Keratin Treatment for Hair: Keratin Treatment Process & Pros and Cons
Keratin is a structural protein found in our hair, nails and skin. It is a vital protein, the presence of which helps tame frizz, prevent damage and keep hair protected. In short, the presence of keratin helps maintain strong and healthy hair. Although the protein is naturally found in our hair, there are various hair care products and styling products that contain keratin, to feed hair with any lost nutrition.
Keratin treatments swear to provide hair with an ultra-glossy finish and lend hair a dose of good health, and could be the right thing for you if you are dealing with frizz, damaged and lifeless hair. However, be careful, as just like with any other chemical treatment, a keratin therapy can have side-effects too. Here's all you must know about it.
What Is Keratin Treatment
Keratin treatment is a hair-straightening treatment that temporarily fixes dry and frizzy hair and makes them shiny, smooth and glossy while also making them manageable. Keratin is a type of natural protein that forms fibres that makes the hair strong. This protein helps in filling up any gaps in the structure of every hair strand, making hair thick and smooth.
Keratin Treatment Process
Keratin treatment is done using a solution that contains a formaldehyde derivative or glyoxylic acid (a safer alternative) that helps in making the hair smooth, frizz-free and straight. It is done by sealing the hair cuticle by coating a layer of protein from the root to the ends as it helps to reseal the hair to make them stronger and straighter.
Keratin solution is applied by making sections and subsections of the hair and also combing the hair, after applying the keratin product, so that the product is distributed evenly. The hair is then washed and blow-dried after which the hair is sectioned again and straightened using a flat iron. The hair is straightened depending on the preference of the client about how straight and smooth they want their tresses.
Before getting keratin done on the hair, it is very important to analyse the type of hair. If the hair has a thin texture, then it is recommended to not get a keratin treatment done because the heat of the flat iron is going to damage the hair. For coloured hair, getting keratin done will seal the colour of the hair which will make the colour last longer than usual while also making the colour appear brighter.
Who Should Get Keratin Treatment for Hair
Those who have coarse and frizzy hair can undergo this hair treatment as it will help eliminate frizz, add shine and soften the hair making them more manageable. People who have tight curly hair and straighten their hair daily can consider having keratin done.
Who Should Avoid Keratin Treatment
Keratin treatments are not meant for those who have thin, fine-textured or straight hair. Salon technicians also usually do not recommend this treatment for those who have over-processed or over treated hair including bleached hair.
What Is Formaldehyde?
In traditional salon formulas, keratin treatments usually revolve around a chemical compound called formaldehyde. This is a pungent-smelling colourless gas that is often stored in liquid form. In keratin straightening hair treatments, formaldehyde is responsible for locking the hair into a new straight position. In fact, formaldehyde is an essential building block chemical found in various day-to-day utility products. It is also naturally present in various animals and plants.
Formaldehyde is essentially a mix of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, and because of the sharp, hitting smell it has, it can lead to sore throat or itchy eyes during the process. If you're a professional, often working with creams containing formaldehyde, wearing a mask during the process may help.
Other than an occasional itchiness in the eyes, keratin treatments can also harm the natural texture of the hair as the process involves high-heat styling tools that are used to lock the hair straight into one position This can be really damaging for ones with fragile or thin hair.
If you're some who wishes to undergo keratin hair treatment that is formaldehyde-free, we suggest you to ask your salon technician to use a formula that contains glyoxylic acid instead of formaldehyde. Such a treatment might not drastically straighten your hair but can work well for you if you have thin hair.
Difference between Keratin Treatment and Japanese Relaxer
Keratin is great for frizzy hair, while Japanese relaxer or Japanese hair treatment is more effective on oily hair. Japanese hair treatment changes the texture of the hair until fully grown out while Keratin treatment enhances the natural texture of the hair which fades away with time. When compared to Keratin treatment, Japanese treatments are very harsh for the hair and also end up damaging the hair.
Keratin Treatment Benefits And Side Effects
Before you decide to get a keratin treatment done, keep these points in mind.
Benefits of Keratin Treatment
- Keratin treatments not only make the hair soft, smooth, frizz-free and healthy-looking but also make the hair more manageable while also reducing the appearance of split-ends of the hair.
- Getting Keratin treatment done also affects the hair growth because as keratin fortifies and strengthens the hair, the hair does not break-off easily which makes the hair grow faster.
- If the hair is taken care of properly, after getting a keratin treatment done, the treatment will last for up to six months which will reduce the frequency of getting a keratin treatment done, hence saving up your money.
Side Effects Keratin Treatment
- Most Keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, which may cause skin or eye irritation.
- Keratin hair treatment is also hard to maintain as it requires use of a special shampoo, conditioner and hair masks that are free from sulphates and sodium chloride. These products usually cost more than regular shampoos.
- Your bouncy mane will lack volume and may appear limp and straight.
- Your scalp will become greasy and oily quite often to maintain clean tresses you'll require to shampoo and conditioner two-three times a week.
- Keratin hair treatment is not a long-term hair care procedure and the effect may only last upto 3 to 5 months.
Keratin Hair Products You Might Want To Buy
In case you're not in a mood to undergo an expensive and luxurious keratin treatment you can opt to pamper your mane using some keratin-infused products like keratin shampoos or keratin masks. We've listed them below, take a look and get them for yourself right now.
Keratin Shampoos
You can incorporate these keratin shampoos in your hair care regime to benefit your damaged tresses.
OGX Ever Straightening Brazilian Keratin Smooth Shampoo | Coconut Oil, Keratin Proteins, Avocado Oil & Cocoa Butter, For Dry, Curly, Frizzy & Fine hair, Sulfate Free Surfactants 385 ml
Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Bc Keratin Smooth Perfect Micellar Shampoo | For Frizzy Hair | 1000 Ml
Syoss Professional Performance Keratin Hair Perfection Shampoo For Perfect Hair ( Made In Tunisia)
Keratin Hair Masks
In case you have some extra minutes to spare, then indulge in some keratin hair-masking. We've listed the best keratin hair masks below that'll help you add some extra shine and make your hair manageable.
Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Frizz Away Treatment with Babassu Oil - 200 ml
Frequently Asked Question About Keratin Hair Treatment
What does a keratin treatment do for the shine, health, and colour of hair?
Keratin treatment helps make the hair smooth, shiny and more manageable. Its results are overwhelming after a colour service, as it helps to seal the colour and transforms the texture of hair by adding incredible shine to dull and damaged tresses. It not only helps tame frizz but also helps shorten the styling time by making the hair more manageable.
How long should you wait to shower your hair wet after the keratin hair treatment?
Typically, the professionals will advise you to wait for around 48 hours or two-three days post-treatment before getting your shampoo done. This allows keratin products to sit perfectly into the hair cuticles resulting in glossy and lasting results.
What shampoo and conditioner should be used post keratin hair straightening treatment?
Mostly, sulphate-free products are recommended to use to maintain the longevity of the treatment. Go with what your professional stylist recommends and ask for alternative products if needed.
How long does a keratin treatment last?
A keratin treatment can last around 3-6 months, depending on how often you’re giving yourself a head bath. Also, sulfate-free shampoos play a vital role in making the treatment last long so make sure you're using only those hair care products.
How many times do you get the keratin treatment done in a year without damaging hair?
We recommend you to get it done two times a year as these treatments can last up to six months, that is if you maintain the right hair care regime along with the right sulphate-free products. This treatment is not inexpensive so ensure that you're sticking to directions suggested by your stylist.
Also Read:
Best Hair Straighteners
Three-In-One Hair Styler
How To Do Hair Spa At Home
Keratin Treatment for Hair: Keratin Treatment Process & Pros and Cons
| Keratin Products for Hair | Price in India |
|---|---|
| OGX Ever Straightening Brazilian Keratin Smooth Shampoo | Coconut Oil, Keratin Proteins, Avocado Oil & Cocoa Butter, For Dry, Curly, Frizzy & Fine hair, Sulfate Free Surfactants 385 ml | ₹ 799 |
| Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Bc Keratin Smooth Perfect Micellar Shampoo | For Frizzy Hair | 1000 Ml | ₹ 1,750 |
| Syoss Professional Performance Keratin Hair Perfection Shampoo For Perfect Hair ( Made In Tunisia) | ₹ 425 |
| Alfaparf Lisse Design Keratin Therapy Rehydrating Mask 200ml | ₹ 1,350 |
| TRESemme Keratin Smooth Deep Treatment Masque | ₹ 499 |
| Wella Professionals LuxeOil Keratin Restore Mask, 150ml | ₹ 1,800 |
| Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Frizz Away Treatment with Babassu Oil - 200 ml | ₹ 966 |
Viveka is known to her friends as a movie junkie who is also a creative fashion enthusiast in red lipstick. She's passionate about writing! Be it fashion, beauty or movies she is pro. In her free time, she loves to play badminton, cook and binge watch movies. She's also a great observer who has a quirky take on various things, well only close ones know this. Nothing stops her from personifying the creative game.
