Keratin smoothing treatment has quickly become one of the go-to haircare treatments for people with curly, wavy or straight locks, providing smooth and frizz-free locks lasting several weeks.
Formaldehyde-containing salon formulas (or chemicals that produce it) is a colorless, pungent-smelling gas linked to numerous health concerns including cancer.
It’s Formaldehyde-Free
Formaldehyde can be a concern when it comes to keratin smoothing treatments for many individuals, as this colorless and pungent gas causes respiratory irritation as well as nose and eye inflammation in high concentrations – it may also increase risk of eczema and asthma in high enough quantities.
Many salons now provide safe and effective alternatives to traditional keratin treatments known as formaldehyde-free keratin smoothing treatments, like KERATINWORKS which uses glyoxylic acid instead of heat to bond keratin into place and hold it in place.
Although these newer formulas are safer, they still require skill and attention from stylists. Saviano says that excessive heat or over-straightening the hair could accelerate breakage by drying it out faster. Regular washing with lukewarm water as well as use of leave-in conditioner will extend the duration of this treatment.
It’s Long-Lasting
The treatment provides smooth strands by adding a protective layer to the cuticle of hair strands, helping prevent heat damage and split ends as well as shortening blow dry time and styling time.
If you want to extend the life of your keratin treatment, make sure that you use only sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner products, and avoid swimming in chlorinated or salt water as these chemicals may strip it from your hair and reduce keratin build-up.
Avoid hair oil as this puts unnecessary strain on keratin treatments, potentially washing away its benefits altogether. Leave-in conditioner is recommended, with optimal results seen after only 3-4 washes using lukewarm water and using silk pillowcases to avoid friction which can wear down treatment and shorten its lifespan. Also try not using styling products containing sulfates, metallic salts, alcohol or bleach as these can all damage hair and decrease lifespan of treatments like Keratin.
It’s Affordable
Keratin smoothing treatments offer an economical alternative to hair relaxers. Their main advantage lies in not permanently changing the texture of your locks while relaxers do.
Keratin smoothing treatments typically start at $200, with costs increasing depending on your hair length and salon. Receiving regular touch-ups, using leave-in conditioner and shampoo products and not clipping or tucking your hair behind your ears are ways to extend its lifespan and make this investment worthwhile.
Remind yourself that keratin smoothing treatments are high-heat processes, so you should expect some damage over time. To minimise this impact, we suggest not washing your hair more than twice weekly and always using heat protectant products to shield from further heat exposure. Avoid hair products containing alcohol as this could accelerate fading. In addition, opt for sulfate-free shampoos such as those from OUAI and Davines lines which nourish hair to ensure that the treatment doesn’t break down prematurely.
It’s Safe
Many keratin smoothing treatments advertise themselves as “keratin,” and while some of them contain some natural proteins like keratin, most contain formaldehyde which is a carcinogen.
Formaldehyde is an odorous colorless gas used in manufacturing building materials and household products such as glue. Additionally, formaldehyde may also be found in certain keratin treatments that emit it when heated – and in keratin treatments which release it when the formula is heated up.
Avoid this by visiting a salon that provides formaldehyde-free treatments. Talk with your stylist about alternatives using glyoxylic acid in lieu of formaldehyde or vanillin which has been approved by the FDA. Furthermore, schedule only two or three keratin treatments annually to reduce heat exposure and chemical damage; wearing your hair up post treatment also allows the chemicals time to set.