Keratin Treatment 101: Guide and FAQs

Have you always wanted naturally straight hair without damaging your tresses? If yes, then you must have heard about keratin treatments from your friend or some YouTuber. Keratin treatments are one of the fastest-growing trends in the beauty industry but don’t hop on the bandwagon before knowing about it inside out. In this article, we will cover all the basics like what a keratin treatment is, how it is performed, and other questions that you might have.

What is a Keratin Treatment?

Hair naturally contains a fibrous protein called keratin that protects it from humidity, the primary cause of frizz. Over time the hair develops spots (think of it like potholes in a road) as they are exposed to the sun, the environment, chemicals, and styling. This leads to a decrease in keratin and makes the hair frizzy.

Fixing this problem requires a keratin treatment, to fill in the holes in your hair and “re-seal” it with keratin so frizz is combated and hair looks healthier. There are many different keratin treatments to choose from. Brazilian blowout is by far the most popular. The best thing about a keratin treatment is it focuses on smoothing and frizz control. And it’s not as harsh as a straightening treatment, which is focused only on straightening the hair.

Things To Know Before Keratin Treatment

For a keratin hair treatment to be effective, it must be done by a trained stylist in a professional setting. Also, be honest about your hair coloring habits before starting the process. Inform the stylist whether you color your hair, and disclose how much. We advise anyone going for a keratin hair treatment to wait until after the treatment before coloring their locks again as the ingredients used in treatment can strip out the color and alter it.

If you have allergies or sensitivities to formaldehyde, a common component found in most keratin solutions, do ask your stylists for alternatives. You must know about any such sensitivities beforehand as the side effects can include stinging, itching eyes, nose, throat irritation, and/or a runny nose. The alternative solutions use glyoxylic acid instead of formaldehyde but do remember they are not quite as effective on frizzy hair as the ones with formaldehyde.

The Keratin Treatment Salon Process

Let us walk you through how the treatment is done and how long it takes. The length of time it takes to do a keratin treatment depends on your stylist’s method, as well as your hair texture and volume, but typically takes two or three hours. This is because first, your hairstylist will wash your hair with a special shampoo before applying the keratin solution.

The stylist then either applies the treatment to already-wet hair and allows the formula to sop up each strand for approximately half an hour, or the stylist will blow-dry hair first and apply the treatment again. It all depends on your hair needs. Finally, if your stylist finds any coarse strands he or she will iron them with a flat iron on low to medium heat depending on the area where the treatment seal is needed.

Hair Maintenance Post – Keratin Treatment

After getting a keratin-based salon treatment, you can’t wash your hair for three days. Ensure that you wait 72 hours to let the process complete. The treatment is semi-permanent, so you don’t want to ruin the effects by washing your hair too soon.

We recommend our clients to shampoo their hair once or twice a week, and only when necessary to enjoy their new look for longer. Also, it is recommended to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner for maintenance. We have a great collection of safe and healthy shampoo, which you can check out.

If you are a fitness enthusiast and can’t miss a day at the gym then let us warn you. After getting keratin hair treatment, you should wait at least two weeks before working out in the gym because you will accumulate a lot of sweat as you run on the treadmill or lift weights. And this will make you want to wash your hair.

Keratin Treatment Before And After Pics

You might have already seen how flawless your friend’s hair looks after the treatment but maybe you want to see what kind of results to expect after the treatment at Nalu Salon. We got you! Check out the before/after pictures of happy clients below.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a keratin treatment last?

A Brazilian keratin treatment done by an expert should last approximately 2-3 months depending on home care. It is essential to use only sulfate-free, sodium-free hair care products post-treatment and to wash your hair as little as possible. Swimming, particularly in chlorinated or salt water, and using hot towels to dry your hair will shorten the lifespan of the treatment.

Does keratin ruin your hair?

This is a very common question people have before trying the treatment. See, keratin is entirely safe for your hair as it’s already present in your hair. A good keratin solution is easily absorbed and doesn’t cause any harm to your hair. And since the keratin treatment focuses on the building blocks for your hair (keratin), it keeps the health factor in check. Additionally, it protects hair from damage, promotes growth, and conditions it deeply without harsh chemicals.

Will keratin treatment help curly hair?

For sure. Naturally-curly hair can experience its unique damage, such as breakage at the ends of your hair follicles from over-manipulation, heat exposure, and chemical treatments. A keratin treatment will reverse all of this damage by deeply penetrating the hair with proteins that strengthen and rejuvenate it. 

Can I still get a keratin treatment if I colored my hair?

Yes. You can color your hair and get a keratin treatment — no problem. Unlike chemical-straightening relaxers, you’ll be able to keep your newly dyed locks healthy without risking damage to your hair.

Can I dye my hair after a keratin treatment?

Yes, you can, but not immediately after the treatment. Professional stylists at Nalu Salon suggest you wait for at least 2 weeks after your keratin treatment. So resist your temptation to add color to those flawless locks for some time. The wait will be worth it.

Can I do it at home?

It’s technically true that you can get a keratin treatment from the comfort of your home. But don’t expect salon-quality results. You’ll also need to buy the right products first. There are many keratin treatment products available, but not all of them are authentic. Some manufacturers just throw in the word “keratin” on their products at random (as all hair is made up of keratin); these products aren’t meant for keratin treatment. In fact, many of them are just standard conditioning products in disguise.

And even if you do manage to buy a good at-home keratin hair treatment kit, your results won’t last as long as a salon version. With a home version, the results generally last a few weeks, whereas a salon treatment can last for several months.

Best keratin treatment salon in Birmingham, MI?

The best treatment is the one that is done by expert stylists. They have done it for hundreds of clients with various hair types, so they know the best way to do it for your hair type. Don’t risk playing with your valuable hairs, get in touch with our experts at Nalu Salon. Our keratin treatment service starts at just $350.

Nalu is a professional beauty salon dedicated to providing the best services, products, and education to our customers in the Birmingham area. Our goal is to create looks that are great for any lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for something modern or traditional, we’ll create styles that are perfect for the workplace and everyday life.