Beauty: On the straight and narrow; Jennie Lewis reports on a new hair technique.

Byline: Jennie Lewis

ARE you sitting down? If you have unruly, frizzy or curly hair which you spend hours trying to make look sleek and straight then what I am about to tell you could literally you knock you off your feet.

If you have been paying attention to developments in hair care over the last year or so then you will no doubt have heard whisperings about Japanese Hair Straightening. The Yuko system, as it is officially known, has an impressive following of A-list devotees, who rave about the treatment.

Up until now there have been too few options for the follically frustrated but all that has now changed thanks to Yuko.

The results of a treatment are nothing short of a miracle, claim some who have been floored by the outcome. In a nutshell Yuko claims to be the first semi-permanent straightening treatment for Caucasian hair. Relaxers prior to this have been primarily for Afro hair, but the two hair types are different in texture, fitness and their ability to maintain moisture.

The thermal reconditioning system was developed by Yuko Yamashita in Kyoto in 1996 and has now taken off in many top salons around the UK.

This revolutionary system does not promise straight hair at any cost, however, it leaves you with baby-soft, glossy locks to rival even the most primped and preened film-stars. Did you really think Jennifer Aniston's poker-straight, silky, tresses were God given? Lord no, the Friends star discovered Yuko many moons ago. So, if you do daily battle with your hair before leaving the house, then cower in doorways at the first sign of rain, this process could be what you have we recommend . . . DEPENDING on your hair type Yuko can last as long as 12 months so when you compare the cost to the total cost you could spend on straighteners, serums, sprays and treatments it could work out to be a great investment, just think what you could do with all the time you save despairing in front of the mirror. For more details contact Gemelli on 0151 489 9777.

always dreamed of. There is practically no limitation to who can have Yuko either, it can be carried out on bleached, coloured and damaged hair after a short course of pre-treatment conditioners, called Patate which make a dramatic difference to condition.

It lasts up to six months, depending on different hair types and grows out rather than washes out. Now for the science bit -- the chemicals used break the proteins that make up the hair and then a wave is applied to make it malleable. Chemicals are then used to re-educate the hair, break down the cystine bonds and then reconnect them to form the new straight shape.

It is an intricate process which can take as long as six hours and requires skilled and specifically trained hairdressers to perform it.

Yuko has several registered salons in the Merseyside area, including Gemelli in Huyton. Owner Joanne Rainford discovered Yuko when she was working in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, two years ago. She was so impressed with the results she underwent an intensive three month training programme on how to perform it and then brought it to her Huyton salon.

It costs pounds 250 plus, depending on length and thickness of hair.

Derry Chesterman, from Mold, decided to take the plunge and try out the Japanese Hair Straightening system for the first time.

She had thick, coarse, and very dry hair which was curly and unruly, this meant she spent at least an hourwashing, blow drying and then sectioning off and straightening her hair with ceramic straighteners.

She used every lotion and potion imaginable to try to tame her locks including anti-frizz shampoos and conditioners and shine serums.

Derry says: ``I tried everything but I was always concerned about what all the drying and straightening was doing to the condition of my already dry hair. '' Derry says she had heard about Yuko a while ago but wanted to find out more before she went any further: ``As I didn't know anyone who had had Yuko, I read up on it. I was put off, initially, by the price because it is expensive but my hair was such a hassle I seriously started to consider it.

``I decided to go for it before my holiday in Portugal. I was ruled by my hair so much I would often turn down nights out with friends because it was raining and even the slightest bit of moisture in the air would cause my hair to frizz.

Derry had her Yuko carried out at Gemelli last week and says she is so impressed she would forgo the expense and have it done every three months if necessary.

``I washed it for the first time since having it done and it literally took me 10 minutes to rough dry it. No straighteners were needed because it is sleek, glossy, pin straight and -- most importantly -- the condition is amazing. It is like having a new head of hair. It is baby soft. ''

You too could have a crowning glory like Jennifer Aniston

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The Yuko hair straightening system has transformed Derry Chesterman's life -- from having frizzy hair, left, to a shiny and sleek look, above