With every trip to the salon also comes the recommendation of pampering our hair with a keratin treatment. Hair stylists are perpetually pushing out this hair treatment for the right reasons. From making your hair look and feel sleeker and smoother, this hair treatment is the modern remedy for frizzy and rough hair. Now, we all can agree that with the many external hair stressors, a dropping quality of our hair becomes inevitable. That’s where healthy and effective solutions such as keratin treatment come into play. If you’re someone who loves the look and feel of frizz-free and sleeker hair every single day, then a keratin treatment will be helpful.
What is Keratin Treatment?
Did you know that keratin is a fibrous protein that makes your hair shiny and strong and is also present in your nails and the outer layer of the skin? A keratin treatment is just that—a process involving some chemicals, where your hair strands are carefully coated with that protein this treatment gets its name from. Although there are variants in a keratin treatment, the process involves treating the hair follicles and strengthening your overall hair.
This treatment is known to not only strengthen your roots but also add shine and smoothness to your strands. However, the protein keratin is not responsible for the anti-frizz feel. That silkiness comes from the chemical, formaldehyde in the treatment formula. How does it work its magic, you wonder? When applied, it secures chains of keratin and forms a straight line, leaving your hair straight and smooth. This treatment lends your hair exceptional shine and sleekness that last for up to six months and takes a few hours to be executed.
A boon for curly and frizzy hair, it restores the natural keratin that your hair loses due to excessive styling, chemical exposure, dust, pollution, and the sun. The application of the keratin formula fills the gaps in the strands where their natural keratin has been lost. You can think of this as a nourishing hair treatment that lends you that straight hair looks every day, along with impeccable lustre and strength.
Different Types of Hair Keratin Treatment
It’s a known fact that every hair type is different and every hair needs different things—while one needs smoothness of their hair, the other may need to tame their frizz or curls. Designed to cater to these different types of hair textures, lengths, styles, and needs, there are various types of keratin treatments too.
Keratin Express
A short-term and relatively simple keratin treatment that lasts for up to six weeks, this one includes the application of keratin but in the form of a serum. It also includes a blow-dry or ironing in the end and makes for an ideal choice for curly or wavy hair.
Brazilian Blowout
Discovered in Brazil back in 2005, this variant of the treatment is slightly on the higher side of the budget but lasts for up to three months. This one is extremely effective in smoothing the frizz and hair cuticles, becoming very common amongst those with frizzy and rough hair.
Japzilian keratin
An effective combination of the Brazilian Blowout and the Japanese hair straightening system, the Japzilian Keratin Treatment lasts five months longer than the Brazilian blowout. It involves loosening up the curls first, along with an application of the Japanese treatment formula. Then, the Japanese straightening perm is applied thoroughly, followed by a hair wash after an hour and a finishing blow-dry.
Trissola and Trisolla Plus
Ideal for thick and damaged hair, this treatment is the easiest to apply and makes the hair also easy to manage through the humid weather too. Wavy or curly strands can be flattened with the number of flatirons done on the hair, making it a variable choice for you.
Cezanne
This treatment serves as the most natural keratin hair treatment that not only reduces frizz but also adds life to damaged hair. This one is best suited for fine hair texture or during a hair colour appointment. However, it is not recommended on coloured hair as it can interfere with the existing colour of hair.
Preparing for the Keratin Treatment
First things first, it is imperative to know that this is a hair treatment that certainly needs the expertise and technique of a professional. So, it is better to leave the job to someone who is trustworthy and is adept with the treatment processes and other nitty-gritty. Secondly, it is also important to understand who needs a keratin treatment. Since it is a hair treatment that ideally lends anti-frizz and lustre benefits, women with naturally straight and fine hair will reap no benefits at all from this.
Moreover, women who are pregnant should also avoid this treatment since it involves the usage of some chemicals that can be detrimental to their health. It is also recommended to not choose to get keratin on coloured hair since the chemicals can alter the original colour. Lastly, it is better to ask the hair stylist and understand the process along with the chemicals used to check if you have an allergy to any.
What to Expect During Your Keratin Treatment
The process of any keratin treatment begins with a couple of hair washes using a clarifying shampoo. This is done to ensure that the hair is free of dirt and grime before the application and is ready to soak in the formulas. Following that is the application of your chosen keratin formula as per your hair texture and needs. This is done on wet hair, followed by a quick comb through the hair to ensure that the product is spread evenly.
You are then expected to wait and sit with the formula in your hair for a few hours. The duration of this depends on the kind of keratin treatment that you choose along with other factors like the texture and type of your hair. After the mix is absorbed into the strands, your hair is given better shape and a final finishing touch with either a blow-dry or flat-iron. This is done to give it a final salon appearance along to lock in the effect of the keratin treatment.
Benefits of Choosing the Keratin Treatment
Not just a boon for those with damaged or frizzy hair, a keratin treatment also saves time for those who regularly straighten their hair. It serves as a heat-free, hassle-free, and easier alternative to hair ironing. Once treated with your selected keratin treatment, it gives you healthier, shinier, and stronger hair for up to six months. It also requires zero maintenance and stress of hair breakage while it lasts.
The city pollution, weather conditions, consistent exposure to chemicals, and other stressors tend to make our hair quality drop. With rough and lustre-free strands, they also tend to lose their strength, leading to hair breakage and untamed frizz. With a keratin treatment, the same can be managed well, reducing the hassle of styling your hair. It also helps prevent any damage from the UV rays, while adding life to its overall appearance and health. In conclusion, this serves to be a convenient solution for one’s daily hair health.
Side-Effects of Keratin Treatment
One of the major drawbacks of keratin treatment is its expensive cost for the duration of time that it lasts. Once done, the keratin lasts for only up to six months. Moreover, the keratin formula contains formaldehyde, which can cause respiratory concerns and allergies. Inhaling it can cause these respiratory problems, which is why most hair stylists prefer to wear masks during the process. Long-term exposure to the chemical is also known to be linked to cancer.
High exposure to this chemical may also cause dryness of the hair and lead to hair fall and breakage. After the treatment, one’s hair may look excessively flat and sleek, which may make it lose its volume. The lack of frizz may also make it appear and feel greasy and dry. Overall, it can expedite the dryness of your hair faster than it does without the treatment.
Aftercare Needed for Keratin Treatment
It is recommended to avoid washing your hair for at least the next 72 hours after the treatment. It is also advised to keep your hair open and wear it down for the next two days at least and avoid swimming and any exercise that may cause sweating. This is one of the top practices to maintain after the treatment since moisture can lead to loss of the formula from the hair. This can cause hair porosity and frizz as well as visible marks on your strands.
When the application is still fresh in the air, it can easily be moulded or tampered with, which is why it becomes important to adhere to these aftercare measures. You are, however, allowed to use soft hair accessories on your hair after three days. It is still suggested to keep it open and loose for a longer period for a better and lasting effect. One can also ensure the treatment’s longevity by sleeping on a soft fabric pillowcase to prevent friction and by using hair products that are sulphate free. This can help prevent the stripping of natural keratin and oils of the hair. When it comes to styling your hair post the treatment, you will not need to use hair accompaniments like gels, mousse and more. But, you can take the support of blow dryers and flat irons if you feel the need to style your hair.
The Final Takeaway
To sum it up, a keratin treatment is a boon for curly, wavy, damaged and frizzy hair that needs to be managed or styled regularly. This hair treatment simply helps restore the natural protein in the hair and helps it stay smooth, silky, and healthy-looking for up to six months. Although there may be some side effects, with the right preventive measures and aftercare, they can be tackled for stunning hair.
FAQs
Can I get the keratin treatment done if I have naturally straight hair?
This treatment will make your hair look and feel more lifeless and flat when done on naturally straight hair.
Does every type of keratin treatment last for six months?
There are different types of keratin treatment and they all vary in the duration they last for.