A Safer Japanese Alternative at Our Yokohama Salon
Note: The Yokohama salon is owned and produced by Yasu. The Sapporo location operates under a rental chair arrangement, where Yasu works independently while renting the space.
Many international guests visiting Japan ask us the same question:
“Do you offer keratin treatments?”
We completely understand why.
Keratin treatments are popular worldwide, especially for reducing frizz and making hair easier to manage. Many of our foreign guests have relied on them for years before coming to Japan.
However, at our salon in Yokohama, we no longer offer keratin treatments.
Instead, we provide a Japanese-made alternative called the METEO Alkaline Acid Treatment, which focuses on safety, hair health, and natural-looking results.
Why We Stopped Offering Keratin Treatments
Our decision was not based on trends, opinions, or online rumours.
It was based on real experiences inside our salon.
During keratin treatments, several stylists — including myself — experienced clear physical reactions, such as:
- Hives and skin irritation on the arms
- Excessive tearing of the eyes
- Nasal and respiratory discomfort
Hair professionals are exposed to treatment chemicals repeatedly, day after day.
After careful consideration, we decided that continuing keratin treatments posed unacceptable long-term health risks.
No result is worth sacrificing health — for our clients or for our staff.
“Formaldehyde-Free” Claims and the Reality of Methylene Glycol
Many keratin treatments are advertised as:
- “Formaldehyde-free”
- “No formaldehyde used”
While these claims sound reassuring, the reality is more complex.
Formaldehyde itself is now restricted or prohibited in many countries.
As a substitute, methylene glycol has often been used instead.
Although methylene glycol is not a reducing agent like perm solutions, it has smoothing and relaxing properties. This is why keratin treatments can soften natural waves and calm frizz — particularly on fine, soft, wavy hair types commonly seen among Western clients.
However, an important scientific fact must be understood:
Methylene glycol reacts with water and can release formaldehyde.
This means that even if formaldehyde is not listed as an ingredient, formaldehyde exposure can still occur during use, especially when heat is applied.
European health authorities and scientific literature have reported this reaction.
For people with sensitive skin or allergies, this exposure may cause:
- Skin reactions such as hives
- Eye and nasal irritation
- Respiratory discomfort
These are exactly the symptoms we experienced firsthand.
Because products containing formaldehyde cannot receive approval, methylene glycol has been used instead — but the effect on the human body can ultimately be similar.
For this reason, we made the responsible decision to stop keratin treatments entirely.
Introducing METEO Alkaline Acid Treatment
As an alternative, we chose METEO Alkaline Acid Treatment, developed in Japan under strict safety standards.
METEO is:
- Formaldehyde-free
- Methylene glycol-free
- Designed with ingredient transparency and stylist safety in mind
Rather than aggressively coating the hair, METEO works by:
- Balancing the internal structure of the hair
- Reducing frizz caused by moisture imbalance
- Improving shine, smoothness, and overall manageability
The result is natural, healthy-looking hair, without stiffness or over-processing.
METEO vs Keratin: Understanding the Difference
Keratin treatments
- Strong surface coating
- Powerful frizz reduction
- Higher chemical stress
METEO Alkaline Acid Treatment
- Improves hair quality from the inside
- Provides softer, more natural frizz control
- Focuses on long-term hair health and safety
METEO is not designed to permanently straighten curly hair.
Our goal is not forceful transformation, but balanced, beautiful hair that feels good over time.
Is METEO Right for You?
METEO may be ideal if you:
- Want smoother, more manageable hair
- Want to reduce frizz naturally
- Prefer Japanese-quality, safety-focused treatments
- Value long-term hair health over extreme results
If you are looking for permanent straightening, we will explain other options honestly during your consultation.
Transparency is part of our service.
Our Philosophy
At our Yokohama salon, we do not chase trends.
We choose treatments that we can confidently use every day, for many years, without compromising health.
If you have previously had keratin treatments, we are happy to:
- Explain the differences clearly
- Assess your hair condition carefully
- Recommend the safest and most suitable option for your hair in Japan
We believe trust comes first — great hair follows.
Interested in METEO Alkaline Acid Treatment?
If you are interested in trying a safer, Japanese-developed alternative to keratin treatments,
you are welcome to book an appointment directly with Yasu.
All consultations and important decisions are handled personally to ensure clarity, safety, and the best possible result.
Recommended Menu
METEO Alkaline Acid Treatment + Haircut
¥39,900 <p><strong>Note:</strong> The prices listed here include English-language consultation, appointment support, and cultural consideration. These are premium services offered personally by Yasu, who has international experience. Pricing is based on the service level, not the client’s nationality.</p>
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask during your consultation.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Yokohama salon.