Keratin treatment is a chemical process that is done to make the hair straighter with added shiny and silkiness and reduced frizz. The process starts at a keratin treatment salon where the hairstylist washes your hair first. Then the treatment is carried out and is set for some time, preferably around thirty minutes. Some stylists blow dries the hair first, apply the treatment and seal it in with a flat iron. The process can take several hours, and the treatment lasts for about 6 months.
Advantages of Keratin treatment
The body makes the protein for hair and nails called keratin. Many shampoos and conditioners also contain keratin. However, the greatest difference can only be observed by getting a professionally done keratin treatment from a salon.
Advantages of keratin treatment include the following.
Shiny, smooth hair
Keratin makes the hair smooth by streamlining the cells that form the hair strand. This gives your hair a shiny, smooth look with reduced frizz. It also temporarily reduces split ends by making the hair strand bond again.
Fast hair growth
Keratin also strengthens the hair, preventing the ends from breaking off so easily. This makes the hair grow faster and also increases their strength. The treatment also lasts for a long amount of time. If you do not wash it very often, it will last up to 6 months. However, that will only happen if you only wash your hair when absolutely necessary, around twice a week.
Manage your hair better
Keratin treatment causes your hair to become stronger. It also makes it air dry in a short span of time, meaning you will be using lesser heat to dry it. Exposing your hair to less heat will result in your hair being stronger and healthier. Moreover, since keratin treatments make your hair less frizzy, they become more manageable.
Disadvantages of keratin treatment
While keratin treatments have many benefits, they also have many disadvantages that you should be aware of before you give it a try.
The following are the cons of getting a keratin treatment.
Formaldehyde
Many keratin treatments include a substance called formaldehyde, which is classified as likely to be a carcinogen. Formaldehyde is what makes the hair look so straight and smooth. However, it is toxic and can be dangerous if inhaled.
Some treatments do not have formaldehyde. Instead they use substitutes. However, it is said that those keratin treatments do not last as long as the ones with formaldehyde do.
Expensive cost
Keratin treatments can be really expensive, especially since you would need to get them redone every 6 months. You can also do these treatments at home and save yourself the money, but the results won’t be the same. At-home keratin treatments may not even last as long.
However, it is also said that keratin treatments should not be done more than thrice a year. While they can make your hair look good temporarily, they will end up damaging it over time.
Hard maintenance
Keratin treatments can be really hard to maintain. You have to be careful the type of water you use to wash your hair and you cannot wash it immediately after the treatment is done. You may have to wait a few days before washing them again. Even after getting the treatment, it is recommended to only wash it twice a week. Keratin treatments are not recommended for women who are pregnant due to the dangerous chemicals it contains.
Conclusion
Keratin treatments are beneficial in making your hair smoother, shinier and stronger. However, they are extremely expensive, and the toxic chemicals can be dangerous. You can get formaldehyde-free treatments, but it might not bring you the same results. However, we suggest choosing keratin treatment by hair stylist Rockville that does not contain formaldehyde.