Is Keratin Treatment Good for Your hair? A Comprehensive Guide on Keratin Hair Treatment

Keratin hair treatments have been used in the beauty industry for nearly two decades to promote smooth, shiny hair. This frizz-reducing treatment gained popularity in the early 2000s and has evolved in formula safety and effectiveness for those who undergo the keratin treatment process. 

Despite its benefits, you may wonder, is keratin treatment good for your hair? Learn everything you need to know about keratin hair treatments in our comprehensive guide, including how the treatment works, types of treatments, their benefits, and possible side effects.

What Is Keratin Hair Treatment?

Keratin hair treatment is a semi-permanent treatment used to create shinier, smoother hair. The treatment uses keratin, a protein naturally found in your skin, nails, and hair, to penetrate your hair’s cuticle and make it look less frizzy and damaged. Keratin treatments offer a sleek, shiny look by coating your hair shaft, keeping your cuticles sealed, and locking in moisture. 

Keratin treatments also help to straighten your hair. Many treatments include a formaldehyde derivative called glyoxylic acid in their formulation. After your stylist applies the treatment, they blow dry your hair and use a high-heat iron to create a smooth, elegant look. 

How Does the Treatment Work?

The keratin treatment process at Cutters His & Hers Hairdressing includes the following steps:

1. Initial consultation. You meet with your stylist to discuss your desired results. They assess your hair texture and condition and discuss heat settings and available treatment types to help you decide on your treatment.

2. Application of treatment. Your stylist applies the keratin treatment to your clean, dry hair. The treatment will be left on for about 30 minutes, after which your hairdresser will rinse it and shampoo your hair.

3. Blow-dry and style. Depending on the treatment, your stylist will blow-dry your hair or set you under a hooded dryer. They will also typically use a flat iron to give your hair a super sleek, straightened style to complete your look.

The high heat used during the last step of the treatment bonds the keratin and glyoxylic acid formula to your hair, sealing in moisture and closing the cuticles. Once bonded, the treatment eliminates frizz, makes your hair look thicker, and gives you more defined curls or waves. 

What Are the Different Types of Keratin Hair Treatments?

Many types of keratin hair treatments are available. It’s helpful to explore the differences between each type to decide on a treatment that’s right for you. 

Brazilian Keratin Treatment

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT) is an ideal hair smoothing method for curly or coarse textured hair. It is especially effective at taming frizz and locking moisture into your hair. This treatment contains a protein-rich solution that absorbs into your cuticle and coats your hair. 

Brazilian Blowout

Like a BKT, the Brazilian Blowout reduces frizz and helps your hair retain moisture. However, this treatment is best for fine to medium hair rather than coarse. It uses a formaldehyde-based formula to deliver the proteins to your hair and leave it silky and straight. This option is highly customisable to your hair type and requires less aftercare than other types. 

Coppola Keratin Treatment

The Coppola Keratin Treatment uses collagen, amino acids, and keratin to smooth frizz and tame curls. This option avoids harsh chemicals and is gentle enough that you can shampoo it after only three days, rather than the typical week needed for other treatments. 

Express Treatment

An express keratin treatment is a low-commitment, fast-processing choice for those needing a quicker treatment. Compared to a full keratin treatment, the express option only takes three to four hours to apply, cutting your time in the salon in half. However, the results may only last around six weeks, shorter than traditional treatment types. 

Rebonding

Your stylist can use a rebonding keratin treatment to change your hair’s texture. For example, you can go from having curly hair to straight. If you opt for this treatment, you must wait two weeks before washing or wetting your hair. 

Japzilian Keratin

The Japzilian keratin treatment combines a Japanese hair straightening technique with the BKT. This option is one of the longest-lasting treatments, offering nearly five months of silky smoothness over the traditional Brazilian keratin treatments. It also works well on all hair types. 

Soft Keratin

If you have fine or medium hair, you may opt for a soft keratin treatment. This option keeps your curls intact rather than straightening them completely. It also smooths your hair and eliminates frizz. 

Cezanne Keratin Treatment

The Cezanne Keratin Treatment is a formaldehyde-free option that helps give you more manageable hair. It helps reduce drying and styling by 33% to 50% and works on all hair types. This treatment lasts an average of five months and helps keep your hair healthy without damaging ingredients. 

Goldwell Kerasilk Treatment

Also free of formaldehyde, the Goldwell Kerasilk Treatment contains keratin and silk, which contribute to lasting colour protection and structural support of your hair. This treatment helps protect your hair and gives it a silky, smooth appearance.

Advantages of Keratin Treatment

Keratin treatments offer several advantages for those who receive professional salon treatment. When done by a skilled stylist at Cutters His & Hers Hairdressing, you can expect to see the following benefits: 

Straighter Hair

Keratin treatments can give you pin-straight hair that looks elegant and classy. Most straightening keratin treatments last about three months. After a treatment, you don’t have to use heat-styling hair products or devices at home, saving you time and money. 

Frizz Control

Keratin treatments tame frizz and reduce annoying flyaways and stray hairs. These treatments lock in moisture for dry, frizzy hair, keeping your locks hydrated, frizz-free, and manageable. 

Long-lasting Hold

With the right keratin treatment, you don’t have to go back to have the treatment redone for at least three months. This timeframe differs from rebonding and straightening, which require you to go back to the salon every couple of weeks or months. 

Drying Time Reduced By Up to 50%

Some keratin treatments, like the Cezanne option, reduce your hair drying time by 50%. The treatments lock moisture into your hair, reducing humidity and moisture’s effect on the strands. This helps you achieve a shorter drying time from wet hair to dry, minimising heat damage to your strands.

Shinier and Silkier Hair

The formaldehyde formula or alternative ingredients, along with keratin, make your hair shinier and silkier after a treatment. Keratin adds strength and protection, while the glyoxylic acid seals the hair and coats it in shiny lawyers that look flawless. 

Increased Volume for Fine or Damaged Hair

Keratin treatments add volume to fine or damaged hair. Coating the hair follicles and shaft gives your hair more structure and a volumised appearance. The keratin also seals your hair cuticles, which reduces the loof frizzy or broken strands. 

Sealed Cuticles to Prevent Breakage

Keratin treatments seal your hair’s cuticles, closing them and reducing the chance of dirt, dust, or chemicals entering your strands. This prevents further breakage and reduces the appearance of split ends. 

Lock in Color

The sealing action of keratin treatments also helps to lock in colour treatments. If you have a treatment done after colouring your hair, it seals in the pigment and encases it in a protective lawyer. This helps your hair colour last and stay brighter longer. 

More Manageable Hair

As the keratin treatment bonds to your hair, it creates more manageable locks. The keratin coating leaves your hair silky and smooth, meaning less friction when combing or styling. This makes it easier to manage your hair and achieve your desired results.

Disadvantages of Keratin Hair Treatment

Keratin hair treatments can offer several advantages as a hair care method. However, when considering having a treatment done, you should also understand its potential drawbacks.  

Keratin Treatments Can Be Expensive

As a regular hair care method, keratin treatments can be expensive. They typically cost between $200 and $500, which isn’t feasible for every budget. 

Time-Consuming

Most keratin treatments can take between two and four hours to process. The procedure duration depends on your hair’s length and treatment type. Express options reduce this time by half, but the results don’t last as long as a full treatment.

Risk of Burning

If you visit a salon that uses an outdated or poorly formulated keratin treatment, you may experience chemical burns on your scalp. This typically only occurs if the hairdresser operates without a license and proper training or uses a product with more than the .2% formaldehyde allowed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Allergic Reactions

As with any chemicals, some people may experience an allergic reaction to a keratin treatment formula. Those with a history of respiratory issues or allergies should consult with their physician before getting a keratin treatment. 

Heat Damage

If you have significantly damaged or dry hair, you may experience heat damage from a keratin treatment. The process requires the stylist to bond the treatment to your hair with high-heat irons and blow-dryers, which can further damage weak hair. Consult your Cutters His & Hers Hairdressing stylist to discuss heat levels before your treatment. 

Breathing Issues

In rare cases, clients may experience breathing issues after a keratin treatment. Many treatments contain formaldehyde, which can cause lung and nose congestion, eye irritation, and trouble breathing if breathed in at concentrations over 1 ppm. Your stylist may offer a mask and use fans to move the fumes away from your face to prevent these issues during your treatment.

Keratin Hair Treatment for Short Hair

Keratin treatment is ideal for shorter styles. The process can reduce the time you need to style your hair every day, which is beneficial if you’re busy and don’t have time to sit in front of the mirror with your straightener or curling iron.

It can even help you achieve the look that’s best for you. For example, if you have short hair, but it’s curly and unruly, keratin can tame your curls and make them look sleek, lustrous, and manageable.

The Bottom Line on Keratin Hair Treatments

Keratin treatments have become a popular and effective long-term solution for straightening frizzy hair. The treatment makes the hair more manageable and leaves it shiny and silky.

Although several complications are associated with the procedure, such as burning and hair damage, the benefits outweigh any risks. Cost is one of the primary factors to consider when determining whether keratin treatments are right for you; Keratin treatments can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 or more, so it’s crucial to weigh your options before committing. 

How Do You Maintain the Treatment?

The first 48 hours after your keratin treatment are critical. During this time, ensure you follow your stylist’s guidelines so the treatment sets correctly and has the strongest hold possible. 

To maintain your keratin treatment:

• Don’t wash your hair. Once the keratin is set, you can wash your hair twice weekly.
• Don’t use sodium chloride (salt) products, such as clarifying shampoos; you’ll remove the protective coating.
• Don’t put your hair in a ponytail or clip; you risk denting or kinking your hair as it sets.
• Don’t tie your hair back with a rubber band.
• Use sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner.
• Use a silk or satin pillowcase to minimise pulling on your strands, which can lead to split ends.
• Blow-dry your hair after working out. Your sweat can damage the treatment while it sets. 

Opt for a High-Quality Keratin Treatment With Cutters His & Hers Hairdressing

At Cutters His & Her Hairdressing, we offer top-quality keratin treatment services. Our salon has been open since 1995, giving us 27 years of experience in hair treatments and industry trends. 

Our stylists are highly trained to perform keratin treatments, and we only use safe, gentle formulas that won’t hurt your hair. We offer a free stylist consultation where you ask questions and have your stylist assess your hair to ensure your treatment is safe. 

Schedule your keratin treatment appointment today or explore our blog for more hair care tips and information. 

FAQs:

Can a Keratin Treatment Help with Hair Growth?

Keratin strengthens the hair cuticle, making you less likely to experience breakage and split ends. This means you’ll need a trim at less frequent intervals, allowing you to grow your hair faster. 

Can You Get a Keratin Treatment If You Have Natural Curls?

Keratin treatments chemically change the structure of your hair. So, while keratin treatments are effective at straightening naturally curly hair, you may not have the same curl pattern once the treatment wears off.

You can restore your natural curl pattern by washing treated hair frequently with shampoos containing sodium chloride. Depending on the texture of your natural curls, it can take six to 20 weeks for your hair to return to normal.

Can You Get a Keratin Treatment If You Have Color-Treated Hair?

Keratin treatment applied to coloured hair can lighten the hue by up to two shades. You should wait at least two weeks after dying your hair to receive keratin treatment.

Is Keratin the Same as a Japanese Treatment or Relaxer?

Japanese relaxers are permanent and use ammonium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide. These chemicals restructure the bonds in the hair proteins, causing significant hair damage. Keratin treatment is gentler on your strands because it uses a protein already present in your hair. Keratin treatments are also temporary.

How Long Do Keratin Treatments Last?

If you follow your stylist’s aftercare instructions, like only washing your hair twice weekly, you can expect your keratin treatment to last up to six months. However, most treatments last around three months.

Can You DIY a Keratin Treatment?

At-home keratin treatments are available, but they often don’t deliver the same results and don’t last as long as getting a treatment done at a salon. If you choose to perform a keratin treatment at home, ensure you take the proper precautions to reduce the risk of permanent damage to your hair and airways.

Ensure you use a pre-treatment shampoo and only apply the straightening solution in a well-ventilated area.

How Often Can You Get Keratin Treatment?

You should avoid getting a keratin treatment done more than three times yearly. Although temporary, over time, the ingredients can damage your hair. Summer is ideal for getting your hair straightened using a keratin treatment to combat the high humidity.