Keratin Smoothing: advantages and disadvantages of the treatment

Do you want to say goodbye to frizzy hair? If your answer is yes, then you should know everything about keratin straightening.

The application of keratin to the hair consists of a very popular permanent straightening treatment, capable of nourishing the scalp, improving the hair fiber, and adding shine to dry and damaged hair in women.

The procedure has its science, so it is important that you know its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the duration of the treatment and other details of interest. Let's get started!

What is keratin?

Keratina is a natural protein produced by the body, responsible for providing elasticity, strength, and shine to hair and nails. Its origin is natural, with hair being the main source of the protein, although it can also be found in human skin and in some parts of animals, such as claws or feathers. Keratina serves to strengthen the mane and keep it shiny for a long time.

Keratin straightening

To achieve shiny and manageable hair, one of the best beauty treatments for women is permanent keratin straightening. Below, we explain exactly what it consists of, its advantages, and disadvantages.

What does it consist of?

Keratin straightening is a cosmetic procedure for women performed with the aim of nourishing the hair fibers, giving the hair a smooth, shiny, and strong appearance, especially for hair that is damaged or difficult to manage, such as wavy, curly, or frizzy hair. The body naturally produces keratin, but thanks to this treatment, you can improve the process and accelerate the revitalization of the mane.

The effect of keratin on hair is not 100% permanent, as the duration of the treatment can vary depending on the care you take. Generally, it lasts between 4 and 5 months.

The basic care to keep in mind to prolong the results of these straightening treatments are:

• Use the best sulfate-free products.
• Do not wet the hair in salt water or pool water that contains chlorine.
• Do not dye the hair after applying the keratin treatment.
• Have sun exposure during the first ten days after applying the keratin.

Advantages of keratin straightening

The keratin straightening treatment is a blessing for any woman with curly, wavy, or frizzy hair that is difficult to manage. Here we tell you the benefits of the treatment:

• Eliminates hair frizz, giving it a softer and lighter texture.
• Adds shine from roots to ends, giving a vital and shiny appearance.
• Nourishes the hair, increasing natural shine and enhancing color better.
• Strengthens the hair fiber, making it strong.
• It is ideal for turning wavy hair into smooth manes, thanks to its property of softening the hair fiber.
• Repairs hair damaged by sun exposure or constant heat use.
• Keeps hair straight for several months.
• Thanks to its nourishing properties, when combining keratin with hyaluronic acid, the hair becomes healthier, hydrated, and shiny.

Disadvantages of the treatment

No matter the type of keratin treatment you want to get, whether at a beauty salon, an aesthetic center, or at home, it is necessary to know the negative side of the procedure. Here are the disadvantages of doing a keratin hair straightening:

1. Keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, a substance used in many products that is toxic and aggressive to the scalp and hair fiber. In some countries, the sale and purchase of products containing a high dose of formaldehyde among their components has been banned. Prolonged use of keratin treatments can cause allergies, irritation, or flaking on the scalp.
2. It can only be used on thick and abundant hair, since the straightening treatment is aggressive and can break it or cause split ends.
3. The treatment is expensive, and if done in a beauty center, even more so. Also, depending on the type of keratin treatment you want to apply, the cost may vary.