Keratin hair treatments: here's what you need to know
The keratin treatment for hair is used to make it soft, smooth and manageable without chemically modifying the structure of the hair fiber, but simply fighting the hated frizz effect. What is there to know about this type of treatment? Are they suitable for everyone? How long do they last and above all how much do they cost? We have all the answers.
But first, we recommend you to watch this video with 10 useful tips to have healthy and strong hair right away!
What is keratin?
Keratin is a protein rich in amino acids that is already naturally present in the human body especially in the hair and nails. In keratin-based hair products, this is recreated in the laboratory thanks to some vegetable proteins such as quinoa, wheat germ, lupine and soy.
In the ingredient list said INCI of the product, you usually find it with the name of keratin or hydrolyzed keratinThis is because the amino acids used have undergone a particular manufacturing process that makes the final product more similar to the structure of the hair.
In the salon, keratin treatments are used to rebuild damaged hair or to smooth it permanently. They are performed with hydrolyzed keratin, and never with formaldehyde which has been banned since 2010 as it is harmful to the body.
By now the products on the market have all been reformulated so as not to be harmful to health, but guaranteeing the desired results.
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Types of keratin hair treatments
In the hairdresser, keratin is used in two types of treatments: hair reconstruction and smoothing, the latter not to be confused with chemical straightening or permanent straightening.
The substantial difference lies in the fact that keratin does not affect the structure of the hair, but only modifies its shape, smoothing it without damaging it.
Which of the two treatments to ask? It depends on the type of hair: if they are only damaged and straight, reconstruction is sufficient; if they are wavy, curly or very frizzy, it is better to opt for the straightening treatment. In some cases, it is necessary to first rebuild and, after a month, proceed to smooth the hair with keratin.
Smoothing keratin treatment
The straightening keratin treatment is the one recommended for those with frizzy, wavy or curly hair, including afro, and aims to facilitate its management at home by avoiding using a straightener and hairdryer every day. You can easily get a smooth crease even with the only one brushing, drying with a brush and hairdryer.
Keratin for hair is not a real permanent straightening, but a kind of "conditioning" that will make the hair smoother. For example, you can decide to keep the natural waves only making them more elastic and defined. Drying will also be faster than usual.
What is the procedure? After shampooing, the head is divided into sections further subdivided into 1 cm thin strands. With a brush, the product is applied to each strand starting from the root, and then a fine-toothed comb is passed to distribute the product over the lengths. Leave on for 30 minutes. It is dried with a hair dryer, and the plate is passed on each single strand from 6 to 8 times with a temperature ranging from 200 ° C to 230 ° C (it all depends on the diameter of the hair and how much you want to straighten).
We then proceed to a light wash without conditioner and you should avoid washing your hair for the next 48 hours. This type of treatment lasts between 3 and 5 months. The cost is around € 100, although a lot depends on the length of the hair.
Restructuring keratin treatment
Unlike the straightening keratin treatment we just talked about, the restructuring treatment is suitable for damaged, brittle and damaged hair. Many hairdressers also recommend it for those with thin hair that needs to be strengthened: keratin makes them thicker and more full-bodied.
Keratin goes well with dry or normal hair, while it is not recommended to use it on oily hair because it would increase its greasiness.
What procedure do you follow? After washing, a first serum is applied which is dried with a hairdryer. You continue with the application of a second restorative cream. At this point you have to stay under the helmet that gives off heat, in order to let all the products penetrate into the hair fiber. It ends with a further shampoo. The duration of the reconstituting treatment goes from 1 to 3 months, the cost is about 25 €.
What to do to keep the treatment at home
To prolong the results obtained at the hairdresser, it is advisable to use keratin-based products that help smooth the hair making it strong and silky. Keratin is activated with heat, so what to do to "wake it up"? If you are using a specific mask, after having spread it on your hair, wrap it in a towel that you have previously heated with the hairdryer. Stay like this for the entire time of the mask, then proceed with rinsing and styling.
Keratin for hair: all the benefits
Among the advantages of doing the straightening treatment with keratin c "is certainly the convenience of having straight, shiny and elastic hair for several months. If you choose the straightening treatment, moreover, your hair will be more manageable and easier to manage, whether you moved them whether you decided to redefine just the hedgehog.
The reconstructive treatment, on the other hand, will make you find healthy and strong hair, as the keratin recompacts the cuticles damaged by dyes, chemical treatments, environmental aggressions and other stresses. And if you want to give thin hair a boost of energy, this treatment will help you make it much thicker.
Risks and disadvantages of keratin on hair
The risks of undergoing these treatments are practically zero, but be warned: you will need to make sure you do a formaldehyde-free treatment (prohibited by law). All products based on vegetable or hydrolyzed keratin are allowed, but must be applied by professional hairdressers to avoid nullifying the final effect.
It happens more and more frequently to find keratin treatments passed off as such, but not truthful. If you suspect, ask the operator to show you the product he is going to use and check the ingredients list.
If the chosen treatment is not suitable for application on the skin or contains formaldehyde, there may be very serious risks such as:
- eye and scalp irritation
- hair loss
- contact allergies
- respiratory problems
- risk of developing tumors
Frequent questions
How long does the effect of keratin last?
As we said before, the smoothing or restructuring effect can last from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 6 months, depending on how curly and frizzy or damaged the hair was.
How often should I undergo the treatment?
Keratin treatments should be repeated every 3, 4 or 5 months, depending on the needs of each hair. As the hair grows you will notice that the root area affected by regrowth will no longer be as smooth as the rest of the hair, and you will need to retouch.
How long does it usually take to apply the treatment?
Much depends on the length of the hair and their volume. The approximate duration for both the smoothing and the restructuring treatment would be between 2 and 4 hours.
Does keratin straightening contain formaldehyde?
It's easy to run into bogus keratin treatments. In some beauty salons they do the treatment with formaldehyde, but it is absolutely not recommended as well as prohibited by law. It is a toxic substance that is harmful to our health and our hair.
How do you know if they have used formaldehyde or not?
Formaldehyde and keratin treatments have a very strong odor and cause itchy and irritated eyes. If you are suspicious, it is best to ask to read the ingredients list to remove any doubts.
