Professional Care

The Ultimate Guide to Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment

By Upasana KakatiJul 2, 2024 6 mins read

Keratin Treatment – What exactly is it?

Traditional vs. Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment

Potential Risks of Formaldehyde

Benefits of Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment

Choosing the right Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment

FAQs

References

Smooth, straight, and frizz-free hair often lures people into the charm of keratin smoothening treatment. However, the formaldehyde in the formulation raises eyebrows and is frowned upon. Sitting through the fumes with your hair getting blow-dried and flat-ironed to seal the keratin protein is too much for some people to take in. Despite being one of the most popular hair treatments, it is equally met with dread and apprehension.

What if the formaldehyde causes more damage than repair? What if there is more hair fall? What if it interferes with a healthy hair cycle? The ever-growing doubts have led people to opt for formaldehyde-free keratin treatment. It gives similar results to the regular keratin treatment but without the perils of formaldehyde. This blog details everything you need to know about

Keratin Treatment – What exactly is it?

Keratin is a fibrous structural protein found in hair with high cysteine content that confers mechanical strength to the strands. However, with time, the natural keratin protein depletes from Hair. Exposure to dust, dirt, pollutants, harsh sunlight, excessive styling tools, etc., leads to keratin loss, creating gaps in the hair shaft. This eventually causes hair damage and invites frizz. This is where keratin smoothening treatment steps in and helps replenish the hair of the lost protein.

Also Read - A Guide To Keratin Hair Treatment

As told to Cut by Chase Kusero, co-founder of IGK – “Hair gets frizzy when the outermost layer of hair, called the cuticle, lifts. This allows moisture and other environmental factors to seep in, swelling the hair shaft and making it thick and frizzy.” Applying keratin treatment helps smooth the cuticle and seal the gaps, resulting in frizz-proofing Hair.

Traditional vs. Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment

Earlier, opting for a keratin treatment meant inhaling formaldehyde fumes and subjecting your strands to the unavoidable chemical. Irrespective, the frizz-free and smooth results got people obsessing with hair keratin therapy. However, with increased awareness, there was a hunt for a safer alternative, leading to the development of keratin treatment without formaldehyde. While not empty of chemicals, the formaldehyde-free options are known to have milder ingredients that don’t damage hair.

The fumes from formaldehyde may induce burning sensations in the eyes, throat, and nose, resulting in watery eyes, nausea, or skin irritation. However, formaldehyde-free keratin treatments like Moehair Pure Hair Makeover are free of toxic chemicals that help achieve smooth, frizz-free, and healthy hair without damage. The goodness of superior ingredients like plant proteins, sericin, murumuru seed butter, green tea extract, and natural oil further makes it a potent and high-performing

Potential Risks of Formaldehyde

It’s time to come to terms with the truth that formaldehyde is not the friendliest of the chemicals. While keratin therapy helps replenish hair with proteins, the ingredients might be slightly perilous if not taken care of. Here are some potential risks from formaldehyde:

According to the CDC, formaldehyde exposure occurs mainly by inhalation or contact with skin and eyes. If not taken adequate precautions, it might cause sore throat, chest pain, coughing, eye irritation, headache, etc.
The release of formaldehyde gas during keratin treatment is harmful when inhaled. Keratin formulation involves heat sealing the treatment with a flat iron. This prompt release of gases in the air might have a detrimental impact. Hence, wearing a mask is advised before use.
Formaldehyde inhalation tends to cause nose and eye irritation. It is not recommended for anyone with existing lung issues or asthma.
Keratin treatment with formaldehyde is to be avoided during pregnancy as the fumes are not safe due to their carcinogenic potential.

Benefits of Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment

This has led to the popularity of keratin treatment without formaldehyde, which works on smoothening and strengthening hair without potential damaging impact. Here are some of the benefits of opting for a formaldehyde-free keratin smoothening treatment:

Leaves hair smoother, manageable, frizz-free, and strong without harsh chemicals. Heat sealing with flat iron doesn’t release harmful fumes.
Keratin treatments without toxins like formaldehyde are safer and include milder ingredients. Such formulations are enriched with botanical extracts, sericin, vitamins, etc., which leaves hair healthy. Moehair Pure Hair Makeover, for instance, is enriched with murumuru seed butter, green tea leaf extract, sericin, and proteins like keratin, soy, wheat, and corn.
The formulations also help in replacing lost proteins and reverse hair damage. The non-toxic keratin treatment also assists in maintaining an appropriate pH-damage for Hair and scalp.
There is reduced downtime before you can wash your hair or go for your routine swim. Although it is recommended to wait 72 hours before washing hair, you can choose to do it beforehand.
It saves you from the unpleasant experience of inhaling formaldehyde fumes. Overall, it gives a safe experience for the customer and the salon professionals (read - no burning eyes, nausea, coughing, etc.)

Choosing the right Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment

Numerous haircare brands are launching their products with the rising demand for safer hair smoothening treatments. With market shelves rife with products, putting a finger on the best formaldehyde-free keratin treatment takes work. Here are a few things to consider before opting for a product:

Hair types and texture – Using a formulation that suits your hair texture is crucial. As Federico Calce of Federico Hair & Spa, New York, to Good Housekeeping says, “We use different formulas depending on texture, wave, and whether hair is dyed.” Look for argan, avocado, castor oil, etc., in ingredients for coarse, brittle hair. Opt for a vitamin-rich formulation if you have thin hair.
Hair wash downtime – A few formaldehyde-free keratin treatments require waiting up to 72 hours after the treatment to wash hair. However, some need no waiting, and hair can be washed immediately after the treatment. Pick up a brand or product that aligns with your timeline.
Longevity of treatment – Keratin treatment often lasts 3 – 5 months, depending on hair type, aftercare, and conditions in the external environment. Choose a long-lasting treatment that keeps hair smooth and frizz-free for longer.
Professional-grade products – Make no compromise when it comes to choosing the quality of the product. Always opt for a salon-grade professional formaldehyde-free keratin treatment and seek salon expert guidance before use.

We recommend using Moehair Pure Hair Makeover as it is one of the best formaldehyde-free keratin treatments packed with a blend of proteins like keratin, soy, corn, wheat, and sericin. Also, it is enriched with murumuru seed butter that improves elasticity and nourishes hair. Green tea extract repairs cuticles and reduces breakage. The professional-grade keratin treatment is cruelty-free, inclusive, and suitable for all hair types.

Irrespective of the types of keratin treatment you opt for, aftercare is crucial for longevity and hair maintenance. Using a keratin-approved shampoo and conditioner, adding a hair mask to your weekly hair care routine, limiting heat styling, spritzing leave-in conditioner, and a dash of serum goes a long way in lasting keratin treatment.

FAQs

Q1. How long does formaldehyde-free keratin treatment last?

Keratin treatment is a semi-permanent smoothening of hair. With proper aftercare and depending on hair type and texture, the treatment may last for 2 – 6 months.

Q2. Why opt for keratin treatment without formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde generates fumes that, upon inhalation, might cause health issues like itching, burning eyes, nausea, coughing etc. This might adversely impact people with asthma or lung disease.

Q3. What is the best formaldehyde-free keratin treatment?

Many popular brands formulate such products. We recommend trying Moehair Pure Hair Makeover as it is free of formaldehyde and infused with hair-boosting proteins and natural oils.

Q4. Is Moehair Pure Hair Makeover a professional-grade product?

Yes, it is a professional-grade salon-use product, so it is advised to seek expert consultation before use.

Q5. Is formaldehyde-free keratin treatment suitable for colored hair?

Yes, such keratin smoothening treatment suits all hair types, including color-treated Hair.