A keratin treatment, also known as a Brazilian blowout or Brazilian keratin care, is a chemical technique that can straighten hair for up to 6 months and is commonly done in a salon. It gives hair a glossy sheen and might help to prevent frizz.
After having your hair washed, a stylist will brush the treatment onto your wet hair, where it will sit for around 30 minutes.
Some hairstylists prefer to blow dry the hair first before applying the treatment. To lock in the treatment, they’ll flat iron the hair in small areas.
Bring a book or anything calm to do while the process takes many hours.
If you’re not sure if keratin treatment is correct for you, consider the advantages and disadvantages listed below.
Keratin treatment’s potential advantages
Keratin is a protein that is naturally produced by the body and is found in hair and nails.
These treatments use keratin obtained from wool, feathers, or horns. Keratin is found in several shampoos and conditioners, but the best results come from a salon treatment performed by a specialist.
The following are some of the advantages of receiving a professional keratin treatment or doing one at home:
Hair that is silky and glossy
Keratin smooths down the cells that overlap to produce hair strands, making hair more manageability and reducing frizz. This results in hair that dries frizz-free and has a shiny, healthy appearance.
By temporarily gluing the hair back together, keratin can also decrease the appearance of split ends.
Long-term outcomes
Your keratin treatment can last up to 6 months if you take care of it by not washing your hair too frequently (2 to 3 times per week is sufficient).
Hair that is easier to manage
Keratin treatments help to make hair more manageable, especially if it’s frizzy or thick.
If you frequently heat style your hair, you’ll find that it dries faster with a keratin treatment. Keratin, according to some, reduces drying time by more than half.
Because you can air dry your hair more often and avoid heat damage, it may become healthier and stronger.
The development of hair
Keratin can strengthen and fortify hair, making it less prone to breakage. Because the ends aren’t breaking off, hair appears to grow faster.
Keratin treatment’s potential dangers
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is present in many (but not all) keratin treatments, which can be harmful if inhaled.
Formaldehyde is the substance that makes the hair appear straighter.
According to an assessment by the Environmental Working Group, some companies will try to conceal the fact that their keratin product contains the toxin.
Cost
Each treatment might cost anything between $300 and $800, including gratuity. Although there are less expensive at-home choices, the results will not last as long.
It’s difficult to keep up with
Some people may find it more difficult to manage their hair if they wash it less frequently and avoid swimming.
It’s important to use the right kind of water on your hair. Swimming with chlorinated or salt water (essentially a pool or the ocean) can cause your keratin treatment to wear out faster. You’ll also need to buy shampoo and conditioner without sodium chloride or sulfates, as these can both strip the treatments.
Do not wash until later. You’ll have to wait 3 to 4 days after the keratin treatment to wash your hair, so if you don’t enjoy skipping wash day, this treatment might not be for you, and some individuals say their hair smells musty even after washing.
Not suitable for everyone. It is also not advised for women who are pregnant.
The food that was delivered
Keratin treatments can help you control frizzy, thick hair.
The treatment works by smoothing the hair’s cuticle, giving the strands a lustrous appearance. It can also help you save time when it comes to drying.
However, the treatments are costly, and formaldehyde in many formulas can be harmful if inhaled, so make sure you get the treatment in a well-ventilated room or opt for a formaldehyde-free formula.
