Keratin Straightening treatments: the advantages and disadvantages
By Agostina Gonzalez Banó
Do you want to say goodbye to frizz? If your answer is yes, then you should learn everything there is to know about the new keratin straightening treatment. The best way to smooth your locks in need of some help.
Applying keratin to hair has become a very popular permanent smoothing and straightening treatment, capable of nourishing the scalp, improving the hair fibre and bringing shine to dry and damaged hair to help it look full of health. There is some science behind this procedure, and that is why it is important that you get the low down and know its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the duration of the treatment and other details of interest you need to know. Let's begin!
What is keratin?
Keratin is a natural protein produced by our bodies and responsible for providing elasticity, resistance and shine to hair and nail health. It is of natural origin, with hair being the major source of protein, although it can also be found on our skin and in some parts of animals, such as claws or feathers. Keratin is used to strengthen hair and keep it shiny for a long time.
Keratin smoothing
To obtain shiny and manageable hair, one of the best beauty treatments is permanent keratin straightening. Read on to find out what it consists of, its advantages and disadvantages.
What does it consist of?
Keratin straightening is a cosmetic procedure that is undertaken with the aim of nourishing the hair fibres and giving the hair a smooth, shiny and resistant appearance. It is especially useful for getting rid of frizz as well as taming wavy, curly or hair in need of some vitality. The body already generates keratin naturally, but thanks to this treatment you can improve your appearance and accelerate the revitalisation process getting shiny locks sooner. The effect of keratin on the hair is not 100% permanent, since the duration of treatments vary according to your hair care routine. It general it lasts between 4 and 5 months.
Here we underline some basic care guidelines to help prolong the results of these new straightening treatments:
Use the best sulfate-free products.
Do not wet your hair in salt water or pool water that contains chlorine.
Do not dye your hair after having keratin treatment.
Don’t sunbathe during the first ten days after applying the keratin.
Get formaldehyde-free products if possible
Advantages of keratin straightening
Keratin straightening treatment is a must for anyone with unwieldy curly, wavy or frizzy hair. Here we tell you the benefits of the treatment:
Eliminates frizzy hair, giving it a smoother and lighter texture.
Provides shine from roots to ends, giving health and a bright new glow.
Nourishes the hair, increasing the natural shine and enhancing the your hair colour.
Strengthens the hair fiber, making it resistant.
It is ideal for turning wavy hair into smooth hair, thanks to its property of smoothing the hair fiber.
Repairs hair damaged by sun exposure or constant use of heat.
Leaves hair straight for several months.
Thanks to its nourishing properties, by combining keratin with hyaluronic acid, hair will get healthier, hydrated and shiny.
Disadvantages of treatment
Regardless of the type of keratin treatment you want to undergo, whether you do it in a beauty salon, in an aesthetic center or at home, it is important to know any negative effects of the procedure. Here we list the disadvantages of having keratin hair straightening treatment:
Keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, a substance used in many products that turns out to be toxic and aggressive to the scalp and hair fiber. In some countries, the sale and purchase of products that contain a high dose of formaldehyde among its components have been prohibited. Long-term use of keratin treatments can lead to allergies, irritation or flaking of the scalp.
It can only be used on thick and voluminous hair, since the straightening treatment is aggressive and can break hair or generate split ends.
The treatment is expensive and if you do it in a beauty salon, even more so. Also, depending on the type of keratin treatment you want to apply, the cost may vary.
