It is every woman’s dream to have silky-soft hair. But harsh salon procedures can take the life out of it and rarely do we have any control over the environmental damage that affects almost every hair type, resulting in dull and lacklustre hair. And undeniably some of us are just born with very frizzy and unmanageable hair. For this reason, more and more women are flocking to the salons for their dose of keratin treatment. So, let us help you understand everything that is there to know about keratin treatments. Check our top 4 favorites and find out which one is for your hair type!
Keratin is a protein already found in your hair. Keratin treatment is built of this natural protein, a mix of conditioners and, in the majority of cases, formaldehyde. It is one of the hottest and leading salon straightening procedures for semi-permanent silky smooth hair. This therapy has gained popularity due to its anti-frizz effect and conditioning benefits, the ability to turn dull and damaged hair into soft, supple and bouncy locks.
And all this without altering the structure of your hair, i.e. without breaking the natural hair bonds, which makes it a great alternative to relaxers. If for example, you have curly hair, professional keratin treatment will soften your natural curls into baby soft, extremely manageable twirlies so much that you could head out without even having to style it with any hair products!
At the same time, keratin treatments with a higher concentration of Formaldehyde can give smoother, straighter results. See the before and after pics below.
PHOTO: @keva_s_davis
Japanese straightening gives hair a permanent pin-straight and flat look. Keratin treatments gradually wash out, allowing the natural hair to emerge. While the keratin treatment washes out over time, Japanese straightening treatments demand a lot of upkeep to maintain the effect. Therefore, keratin doesn’t last as long as Japanese straightening, but it also doesn’t interfere with the grow-out phase. Both treatments use a very high heat flat iron to close the product in the hair fibers.
Anyway, it is always a good idea to get a pro consultation on the elasticity and porosity, texture, density and curl pattern of your hair. After that you will be recommended to use a keratin or Japanese straightener.
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Lately a lot of people have been raising concerns about this smoothing procedure, wondering if keratin treatment is safe or not, does keratin damage hair or, on the contrary, heal it. Moreover, is it worth its money or it is just one more trendy buzzword? We have taken a closer look at the pros and cons so you can better decide if it is a right choice for you.
As with any complex hair procedure, it is advised not to do keratin treatment at home. It is important to visit a certified salon, as this treatment requires extreme care and meticulous application. Choose a real professional — a hair stylist with years of experience in keratin procedures (remember, keratin procedure has been in the market for over 10 years now).
The treatment involves such steps:
The entire application process takes about 2-4 hours.
Depending on your hair structure and type, your length, thickness, and overall health of your hair, some keratin treatments may be better than others. Following are the best 4 keratin treatments for different hair textures.
Brazilian blowouts are the most preferred among all keratin treatments. This procedure smoothes hair, eliminates frizz and its super nutrient complex keeps the volume intact, whilst still making the hair ultra smooth and silky. This is a very strong and highly concentrated treatment perfect for someone who has very coarse, thick, dry hair and wants sleeker and more manageable hair. The procedure takes about 90 minutes, results last up to 3-4 months and hair can be washed right after the treatment.
This treatment has 2 versions. One comes with Formaldehyde and the other without Formaldehyde. The popular one is without formaldehyde, it also contains conditioners, glycerine, and keratin. It is best suited for fine to medium textured hair. Perfect for someone who prefers to keep her curls or waves but still wants some form of softening. A 72-hour wait is required before washing. Results last up to 8 weeks.
This treatment contains keratin peptides and keratin molecules that help bond the hair perfectly with added nourishment. Liquid keratin is widely used and is considered one of the safest keratin treatments out there. It is perfect for fine to medium hair. It leaves hair naturally smooth and manageable and the results last up to 30-40 days.
AdvertisementIt contains superior keratin proteins and collagen that help build the hair fibers and lock in the color. It is perfect for someone with color-treated hair or hair that suffers from environmental damage. The treatment makes the color look natural and vibrant, and reduces styling time. The results last up to 4-8 weeks.
On average keratin treatment lasts 3-4 months. It depends on the lifestyle and post-salon hair care. Each keratin treatment has its own set of instructions. If you wish to extend your results, you have to follow them. However, these recommendations will help you to maintain keratin treated hair in any case:
Video: How to Do a Keratin Treatment