A Guide to Keratin Hair Treatment

Table of contents

• Understanding keratin treatment

• Who should get it

• Benefits

• What to expect

• How long does keratin treatment last

• Risk, consideration and aftercare

• Keratin smoothing for colored hair

• Comparison with other hair treatments

• FAQs

• References

The hair care industry has witnessed an increasing demand for keratin treatment in the pursuit of frizz-free, luxurious hair. Since 2000, it has gained popularity for its ability to transform lackluster strands into smooth, straight mane. The semi-permanent hair straightening therapy replenishes lost keratin in the shaft by filling the gaps left by depleted proteins. Despite its hype, you must be wondering how a keratin smoothing treatment works and why you should get it. Let’s start with the basics.

Hair comprises 95% keratin, a fibrous protein naturally produced by the body. Exposure to harsh chemicals, sunlight, heat styling, and everyday wear and tear lead to loss of keratin protein. This directly affects the mane’s internal structure, causing split ends, damage, breakage, and frizz. Ebony Gordon, CEO of Hairista Studio, told Marie Claire, “When the hair is depleted of proteins, it can look dry and lifeless. It also has a lot more frizz, tends to swell in humid weather, and is prone to not being protected from the sun and environmental damages, especially if it's been color-treated.” This is where keratin steps in as a rescuer.

Also Read - At Home Keratin treatment vs. Salon Keratin Treatment

Understanding keratin treatment

Keratin treatment is a chemical process that replenishes hair’s natural protein, temporarily straightens it, and boosts overall vitality. It fills in gaps and repairs the damaged area in the cuticle, reinforcing the entire structure of your strands. It seeps down into the pores and helps de-frizz the hair without altering its texture. The protein coating brings each strand of hair to a straight position, taming flyaways and waves for a sleek look.

A flat iron is used to activate the keratin protein and seal the solution into the mane. As said by Hairstylist Nylza Yepez, “It works by coating the pores, sealing the cuticle, adding shine, and eliminating frizz.” All in all, it creates a barrier between your hair and environmental aggressors to prevent further dullness, damage, and thinning.

Who should get it

Stop spending ages detangling your lackluster tresses. If you’ve ever thought of breaking up with frizz and unmanageable curls or waves, keratin smoothing treatment is your call. It is ideal for medium to thick hair types, as the smoothing therapy deflates the strands and brings them closer. This chemical procedure is perfect for anyone who wishes to rejuvenate their tresses from root to tip. A game-changer for coarse, curly, and frizzy manes, keratin treatment makes hair easier to style and less prone to damage.

Benefits

Keratin products available in the market claim diverse benefits that range from softening and smoothing to detangling strands. These chemical straightening services have their pros and cons, and it all comes down to your specific needs and hair types. Simply put, if you’ve always wanted frizz-free, smooth tresses, there’s no way you can miss it. We tapped top professionals to list the following benefits of keratin treatment.

Eliminates frizz and detangles hair

Keratin plays a crucial role in smoothing the cells that overlap to form hair strands, leading to more manageable hair with reduced tangles. This results in hair that dries with minimal frizz and flyaways and looks glossy.

Makes hair straight and smooth

Keratin smoothing is a groundbreaking therapy offering straight, silky, and smooth hair. It does so by bonding the hair strands together and locking them in a fixed position. It refills the areas of lost protein in the shaft and restores natural bounce.

Protects against external factors

Keratin is a protective protein that coats the hair and shields it against extreme heat, dust, dirt, and pollution. It seals the cuticle and leaves no space for damage and dullness. With stronger protein bonds and renewed internal structure, you can stress-free flaunt your hair even in extreme temperatures.

Improves elasticity and reduces breakage

Brittleness is the first sign of low hair elasticity. As your strands lose the ability to withstand external aggressors, they instantly break when pulled. This can result in uneven volume, breakage, and thinning. Keratin treatment is a sure-shot solution that restores your mane’s capability to retain its original shape after being stretched.

Strengthens, repairs, and nourishes

Revive your hair and scalp with the protein potion. As keratin enters the hair shaft to repair damage, it boosts porosity and moisture retention. It not only nourishes your tresses from root to tip but also delivers much-needed nutrients to recover from split ends and dullness.

What to expect

Now that you’ve decided to invest in hair smoothing therapy, we recommend choosing a product that’s free of formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals. Moehair Pure Hair Makeover is, so far, the best keratin treatment that offers complete transformation without the risks of formaldehyde. Get an idea of the entire process as you read below.

Cleanse

The salon professional will start by cleansing your hair with the help of a clarifying shampoo. It is a specialized elixir that gently clears off product buildup and dust from the mane and prepares it for chemical treatment.

Pro tip: Moehair Clarifying Shampoo is a sulfate-free formulation suitable for all hair types.

Application

Pour 1-2 ounces of keratin product and divide the hair into four sections. Apply it ¼-½ inch away from the scalp on each section and let it sit for an adequate amount of time. It is advisable to read the label for processing time and instructions.

Blow dry

Blow dry hair using a round or flat paddle brush with the right tension based on your hair type and texture. Continue smoothing the strands until they are completely dry. This is a crucial step as keratin treatment needs to be heat-activated for best results.

Heat application

Re-section strands into four parts and heat the hair straightener (flat iron) from 410 to 450° F. Use a comb followed by the flat iron. This helps seal the keratin treatment and lock the tresses in a straight position. You will see a glimpse of the awe-inspiring result right from this step.

Pro tip: Moehair Hair Straightener (Flat Iron) is an advanced styling tool with titanium-coated ceramic plates.

Shampoo and rinse

Apply a sulfate-free shampoo and rinse with cold or lukewarm water. Towel dry and style your hair as you like. Be assured that this step may only be limited to a few keratin products. It is advised to consult a salon professional for a thorough discussion beforehand.

How long does keratin treatment last

Are you tired of detangling and losing brittle strands every morning? Make keratin treatment your best friend and see how it transforms the entire mane, making it manageable and easy to style. The result is super tempting – silky, smooth, straight tresses with no frizz or damage. It lasts two to five months, depending on the following factors.

• Hair type – The longevity of keratin varies in different hair types. For instance, straight hair is prone to oily scalp, and smoothing treatment reduces this greasiness. It can last for about three months. However, wavy or curly tresses may benefit from keratin for only two months. This is because frizz is an integral part of their structure, and it can’t be tamed for longer.
• Hair health – If your mane is already damaged or overprocessed, it may not hold the keratin for more than two months. Damaged hair quickly absorbs the treatment but cannot maintain the result, as it is already deficient in nutrients and moisture. On the other hand, the procedure can last up to five months if your hair is in good condition.
• Styling – Mindful styling is important if you love your new look after keratin treatment. It plays a vital role in maintaining keratin-treated hair for a long time. Choose wide-toothed combs or simply style the tresses with your fingers to prolong ‘good hair days.’

Risk, consideration and aftercare

Several hair-beauty treatments have gained the spotlight due to the suspected risk of damage.Keratin smoothing treatment is one of them, as most products are considered unsafe during pregnancy and lactation. It is best to choose a product that’s safe and devoid of harsh chemicals. After choosing the correct formulation and undergoing the keratin procedure, some things must be kept in mind. We’ve jotted down the do’s and don’ts you must consider.

Do’s

• Use prescribed shampoo only, preferably a sulfate-free formulation.
• Shampoo your hair at the right time (as suggested by your salon expert).
• Protect your strands during gym and swim sessions.
• Use a shower filter so your hair doesn’t get exposed to chemicals in water.
• Treat your wet strands appropriately. Opt for a blow dryer or flat iron.
• Invest in keratin-infused hair care products.
• Get root touch-ups timely to prevent ugly flyaways.
• Swap your regular cotton pillowcase with a silk pillowcase.

Don’ts

• Don’t comb, style, or tie hair immediately after keratin treatment.
• Don’t overwash your strands or use a harsh product.
• Don’t scrub your hair rigorously while washing.
• Don’t indulge in other hair treatments, at least for a month.
• Don’t wash hair with hot water; it can open the cuticle and strip keratin protein.
• Don’t use hair accessories like rubber bands, clips, and ties.

Keratin smoothing for colored hair

Investing in keratin treatment for colored hair offers bountiful benefits. It is a rejuvenating and protective process that enhances the appearance and longevity of hair color. It strengthens the mane and repairs color-induced damage, reducing brittleness, frizz, and flyaways. Make sure to maintain a gap of two weeks or more between keratin and color treatments. In some cases, keratin may alter the tone of your hair color, especially when done too soon after coloring. Speak with your salon professional and understand such possibilities to ensure a fuss-free transformation.

Comparison with other hair treatments

When considering hair smoothing treatments, it’s essential to understand the difference between popular options like keratin, Brazilian blowout, and Japanese straightening. The table below provides a detailed comparison to help you choose the best treatment for your hair type and styling needs.

##	Keratin Treatment	Brazilian Blowout	Japanese Straightening
Primary purpose	Temporarily smoothens and straightens hair and reduces frizz	Smoothens hair, boosts texture, and reduces frizz	Completely straightens hair
Hair type	All hair types	All hair types	Best for thick, coarse, or very curly hair
Longevity	3 to 5 months	3 to 4 months	6 to 12 months
Result	Smooth, straight hair with natural volume	Silky, smooth hair with natural volume and enhanced texture	Very straight, sleek hair and less volume
Application time	2 to 4 hours	1.5 to 3 hours	3 to 6 hours
Cost	$250 - $450	$200 - $400	$400 - $800

Also read - Keratin Treatment vs. Brazilian Blowout

FAQs

Q1. Is keratin treatment good for hair?

Keratin smoothing treatment offers abundant benefits depending on hair type and texture. It boosts overall texture by softening and smoothing the tresses.

Q2. Does keratin permanently change hair?

Keratin treatment is a temporary smoothing therapy that boosts hair health and improves overall appearance. It does not permanently change hair.

Q3. How many months does keratin last?

Keratin smoothing can last up to five months, depending on hair type and the product used. Ideally, your hair may need a touch-up every three months to maintain the stunning look.

Q4. How much does keratin cost in the US?

The cost of keratin treatment can range from $250 to $450, depending on the salon’s expertise and the product used.

Q5. Does keratin stop hair fall?

While keratin smoothing repairs damage and breathes life into lackluster strands, it does not directly combat hair fall. It manages frizz, split ends, and breakage, which reduces hair thinning.

References:

https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/hair-smoothing-products-release-formaldehyde-when-heated
https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/hair/news/a29189/keratin-treatment/
https://www.glamour.com/story/keratin-treatment-for-hair

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts continually monitor the fashion and beauty space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

• Current Version

• Jun 19, 2024

Written By -

Upasana Kakati

Upasana Kakati is a lifestyle writer with 7+ years of experience in writing in the beauty and haircare industry.

Edited By -

Saima Ahmed

Saima Ahmed with 8+ yrs of experience, specializes in crafting engaging content focused on Hair care, lifestyle, and beauty.