At La Libertine Hair, we believe in enhancing your natural beauty while keeping your hair healthy. One of the most popular treatments we offer is keratin—a revolutionary way to smooth and strengthen hair. If you’re considering booking a keratin treatment, here’s what you should know before taking the plunge.
What is a Keratin Treatment?
Keratin treatments are semi-permanent hair straightening solutions that smooth out frizz and add shine. However, contrary to popular belief, keratin treatments don’t work when keratin is infused into your hair.
Instead, they use a solution that contains a formaldehyde derivative or glyoxylic acid, which helps break and reform the hair’s bonds into a straighter position. This mimics the effect of keratin-rich hair, giving you sleek, smooth results without the actual keratin infusion found in shampoos and conditioners.
A keratin treatment typically lasts three to six months and works well on most hair types. It’s especially beneficial for anyone looking to reduce frizz, boost shine, and reduce the need for daily blow-drying or straightening.
Does a Keratin Treatment Promote Hair Growth?
While a keratin treatment may give the illusion of faster hair growth, it doesn’t directly affect your hair’s growth rate. Instead, it temporarily bonds the hair strands to strengthen the hair, reduce frizz, and minimise split ends. This makes your hair look and feel stronger, and because it helps prevent breakage, it can give the appearance of longer hair.
The treatment smooths and seals the hair cuticle, reducing the appearance of damage and making it more manageable. This reduced breakage can make your hair appear to grow faster since you’re retaining more length.
Can You Get a Keratin Treatment with Naturally Curly Hair?
Yes, people with naturally curly hair can benefit from keratin treatments. However, it is important to choose a stylist who can tailor the treatment for your specific hair type. The treatment’s strength should match your curls’ texture—finer hair requires a lighter application, while thicker hair can handle a heavier treatment.
The results may not be completely straight for curly hair, but you’ll notice a significant increase in shine. Curly hair tends to reflect less light than straight hair, so after a keratin treatment, your curls shine like never before.
Can You Get a Keratin Treatment with Colour-Treated Hair?
Yes, keratin treatments are safe for colour-treated hair and can help your colour and curl last longer. By sealing in the colour, keratin treatments can give your hair a brighter, more vibrant look. However, it’s recommended that you colour your hair before getting a keratin treatment, as the bleach in hair dye can strip away some of the keratin.
It’s also possible to schedule both treatments on the same day, but avoid pairing a keratin treatment with other chemical processes like relaxers or perms, as this can cause significant damage to the hair.
How Does a Keratin Treatment Differ from Japanese Hair Straightening?
While keratin treatments temporarily straighten and smooth the hair, they are not the same as Japanese hair straightening, which permanently alters your hair’s structure. Keratin treatments loosen the curl pattern for a few months, after which your natural texture gradually returns.
In contrast, Japanese hair straightening and traditional relaxers break down the molecular bonds in the hair, permanently straightening it. While this works well for very curly or oily hair, it can also be more damaging and result in stark contrast as your hair grows.
What is the Keratin Treatment Process?
A keratin treatment typically takes between two to four hours, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. The process starts with washing your hair, after which the keratin solution is applied to damp hair. Your stylist may blow-dry the hair first or leave it to sit for around 30 minutes. Afterwards, the treatment is sealed into the hair with a flat iron, section by section.
It’s important to note that the flat ironing process should take 30-45 minutes, as over-processing can lead to damage.
How Often Should You Get a Keratin Treatment?
Most experts recommend getting a keratin treatment up to three times a year. For those living in climates with distinct seasons, it’s wise to prioritise treatment in spring or summer when humidity is more likely to cause frizz. People with naturally curly hair may benefit from two or three treatments yearly to keep their hair manageable.
How to Maintain Your Keratin Treatment
To make your keratin treatment last as long as possible, avoid getting your hair wet or tying it up in a ponytail for at least three days after the treatment. Moisture and ponytails can bend your newly straightened hair.
Using a sulphate-free shampoo after the treatment is essential to maintaining the results. For those with curls, you can further preserve the effects by using sodium chloride-free products and sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase to lock in moisture.
Why Some Stylists Avoid Keratin Treatments
Some stylists steer clear of keratin treatments due to the presence of formaldehyde or its derivatives in many formulas. Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is released when the treatment is activated by heat, posing potential risks to both clients and salon staff.
Although many keratin products claim to be “formaldehyde-free,” they may still contain compounds like methylene glycol or methanediol, which release formaldehyde when mixed with water. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can cause health issues ranging from skin irritation to respiratory problems, and some stylists may prefer not to offer treatments that involve these risks.
Side Effects of Keratin Treatments
Other side effects of keratin treatments, in addition to formaldehyde exposure, include dry scalp. The treatment involves thoroughly drying out the scalp to prepare for the chemical application. However, this side effect usually resolves within a few days.
Who Should Avoid Keratin Treatments?
Due to the chemicals involved, keratin treatments are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin or scalp conditions, it’s best to consult your stylist beforehand and ask for a patch test to see how your skin reacts to the treatment.
Those with very fine or damaged hair should also consider alternatives, as the high heat required for the keratin process could further weaken their hair. Less intense glyoxylic acid treatments may be a safer option in such cases.
Can You Do a Keratin Treatment at Home?
At-home keratin treatments are available but will give you different long-lasting results than a professional treatment. Home treatments coat the hair rather than penetrate the hair shaft, so the effects typically last only a week.
If you try an at-home treatment, make sure it’s specifically formulated for home use, and always follow the instructions carefully. Avoid using professional-grade products, as they require a trained stylist to apply them correctly and safely.
Ready to Transform Your Hair?
If you’re looking for sleek, frizz-free hair that lasts for months, a keratin treatment could be your game-changer. Whether you have curly, colour-treated, or unruly hair, our expert stylists are here to help you achieve the smooth, shiny look you’ve dreamed of.
Book your keratin treatment today, and let us take care of the rest. Visit La Libertine Hair or give us a call to schedule a consultation. Your hair’s transformation starts here!
Keratin treatments can transform your hair, making it smoother, shinier, and easier to manage. However, weighing the pros and cons is essential, especially if you have concerns about formaldehyde exposure or potential damage from heat. Always consult with an experienced stylist who understands your hair type to ensure you get the best results.
Whether you’re looking for smoother hair or just a break from the blow dryer, a keratin treatment could be the solution you’ve been searching for.
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