What Is a Keratin Treatment?
Keratin—the protein that helps strengthen hair to prevent breakage, heat damage, and frizz—is vitally important for maintaining strong and healthy hair.
But keratin straightening, the salon treatments that promise silky-smooth hair have always been a bit of a question mark for people who are not well acquainted with this. Keku Kekashan, owner of Flaunt Salon and Spa is here to help you to get the breakdown of everything you need to know about keratin treatments.
Keratin is a structural protein found in our hair, skin, and nails. It’s also commonly found in styling products to help strengthen hair—but the term keratin treatment is actually a misnomer.
"Keratin treatments are semi-permanent hair straightening treatments that smooth and add shine to frizzy hair," says Kekashan.
How the treatments work is not through the use of keratin, though.
To make hair straighter, a solution containing a formaldehyde derivative or (the much safer) glyoxylic acid is worked through the hair to break the bonds and reseal them in a straighter position.
The solution is then blow-dried and sealed with a flat iron, and the results can last anywhere from three to six months. According to Kekashan, the treatments work well on most hair types, and she recommends it for anyone who wants to reduce frizz, boost shine, or cut out blow-drying or straightening their hair on a regular basis.
What to expect from a keratin treatment?
This treatment results in silky smooth hair which gradually fades out after a few months.
A Keratin treatment is unlike the straightening/rebonding process. Your hair will neither be flattened out completely, devoid of any volume, nor will it make your roots grow-in curly and your ends sleek. The ingredient Keratin is basically like a super strong deep conditioner.
Pre-treatment
Before you head out to get this treatment done, check whether a keratin treatment would be suitable for your hair. Just because your best friend loved it, doesn’t mean it’s going to suit you too.
Confused? Pop in for a visit at Flaunt and we’ll be happy to help you!
The Procedure
Pick a day when you’re free and have ample amount of time to spare because this is one lengthy treatment. The treatment lasts for approximately three hours and consists of the following steps.
– Hair wash (Shampoo but not conditioner)
– Blow-dry to remove all the moisture
– Application of Keratin solution
– Hair is left to set
– Another round of blow-dry
– Followed by a flat-iron to help seal in the solution
– All done!
The end result would be smooth, shiny, manageable hair which will last you at least three months with a proper hair care regime.
It’s extremely important that the procedure is performed by a trained hair stylist, and hence, we at Flaunt always ensure that such complicated procedures are performed by trained hair stylists.
Post-treatment
The cardinal rule of keratin treatments is to stay away from water and ponytails for at least three days. You don’t want to risk creating a bend in your newly-straightened hair. Kekashan says the key to maintaining your treatment for as long as possible is using a sulfate-free shampoo on the days you wash your hair.
Is Keratin treatment different from smoothening/rebonding?
In Keratin treatment, the structure of hair is not chemically altered, but hair is made shiner and manageable. And, when it comes to smoothening and rebonding, the treatment changes the composition of hair and makes the tresses sleeker. The result also varies as keratin ritual gives you a natural look compared to rebonding.
How Long Do Keratin Treatments Last?
For those with natural curls, Kekashan also says not to wet your hair for three days. She also recommends using sodium chloride-free hair products and to wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf (or pillowcase) to keep the moisture locked in your hair as the treatment can cause your hair to dry out faster. She says that treatments can last up to six months, but does caution that it might impact your curl pattern permanently.
Dream of silky smooth hair but not sure if Keratin’s the thing for you? Pop in for a visit at Flaunt and our specialized hairstylists will give you the best options for your hair!