Everything You Need to Know About Keratin Treatments
If you have frizzy or unmanageable hair, a keratin treatment might be right for you! But what exactly is a keratin treatment? Here, we go over what precisely a keratin treatment is, the pros and cons of getting one, and what to expect if you get one. If you’d like to start a keratin treatment, book an appointment with our excellent stylists at Lemon Tree!
What is a Keratin Treatment?
Keratin is a naturally occurring protein in your hair and nails. Things like heat, constant styling, environment, chemicals, and humidity cause your hair to be depleted of its keratin and become frizzy and difficult to manage. Keratin treatment fills in the gaps of your hair where keratin has been depleted. Treatment can be the perfect fix to dry or challenging hair, but it's also not for everyone. Let's go over the pros and cons of receiving a keratin treatment.
Pros
Keratin smooths the cells that make up your hair strands, making your hair more manageable. Smoothed-out cells make your hair strands look more glossy and less frizzy.
It's important to note that a keratin treatment is not the same as a relaxer or a straightening treatment. A keratin treatment smooths out the holes of keratin in your hair, allowing it to lay straighter and smoother. It does not permanently change the structure of the hair; it only restores health which adds to the straightening effect.
The results of a keratin treatment can last up to six months with proper maintenance.
Because this treatment smooths and calms hair, it can make your hair much easier to style. Many people also notice that the drying time for your hair is significantly shorter and dries nicely without heat.
You might feel like your hair is growing quickly after receiving a keratin treatment. In reality, it will continue to grow normally, but it looks and feels much healthier. Because the treatment smooths your hair and you need less heat for styling, you'll have less breakage, which causes your hair to retain its length for longer.
Cons
Many keratin treatments contain formaldehyde which is the primary hair straightening agent. Formaldehyde can be damaging to your lungs and can also irritate the skin and eyes. Some side effects of exposure can be minor, like nose bleeds or headaches, or severe, like cancer or respiratory illness. Pregnant people should not receive keratin treatments with formaldehyde. Many stylists choose not to perform keratin treatments because of these risks.
If you are worried about the effects of formaldehyde, there are keratine treatments that do not contain it. However, you might have to make a special request or find a salon that already offers formaldehyde–free treatments. Be aware that treatments without formaldehyde may not be as effective.
Keratin hair treatments can be pricey. The average treatment costs around $450, but it can range from $300 to $600. Do not get a keratin treatment more than 2–3 times a year, as that could do more damage than good to your hair.
When you get a keratin treatment, we recommend you not get your hair wet for 3–4 days. Certain kinds of water can also quickly strip your hair of keratin, such as chlorine and salt water. If you need to wash your hair daily or are regularly exposed to chlorine or salt water, a keratin treatment might not be suitable for you.
What to Expect
If you decide to get a keratin treatment after examining the pros and cons, here is what to expect.
- Before: Don't color your hair as the treatment can strip or alter the color. If you have any formaldehyde sensitivities, choose a treatment accordingly.
- During: When receiving a keratin treatment, your stylist will thoroughly shampoo your hair to ensure no residue or build–up interferes with the treatment. Then the keratin solution is applied to your hair and combed through. Some say the solution makes your scalp a bit itchy, so be prepared for that. Application takes about 2–4 hours, depending on your hair's texture, length and thickness. The final step of this process is to heat your hair with a blow dryer and use a flat iron to seal the treatment and finalize the shape. Once finished, you get to go home with straight and silky smooth hair!
- After: As mentioned above, you should not get your hair wet for 3–4 days after the treatment. Avoid putting your hair in a ponytail, as that can kink your hair. To maintain the longevity of the treatment, only shampoo your hair when necessary and utilize high-quality dry shampoo to soak up excess oil. Only use sodium chloride-free hair products to maintain your results when you wash your hair. We also recommend sleeping in a silk hair wrap or on a satin pillowcase to help lock in the moisture.
Final Thoughts
A keratin treatment can be fantastic for frizzy and unmanageable hair but is not perfect for everyone. If you have questions or are unsure if this would be a good fit for you, drop by your local Lemon Tree salon or book an appointment, and we can help you figure out the best treatment for your hair.