Keratin hair treatment smooths and straightens virtually any type of hair, from wavy to kinky. Other options for hair straightening, such as hair relaxers or hot styling tools, can cause extensive damage and breakage. Curly hair is lovely but there is nothing wrong with wanting a sleek, straighter look. The benefits of keratin hair treatment include smoother hair that is easier to style, without damage.
Keratin is occurs naturally in your hair. It is a protein that fills in damaged and dry cuticles. This is what imparts shine and sleekness in addition to straightening the hair. Women do protein treatment on their hair to repair it. The keratin hair treatment adds another step. The keratin is mixed with either chemicals or plant-based ingredients, which bounds the molecules of keratin together to produce stellar results. After the stylist puts the treatment on your hair, she then seals it in using a flat-iron.
Keratin hair treatments work well with colored hair. If you dye your hair, it’s recommended that you get the treatment soon after dying your hair. It seals in your color to help it last longer. With any other straightening method, coloring your hair or otherwise altering it is heavily discouraged. Highlights and low lights, as well as non-bleach hair color, is suitable and recommended.
The standard time for getting this treatment done is two to three hours. It depends on the length of your hair. After you get the treatment, you cannot wash your hair for four days. This can be difficult but makes all the different in your results. Once you can wash your hair, only use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. The results last from two to three months.
There are certain factors that are less favorable to getting a keratin hair treatment. If you have issues with your scalp, such as seborrhea dermatitis, it can make that condition worse. Anyone that has any scalp conditions should first consult a doctor for approval before getting the treatment. African-American women are more likely to have difficulty than other types. The hair is more fragile and prone to breakage than other types. However, as many African-Americans use lye-based relaxers when they want to straighten their hair, the keratin treatment is far less damaging.
It is crucial to research any stylist that you allow to touch your hair. That is true whether it’s just for a haircut or hair color. It is even more important that you research a stylist when making an appointment for a keratin hair treatment. They should have specific training for it. Due to the chemicals and high heat used on the hair, there is a potential for damage if the treatment is not done properly.
Keratin hair treatments are one way to dramatically change your look without sacrificing your hair in the process. While it isn’t suitable for everyone, it is typically effective on most hair types. Reducing the time spent styling your hair daily is enough to make it worth a try.