Keratin Hair Treatment

Procedure, Cost, and Benefits

Are you aware that hair is made of dead keratinized cells? An average person has around 1–1.5 lakh hair strands. Keratin hair treatment is fantastic for reducing hair frizz, strengthening your hair, and enhancing its shine. Before you undergo a keratin treatment, it is essential to understand the procedure, costs, and complete benefits of it.

The keratin hair treatment is one of the remarkable advancements in the haircare industry. It ensures that your hair gets its long-lost gloss and healthy look back. It can reduce split ends and add more volume to hair. It is essential to understand exactly what keratin is. 

Let us understand that by reading ahead.

What Is Keratin?

Our hair contains keratin, a protein that is present in it naturally. Each of our hair stands is made up of 91% keratin. The amount of keratin in hair reduces with time due to aging, chemical treatments, and hair styling. As a result, our hair develops a dry, harsh texture and loses its natural sheen.

Keratin belongs to the family of fibrous structural proteins and is the primary structural component of your hair, nails, and skin's epidermis. Keratin gives hair strength and luster, but curly and textured hair has weaker keratin, which leads to dryness and frizz.

What Is Meant by Keratin Hair Treatment?

A keratin treatment is nothing more than a chemical procedure in which the salon staff apply the protein to hair strands to make them supple and lustrous. Although there are several types of keratin treatments, in all of them, the professionals inject keratin into the porous regions of hair follicles to strengthen the hair.

It's interesting to note that it's formaldehyde, not keratin, that’s responsible for controlling the mixture's frizz. The chemical straightens hair by meshing keratin chains into a single straight line. After carefully applying the product to the hair, the hair is blow-dried and flat-ironed.

What Is the Process of a Keratin Treatment?

Following is the procedure for keratin treatment:

1. First, your hair is washed properly.

2. After dividing into several portions, each strand of hair is treated with keratin (used as a serum).

3. Hair is subjected to a heat treatment using a steam machine to activate the keratin. Depending on the texture of the hair, this phase can take up to 20 to 40 minutes. If your hair is curly, a blow dryer is used in place of steam to help keratin absorb more quickly and effectively.

4. To remove the keratin, the hair is washed once more.

5. The process is finished by straightening and drying the hair.

How Do I Know Which Keratin Treatment Suits Me Best?

Since formaldehyde is a carcinogen, its use raises many questions. Numerous keratin hair treatments are available in the market, some containing less formaldehyde than others. Only a little formaldehyde comes out when the keratin treatment is performed. However, it is still preferable to use formaldehyde-free procedures.

Some experts believe that keratin treatments are not entirely safe because they are chemical based. Glyoxylic acid is used in place of formaldehyde in more recent keratin treatments. Formaldehyde-free keratin treatments are safer and more effective for treating hair, but they have short-term effects.

Given below are a few treatments that you might want to consider for your hair:

Brazilian Blowout

Among the first keratin treatments to be created, this procedure was invented in Brazil. This Brazilian procedure is pricey, but it's worth it because it smoothes hair cuticles and removes frizz by coating hair strands in a protein-based protective layer. The effects of the therapy can last for up to three months. However, Brazilian Blowouts have a smoothening effect and don't include formaldehyde, making them a safer alternative.

Cezanne

Cezanne is one of the most organic and formaldehyde-free keratin treatments. It is ideal for people with fine hair because it not only reduces frizz but also nourishes damaged hair strands. It is not a good idea if you have colored hair because it can interfere with the artificial color of the hair. However, you can schedule a hair coloring appointment after you undergo a Cezanne treatment!

Trisolla and Trisolla Plus

Trisolla and Trisolla Plus are ideal for people with thick, damaged, or colored hair. The treatment makes hair manageable, doesn't lighten hair color, and holds up well in warm, clammy weather.   

Keratin Express

This quick procedure involves applying serum-form keratin to the hair and sealing it with a blow dryer and flat iron. It is perfect for girls with curly or wavy hair who want to manage their hair better. Results can last for up to six weeks.

Japzilian Keratin

The Japzilian hair straightening technique combines Japanese and Brazilian keratin treatments to provide results that last five months longer than traditional keratin treatments. The Brazilian treatment relaxes curls, and the Japanese treatment seals the cuticle and prevents frizz. Rough strands are coated twice with a Japanese straightening device as it is brushed through the hair. After an hour, the hair is cleansed and given another blow-dry for sleek, straight hair.

Benefits of a Keratin Treatment

• Getting a keratin treatment can save you time if you often straighten your hair. The procedure can save blow-drying time by 40% to 60%!
• Frizz and roughness in unmanageable hair can be left behind. Even in humid conditions, hair remains frizz-free, straight, and silky.
• The keratin coating protects your hair strands from the sun and environmental harm.
• Hair strands become more resistant to breakage as keratin can rebound and thicken hair.
• Depending on your treatment, you can enjoy lush, smooth hair for up to three to six months with little maintenance.
• A few times a year, keratin hair treatments are less harmful to your hair than daily heat styling.

Disadvantages of a Keratin Treatment

• Exposure to formaldehyde increases the risk of allergic reactions and respiratory issues when used in formaldehyde treatments.
• Prolonged formaldehyde exposure results in cancer
• Over-straightening and increased formaldehyde exposure can cause hair to dry and become weak, resulting in breakage and hair loss.
• Without frizz, hair can rapidly become oily and limp.
• Since they only work for three to six months, keratin hair treatments are pricey.
• The most significant risk is from inhaling formaldehyde because it is a gas. As a result, some hairdressers need the customer to wear a mask while receiving treatment.

Conclusion

Keratin is best for people with frizzy, dry, and wavy hair, but people with thick hair can also benefit from keratin hair treatment. To extend keratin treatment's effectiveness, taking care of your hair after applying the keratin solution is essential. Use chemical-free, premium hair care products when washing your hair. Try utilizing blow dryers and iron rods to maintain your hair's smoothness and straightness. After receiving a keratin hair treatment, wait at least three days before washing your hair.

Giving your hair some time to air out after your keratin treatment has completed its entire cycle is vital. The treatment uses chemicals, and its repeated administrations could be harmful.

As a result, plan a second keratin hair treatment procedure only at least three-four months after the first one. You may give yourself a keratin hair treatment at home, but don't expect professional results.