straightening treatment.
- Visually and physically examine and analyse client hair characteristics and condition.
- Identify contraindications to proceeding with protein straightening treatment and explain any present to client.
- Consider the interplay of the elements and principles of hair design to visualise, communicate and recommend hair straightening treatments appropriate for the client.
- Advise achievable degree of straightening, time period it will last and obtain client agreement to proceed with recommended straightening services.
- Select products and prepare for service.
- Use knowledge of hair biology and cosmetic chemistry, as it applies to hair reformation treatments, to ensure effective and safe use of protein straightening products.
- Select protein straightening and relaxing products according to hair analysis to achieve desired degree of relaxation of curl or wave.
- Select and prepare equipment according to product instructions and relaxation methods to be used.
- Take personal precautions to prevent own skin reactions to protein products throughout preparation and service.
- Measure and prepare straightening and relaxing products, according to product instructions and ensure minimal wastage.
- Apply wraps, towels and skin barrier cream to ensure client protection and safety.
- Apply, process and set protein straightening products.
- Maintain client and operator comfort and safety throughout straightening service according to organisational procedures.
- Section hair and apply product evenly in a sequence from roots to ends using recommended smoothing technique indicated in product instructions.
- Time processing of straightening products, according to product instructions, check at regular intervals and judge when desired degree of relaxation is achieved.
- Dry the hair thoroughly and flat iron to complete straightening process.
- Dispose of hazardous and other waste safely according to organisational procedures.
- Review service and provide home care advice.
- Review service outcomes against client expectations and confirm client satisfaction with degree of relaxation of curl or wave.
- Propose remedial action in response to any client concerns and post service analysis of hair condition and appearance.
- Reach agreement with client on proposed solutions through positive and open communication.
- Advise on after service maintenance and recommend home care products.
- Update client history to include full details of straightening service.