Your hair is your crown, wear it like a queen! However, if your struggle with frizzy hair acts as a big hindrance in perfecting your looks, you can try a de-frizzing treatment. Keratin treatment for hair can help you get sleek and straight hair to flaunt and achieve the perfect look that you desire.
Don’t worry! All your concerns related to keratin treatment are appreciated and answered here. Read below to know everything about the treatment procedure and how to get the perfect hair.
Keratin
The word “keratin” is not new when it comes to hair. Extensive research highlights the importance of keratin for hair growth and health.
Hair is made up of 95% of protein, known as Keratin. It is a fibrous protein that is the basic component of hair, skin, and nails. It acts as a protective varnish for hair which may get depleted by continuous exposure to pollutants, sun, and dust. However, it can be effectively replenished by keratin treatment to improve hair structure and help you get perfectly shiny and lustrous hair.
How does keratin treatment help with frizzy hair?
Simply put, hair requires its key ingredient, keratin, back. That’s all the mystery.
Hair tends to get frizzy and crinkled as the outer layer of the cuticle gets damaged. Cuticles are made of keratin and keratin-associated proteins. Hence, treating the hair with keratin tames the frizz.
Keratin treatment has built up an enormous fan base globally due to its huge success rate as it works for almost all hair types. Hairstylist Harry Josh, Goldwell & KMS ambassador, says that applying keratin treatment on less messy hair might straighten them completely while on other hair types it shows significant frizz reduction.
Types of keratin treatment
All keratin treatments are more or less alike. Some little differences are there, but the ultimate result of all keratin treatments is the same: tamed frizz.
Buy a silk pillow. Cotton is damaging to the hair and tends to make the hair dry and more frizzy
Soft keratin
Soft keratin lasts up to 2 months and effectively eliminates frizz. Hair gets smooth while keeping the curls intact. Medium to fine hair people can opt for soft keratin hair treatment.
Japzilian keratin
Fusion of the Brazilian and the Japanese hair treatment makes Japzilian keratin. Generally, 3-4 hours are needed to complete the procedure.
Initial Brazilian treatment is preceded by the Japanese straightening perm applied with a comb.
It lasts longer than Brazilian keratin alone.
Brazilian keratin
If you have extremely curly hair, this treatment is the perfect choice for you.
Brazilian keratin smoothens the hair and the hair volume remains as such. Something more fascinating is, Brazilian keratin is formaldehyde-free, so it minimizes the damage done to your hair. Brazilian keratin lasts for about 3-6 months.
Keratin Express
For short wavy hair, keratin express is the right choice.
It is a short-term keratin treatment that usually lasts for 6 weeks.
Keratin serum is sealed with a heating rod.
Don’t forget to use a Sulphate-free shampoo after getting any of your keratin treatments done.
How long does it last?
That sounds like the most relevant question! The initial golden rule is to stay away from water and hair accessories for at least 2-3 days after the treatment. Andrew Fitzsimons says the key to making it long-lasting is to use sulfate-free shampoo.
Keratin hair treatment usually lasts a maximum of 6 months and a minimum of 2 months (soft keratin) if you follow all necessary precautions. Frequent exposure of treated hair to water may lessen the duration by a month or so.
Highlights of the procedure
- The process of keratin treatment takes a few hours to be completed.
- Your hairstylist will wash your hair and may or may not blow dry them.
- Final treatment cream is applied which rests on your hair for almost 30 mins.
Relax! They are simply similar to hair serums.
- The treatment is heat-activated so the stylist will use a straightening iron/rod on extremely small sections of hair.
Yes! This step requires a lot of patience.
How is it different from chemical straightening?
Chemical relaxers use sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and the list goes on. Unlike keratin treatment, chemical straightening or rebounding restructure your hair bonds. This will weaken your hair and hair fall may occur.
However, in keratin treatment, hair pores that lose cuticles are injected with keratin.
Attention: Some of these treatments may release formaldehyde, during hair ironing but there’s nothing to worry about. Formaldehyde-free treatments are now available as well.
Is hair smoothening treatment safe?
Hair loss from this treatment can be a myth if your treatment is formaldehyde free.
Formaldehyde is a carcinogen released during hair straightening with iron. Though formaldehyde released is minimal, New York Times in 2016 reported that FDA scientists found such treatments unsafe and tried to ban them but failed.
Ask your hairstylist about the ingredients before treatment begins.
Results might differ for formaldehyde-free treatment but that’s a fair deal when it comes to the safety profile of the formaldehyde-free treatment.
Guideline for dyed hair
Coloring your hair before the procedure can be an added benefit. Your color will seal better if you get it done beforehand.
For a vibrant-colored waterfall, get the hair dyed before the keratin treatment and get ready for some wonderful results.
Can You DIY keratin treatment at home?
It is not recommended to use professional products at home without any professional supervision.
These products may have some safety precautions which cannot be observed without an experienced hand.
Furthermore, the keratin products available in the market may not penetrate your hair completely but only cover them so the results won’t be long-lasting.
Who should avoid Keratin?
Pregnant and breastfeeding ladies, please wait for a while to get your treatment done.
Suggested precautions after the treatment
In order to make your treatment last long, observe the advised precautions strictly:
- Don’t wash hair for at least 2-3 days onward
- Don’t tie treated hair
- Use a silk pillow
- Wash hair with a Sulphate-free shampoo post-treatment
- Avoid frequent hair wash
Available alternatives for a keratin treatment at home
Although results might differ, using these natural products, you can make your hair healthier and comparatively smoother by using:
- Curd
- Eggs
- Coconut oil
- Aloe Vera
However, don’t expect the same results as for keratin treatment.
Keratin treatment price in Pakistan
The price for keratin in Pakistan normally ranges from 1500- 5000 PKR, depending upon the length of your hair and the salon you choose. The price also differs in Lahore, Islamabad, and other cities.
Takeaway note
In a nutshell, this de-frizz treatment is relatively a safer choice if you opt for one which is formaldehyde-free. Unlike rebounding with chemical relaxers, keratin treatment does not weaken the hair if precautions are followed correctly. Keratin treatment simply refills hair pores that get damaged and dry owing to poor environmental conditions.
Avoid going for treatment if you have any known allergies to the chemicals involved in the process, or are pregnant.
Seek professional advice for your hair type before getting a keratin hair treatment.
FAQs
1. Can keratin damage your hair?
Keratin treatment doesn’t cause damage to the hair if after-care is done as suggested. However, frequent treatment may cause hair loss.
2. What are the side effects of a keratin treatment?
Keratin treatment may cause irritations, nausea, sore throat, headaches, and related allergic reactions.
3. Does keratin damage hair permanently?
Keratin treatment does not damage the hair. However, formaldehyde-containing keratin treatment may cause hair loss and damage.