All that you want to know about Keratin Treatment for Hair

Keratin treatment has been a catchphrase for a few years now. Hair salons have moved on from endorsing rebonding to keratin as the must-have treatment. It is seen as the most excellent solution for frizzy, dry hair susceptible to severe hair breakage and loss. If you are not familiar, a keratin treatment for hair is an in-salon treatment that promises to bring straight hair with lots of shine and a soft texture in just one appointment. But before you opt for keratin hair straightening, there is some important information you should know. For instance, different hair textures, from dry hair to frizzy hair to curly hair, can respond to keratin treatments differently.

What is keratin treatment for Hair?

Keratin treatments can tame frizzy hair. A keratin treatment will not smooth down your hair, but it will add shine and manageability. During a keratin treatment, your stylist will use a combination of powerful chemicals to apply a coat of protein (keratin) to your hair. This procedure seals your hair’s protective outer layer to stop the movement of moisture in and out of your strands. Your stylist will rough-dry your hair, and then finish it off using a flat iron to seal and trigger the coating. The treatment generally takes about 1 to 3 hours and lasts about three months. Keratin treatments can be very effective if you have unruly or coarse strands. 

Which hair types can benefit from keratin treatment for hair?

The keratin treatment process is supposed to relax hair, so it usually works best on wavy hair. But, keratin treatments will not work on hair kinked tightly as the natural hair bonds are too firm to rearrange. So, before you commit to treatment, it is important to talk with a hair professional who can walk you through the best options for your particular hair type and texture.

Potential benefits

The body makes the protein keratin naturally and this is what hair and nails are made up of. The keratin in these treatments can be derived from feathers, wool, or horns. Certain conditioners and shampoos contain keratin, but you will typically get the greatest advantages from a salon treatment done by a professional.

The benefits of getting a professional keratin treatment for hair are as follows:

Long-lasting results:

If you care for a keratin treatment by not washing your hair too often, then your keratin treatment can last up to 6 months.

Shiny, smooth hair:

Keratin smooths cells that go beyond to form hair strands, which means less frizz and more manageable hair. This causes the hair to dry with little frizz and has a shiny, strong look to it. Keratin can as well decrease the appearance of split ends by bonding the hair back together temporarily.

Hair growth:

Keratin can fortify and strengthen hair so it does not break off easily. This can make the hair appear to grow faster as the ends are not breaking off.

More manageable hair:

Keratin treatments make hair more manageable, particularly if your hair is thick or frizzy. If you heat style your hair constantly, you will see that with a keratin treatment your hair dries faster. Some people guess that keratin reduces their drying time by over fifty percent. Your hair can also become stronger and healthier as you can air dry it more frequently, saving it from heat damage.

What is the difference between keratin treatment and permanent hair straightening or rebonding?

Both are very diverse treatments and their ultimate results vary considerably. The objective of keratin is to smoothen hair, relax them and make them controllable. Your hair will still have soft curls and would not be straight right away. On the other hand, rebonding or permanent hair straightening changes hair’s chemical composition making them look absolutely straight.

How to take care of hair after a keratin treatment?

Any time you apply powerful chemicals to your hair, whether it is when you dye your hair with permanent hair colour or when you receive a keratin treatment, it is extremely important to take extra steps in your hair care routine to keep your strands looking healthy. This includes changing out your regular shampoo and conditioner and using a system that comprises a hair mask and a leave-in product on the regular. 

How often should you get a keratin treatment for your hair?

It is best to offer your hair some time to breathe after the cycle of your keratin treatment is done. This is because the treatment does comprise chemicals, and frequent application can cause more damage than good – making hair more fragile and prone to breakage. Ideally, a three to four months’ gap in the second complete cycle would be best.

Step by step process of Hair Treatment

The length of time it takes to do a keratin treatment for hair depends on the formula the stylist is using, in addition to your hair texture, and how much hair you have. Expect your beauty salon trip to last somewhere from two to four hours. Once you turn up, your hairstylist will wash your hair initially. Then, the hairstylist will apply the keratin treatment either to your damp hair or allow the formula to drench every strand for about half an hour or the hairstylist will blow-dry your hair first and then apply the treatment. The treatment is heat-activated. At last, you have to go over any strands with a flat iron on low or medium heat based on where the treatment should be sealed.

Step by step process of keratin treatment for hair:

Choosing the Correct Product

Choosing the correct brand of keratin treatment is a very important first step as not all are made equal. The safety of keratin treatments has been in the news of late as some products have been shown to include hazardous amounts of formaldehyde. Therefore, it is better to look for products that contain little to no formaldehyde.

Rinse it thoroughly

After you have spoken with your client and answered all of their questions in regards to the treatment, cover them and bring them to the shampoo bowl. Using the suggested shampoo from the brand’s manufacturer, rinse your client’s hair three times, vigorously, focusing on the hair and not the scalp. Refrain from applying conditioner.

Apply the treatment

Bring the client back to your chair and towel dry. Section the hair into 4 sections and start to apply the product beginning from the top and working your way to the bottom. After the product is applied, run a fine-tooth comb through the hair. If the product remains on the comb then wring the surplus out until the comb passes via the hair clean.

Processing Time

Processing times differ from manufacturer to manufacturer so check with your product, but usually, range from 10-20 minutes. Some brands necessitate heat and others just suggest using a cap to hold on to the head’s natural heat. Once your client is done processing do not rinse the product out.

Blow

Once the processing time is done you will blow-dry the product into the hair. This can take some time as there are lots of products in the hair, but just stick with it and get the hair as dry as possible.

Getaway That Flat Iron

Use a ceramic iron and heat it to no less than 450 degrees, part the hair into four segments. Take 1/8 inch sub-segments, flat iron the hair until no visible product vapour stays.

Follow the rules

There is an essential list of rules to relay to your customers once they go home with their keratin treatment.

• Do not wash your hair for the next three days after the treatment – 1-day treatments are also on the market.
• Do not use any bands or clips for three full days after the treatment as they can leave dents in the hair.
• Also,Do not use any kind of product or use dry shampoos in the hair for the next three days.
• After shampooing, use sulphate free shampoo and conditioner or the suggested aftercare product from the manufacturer every time after washing. Using non-sulphate-free products can cause the keratin treatment to revert.

How to Prepare for a Keratin Treatment?

As with all chemical processes for the hair, a keratin hair treatment must be done by a professional, and you should always talk about any necessary preparation with them. That said, experts advise you to leave colouring your locks pre-treatment, as the chemical can remove the colour and change it. Finally, you should make sure you are not sensitive to formaldehyde, as it can cause reactions such as itching, stinging burning eyes, throat and nose irritation, and a runny nose in those with sensitivities. 

Final Thoughts

Keratin treatment for hair is great for frizzy hair and wants lasting straight and smooth hair. If you are looking to bounce between your straight hair and natural curls, this may not be the solution for you.