You’ve probably seen the "before and after" photos. The ones where hair looks like it’s been basically fried by bleach or bad perms, only to emerge in the next slide looking like liquid silk. Honestly, most people think it’s just heavy silicone or some camera trickery. But if you’re looking into Hair Salon Nanana Parena, you’re actually diving into a very specific, almost scientific niche of Japanese hair restoration that’s been around for over 30 years.
It’s not just another West LA spot to get a trim.
The name "nanana parena" comes from Hawaiian, roughly meaning "to seek the exceptional." It’s a bit of a lofty goal for a hair salon, sure. But after decades in the industry—originating in Japan’s Kansai region—they’ve built a reputation on "liquid crystal emulsification." If that sounds like something out of a tech lab, that’s because the chemistry involved is actually closer to high-end skincare than traditional hair goop.
Why Hair Salon Nanana Parena is obsessed with "Liquid Crystals"
Most salons talk about moisture. They’ll slap a deep conditioner on you, let you sit under a steamer for twenty minutes, and send you on your way. It feels great for two days. Then you wash it, and the frizz is back.
The philosophy here is different.
Basically, the salon uses patented techniques that focus on the internal structure of the hair. They use a system called liquid crystal emulsification. This isn't just marketing fluff; it’s a process designed to repair the hair’s cuticle and cortex using ingredients that mimic the natural lipids found in healthy strands.
Since your hair is technically dead tissue, you can’t "heal" it like a scraped knee. You have to structurally reinforce it. Nanana Parena’s products are developed in-house—mostly because the owner, Nakano-san, wasn't satisfied with what the big chemical companies were putting out. They treat hair care like skincare. If you wouldn't put harsh industrial degreasers on your face, why put them on your scalp?
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The Digital Perm Connection
Did you know this salon is actually credited as the originator of the digital perm in Japan?
If you’ve ever had a perm that left you looking like a 1980s poodle when you wanted "beachy waves," you know the struggle. Traditional perms use high heat or harsh chemicals that can break the hair's bonds too aggressively. The digital perm at Hair Salon Nanana Parena uses temperature-controlled rods and specific solutions—often their patented liquid crystal formulas—to create a curl that looks natural and, more importantly, stays soft.
- It’s about "high reproducibility."
- This means you can actually style it at home without a professional blow-dryer.
- The texture isn't crunchy or dry.
The West LA Experience vs. The Japanese Original
Walking into the Los Angeles location on Olympic Blvd feels a bit like stepping into a portal to Osaka or Umeda.
The stylists often rotate. You’ll find professionals like Ken-ta (the LA owner) or Saori who have spent years working in both Japan and the U.S. They’ve done hair for major fashion collections in Milan, Paris, and New York. This matters because Japanese hair is structurally different from Caucasian or Latin hair—it’s often thicker and has a different cuticle density.
However, the team is trained to handle all hair types using these Japanese "quality improvement" (Kami-shitsu Kaizen) methods.
What a Visit Actually Costs
Let’s be real: quality isn't cheap here. If you’re looking for a $20 quick cut, this isn't the place. You're paying for the expertise and the patented chemicals.
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- Women’s Haircut: Usually starts around $80 (includes the famous shampoo and blow-dry).
- Japanese Hair Straightening: This is their bread and butter. It can range from $200 to over $400 depending on length and the specific formula used (like the "Liquid Crystal Special").
- The Digital Perm: Expect to spend about $200-$250.
- Moisturizing Treatments: Add-ons like the Milbon 5-step treatment usually run around $30, while their specialized liquid crystal treatments go much higher.
One thing people often overlook is the head massage. In many US salons, the shampoo is a 30-second scrub. At Hair Salon Nanana Parena, it’s a ritual. They offer 15-minute dedicated head massages as an add-on, and honestly, if you’re stressed, it’s worth every penny of the $20.
The Myth of "Damage-Free" Hair Color
We’ve all heard salons claim their color is "totally healthy." That’s kinda impossible.
To change the color of your hair, you have to open the cuticle. That causes damage. What Hair Salon Nanana Parena does differently is "damage minimization." They use a single-process color with built-in treatments that cost about $90 to $150. For the more adventurous, they do "Bleach Design Color" (balayage, ombre, etc.), which can take up to 5 hours.
Why 5 hours? Because they don't blast your hair with high-volume developer to get you out the door faster. They go slow. They protect the bonds.
Is It Worth the Hype?
If your hair is "virgin" and perfectly healthy, you might not notice the revolutionary difference. But if you’ve had a "chemical haircut" (when your hair breaks off from too much bleach) or your frizz is unmanageable in the LA humidity, this place is sort of a sanctuary.
They have locations in:
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- Japan: Umeda, Takarazuka, Otsu-Zeze.
- USA: Los Angeles (Little Osaka area).
- International: New York and Canada.
The LA spot is open 7 days a week, usually from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays).
How to Get the Best Result
If you decide to go, don't just book a random service online.
Ask for a Hair Diagnosis. The stylists are trained to look at the "porosity" and "elasticity" of your strands. They might tell you that the perm you want will actually ruin your hair because of previous highlights. That honesty is rare. Most salons will just take your money and let your hair fall out in the sink.
Next Steps for Your Hair Health:
- Check your current shampoo: If it contains harsh sulfates, you're stripping away the natural oils that the liquid crystal treatments try to replace.
- Book a consultation first: Especially if you have a history of heavy coloring. The West LA location is very active on Instagram, where you can see real-time results from stylists like Rex or Yuki.
- Consider the "Special" menus: If your hair is severely damaged, the standard treatment might not cut it. The "Special" versions of their perms and straightening use higher concentrations of their patented emulsifiers.
Ultimately, Hair Salon Nanana Parena isn't about trendy "fast fashion" hair. It's for people who want to fix the foundation of their hair so it looks good even when they aren't sitting in a stylist's chair.