How did I get loosened, more defined curls on my 4C hair? I did a couple of things:

1. Used a Keratin treatment + Photon laser (though you can still some nice curly-cues without it; I’ll explain below)
2. Used a good curl defining cream or jelly (or both!)

First, about 2 months ago, I applied a Keratin treatment and used the Photon Lizze laser to seal it into the hair. The laser itself does not straighten hair, but instead helps the keratin sort of bind to the hair so it can do it’s thing. When you apply the keratin, use the light, dry the hair and then flat iron it, it helps the hair stay straight a lot longer than it may normally do so (please see the photo below for results). Before this, my hair would begin to curl back up within as little as 30 minutes after straightening.

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I once paid a ton of money to have a hairstylist straighten my natural hair for a wedding. A half hour after I left the salon, I was standing in line at Walmart and I could feel my hair puffing back up. I had to have my mom help me re-press and curl my hair again the next day right before the wedding and I was late getting to the church!

How Does The Photon Lizze Laser Straightening Light Work on Black Hair?

The keratin treatment + Photon Lizze laser light are amazing on my 4C hair because if I want to wear my hair straightened, it will last up to two weeks or until I wash it.

The keratin treatment + Photon Lizze laser light are amazing on my 4C hair because if I want to wear my hair straightened, it will last up to two weeks or until I wash it. You will have to be careful not to use any products on the hair that contain sulfates (BTMS or Behentremonium Methosulfate that I use in my formulations are not the kind of sulfates that will deactivate keratin or strip the hair, so they are safe to use) or sodium, such as Sodium Lauryl or Laureth sulfate that you find in most commercial shampoos. So you will need to use a shampoo without sodium or sulfates (Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo will do in a pinch and it is available pretty much everywhere).

Also, be aware that sweat may deactivate the keratin to some degree because there is some salt/sodium in your sweat, but I suppose that could be lessened if you drink a lot more water.

I got the Photon Lizze keratin laser as a Christmas gift from my love, but it can be purchased online on eBay and Amazon. Mine came from eBay.

While photon lasers are generally considered safe, you’ll want to use caution not to point it at your eyes. The kit I got came with protective glasses, so if you purchase this, make sure it comes with protective glasses or be sure to buy some to use with it (NEVER use a photon laser without first putting on the proper protective eyewear). Make sure you get two pairs of protective glasses in case you have a friend help you with the keratin treatment (RECOMMENDED) so that both of you can protect your eyes. The laser can also be used to make your color job or deep conditioning treatment penetrate more deeply.

Contrary to popular belief on social media, this product does NOT permanently straighten hair…

Contrary to popular belief on social media, this laser does NOT permanently straighten hair (which would be a personal horror story for anyone who does not wish to permanently alter their hair texture). Instead, it, along with the keratin, create a semi-permanent smoothing/de-frizzing effect on the hair. When you wet the hair, it will not stay straight, but it may also not go all the way back to your original texture, either. I am normally a 4C texture, and when my hair is damp now, it is more of a 4A texture and when I apply my gel or my 4-in-1 JBCO cream to it, the curls are a TON more defined and smooth. I switch back and forth between straight and curly. But – you do NOT need the photon laser to do a keratin treatment (I just feel that it just makes it more effective and longer lasting) and you can still get some temporary loosening and curl defining action just from products alone – see below for proof 🙂

Second, I used products!

As shown in the first picture, my curl defining jelly gave me those cool, sort of diffused curls, but when I want more clumping action, I use my JBCO + Marshamallow 4-in-1 cream on wet hair and leave it in. 

What do you think of the JBCO 4-in-1 Cream? Do you think I should sell the jelly? Let me know on Facebook or Instagram!

Peace,
Mel C.

Update: JBCO 4-in-1 Cream is available in our shop.