Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating

[mona_cherie]

Does anyone use this Reconstructor? I am wondering how I should use it? The directions say leave in for 5 minutes, but does anyone use it longer? Also, can it be used with heat (plastic cap under dryer or with a steamer)??
Would leaving it on for 20 minutes with heat be too much?? Of course, I would use a moisturizing condish afterwards (I have the Intense Hydrator).

 

[mzteaze]

I have it in my kit. I use the Reconstructor (or similar protein treatment) for 15-20 minutes under a plastic cap & dryer. I always follow with the Intense Hydrator for at least 30 minutes with steam or just under a plastic cap.

 

[taz007]

I use Joico products, including the Reconstructor, and this is one product line that I follow the directions to a "T".

I only leave it in for 5 minutes without heat. I love Joico! It has definitely help my hair do a 360 degree turn around for the better!

 

[LushLox]

What Taz said. I don't mess around with K-pak as it's quite strong. 5-7 minutes under my steamer or sometimes no heat. This is more than sufficient to feel the difference in my hair (stronger) when I rinse it out. It's an excellent product.

 

[Transformer]

I tried it and only used as directed. I'm not a Joico fan. I had much better results with Giovanni Reconstructor--it detangles my 4B great also. You can also use it overnight or with heat. That said, I always follow up with a Aubrey Organics Conditioner--White Camellia works better for me that Honeysuckle Rose.

 

[hothair]

I found using Joico and Aveda products, follow the instructions if not you may get over moisturised or protein overloaded hair.

 

[mona_cherie]

Thanks all!! I'm one of those people who never follows conditioner directions. I always leave conditioner on for longer than the instructions state, always at least 20 minutes with heat. I did this with Aveda DR treatment just this past weekend and my hair is the most moisturized its ever been in years!! It feels absolutely amazing!!
Anyway, back on topic . I was curious to see if anyone used the K-Pak for longer than the directions said with any adverse effects. My hair loves protein.
Thanks again ladies!!!

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I think I normally use this product as a Mid-Step when I'm relaxing, so I probably leave it on for about 10 minutes or as per the instructions.

 

[regina07]

I use both Joico K-pak products -- Deep Penetrating and Intense Hydrator -- weekly as DC under heat cap. I leave them in for 30-40 min then rinse and follow it up with Mendex.

I haven't had any problems. My hair loves this reggie.

 

[Mische]

This product is a staple for me. I have to say I don't consider it to be so strong that going over the recommended time limit would be risky. I mean according to the directions you should also just rinse it out and style... so I don't really think the printed instructions apply to my hair type. I find this product mild enough to be used weekly (followed up with moisturizing DC) and I have extremely fine strands. I leave it on for 20-25 minutes before rinsing.

 

[belldandy]

i used it under heat for about 20 minutes and my hair came out ok. i expected more though for my money

 

[GraceV]

Joico is one of those brands that I use as directed. I've left it on for over 10 minutes once. I didn't notice any extra. It turned out the same. I've never used it with heat and I don't intend to.

Sometimes I wonder if using heat with some protein treatments would mess up the activity of the product since heat generally denatures proteins (unless they've been formulated to be used with heat) kinda like how heat on a raw egg dc would mess it up. :

 

[halee_J]

I recently started using the reconstructor, I really like it. I use it as directed and follow up with a moisture DC.

 

[divachyk]

I've only used it a few times. Had a sample size and just finished it. Used as directed. Haven't yet noticed a drastic difference as of yet. I have the Sally's GVP of the recon and will crack that open for my next wash day and will continue to use that to see if I notice a drastic difference with using a recon weekly.

taz007 and halee_J - Did you notice a difference immediately? And, what was the difference in your hair's health?

 

[halee_J]

divachyk I did notice a difference from the first time I used it, I left it on for 5 mins as directed. My hair felt noticeably stronger after rinsing, as my hair was drying my hair felt a bit heavier and looked a bit fuller than usual when it dried. I think this product really does penetrate the hair, better than the other protein tx I've tried Also I was having a bit of breakage and the K-pak took care of it from that first treatment, pretty impressive for 5mins IMO. It usually it takes like 2-3 uses of my other protein condishes to clear up bouts of breakage. The only other times I saw breakage clear up in one use was with Aphogee 2-step and henna.

 

[mzteaze]

I've only used it a few times. Had a sample size and just finished it. Used as directed. Haven't yet noticed a drastic difference as of yet. I have the Sally's GVP of the recon and will crack that open for my next wash day and will continue to use that to see if I notice a drastic difference with using a recon weekly.

taz007 and halee_J - Did you notice a difference immediately? And, what was the difference in your hair's health?

Altho you didn't ask me, I will say this, while most protein condishes offer quick, noticeable results like less breakage after use - the largest noticeable difference comes with continued use. After months of regular usage, the diameter of my hair is visibly thicker. The strands are larger and stronger.

In general there are very few products where there is drastic and noticeable differences with just one use.

 

[taz007]

I've only used it a few times. Had a sample size and just finished it. Used as directed. Haven't yet noticed a drastic difference as of yet. I have the Sally's GVP of the recon and will crack that open for my next wash day and will continue to use that to see if I notice a drastic difference with using a recon weekly.

@taz007 and @halee_J - Did you notice a difference immediately? And, what was the difference in your hair's health?

I did notice a huge difference when I used it for the first time because I used it immediately after a relaxer and it made my hair feel really heavy and thick. As I continue to used it, my hair keeps getting thicker.

Sally's GVP, although good, is not the same thing as the "Deep Penetrating Reconstructor". It is a knock off of the "Reconstructing Conditioner".

 

[LushLox]

I did notice a huge difference when I used it for the first time because I used it immediately after a relaxer and it made my hair feel really heavy and thick. As I continue to used it, my hair keeps getting thicker.

Sally's GVP, although good, is not the same thing as the "Deep Penetrating Reconstructor". It is a knock off of the "Reconstructing Conditioner".

It's interesting that some people don't notice a difference because like you, I noticed the heaviness from the first use. I must follow it up with a heavyweight moisturing treatment otherwise I'll have problems.

How often are you using K Pak taz?

 

[taz007]

It's interesting that some people don't notice a difference because like you, I noticed the heaviness from the first use. I must follow it up with a heavyweight moisturing treatment otherwise I'll have problems.

How often are you using K Pak taz?

LushLox - I know, right?!

When my hair was just out of this world damaged (first pic in siggy), I was using the K-Pak once or twice a week.

Now, I use it maybe once per month as part of the 17 Minute Miracle routine (Chelating shampoo, Cuticle Sealer, Reconstructor, Intense Hydrator).

 

[divachyk]

taz007 - my GVP label indicates compare to "Deep Penetrating Conditioner." Are you still saying that despite what the label may read, it's really not comparable to the "Deep Penetrating Conditioner?"

taz007 @halee_J and @LushLox - yes, my hair felt heavier but I was looking for it to rid most breakage so when I mentioned not seeing results, I was focusing on the breakage reduction aspect only. Sorry for the mislead.

 

[taz007]

The label says "Deep Penetrating Conditioner" not "Deep Penetrating Reconstructor". These are not the same thing.

Someone had pointed that out to me a couple of years ago because I was in deep denial

 

[beana]

taz007 thanks for pointing that out. I purchased the GVP Joico from Sally's and now i'm hesistant to use it!

Does the Sallys conditioner leave your hair feeling heavier as well?

 

[taz007]

I happen to like the GVP conditioner. It does thicken the hair as well.

 

[Prudent1]

mona_cherie,
Interesting responses... I use Joico deep penetrating reconstructor frequently. I never follow it up with any DC and do not remember it saying to do so on the package. I sleep with it on overnight frequently. I have used it with heat + cap frequently. I love it and have never had any problems. I too noticed a difference immediately. I am not protein sensitive. If I use a hardcore protein like Aphogee, I do follow up with a super moisturizing DC like Joico's moisture balm. From my understanding:scratchch ( @Nonie please expound) , all reconstructors are a balance of moisturizers and proteins made for those who cannot tolerate heavy protein (ie fine haired ladies) or those whose moisture/ protein ratio is in balance and they are simply maintaining at this point. There again, I am aware that every person's hair reacts to products differently.
HHG

 

[Nonie]

From my understanding:scratchch ( @Nonie please expound) , all reconstructors are a balance of moisturizers and proteins made for those who cannot tolerate heavy protein (ie fine haired ladies) or those whose moisture/ protein ratio is in balance and they are simply maintaining at this point. There again, I am aware that every person's hair reacts to products differently.
HHG

Prudent1, I'ma be lazy as usual and quote my previous post on this:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showpost.php?p=2145521&postcount=5

 

[Prudent1]

Nonie,
^^^ No problem A link works just as well. We're all just tryna help each other and share experiences.

 

[divachyk]

The label says "Deep Penetrating Conditioner" not "Deep Penetrating Reconstructor". These are not the same thing.

Someone had pointed that out to me a couple of years ago because I was in deep denial

taz007 - Oh boy, thanks for that. What threw me off is mine actually reads, "Deep Penetrating Reconstructing Conditioner."

 

[mona_cherie]

Just an update. I used the reconstructor after making this thread and didn't really see a difference in my hair. I am 4a/b relaxed (not bone straight), my hair is very thick. I shampooed my hair with a clarifying shampoo, applied the reconstructor and sat under the dryer for about 10-15 minutes. I had used this product a couple of years ago following the directions on the bottle and didn't really notice a difference then either.

So last week, I decided to use the remainder of one of the sample bottles I bought. I applied the product on my dry hair, then also applied a little olive oil, covered with a plastic cap, and left it in overnight. The next day I shampooed my hair, deep conditioned with old formula Keraphix, and then conditioned with old formula Humectress.
That somehow did the trick. My hair felt stronger, thicker, heavier. I don't comb through my hair everyday (maybe once a week if that)and hardy any hair was in the comb when I detangled.
So, for whatever reason, the deep penetrating reconstructor works better for me on dry hair.
And I didn't like the Intense Hydrator at all.

 

[ChasingBliss]

I used to use it years ago, it felt similar to Cream of Nature Shampoos...very moisturizing...never felt stripped. I believe the Breakthrough line was when I first discovered ceramides. Not sure though.