How Soon Can You Repeat a Keratin Treatment?

For those of us constantly battling frizzy, unmanageable hair, the allure of silky, smooth strands is almost irresistible. But how soon can you repeat a keratin treatment without compromising your hair’s health?

Keratin’s Role in Hair and Structure

Keratin is a structural protein in your hair that provides strength, elasticity, and resilience. It forms the building blocks of each strand, defining its texture and protecting it against external damage, such as the sun’s UV rays and environmental pollutants.

Keratin also helps keep hair moisturised and less prone to breakage by retaining the natural oils produced by the scalp.

Keratin Treatment: A Brief Overview

Over time, environmental pollutants, chemical processes, and heat styling can deplete hair’s natural keratin, leading to a dull and coarse appearance. Keratin procedures are semi-permanent smoothing treatment salon-based hair designed to straighten and add shine to frizzy, unruly hair.

Before a keratin treatment, you’ll have a consultation with a hairstylist to discuss your hair type, desired results, and concerns. The stylist will assess your hair’s condition and suitability for the treatment. Your hair will be thoroughly cleansed on the treatment day to remove any buildup, dirt, or oil.

Next, a keratin-rich solution with hydrolysed keratin, amino acids, and conditioning agents is applied to your hair. This solution penetrates the hair cuticle, depositing keratin to repair and strengthen the hair shaft.

Your hair is then covered to allow the keratin to penetrate deeply, with processing times ranging from 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the product and hair condition.

To promote smoothness, your stylist then seals the keratin into the hair using a flat iron at around 232°C. Once the treatment is complete, your hair is blow-dried and styled to showcase the smooth and shiny results.

How Long Does a Keratin Treatment Last?

A keratin hair treatment’s results can last between 2 to 6 months. Several factors influence this duration, including hair type, the quality of the keratin product used, and aftercare routines.

While the treatment embeds keratin into the hair cuticles, external factors such as swimming in chlorinated water, frequent washing, or using hair products containing sulphates can shorten the treatment’s lifespan. 

Wash your hair with sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners to minimise exposure to harsh environmental factors for the best and longest-lasting results. You should also apply a sun protectant to your hair when going outside, such as a leave-in conditioner with UV filters. 

Determining the Right Time for a Repeat Treatment

Knowing the right time for a repeat keratin treatment is crucial to maintaining smooth, frizz-free hair. While keratin treatments typically last up to 6 months, the exact timing for a touch-up depends on various factors. Here’s how to determine when it’s time for your next keratin treatment:

• Observe your hair’s texture: Pay attention to how your hair feels and looks as the treatment wears off. If you notice an increase in frizz, unruliness, or a return to your natural curl pattern, it might be a sign that the keratin treatment is starting to fade and it’s time for a touch-up.
• Evaluate hair manageability: As the treatment’s effects diminish, you might find that your hair becomes harder to style and manage. If you start experiencing difficulty in achieving the desired smoothness and sleekness, it’s a good indication that a repeat keratin treatment is needed.
• Consider hair type and condition: The frequency of keratin treatments can vary based on your hair type and condition. If you have highly textured or coarse hair, you may need more frequent touch-ups than those with finer hair.
  Additionally, if your hair is damaged or has undergone chemical treatments like foil highlights or colouring, it might require more frequent keratin treatments to maintain its health and manageability.
• Follow professional advice: Consult with your hairstylist or a professional at the salon where you got the initial treatment. They can assess your hair’s condition and provide personalised recommendations on when to schedule your next keratin treatment based on your specific hair needs.

Risks of Overdoing Keratin Treatments

While you may love your silky-smooth tresses after a keratin treatment, avoid overlapping treatments too soon. Excessive keratin application can damage hair, and you need to give your keratin-treated hair ample time to recover before getting another treatment.

Some of the negative consequences of overly frequent keratin treatments include:

• Hair damage: Overusing keratin treatments can cause hair damage, particularly if the treatments contain high levels of formaldehyde or other harsh chemicals. These chemicals can weaken the hair shaft and lead to breakage, thinning, and brittleness.
• Protein overload: Keratin is a protein, and too much protein applied to the hair can result in protein overload. This condition makes the hair stiff, rigid, and prone to breakage. It can also cause the hair to lose its natural elasticity and bounce.
• Sensitivity and allergic reactions: Some individuals may develop sensitivities or allergic reactions to the chemicals used in keratin treatments. Repeated exposure can exacerbate these reactions, leading to scalp irritation, itching, and redness.
• Unwanted texture changes: Frequent keratin treatments can alter the hair’s natural texture over time. Hair that was once wavy or curly may become overly straight and lose its natural movement.
• Scalp issues: Too much keratin treatment can lead to scalp issues, such as dryness, flakiness, and unhealthy product buildup. This can interfere with the scalp’s natural moisture balance and lead to discomfort.
• Hair dependency: Constantly relying on keratin treatments to manage frizz and improve hair texture may create a dependency on the treatment. As a result, your hair may become less manageable between treatments, making it challenging to maintain your desired style without frequent touch-ups.
• Expensive maintenance: Frequent keratin treatments can be costly and time-consuming. Over time, the expenses and time invested in maintaining the treatment can become burdensome.

Find the Right Balance

Keratin treatments breathe life back into tired, frizzy locks. But as with all good things, moderation is key. For most people, waiting until the effects of the previous treatment have mostly worn off—usually around the 2 to 6-month mark—is a safe bet.

However, always prioritise your hair’s health over aesthetics and consult with your hairstylist before making any decisions. At Intaglio Salon, our hairstylists have extensive experience with keratin hair treatments and can provide you with a personalised recommendation for when you can return for a repeat treatment.

Our salon also only uses formaldehyde-free formulas to minimise hair damage. Contact us today to book your keratin treatment and enjoy the benefits of silky smooth strands.