Keratin hair straightening: pros, cons and features of the salon procedure

One of the most popular salon procedures for controlling frizzy and unruly hair is keratin hair straightening. It claims to leave your hair manageable, lustrous, and silky for weeks. For people who struggle with everyday styling and want a sleek, carefree look, this procedure is revolutionary.

Like any cosmetic procedure, keratin straightening has advantages and disadvantages. Even though it has many advantages, like less frizz and less styling time, it’s crucial to be aware of any potential disadvantages. Some people worry about the chemicals used in the process and the health of their hair in the long run.

Knowing what to anticipate from keratin treatment can help you make an informed decision if you’re thinking about getting it. We’ll go over the essential details in this post so you can determine whether or not this well-liked procedure is right for you.

A keratin-based formula is applied to the hair cuticle to temporarily seal it, resulting in smooth, shiny, frizz-free hair. Keratin hair straightening is a popular salon treatment. Although it provides smooth, controllable results that may endure for several months, it has drawbacks as well, such as the need for chemicals and the possibility of damage with repeated treatments. Determining if this procedure is right for your hair requires an understanding of the risks, benefits, and maintenance needs.

What is keratin hair straightening?

• to discipline unruly and frizzy hair;

• to thicken thin or unevenly thinned hair;

• to simplify combing and styling.

The process of keratinizing hair takes approximately three hours, during which the structure of the hair shaft is saturated with liquid keratin. This substance smoothes the surface and seals damage at high temperatures, enveloping each hair and creating an invisible protective coating. All of these modifications are transient, and keratin hair straightening results vary in duration from three to six months, contingent upon the specific technique used, the unique properties of each strand, and at-home maintenance.

The keratin straightening product’s composition can include the following ingredients in addition to keratin:

• amino acids,

• silk proteins,

• panthenol,

• vitamins,

• formaldehyde.

Crucial! For long-term straightening, formaldehyde and other similar organic compounds work best. Protection against the formation of frizz and curls will be ineffective without them after a few days.

Expert advice from SalonSecret. Formulations containing formaldehyde exacerbate the issues with severely damaged hair. In these situations, hairdressers advise reviewing at-home care and substituting salon treatments for keratinization.

You might benefit from professional dual-action masks that smooth and restore: Liss Unlimited uses a combination of natural oils and candelilla wax, based on the Pro-keratine technology from L’Oréal Professionnel and SmoothProof from Biolage.

Care that is left in also has an immediate smoothing effect. Use liquid protein to mist Instacure from Matrix, for instance. Moreover, it exhibits remarkable results in hair reconstruction, reducing fragility by 60%.

Instead of griping about brittleness, are you curious about keratin hair straightening in depth? If so, you’re in the right spot! Let’s first balance all the advantages and disadvantages of the process.

How can you style your hair straight without harming the environment? In order to find hairstylists for the upcoming project, search your city for eco-salons, which are studios and beauty salons that have made the transition to a more "green" lifestyle. By organizing separate waste collection, recycling, and the transition to more environmentally friendly cosmetics, L’Oréal’s initiative helps to conserve natural resources. Customers of the eco-salon choose this particular establishment from a variety of others, contributing to the future of society. Go through our content regarding the eco-friendly beauty salon tenets.

Indications and contraindications for keratinization

When will hair keratinization show a discernible and exclusively favorable outcome? Experts from SalonSecret point out that keratin, the hair procedure, and its analogs won’t harm you if:

• you have curly, wavy or frizzy hair;

• unruly hair, poor hairstyle or too fluffy;

• thin rather than thick hair;

• dull, dry hair, prone to electrification and tangling;

• you want to get rid of a perm that does not suit you.

It makes more sense to use keratin straightening on long or medium-length hair. After the procedure, short, thin strands will become noticeably thicker, but they will lose volume. Furthermore, the benefits of keratinization on short hairstyles become apparent only as the root zone expands.

Is hair keratinization harmful? Is it worthwhile to do? We recommend that you consider the following contraindications if you ask yourself these questions:

• a tendency to allergies;

• the presence of abrasions, wounds, dermatitis, psoriasis rashes and other damage to the skin of the scalp;

• intensive hair loss, hair fragility, significant damage to their fibers;

• pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Photos before and after the procedure

If unkempt hair has always given you trouble, hair keratinization separates your life into before and after. At last, the desired smoothness emerges, styling becomes easier, and curls that tangle are eliminated. Perhaps compared to other procedures, the photo’s keratin hair straightening procedure shows a more noticeable result. Some masters, however, contend that the technology only aims for the surface effect, making the difference instantly apparent.

Pros and cons of keratin hair straightening

We assess keratin for hair, the benefits and drawbacks of the process from the perspective of experts:

• keratin as part of salon care gives hair a unique gloss and well-groomed appearance;

• long-term straightening procedure provides both instant and cumulative effect, with each procedure more and more keratin is retained in the hair;

• hair keratinization is almost the only way to correct an unsuccessful perm (this can be done two weeks after the "chemistry").

Furthermore, the process is nearly universal: it is applied to medium-length, long, and less frequently, short hairstyles; natural color is irrelevant; there are no structural constraints; hair can be straight or curly, Slavic, Asian, or African, for example.

The primary drawback of keratin straightening is most likely its composition, specifically the formaldehyde found in the majority of preparations. This potent toxin, which is also a long-term styling fixative, is known to cause dermatitis in allergy sufferers. Even though formaldehyde is found in small amounts in cosmetic formulations, a beauty salon must still have adequate ventilation.

Another drawback is that bleaching and lightening should not be done after the procedure. Tell colorists that you had keratin hair straightening done for at least a year. The master will assess the strands’ state and recommend delaying the switch to artificial blond hair or choosing the softest compositions for subtle coloring.

What does keratin hair straightening give: the effect of the procedure

What benefits does keratin hair straightening offer girls who undergo three or four sessions annually for a longer-lasting result? The explanation is provided in a description of the outcome and the appearance of the strands several weeks following the procedure.

Let’s review the primary benefits to comprehend why keratinization makes life easier, but this time we’ll look at it from the perspective of a client of a beauty salon rather than a professional:

• the keratin straightening procedure significantly saves time on creating hairstyles, because it makes combing and styling easier;

• hair looks as thick as possible (dense, but not voluminous) and smooth, shiny, beautifully flowing;

• smoothed and soft straight strands do not get tangled and do not form knots, they are easy comb even wet (but it is still better to do it carefully);

• keratin works as an antistatic agent: hair stops frizzing and electrifying;

• invisible keratin film protects against ultraviolet radiation, chlorinated and sea water. The risk of hair damage from high temperatures of stylers is reduced, but keratinization cannot completely replace thermal protection.

Types of keratin straightening

Brazilian and American keratin hair straightening are the two most common varieties found in beauty salons. We will discuss their subtleties and differences with you.

Brazilian keratin hair straightening

The primary characteristic of this kind of keratinization is the presence of formaldehyde, an unpleasant ingredient, along with natural oils from Brazilian plants (argan, coconut, cocoa, shi, jojoba, and pracaxi) in the hair straightening product. But it’s because of the latter that the technique produces a more remarkable and long-lasting result over time. Brazilian keratin straightening typically has a six-month duration.

American keratin hair straightening

Because American keratin hair straightening is composed without harsh or potentially harmful chemicals, it is regarded as gentle. The safe, gentle formula accounts for the procedure’s increased cost, but it also yields a less durable result than Brazilian "brother"—the strands keep their smoothness and glossy shine for a mere two to three months. Thermal sealing is necessary for many salon procedures, including the American and Brazilian methods of keratinization, wherein the use of an iron is mandatory.

How keratin hair straightening is done: technique of execution

Formaldehyde vapors are extremely dangerous, as your master is well aware. Keratin straightening should only be done in a beauty salon by a skilled hairdresser, and most importantly, in a room with a strong ventilation system, to prevent poisoning from the vapors of this substance. So how are thermal devices and keratin-containing compounds used in hair straighteners?

We will explain to you the steps involved in getting your hair straightened with keratin.

• First of all, the hairdresser washes the hair with shampoo with a deep cleansing washing base and thoroughly dries it with a hairdryer.

• Dry strands are covered with liquid keratin for 20-40 minutes.

• After the keratin has been absorbed, the hair is dried again with a hairdryer.

• Now it is time for the actual straightening: the strands are alternately treated with an iron at a temperature of up to 230 degrees, the cuticle is smoothed out, and the keratin is sealed inside the hair.

• The hair is thoroughly washed with warm water, freeing it from the remains of the compound. Some compounds require a final sulfate-free cleansing, and with some, any shampoo is contraindicated.

• The procedure is completed with a balm or mask and drying with a hairdryer.

Do you need to wash your hair before keratin straightening?

Not at all required. Your hairstylist will take care of this for you, using keratin-like shampoo or deep cleaning shampoo. Remember that hair absorbs a lot of extra material before you visit the salon.

What is needed for the procedure?

It is the master’s responsibility to guarantee that protein fibers penetrate deeply into the hair cuticle. To do this, you will need the following:

• flat comb and brushing;

• clamps (clamps);

• branded composition for keratinization;

• stylers (iron and hair dryer are enough);

• flat brush – these are used to distribute dyes;

• sulfate-free shampoo – wash hair after the procedure.

How long does keratinization of hair take??

The process can take up to three hours on average. Be ready for the possibility that extremely thick and long hair may postpone keratinization. Never be afraid to ask the salon administrator for magazines and tea. Remain worry-free and give yourself permission to de-stress in a cozy setting.

How often can you do keratin straightening?

Stylists claim that safe hair crater can be repeated at least once a month provided the compositions don’t contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. However, it makes perfect sense to schedule procedures two weeks apart. The hair will stay smoother for a longer period of time because protein fibers have a tendency to build up in the strands.

How much keratin rectification rests

The quality and features of the hair have a direct bearing on the outcome. Fluffing should be stopped directly and healthily for a period of three months, on average.

Hair with curls and porosity is far more moody. It is likely that the keratification effect will disappear after a few weeks and the curls will reappear. Speak with your hairdresser; you might be able to achieve stable hair smoothness with a regimen of three or four treatments spaced one month apart.

Features of care after the procedure

You now understand the effects of keratin straightening on hair, but sadly, knowledge is not sufficient on its own. Assume for the moment that your locks responded favorably to the process and the master turned out to be a true keratinization maestro. Nevertheless, the most crucial step starts at home, not at the salon. The stylists at SalonSecret advise you on hair care practices to extend the results of their services.

• When using some products, for about three days after the procedure, you cannot wet your hair, use hairpins, gather your hair in a ponytail or even put it behind your ears to avoid kinks.

• Once a week, supplement your hair care with intensive moisturizing mask: it will prevent brittleness and dryness of the strands.

• Keratin is activated at high temperatures, so it is better to dry your hair with a hairdryer after the procedure.

• Do not forget to use a protective hair spray if you are going to the pool or the beach. Chlorinated water, as well as salty sea water, damages keratin fibers.

• To cleanse your hair and scalp, use only sulfate-free shampoos – they act delicately, do not cause frizz of the cuticle and slow down the washing out of keratin, if you compare their effect with sulfate analogues.

Shampoo is the foundation of care; its delicate formula ensures that the salon procedure will last. The ranges for colored hair contain mild cleansers.

Metal Detox from L"Oréal Professionnel

A shampoo with a distinct Golden Caviar scent and a glycoamine molecule in its formula gently cleanses the hair shaft structure while counteracting the damaging effects of copper microparticles. Research has indicated that hair breakage is caused by copper, which is present in tap water.

Unbreak My Blonde from Matrix

The initial step of the strengthening care program following the lightening process, ensuring a soft, sulfate-free washing base. The primary function of the shampoo is to meticulously eliminate surplus sebum and various kinds of debris.

Keep Me Vivid from Matrix

The brand’s experts developed this shampoo in an effort to support highly erratic and creative coloring shades. Since it doesn’t quicken the fading of pastel and vivid hues, it has every opportunity to prolong the craterization’s outcome within the bounds of possibility.

FAQ: answers from professionals to frequently asked questions about keratin straightening

Three of the most frequently asked questions concerning keratin have been chosen for this article: how it differs from other procedures, how it works with coloring, and whether it is compatible with hair extensions. Together, let’s figure it out!

Differences from other procedures

Many times, keratin straightening is mistaken for other comparable hair straightening techniques. Keep in mind their distinguishing characteristics when selecting a salon service to avoid making a mistake.

• In the process of lamination strands are covered with a mixture of oils, cellulose compounds and silicones – their effect is not aimed at changing the structure and straightening, but such a "film" thickens the hair, gives it shine and works as a UV filter. In addition, there is color lamination that allows you to update the shade of staining. The effect of the procedure lasts 2-4 weeks.

• Screening also cannot turn curls into a smooth silky canvas, but it removes frizz. The essence of the procedure consists in applying a vitamin "cocktail" to the entire length, aimed at protecting damaged hair from negative environmental factors. The result lasts for about three weeks.

• The main difference between hair botox and keratin straightening is in the composition used and the result itself. Botox, like keratin, gives the strands shine and smoothness. But it does not radically change the structure of the hair, but reduces their fluffiness and strengthens. This procedure is especially popular with blondes, as it neutralizes yellowness after lightening. The effect usually lasts for about a month.

• The main component of chemical straightening is thioglycolic acid – it is also contained in the compositions for perming. This acid is not present in keratin straightening products. Ask your stylist which of these two types of straightening strands is more suitable for your hair type.

• For the smoothing effect of nanoplasty and the procedure of bixiplasty, unlike keratinization, only components of natural origin are responsible. Therefore, the procedures are allowed in all trimesters of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

When you can dye your hair after keratin

It is best to stain first and then straighten. Naturally, since keratinization tends to change the color of the hair, the instructions for some products advise seeing a colorist after the process, which is usually 14 days later. However, tone-on-tone coloring that is consistently predictable and free of ammonia and strong oxidation is what we are discussing here.

More intricate staining methods, such as highlighting, lightening, color changes, etc., shouldn’t be used for at least six months following keratin straightening. There are instances when desire overcomes all restrictions, in which case conducting a test strand is crucial. This means, to translate from the language of experts, "testing the dye’s behavior under specific conditions."

Keratin straightening and hair extensions

Keratin straightening of hair is done even on hair extensions these days. There is a caveat, though: the strands have to be composed of natural materials. It can be difficult to find an experienced expert who can straighten synthetic strands. Additionally, it is not advised to use tape extensions for keratin straightening because there is a significant chance that the strands will come loose.

Consider skillfully organizing aesthetic procedures: keratinization is the first step, and extensions are the second. The stylist will choose donor hair strands for you that precisely match the hue and texture of your altered hair.

Pros	Cons
Smooths frizzy hair for several months	Can be expensive
Makes hair more manageable and shiny	Contains chemicals that may cause irritation
Reduces the need for daily styling	Results may fade with frequent washing
Works well for most hair types	Hair may lose volume

For people who want long-lasting effects and smooth, frizz-free hair, keratin hair straightening is a popular option. It can turn frizzed-out, difficult-to-manage hair into shiny, sleek locks that are simpler to style and take care of.

Still, it’s critical to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Although keratin treatments yield amazing outcomes, they can be expensive and require the use of chemicals. They also need special products and constant care to keep the effect, so they might not be suitable for everyone.

Ultimately, your hair type, lifestyle, and financial situation will determine if keratin hair straightening is right for you. Making an informed decision before making a decision can be aided by speaking with a professional stylist.