Can I Straighten My Hair After Keratin Treatment?

Keratin treatments are among the most effective hair straightening techniques for managing frizzy hair. It works by depositing keratin into the hair.

Keratin is a natural protein found in hair, but it can be damaged over time due to repeated heat styling, dryness, and chemical use on hair. Keratin treatments infuse keratin into the hair shaft, smoothening and straightening it.

How Keratin Treatment Straightens Hair

Keratin is an effective hair straightening treatment. But how does keratin treatment straighten hair?

These treatments work by depositing keratin into the hair. Keratin treatment formulations contain various ingredients that open the hair cuticle, depositing the keratin into the hair.

The keratin protein in the treatment fills up the gaps in the hair shaft, making it smoother and straighter. The final step involves flat ironing the hair to seal in the treatment.

Once applied, keratin treatment can last three to six months, depending on the formulation used and your post-keratin treatment care routine.

Is keratin treatment permanent?

No, keratin treatment is a temporary hair smoothing and straightening treatment that lasts about three months. Treatment can last six months with a proper keratin treatment aftercare routine.

You must retouch keratin treatment after three months to keep your hair smooth and frizz-free. Alternatively, you could choose a Japanese hair straightening if you want a permanent hair straightening treatment.

Does Keratin Treatment Damage Hair?

Keratin treatments have advantages and disadvantages, including damaging hair when not applied correctly.

Keratin itself is a beneficial protein that can benefit and repair damaged hair. However, when combined with other harsh chemicals in some keratin treatment formulations, it can damage hair.

In addition to the chemicals in keratin treatments, subjecting your hair to too many treatments can damage it. Keratin treatments require heat, which, over time, can wear down the structure of your hair, leaving it damaged.

Depositing too much keratin on the hair can also weigh it down, causing it to lose its elasticity and increasing the risk of damage. Another way keratin treatments can damage your hair is by changing its natural structure.

This is a problem, especially for those with naturally wavy or curly hair. Regular treatments eventually alter the hair structure, preventing it from taking its natural wave patterns.

Fortunately, you can change your hair care routine to reverse these issues. Here is how to repair hair after a keratin treatment:

• Wash and condition your hair with gentle shampoos with ingredients that repair damaged hair.
• Use gentle, reparative hair products.
• Wear sun protective spray on your hair to minimize sun damage.
• Limit the use of heat styling tools and use a heat protectant when heat styling your hair.
• Stop or reduce the frequency of keratin treatments. You should retouch your hair every six months and aim for not more than three keratin treatments per year. Meanwhile, you can make your keratin treatment last longer by using keratin-based hair care products.
• Deep condition your hair regularly to reintroduce moisture.
• Sleep on a silk pillowcase to protect your hair from friction and dryness.

Caring For Your Hair After Keratin Treatment

Your post-keratin treatment routine influences how long the benefits of a keratin treatment last and your hair and scalp health. Here are hair care best practices to keep in mind after a keratin treatment:

• Wait at least three days before you wash your hair, or use heat styling tools to give the treatment time to bond to your hair.
• Protect your hair from hard water by installing a water-softening system.
• Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to avoid stripping the keratin treatment of your hair.
• Use lightweight styling products to prevent build-up and undesirable texture post-treatment.
• Protect your hair before swimming in the pool or ocean. Both saltwater and chlorine gradually damage keratin treatments.
• Wash your hair two to three times a week. Overwashing your hair will strip the treatment off faster.

Using Heat Styling Tools After Keratin Treatment

Heat styling tools are okay to use after a keratin treatment. However, you should be cautious to ensure your treatment lasts long. Here are some best practices for heat styling keratin-treated hair:

• Wait 48 hours after a keratin treatment before using heat styling tools on your hair. Heat can disrupt the hair bonding process, shortening the treatment’s longevity.
• Use a high-quality heat protectant each time before using heat styling tools on your keratin-treated hair.
• Use high-quality heat styling tools with good heat control and distribution to prevent hot spots when styling your hair.
• Avoid excessive heat on your hair as it strips the keratin treatment while weakening your strands. Keep the heat under 350F.
• Avoid heat styling your keratin-treated hair when wet.

Conclusion

Keratin treatments are an effective way to straighten hair, with results lasting between three and six months. The success of your treatment depends on the quality of products you use, the right application technique, and good post-treatment care routines. Contact our keratin treatment experts for safe hair straightening.