In this age of shampoo commercials featuring digitally-animated hair, it has become a mortal sin to have buhaghag or a less-than-perfect mane. Salons know this, and they are cashing in. Here is your personal tutorial to untangle any confusion from reading long lists of available hair treatments.

A word of caution though: lower-priced salons are notorious for using some terms interchangeably, saying that they are giving you a certain treatment but often using cheaper chemicals to keep their pricing down. This can result in the effects lasting for a short time or worse, giving you damaged, brittle hair. Definitely, in this case, you get what you pay for.', 'Hair Straightening/ Relaxing – Terms used interchangeably for a process using depilatories or chemical relaxers and hair irons to give hair a sleeker appearance while maintaining a certain amount of body but less “poof” in the hair.

Hair Rebonding – A perming lotion is added to soften and break the chemical bonds of the hair. The hair is rinsed and ironed straight. Afterwards, a stabilizer or neutralizer is used to reset the bonds of the hair, resulting in stick-straight and silky hair. As a rule lasts longer than other hair straightening treatments.

Digital Perm - A special perming solution is applied before winding the hair around rods which are heated to a temperature regulated by a patented machine. This process creates waves that mimic the effects of using a curling iron or hot curlers which appear softer and more natural than the more conventional “cold perm”.

Hot Oil – Provides deeper conditioning action on hair to give it more strength and body. Using natural essential oils are recommended such as olive oil, jasmine oil and jojoba oil because these are able to penetrate the core of the hair. Other oils may have larger molecules which results in less absorption, causing more product buildup that results in dull-looking hair.

Hair Spa – A deep conditioning treatment that nourishes hair from the roots, restores natural oils and revitalizes the scalp, encouraging healthier re-growth. Generally more expensive than a hot oil treatment; the effects should outlast a hot oil treatment for a few days to a week.

Hair Reborn – Aims to reverse damage caused by the sun, heat styling and product build-up. A protein-based solution is applied, then the hair is ironed to ensure that the vitamins in the solution penetrates the hair. The result is softer and shinier hair.

Hair Gloss – Enhances colored hair by depositing semi-permanent color up to the hair’s cuticle, resulting in more shine and vibrant tone for 2-4 weeks.