FLAT IRON FREE Keratin Smoothing Treatment Is for the client who wants to zap frizz but hold onto their curl & wave (may reduce curl & wave slightly). It leaves the hair smoother, softer, straighter, and more manageable while maintaining volume and adding texture. Unlike many salon keratin treatments, there is NO formaldehyde or other aldehydes.

OUR FLAT IRON FREE TREATMENT PROVIDES THE CLIENT WITH SMOOTHER, SOFTER, MORE MANAGEABLE HAIR THAT CAN BE DONE IN LESS THAN HALF THE TIME OF A TRADITIONAL KERATIN TREATMENT AND LASTS FOR MONTHS.

IT CAN BE USED ON CLIENTS WHO WANT TO MAINLY REDUCE FRIZZ AND ADD LUSTER AND MANAGEABILITY BUT WHO DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MUCH OF THEIR WAVE OR CURL. IT’S ALSO A GREAT CHOICE FOR CLIENTS WHO HAVE DELICATE OR DAMAGED HAIR SINCE NO FLAT IRON IS REQUIRED BUT IT IS OPTIONAL.

Like all smoothing treatments, the amount of curl or wave that is reduced depends on the hair type and texture. It is not for clients who do NOT want to reduce any curl or waves. If you are not sure, do the treatment on a small section at the nape of your client’s neck to test the results. As with any professional hair product, The FLAT IRON FREE treatment is not for everyone. Hair that is coarse resistant may want to consider a stronger treatment.   

Follow these simple steps and read the FAQ’s before you begin. See information below on COLOR when using this treatment.

1. FLAT IRON FREE is applied to clean DAMP (not dripping wet) hair. It is not necessary to use clarifying shampoo, but you can If you want to. Any shampoo will do, but you should clarify if the hair is oily, virgin, or uncolored gray, or has product build up (see tips below).   
2. Remove all jewelry and put on gloves. (Gloves are not required, but since the pH is comparable to lemon juice, you may want to wear them as the treatment may irritate abrasions on hands and cuticles if gloves are not worn).
3. If you are going to color or highlight the same day, you may do it FIRST, but you should consider adjusting the level 1-2 shades deeper to allow for a little lift due to the low pH (like lemon juice). If the hair is blonde and gets a little lighter, the clients usually like It. If you are NOT going to color the same day, advise your client that their hair may be a little lighter. It is RECOMMENDED that you color any time AFTER (can be done same day if you wish to color/highlight right after you’ve done the final blow dry). If hair feels like you’ve left a lot of the treatment in the hair or it feels heavy, you may want to wash it before you color which you can do immediately.
4. Gently shake the treatment. For fastest and easiest application, squeeze a small amount at a time of the treatment into your gloved hands, rub your hands together, and apply it to DAMP hair (not dripping wet) with your FINGERS, working it into the hair in the same way you would with shampoo and MASSAGE it into the hair all the way to the root. (You may find it helpful to section hair into 4-6 large damp sections depending on hair thickness, work it in to each large section with your fingers, comb through, and move to the next large section. Continue applying and massaging the treatment into the hair, making sure that the roots and ends are saturated. DO NOT USE MORE TREATMENT THAN WHAT IS NECESSARY TO COAT THE HAIR. When finished with the application, comb through a few times with a PLASTIC comb to ensure complete coverage and comb hair back away from the face. Detail the hairline and ends to make sure they are coated. It is recommended to clip the hair up with a PLASTIC clip if it is long. (NOTE: It Is not recommended as it may cause you to overapply the treatment, but if you prefer, you may place 1-2 ounces (30-60ml) at a time of treatment into a non-metallic bowl, section hair, and then use an applicator brush to apply treatment, massaging each section as you go along, and comb through at end. Do NOT use metal bowls, clips, or combs.) Your client may notice a slight tingling feeling on their scalp and that is normal and will disappear (It’s a function of the lemonlike pH).
5. SET A TIMER and leave the treatment in the hair as per the below (It Is OK to put a cap on and sit the client under low heat while processing):
   
   30 MINUTES: Delicate / Fine / Bleached Blonde / White / Heavily Highlighted / Damaged / Light Frizz
   
   40 MINUTES: Normal Texture / Colored / Curly / Highlighted / Wavy / Ombre / Medium Frizz
   
   
6. The RINSE: Before dropping the hair into the bowl, get your water temperature to a warm/comfortable level for your client, using low water pressure. Release the clip If you’ve used it for long hair and drop the hair into the bowl and do a light rinse just until the water runs clear — do not use shampoo or conditioner, concentrating on the nape and the hair near the scalp. Look at the water. If it is white, sudsy, or bubbly, rinse some more until the water runs clear. TRY NOT TO OVER RINSE but instead leave just a little bit of residue in hair — just like hair feels from a deep conditioning treatment — a little slippery. TIP: BECAUSE THE ENDS ARE THE MOST POROUS, YOU MAY WANT TO HOLD THE ENDS UP WHILE RINSING AND DROP THEM INTO THE BOWL ONCE THE WATER RUNS CLEAR FOR A QUICK RINSE OF THE ENDS. THAT WAY THE POROUS ENDS WILL HOLD ONTO A LITTLE MORE PRODUCT.
7. Do a METICULOUS smoothing Blow Out (try using your fingers or a vent brush to remove excess water if very wet before you do the final smoothing). It is all right to apply a small amount of S4 STYLING CRÈME (from a dime to a quarter size depending on hair length and texture) to the DAMP hair (not dripping wet) and make sure to send the client home with the S4 STYLING CRÈME. This is very helpful in maintaining the treatment and meeting your client’s expectations. PLEASE SEE #9 BELOW ABOUT WHEN TO COLOR/HIGHLIGHT.
8. It is recommended that you give the client a haircut or trim to refresh the ends for that professionally styled look.
9. Client can color/tone/bleach, wash their hair, exercise, swim, or wear pins, clips, and ponytails immediately. Your client may notice a slight aroma when their hair is wet, but this will go away as they continue to wash their hair. This could be due to the individual client’s hair. It could also be the result of leaving a bit too much product in the hair after the rinse or by not getting the hair 100% dry. To minimize this, follow the rinse and blow dry instructions. It Is important to do a meticulous blow dry!
10. It Is highly recommended that your client leaves the salon with the S4 Styling Crème to maintain and enhance the treatment. If you do not have the S4 Styling Crème, send them home with a high-quality leave-in crème conditioner. The S4 PLUSH Shampoo & PLUSH Conditioner will also help to maintain the Flat Iron Free treatment.

AT THIS POINT, YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE FLAT IRON-FREE INSTRUCTIONS AND YOUR CLIENT IS FREE TO DO ANYTHING THEY WISH (COLOR, WASH HAIR, EXERCISE, CLIPS/PONYTAILS, SWIM, ETC).

OPTIONAL FLAT IRON: If your client wants a straighter result that will last longer and have greater frizz reduction, you have the option to flat iron their hair as follows:

Using an average flat iron heat setting of 380°-450°F (193°-232°C), take small ½” sections, concentrate at the roots, and carefully flat iron. For hair that is fragile, delicate, bleached blonde, highlighted or is damaged or compromised, start at the lowest heat setting on your flat iron and gradually move the temperature up until the hair gets easily silky. There is no exact number of passes. For example, some delicate hair may get silky at 350°F (177°C) with only 3 passes. Stronger and coarse or resistant hair may require more heat up to 450°F (232°C) and 8 passes. Just use enough heat to get the silky result with the least passes. You DO need enough heat for each hair type and texture to get the SILKY, SHINY and SEALED result that S4Tec delivers. Use your professional judgment for your client’s hair type and texture!

IF YOU ELECT TO USE A FLAT IRON, USE ONE THAT WILL GET UP TO THE RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE FOR YOUR CLIENT’S HAIR TYPE & TEXTURE TO GET THE BEST RESULTS. MAKE SURE YOU DO THE NECESSARY PASSES WITH YOUR FLAT IRON TO GET THAT SILKY FINISH IN YOUR CLIENT’S HAIR.

NOTE: Since this product does not contain formaldehyde or other toxic ingredients, no mask is required for the treatment. You may notice some vapor while blow drying and flat ironing, which is normal and is mostly steam. A large amount of steam means that you left too much product in the hair, or you did not get the hair 100% dry before flat ironing. Color and texture may vary slightly by batch.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND DO NOT SKIP ANY STEPS OR MODIFY THE PROCEDURE. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL REDUCE THE LONGEVITY OF THE RESULTS!

Follow these simple steps and read the FAQs before you start. Before you begin, see information below on COLOR when using this treatment.

1. S4Tec is applied to clean DAMP hair. Options to consider:

   • It is not necessary to use clarifying shampoo (any shampoo will do), but you should if the hair is oily, virgin, or uncolored gray, or has product build up (see below).*

   OR

   • If your client is looking to reduce their time in the salon, it is all right for them to wash (and condition (If they wish) their hair at home. Mist hair until DAMP and go directly into the application.

2. Remove all jewelry and put on gloves (gloves are not required, but since the pH is comparable to lemon juice, you may want to wear them as the treatment may irritate abrasions on hands and cuticles if gloves are not worn).

3. Gently shake the treatment. For fastest, easiest and the recommended application, squeeze a small amount at a time of the treatment into your gloved hands, rub your hands together, and apply it to DAMP (not dripping wet) hair with your FINGERS, working it into the hair in the same way you would with shampoo and MASSAGE it into the hair. (You may find it helpful to section hair into 4-6 large damp sections depending on hair thickness, work it into each large section, comb through, and move to the next large section. Continue applying and massaging the treatment into the hair, making sure that the roots and ends are saturated. When finished with the application, comb through a few times with a PLASTIC comb to ensure complete coverage and comb hair back away from the face. It is recommended to clip the hair up if it is long. (NOTE: If you prefer, you may place 1-2 ounces (30-60ml) at a time of treatment into a non-metallic bowl, section hair, and then use an applicator brush to apply treatment, massaging each section as you go along, and comb through at end. Do NOT use metal bowls, clips, or combs.) You will notice a slight odor, but this is normal and will disappear as the client continues to wash their hair. Your client may also notice a slight tingling feeling on their scalp and that is also normal and will disappear (It’s a function of the lemonlike pH).

4. SET A TIMER and leave the treatment in the hair (it is OK to put a cap on and sit the client under low heat while processing) for:
   • 30 MINUTES: Delicate / Fine / Bleached Blonde / White / Heavily Highlighted / Damaged / Light Frizz
   • 40 MINUTES: Normal Texture / Colored / Curly / Highlighted / Wavy / Ombre / Medium Frizz
   • 50 MINUTES: Resistant Texture / Coarse / Virgin / Colored / Curly / Highlighted / Extreme Frizz (see TIPS below)

5. Before dropping the hair into the bowl, get your water temperature to a warm/comfortable level for your client, using low water pressure. Release the clip if you’ve used it for long hair and drop the hair into the bowl and rinse just until the water runs clear — do not use shampoo or conditioner, concentrating on the nape and the hair near the scalp. Look at the water. If it is white, sudsy, or bubbly, rinse some more until the water runs clear and stop. TRY NOT TO OVER RINSE, but instead leave just a little bit of residue in hair — just like hair feels from a deep conditioning treatment — a little slippery.

6. Do a smoothing Blow Out. Blow dry using your fingers or a vent brush to remove excess water if very wet. The hair should just feel as if it had a texturizing product added. If the hair feels gummy or heavy when you start to blow dry, go rinse some more. Then section hair and use a paddle or round brush to get hair as SMOOTH as possible. Make sure the hair is 100% bone dry. Doing a fantastic smoothing blow dry will mean less flat ironing to get the hair silky and sealed.

7. Flat iron using an average heat setting of 380°-450°F (193°-232°C), take small ½” sections, concentrate at the roots, and carefully flat iron. For hair that is fragile, delicate, bleached blonde, highlighted or is damaged or compromised, start at the lowest heat setting on your flat iron and gradually move the temperature up until the hair gets easily silky. There is no exact number of passes. For example, some delicate hair may get silky at 350°F (177°C) with only 3 passes. Stronger and coarse or resistant hair may require more heat up to 450°F (232°C) and 8 passes. Just use enough heat to get the silky result with the least passes. You DO need enough heat for each hair type and texture to get the SILKY, SHINY and SEALED result that S4Tec delivers. Use your professional judgment for your client’s hair type and texture! YOU MUST USE A FLAT IRON THAT WILL GET UP TO THE RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE FOR YOUR CLIENT’S HAIR TYPE & TEXTURE TO SEAL IN THE TREATMENT OR YOU RISK REDUCING THE LONGEVITY OF THE RESULTS. MAKE SURE YOU DO THE NECESSARY PASSES WITH YOUR FLAT IRON TO GET THAT SILKY FINISH IN YOUR CLIENT’S HAIR.

8. It is recommended that you give the client a haircut or trim to refresh the ends for that professionally styled look.

9. Client can wash their hair, exercise, swim, or wear pins, clips, and ponytails immediately. Your client may notice a slight aroma when their hair is wet, but this will go away as they continue to wash their hair. This could be due to the individual client’s hair. It could also be the result of leaving a bit too much product in the hair after the rinse or by not getting the hair 100% dry before flat ironing. To minimize this, follow the rinse and blow dry instructions.

10. Make sure your client leaves the salon with S4Tec Sulfate-free PLUSH Shampoo & PLUSH Conditioner and Styling Crème to maintain and enhance the treatment. NOTE: Since this product does not contain formaldehyde or other toxic ingredients, no mask is required for the treatment. You may notice some vapor while blow drying and flat ironing, which is normal and is mostly steam. A large amount of steam means that you left too much product in the hair, or you did not get the hair 100% dry before flat ironing. Color and texture may vary slightly by batch.

NOTE: Since this product does not contain formaldehyde or other toxic ingredients, no mask is required for the treatment. You may notice some vapor while blow drying and flat ironing, which is normal and is mostly steam. A large amount of steam means that you left too much product in the hair, or you did not get the hair 100% dry before flat ironing. Color and texture may vary slightly by batch.

BEYOND is for Normal Texture

EXTREME is for Coarse Resistant

These formulations are NOT for bleached blonde, highlighted or extremely damaged hair. Our INFINITY & FLAT IRON FREE formulas have been developed specifically for hair that is bleached, highlighted, or damaged. Follow these simple steps and read the FAQs before you start. Before you begin, see information below on COLOR when using this treatment.

1. S4Tec is applied to clean DAMP (not dripping wet) hair. Options to consider:

   It is not necessary to use clarifying shampoo (any shampoo will do), but you should if the hair is oily, virgin, or uncolored gray, or has product build up (see below).*

   OR

   If your client is looking to reduce their time in the salon, it is all right for them to wash (and condition if they wish) their hair at home. Mist hair until DAMP and go directly into the application.

2. Remove all jewelry and put on gloves.

3. Shake the treatment gently. For fastest and easiest application, squeeze a small amount at a time of the treatment into your gloved hands, rub your hands together, and apply it to DAMP (not dripping wet) hair with your FINGERS, working it into the hair in the same way you would with shampoo and MASSAGE it into the hair. (You may find it helpful to section hair into 4-6 large damp sections depending on hair thickness, work it in to each large section, comb through, and move to the next large section.) Continue applying and massaging the treatment into the hair, making sure that the roots and ends are saturated. When finished with the application, comb through a few times with a PLASTIC comb to ensure complete coverage and comb hair back away from the face. It is recommended to clip the hair up if it is long. (NOTE: It is NOT recommended that you apply with a brush — you need to get the treatment on QUICKLY so do as per the above). 

   Do NOT put on a cap or use heat. SET YOUR TIMER and leave the treatment in the hair for the recommended time (see below):

   • 30 MINUTES USING BEYOND: Normal Texture / Colored / Curly/ Wavy / Medium Frizz
   • 40 MINUTES USING EXTREME: Resistant Texture / Coarse / Virgin / Colored / Curly / Wavy / Kinky / Medium Frizz

4. SET YOUR TIMER! Rinse the hair for AT LEAST 5 MINUTES with warm water. Long, thick, or coarse resistant hair WILL need a longer rinse. Do not leave residue in the hair. The hair should be completely rinsed, so rinse as long as you need to.

5. Blow dry until hair is 100% dry (no need to do a “smoothing” blow out).

6. Using flat iron heat setting of 380F°-450°F (193°-232°C), take small sections and meticulously flat iron until hair is silky. Start at 380F°/193°C and gradually move the temperature up until the hair gets easily silky.
   Concentrate at the roots, taking just enough passes until the hair is SILKY. Recommended flat ironing instructions:
   

   • BEYOND: Start at 380°F (193°C) on the flat iron and work up to the temperature that provides a SILKY result with NO MORE than 5 PASSES on each section.
   • EXTREME: Start at 450°F (232°C) on the flat iron until SILKY result with NO MORE than 8 PASSES on each section.
     

   USE A FLAT IRON THAT WILL GET UP TO THE RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE FOR THE CLIENT’S HAIR TYPE & TEXTURE TO SEAL IN THE TREATMENT OR THERE IS RISK OF REDUCING THE LONGEVITY OF THE RESULTS. BE SURE TO DO THE NECESSARY PASSES TO GET THAT SILKY FINISH.

7. It is recommended that you give the client a haircut or trim to refresh the ends for that professional finish.

8. Client can wash hair any time, swim, exercise, or wear pins, clips, and ponytails. Some clients may notice a slight smell when their hair is wet, but this will disappear as your client continues to wash their hair. AVOID THIS by not overapplying and rinsing for at least 5 minutes.

9. To ensure proper maintenance, send client home with S4Tec professional Sulfate-free PLUSH Shampoo, PLUSH Conditioner, and Styling Crème to enhance and prolong results. NOTE: Since this product does not contain formaldehyde or other toxic ingredients, no mask is required for the treatments. You may notice some steam while blow drying and flat ironing, which is normal. A large amount of steam means that you probably did not get the hair 100% dry before flat ironing. Color and texture may vary slightly by batch.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND DO NOT SKIP ANY STEPS OR MODIFY THE PROCEDURE. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SCENT LEFT IN THE HAIR AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO WASH THE SCENT AWAY. THE CLIENT IS LIKELY TO HAVE SOME RESIDUAL SMELL AFTER DOING THE TREATMENT THROUGH SEVERAL WASHES. THIS WILL DIMINISH AFTER EACH WASH UNTIL IT DISAPPEARS. MOST PEOPLE CAN HARDLY NOTICE THE SMELL AFTER THE HAIR IS DRY. The smell is similar to a perm solution, but this technology is completely different. Perm solutions are extremely alkaline and need to be neutralized. S4 is not alkaline at all and does NOT require neutralizing.

BEYOND AND EXTREME FORMULATIONS ARE NOT FOR BLEACHED BLONDES OR THOSE WITH HIGHLIGHTED HAIR OR EXTREMELY DAMAGED HAIR: We love you, but bleach destroys the protein in hair and needs special attention. Our INFINITY & FLAT IRON FREE formulations are highly effective — and are the versions that you should use for those who have bleached or highlighted hair.

NOTE: Some stylists have been getting creative with S4 and are using more than one formula on a client If they have different hair textures. For example, you might use either the Beyond or Extreme formulas on the underneath part of the hair where it’s curlier/frizzier and then use the Infinity on the top section of the hair which may be straighter and more damaged or bleached. If you elect to do this, just follow the timing Instructions for each of the formulas based on the hair type and texture. Do NOT MIX formulas together — apply each formula separately. If you are using more than one formula on a client’s hair and keep the sections separated during processing.