4. Key Treatments Used at Musubi
Musubi Boutique Hair Salon is proud to offer some of the top professional treatment systems in the industry. Each of these has its own unique technology, steps, and ideal use cases. In this section, we’ll break down our five key treatments: Tokio Inkarami, Milbon Global (360), Mucota Scena, K-Gloss, and Olaplex. For each, we’ll explain how it works and when to recommend it.
Tokio Inkarami
Tokio Inkarami is a legendary 5-step professional treatment from Japan, often hailed as “the world’s best system treatment”. It’s famous for its patented technology and remarkable results. “Inkarami” comes from the Japanese concept of internal bonding. So what makes Tokio Inkarami special?
- Patented Inka™ Bonding Technology: Tokio’s claim to fame is the Inkarami reaction, a patented process where low-molecular-weight keratin proteins penetrate deep into the hair and then bond (cross-link) with each other inside the cortex. In simpler terms, the treatment drives tiny keratin building blocks into your hair, then “assembles” them into larger structures within the hair fiber – almost like building reinforcement bars inside concrete. This internal polymerization drastically strengthens the hair. In fact, tests have shown Tokio Inkarami can increase hair’s strength by up to 140% in severely damaged hair. This is a huge selling point for clients with very damaged or weakened hair. They often feel a dramatic difference in elasticity and breakage resistance after a Tokio treatment.
- Multi-Step, Multi-Keratin Formula: Tokio is a multi-step system applied at the salon (typically 5 steps numbered 0 through 4). Each step has a specific role and formula:
- Step 0: Prepares the hair by softening keratin and enhancing penetration. It contains urea to gently open and swell the hair (urea softens hardened proteins and is also a natural moisturizing factor) and a mix of keratin amino acids, ceramides, silk, etc., to begin repairing the cuticle and add moisture.
- Steps 1, 2, 3: These steps each contain different molecular sizes of keratin and other actives that enter the hair and then bond together (the Inkarami bonding). For example, Step 1 deposits a feather-derived keratin and a “Gemini” dual amino acid that have high affinity for damaged sites. Steps 2 and 3 continue to build up the cortex, using keratins of increasing molecular weight (from ~750 up to tens of thousands) that interlock inside the hair. This graduated approach ensures repair at multiple depths of the hair fiber – smaller keratins go deeper, larger ones stay nearer the surface – all bonding to create a cohesive, strong network.
- Step 4: The final step (often a treatment cream) seals the deal by smoothing the cuticle and locking in the proteins. It often contains nourishing ingredients like Fullerene and other antioxidants as well. urbanhaircare.com.sg
- Fullerene – Advanced Antioxidant: Tokio Inkarami notably includes Fullerene, a cutting-edge ingredient. Fullerene is a carbon molecule (C_60, famously known from Nobel Prize-winning research) that has a soccer-ball shape and potent antioxidant properties. In hair, Fullerene helps to neutralize free radicals and protect the hair from oxidative damage (like UV rays), which in turn helps the treatment results last longer. This is a unique high-tech touch that most treatments don’t have. We can mention to clients that Tokio uses a Nobel Prize-winning ingredient for hair protection – it’s a great wow factor for science-savvy customers!
- Results and Ideal Use: After a Tokio Inkarami treatment, hair is typically noticeably softer, silkier, and stronger. Clients often report that their hair feels like it has new life – even bleached, fried ends feel sturdier. The treatment does not weigh hair down; on the contrary, stylists note it gives a light, airy finish (no heavy silicone feel). Because of its intense repair ability, Tokio Inkarami is ideal for extremely damaged or chemically treated hair – for example, someone who has bleached multiple times, or whose hair is breaking from heat damage. It’s also fantastic for improving elasticity in hair that “stretches” when wet (a sign of protein-poor, damaged hair). By reconnecting internal keratin, it prevents the hair from that gummy stretching. Even clients with moderately damaged hair can benefit from the ultra-rich nourishment and long-lasting silky effect. Tokio is a premium treatment, so it’s often recommended as a periodic “hair rehab” service – perhaps every 2-3 months – or as a pre-emptive protection before and after major chemical services (to fortify hair).
In summary, Tokio Inkarami leverages advanced protein chemistry (internal keratin bonding) and antioxidant technology to deliver first-class repair and longevity. It truly rebuilds hair from within. Musubi is proud to offer this treatment to clients who need the highest level of repair.
Milbon Global 360 Treatment
Global Milbon (also known simply as Milbon 5-Step or Milbon 360) is a professional treatment line from Japan’s Milbon company. Milbon is a well-respected brand, and their Global 360 treatments are known for being customized to different hair needs (moisture, smoothness, repair, etc.) with results that last for weeks. Let’s break down Milbon’s key features:
- Multi-Line, Customizable System: Unlike one single treatment formula, Global Milbon is a suite of treatments. The salon carries different Milbon treatment “lines” such as Smooth, Moisture, Repair, Anti-Frizz, etc. Each line involves a series of steps (usually 3 to 5 steps) and targets a specific concern:
- Smooth: A 3-step treatment to instantly improve texture for fine, normal, or coarse hair – making it silky-smooth and soft. Good for generally frizzy or rough-feeling hair.Moisture: A 5-step deep conditioning treatment that deeply hydrates and revives dull, dry, porous hair (often hair dried out from color services). It infuses moisture from inside out and leaves hair shiny and vibrant. Results can last up to 5 weeks. Repair: A 4-step treatment specifically to reconstruct severely damaged, over-processed hair, using Milbon’s innovative Dual-Repair Technology to strengthen the hair from within. Ideal for chemically damaged hair that needs intensive restoration.*(They also have specialized lines like Anti-Frizz and Scalp treatment, which target frizz control and scalp cleansing respectively, but the main ones we use at Musubi are Smooth, Moisture, and Repair.)
- Five-Step Process (example): Taking the Moisture or Repair line as an example, Milbon treatments usually involve 5 steps: Steps 1-3 are applied at the shampoo bowl in sequence, each delivering specific ingredients, step 4 is often a leave-in or sealing treatment, and step 5 is a take-home booster (a small vial the client uses a week later at home to prolong results). Milbon is smart in providing a take-home ampoule – this encourages clients to maintain the treatment and returns some business as they might purchase more weekly boosters.
- Dual-Repair Technology: Milbon’s marketing mentions an “innovative Dual-Repair Technology” in its Repair line. While proprietary, this likely refers to two different mechanisms – possibly a combination of protein repair plus moisture retention. Milbon Repair treatment, for instance, is noted to strengthen and rebuild extremely damaged hair, restoring its resilience. The formulas contain various ingredients like hydrolyzed keratin and silk (for protein), as well as oils and polymers. One known ingredient in Milbon treatments is SSVS (Smooth Shock Vitamin Shed) in the Smooth line, which fills in gaps on the hair surface for uniform smoothness. The Moisture line uses humectants and oils to deeply hydrate (e.g., they mention ingredients that combat damage from repeat coloring). Essentially, Milbon takes a comprehensive approach: fill the hair with what it’s missing (protein or moisture), and then seal it in. Every Milbon treatment ends with a ceramide-based topcoat called an External Restoration that envelopes the hair to lock in the treatment benefits.
- Results and Ideal Candidates: Milbon treatments are known for immediately noticeable results: hair becomes incredibly soft, smooth, and manageable right after treatment. Clients also love the signature Milbon fragrance and the luxurious feel. The results, as mentioned, last around 4 to 5 weeks with proper care. – which is quite long for a treatment. This longevity can be credited to the multi-step bonding of the treatment to the hair and that take-home booster reinforcing it.
- Recommend Milbon Smooth to clients whose hair is not heavily damaged but is frizzy or coarse in texture – it will give them that “wow, my hair is so silky” feeling and make blow-drying easier for weeks.
- Recommend Milbon Moisture to anyone with dry, dull hair – often those with colored or bleached hair that’s lost moisture. It will greatly improve softness and shine, and quench thirsty strands.
- Milbon Repair is for damaged hair – perhaps not as damaged as a Tokio candidate (Milbon Repair is a bit less intense than Tokio or Olaplex), but for someone with, say, moderate highlights, heat damage, etc., who wants strength restored without the longer process of Tokio. It’s also slightly more cost-effective, so it’s a good “step-down” option for clients who need repair on a budget or shorter time.
In summary, Global Milbon is our versatile go-to treatment line. It’s backed by Milbon’s extensive research and is trusted in thousands of salons. The ability to customize it means we can serve a wide range of clients – from those just wanting a post-color moisture boost to those needing reconstruction. It’s a reliable system with proven 360° hair improvement (they call it “360° Beautiful Hair”, meaning hair that looks good from every angle, inside-out). As a staff, familiarize yourself with the distinguishing features of Smooth vs Moisture vs Repair, so you can prescribe the right “flavor” of Milbon for each client’s hair concern.