Everything You Need To Know About Keratin Hair Treatment

What Is Keratin Hair Treatment?

Keratin hair treatment is a semi-permanent hair straightening treatment. This chemical process smoothens and adds shine to your hair by filling in the gaps where the keratin (a fibrous protein found in hair) has been depleted. This popular treatment is also known as Brazilian blowout and is guaranteed to give you free-flowing, lustrous tresses. It is targeted more toward frizz control and smoothening the hair than straightening it. Generally, hair straightening treatments break the protein bonds in the hair, but keratin hair treatment does not break the bonds. Instead, it coats the hair like a conditioner and helps restore hair health, reduce frizz, improve manageability, reduce styling time, and seals the hair cuticle without changing the hair structure permanently. Furthermore, this hair treatment repairs hair breakage and damage and rebuilds its strength, which makes your hair smoother and shinier.

Thus, with a good keratin treatment hair gets smoother and silkier in no time. But is it safe? Find out in the next section.

Is Keratin Hair Treatment Safe?

You shouldn’t anticipate any long-lasting hair damage due to keratin hair treatments. But, it can be damaging if your hair is over-treated with a blow dryer or flat iron during the treatment. Also, it is important to ensure that you get it done by an experienced hairstylist to avoid any damage. Remember that not all hair textures are the same, and they react differently to such treatments. Sometimes, they lighten color-treated hair and make it a little brassy.

It sure looks like a hair keratin treatment can solve all your hair problems. But, before you get your hair treated, you need to follow a few guidelines for safe and effective results.

How To Prepare For Keratin Hair Treatment

Keratin hair treatment should be done by a professional, and you should always discuss any required preparation with them. You need to make sure you are not sensitive to formaldehydeⁱ  XA toxic, odoriferous gas frequently released during hair straightening or smoothening service that causes long-term health issues. , as it can cause a runny nose, stinging, itchy, and burning eyes, and nose and throat irritation.

• Do some research and go for a keratin treatment that is suitable for your hair type, texture, and length.
• Deep condition your hair a week before the treatment. This will moisturize your locks and prevent damage caused during the treatment.
• Avoid using heavy shampoos or oils two days before the keratin treatment for hair.
• Go for a pre-consultation appointment with your hairstylist to find out any more precautions that you need to take.

Now that you know all the pre-treatment guidelines, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of keratin hair treatment.

How Is Keratin Hair Treatment Done?

A keratin hair treatment can take anywhere between 1 to 2 hours, depending on your hair type, length, porosity, and thickness. Before starting the treatment, the stylist shampoos your hair with a clarifying hair cleanser to remove any dirt, build-up, and residue. Once your hair is clean and fresh, it is divided into sections. Then, the stylist applies the keratin solution to your hair and lets it sit for an hour.

Finally, they seal your cuticles and lock the keratin into your hair with a flat iron. This is an artificial way of putting keratin back into your hair. This filling process retains the hair’s resilience, resulting in shiny, silky, rejuvenated, and healthy hair.

But that’s not all! Keratin hair treatment offers many more benefits to give you the hair of your dreams. Check out the next section to find out what they are.

Benefits Of Keratin Hair Treatment

Keratin hair treatment works great for those with curly hair. Since keratin treatment fills in the porous gaps in your hair strands, it completely smoothes out your hair and keeps it frizz-free.

• Shortens your blow-drying time by 50%
• Fixes damaged hair.
• Maintains a volumized look.
• Makes it easy to style your hair.
• No side effects like skin irritation or hair fall.
• Prevents frizz and tangles.
• Makes your hair glossy and smooth.
• Makes your hair smooth and manageable
• Adds incredible shine to color-treated hair.
• Strengthens your hair.

Wondering if you can get keratin hair treatment with your hair type? Find out in the next section!

What Hair Types Should Get Keratin Hair Treatment?

Keratin hair treatments are safe for all hair types and textures. However, if you are a blonde, make sure to consult a hairstylist beforehand, as this treatment can make your hair color turn brassy.

There are tons of different types of keratin treatments that you can choose from. Check them out below!

What Are The Different Types Of Keratin Hair Treatment?

1. Cezanne

This is a mild form of keratin treatment as it does not chemically alter the structure of your hair. It does not use as much formaldehyde as a keratin treatment and smoothens your locks without breaking the disulfide bondsⁱ  XOrganic compounds that function to increase the structural stability of proteins or keratins in the hair. in your hair cuticles. It is ideal for wavy, curly, and frizzy hair that requires smoothening. This treatment is perfect for color-treated hair, especially blonde hair. It lasts for 5 to 6 months.

Process

The stylist divides your hair into sections before coating it with the solution. Your hair is then wrapped with a plastic cover and left for 40 minutes. Your hair is then rinsed, blow-dried, and flat-ironed to seal the cuticles. This solution can be left on for a day or two before rinsing.

2. Trissola Solo

Trissola Solo treatment softens your hair without altering its natural structure permanently. This formula is free of formaldehyde. It mainly focuses on imparting shine to dry and lackluster hair. It is easy to apply and great for thick and curly hair. Anyone who wants soft and shiny waves or sleek hair can opt for this treatment. It lasts for 3-4 months, depending on your hair type.

Process

The stylist coats your hair with the solution in sections and wraps it with a plastic cover. The solution is washed off after 45 minutes. Your hair is then blow-dried and flat-ironed.

3. Goldwell Kerasilk

This treatment is time-consuming, but its results are absolutely stunning. It eliminates frizz completely and soothes dry and damaged hair. This non-toxic hair treatment is ideal for all hair types, especially thick, coarse, and frizz-prone wavy hair. It gives you smooth and manageable hair for up to 5 months.

Process

After shampooing your locks, the smoothing solution is applied to them in small sections. After 15 minutes, your hair is blow-dried and flat-ironed. Your hair is then shampooed, blow-dried, and straightened one more time. The whole process takes about 3 hours to finish.

Not all hair types and individuals are suitable for keratin hair treatment. Let’s find out who should avoid this hair treatment in the next section.

Who Should Avoid Keratin Hair Treatment?

• Keratin treatments are not recommended for pregnant women as the chemicals used in them are quite potent.
• This treatment is also not suitable for anyone with fine, thin hair or overly processed hair (such as bleached hair).

Now comes the most important question – how much does a keratin hair treatment cost? Read on to find out!

How Much Does Keratin Hair Treatment Cost?

The cost of keratin treatment depends on the salon and the products used for the treatment. The price range is usually between $200 to $800. You also get at-home keratin kits that cost around $60. A number of factors – like the length of your hair, the longevity of the treatment, and the brand – can affect the price.

You can also do this hair treatment at home. But, can you expect the same salon-quality results? Find out in the following section.

Can You Do Keratin Hair Treatment At Home?

Yes, but don’t expect salon-quality results. A keratin hair treatment done at a salon can last for several months, whereas at-home treatments tend to wash out after a few weeks. Also, you need to buy the right hair products for the treatment. Products that contain the word keratin are not necessarily suitable for keratin treatment. To get the best results at home, check the ingredient list and instructions of the product before purchasing it. Look up extensive instructions for how to wash, dry, and straighten your hair to get smooth and frizz-free straight hair at home.

According to a 2020 survey conducted by OnePoll with a sample size of 2,000 Americans, it was found that 47% of the respondents prefer practicing self-care through at-home spa rituals. 41% of the respondents chose to visit a spa for their treatments, while 34% enjoyed conducting hair treatments in the comfort of their own homes. Thus the findings of this survey reveal that it is not uncommon for individuals to perform keratin hair treatments and similar procedures at home.

Sarah, a YouTuber, shared her experience of doing a keratin treatment at home. Three days after the treatment, she showed the results and said, “Overall compared to what it looked like before it’s a clear difference I love it so much and like I said it’s so soft (i).”

As keratin treatment is semi-permanent, its results won’t last long. Check out the following section to find out more.

How Long Does Keratin Hair Treatment Last?

A keratin treatment should last you anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on how often you wash your hair. Make sure you only use a sulfate-free shampoo to make the results last longer. Saltwater and chlorine don’t mesh well with keratin treatments either, but if you really can’t avoid them, rinse your hair with cold water directly after you step out of the swimming pool.

So, the question remains – does keratin treatment cause any side effects? Find out in the next section.

Potential Risks Of Keratin Hair Treatment

Are there any possible risks associated with keratin treatment? It is pretty debatable. Some say the results are risk-worthy, while others avoid redoing the process due to its high chemical content. However, there are a couple of side effects that you need to look out for:

• The excessive amount of heat produced by the flat iron can damage your hair cuticles.
• If you have colored hair, there are chances of discoloration taking place over time.
• Some keratin treatments claim to be formaldehyde-free, which may not always be true. Therefore, seek an expert’s opinion to find out how much formaldehyde is safe for your hair type.

Keratin hair treatment is an easy way to get smooth and manageable hair quickly. However, you need to take some precautions after the treatment to get long-lasting results. Check them out in the next section.

Post-Treatment Care

Keratin treatments contribute to hair thinning and excess hair shedding if you don’t treat your hair properly. Earlier, you had to prevent your hair from getting wet for three days after a keratin treatment. But with the new range of products, you only need to wait 30 minutes. However, some brands require post-regimen care to allow the treatment to settle in. Here are some safety guidelines you need to follow post your keratin treatment to ensure the best results:

• Do not wash your hair for at least three days after the treatment.
• Invest in a good dry shampoo to avoid wetting your hair often.
• Don’t tie your hair or tuck it behind your ears for 48 hours as it can create unsightly dents in your straight hair.
• Avoid using heat styling tools as they can disturb the disulfide bonds in your newly treated hair.
• Use a sulfate-free shampoo to increase the longevity of the treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: smoothing or keratin?

Most hair smoothing treatments contain keratin. Keratin treatments smoothen and replenish the hair.

Is rebonding or keratin better?

Keratin treatments are used to make straight or wavy hair smoother and silkier. Rebonding treatments can be used to chemically alter curly hair and make it straighter.

Can I comb my hair after keratin treatment?

No. Wait for about three days before brushing your hair after a keratin treatment.

Is keratin good for thin hair?

Yes, keratin nourishes thin hair from within and makes it healthier.

Does keratin thicken hair?

No, keratin treatment does not thicken the hair, but it can strengthen your tresses.

Does keratin change hair color?

No, keratin does not change your natural hair color, but it may affect added hair color.

Are keratin and straightening the same?

Straightening is generally done to make wavy and curly hair straight. Keratin treatment makes straight or wavy hair smoother.

Which shampoo is best for keratin-treated hair?

There are specially formulated keratin or smoothing shampoos you should use for keratin-treated hair.

Is keratin treatment cancerous?

Keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen and may cause cancer.

Is keratin treatment good for frizzy hair?

Yes, a keratin treatment can reduce frizz as it smoothens and nourishes your tresses.

Is keratin good for gray hair?

Yes, a keratin treatment can be done on gray hair as it smoothens the rough and coarse gray tresses.

Discover the long-term effects of keratin treatments in the below video. Explore the pros and cons, including potential hair fall concerns, based on six months of treatment.