The Impact of Keratin Treatment on Scalp Health: How Ingredients Can Affect Your Scalp and Tips to Avoid Issues
One of the benefits of keratin treatment is manageable hair. However, the treatment can have adverse effects on hair. Issues such as scalp flaking after keratin treatment can occur due to improper treatment application, product buildup, and sensitivity to the ingredients in the hair treatment.
Understanding Keratin Treatment Ingredients
Understanding how keratin treatments work is understanding the ingredients and their purpose in keratin formulations. Some open the cuticle, others deposit keratin, and others seal the hair after application. While these ingredients are effective at making hair smooth and lustrous, they can cause problems such as an irritated scalp.
Some of the concerning ingredients include formaldehyde, alcohol, and silicones.
Formaldehyde and Keratin Treatments
Formaldehyde and its derivatives are a concerning ingredient in most keratin treatment formulations. This ingredient is used in many cosmetic formulations as a preservative. However, it has an additional purpose in keratin treatment. Formaldehyde is one of the ingredients that, combined with heat, helps the keratin molecules bind to the hair.
The problem with formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients is that they cause short- and long-term health issues. These include respiratory problems, scalp and skin irritation, and increased cancer risk.
Contact with formaldehyde on the scalp can cause contact dermatitis, which presents as scalp eczema. In severe cases, irritation from the chemical can cause blistering and skin peeling.
Choosing a formaldehyde-free keratin treatment can help avoid the problem. However, you must also look out for alternative ingredients that release formaldehyde. The common ones include timonacic acid, methylene glycol, and dimethoxymethane.
Alcohol in Keratin Treatments
Keratin treatments use two types of alcohol: fatty and drying alcohol. Fatty alcohols, such as cetearyl, moisturize the hair, keeping it frizz-free and hydrated. Drying alcohols, in contrast, strip moisture from the hair.
Drying alcohols dissolve the ingredients in keratin treatments and help the treatment dry faster. Propylene glycol is an example of a drying alcohol found in keratin treatments and many hair care products. It causes dryness and irritation of the scalp, resulting in dandruff, an itchy scalp, and scalp flaking.
In small quantities, propylene glycol can improve hair texture and retain moisture. However, continued exposure strips the hair of its natural oils. Over time this results in a dry scalp, frizzy hair, and scalp irritation.
Silicones in Keratin Treatments
Silicones such as amodimethicone, caprylyl methicone, cyclopentailoxane, and dimethicone create a protective barrier, thus preventing frizzy hair. These silicones also make hair smooth and shiny after a keratin treatment.
Their coating effect, however, is a double-edged sword for your hair and scalp health. Coating hair prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft, causing dryness.
Silicones also cause product buildup on the scalp and hair, causing issues such as lifeless hair, scalp flaking, dandruff, and itchiness.
Protecting Your Scalp and Hair Before and After Keratin Treatment
Your hair and scalp health before a keratin treatment impacts how your scalp reacts to treatment. It also informs the best keratin aftercare routine for healthy hair and scalp. Here are some things to do before, during, and after a keratin treatment:
Hair Care Routine Before Keratin Treatment
A healthy scalp before treatment can help you better handle the impact of keratin treatments. Get a hair and scalp treatment before your appointment. This might include:
- Deep clean your scalp and hair using a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup at least 24 hours before your keratin appointment.
- Deep condition your hair about a week before your keratin appointment to protect your strands.
- Salicylic acid scalp treatment before a keratin appointment to help remove dead skin cells, dandruff, and product buildup.
Scalp Assessment
Scalp assessment is a key step before a keratin treatment service. It involves assessing your scalp condition to check for issues such as:
- Past sensitivity to hair treatment and products.
- White flakes which indicate a dry scalp or conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
- Abrasions or inflammation of the scalp.
Patch Testing
Patch testing is critical if you have a sensitive scalp or are concerned about reactions to the active ingredients in keratin treatments. To do this, apply the treatment behind the ear or the inner elbow. Leave it for 24-48 hours to watch for any immediate or delayed signs of irritation, reddening, or allergic reactions.
If you have an adverse reaction, consider alternative hair smoothing techniques to keratin treatment. Some alternatives include flat iron, hair rebonding, or Japanese straightening.
Aftercare Routine
Your hair care routine after a keratin treatment will affect your hair and scalp health. Here are ways to care for your scalp and hair post-keratin treatment:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and hair care products.
- Avoid hair care products with harsh ingredients that could irritate the scalp or dry hair. If you have a sensitive scalp, use hypoallergenic hair products to protect your skin.
- Avoid high heat when drying or styling your hair to avoid scalp irritation.
- Maintain a nutrient-rich diet and stay hydrated for a healthy scalp.
- Use light styling products with soothing elements such as tree oil to keep your scalp moisturized.
- Check your scalp regularly to identify and deal with any scalp problems that arise post-keratin treatment.
Professional Keratin Services
You can avoid issues such as scalp flaking after a keratin treatment by seeking a professional service. Professional keratin treatment services include hair and scalp assessment, patch testing, and after-care routines to help you mitigate the impact of keratin treatment on your scalp and hair. Book your consultation today.