Introduction
Keratin treatment, often called a ‘keratin smoothing treatment’ or sometimes referred to by brand names like a ‘Brazilian blowout,’ is a popular hair treatment designed to reduce frizz, smooth hair texture, and make styling significantly easier for an extended period, typically several months. With its growing popularity in salons worldwide, many people considering the treatment want to understand exactly what it involves, how it works, and what tradeoffs come with it before committing to the process and cost.
What Keratin Treatment Actually Does
Keratin is a structural protein that naturally makes up the majority of hair’s composition, and over time, factors like heat styling, chemical treatments, sun exposure, and general wear can deplete the hair’s natural keratin, contributing to frizz, dryness, and difficulty managing texture. A keratin treatment involves applying a keratin-infused solution to the hair, which is then sealed in using heat, typically from a flat iron, temporarily filling in damaged areas of the hair shaft and creating a smoother, more manageable texture.
The Salon Process: What to Expect
A typical keratin treatment session begins with washing the hair using a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup and oils, ensuring the keratin solution can penetrate effectively. The keratin solution is then applied section by section throughout the hair, followed by a period of processing time, after which the hair is blow-dried and then flat-ironed at high heat, which is the step that actually seals the keratin into the hair shaft and activates the smoothing effect. The entire process can take anywhere from two to four hours depending on hair length, thickness, and the specific treatment used.
How Long the Results Last
Results from a keratin treatment typically last between two to five months, depending on hair type, how the hair is cared for afterward, and the specific formulation used by the salon. The effect gradually fades as hair grows out and as the treated hair undergoes normal washing and styling over time, with frizz and texture gradually returning to a more natural state as the keratin coating wears away.
Aftercare Requirements
Most keratin treatments require avoiding washing the hair for a specific period immediately after treatment, often 48 to 72 hours, to allow the keratin to fully set. Following this initial period, using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner is generally recommended, since sulfates can strip the keratin coating more quickly, shortening how long the results last. Avoiding tight hairstyles, hair clips, or tucking hair behind the ears immediately after treatment is also commonly advised, since the hair can be temporarily more prone to creasing or indentation during the initial setting period.
Different Types of Keratin Treatments
Keratin treatments vary in formulation, with some containing formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals to achieve more dramatic, longer-lasting straightening effects, while formaldehyde-free versions offer a gentler smoothing effect with somewhat less dramatic results and typically a shorter duration. Formaldehyde-containing treatments have raised health and safety concerns, including potential respiratory irritation during the treatment process, which has led many salons and clients to prefer formaldehyde-free alternatives despite the somewhat less intense smoothing effect.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Keratin Treatment
Keratin treatment tends to work particularly well for those with frizzy, curly, or wavy hair looking for a smoother, more manageable texture without committing to permanent chemical straightening. It’s generally not recommended for severely damaged or chemically over-processed hair, since adding additional heat and chemical processing to already compromised hair can worsen damage rather than improve texture, and a hairstylist should assess hair condition before recommending the treatment.
Potential Downsides and Considerations
Beyond the cost, which can be significant depending on hair length and salon, keratin treatments do involve some hair damage risk, primarily from the high-heat flat-ironing step required to seal the treatment, particularly with repeated treatments over time. There are also valid concerns around formaldehyde exposure for treatments using that formulation, both for the client and for salon workers exposed repeatedly, which is worth discussing directly with a salon before booking a treatment.
Cost Considerations
Keratin treatment cost varies considerably based on hair length, thickness, the specific salon, and geographic location, generally ranging from a moderate cost for short hair to a substantially higher cost for long, thick hair requiring more product and processing time. Given that results last several months, many clients view the cost relative to the time saved on daily styling, since significantly reduced blow-drying and styling time can offset some of the treatment’s upfront expense in terms of time value, if not direct financial savings.
It’s worth requesting a clear price quote based on your specific hair length and the exact treatment formulation before booking, since prices can vary significantly between salons even within the same city, and some salons price by hair length category while others provide a personalized quote during an in-person consultation.
Keratin Treatment vs. Hair Straightening Alternatives
Keratin treatment is often compared to permanent hair straightening (rebonding) and other smoothing treatments, but the mechanisms and results differ meaningfully. Permanent straightening involves breaking and reforming the hair’s internal protein bonds to achieve a permanently straight result, which is a more chemically intensive and generally more damaging process compared to keratin treatment’s temporary smoothing and frizz-reduction effect.
For those wanting to maintain some natural texture or wave while reducing frizz and improving manageability, keratin treatment is generally the gentler option, while permanent straightening is better suited for those wanting a complete, long-term change to fully straight hair regardless of natural texture, accepting the more significant chemical processing and damage potential that comes with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I color my hair after a keratin treatment? Yes, but timing matters — most stylists recommend waiting at least two weeks after a keratin treatment before coloring, or coloring first and waiting a few days before the keratin treatment.
Is keratin treatment safe during pregnancy? Many stylists and dermatologists recommend avoiding formaldehyde-containing keratin treatments during pregnancy due to potential exposure concerns; formaldehyde-free options or postponing treatment are commonly suggested alternatives, best discussed with a doctor.
Can keratin treatment be done on previously chemically straightened hair? Yes, though hair that has undergone significant previous chemical processing should be assessed by a stylist first, since combining multiple chemical treatments increases the risk of damage.
How should I wash my hair after a keratin treatment to make it last longer? Using sulfate-free shampoo, washing less frequently if possible, and avoiding hot water, which can strip the treatment faster, all help extend the results for as long as possible.
Can men get keratin treatments too? Yes, keratin treatment isn’t gender-specific, and many men with frizzy or unruly hair texture use the treatment for the same smoothing and manageability benefits.
Conclusion
Keratin treatment offers a genuinely effective way to reduce frizz and improve hair manageability for several months, working by temporarily restoring keratin protein to the hair shaft and sealing it with heat. While results can be significant, the treatment does involve some heat-related damage risk and, depending on formulation, potential chemical exposure concerns, making it worth discussing your specific hair condition, the type of treatment used, and aftercare requirements thoroughly with a qualified stylist before proceeding.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice from a licensed hairstylist or dermatologist. Individual results and risks can vary; please consult a qualified professional and disclose any allergies or sensitivities before undergoing any hair treatment.