Short answer: Keratin Treatment depends on your hair. Thick, curly, or frizzy hair usually loves it. Fine or damaged hair often does not.
You hear a lot about keratin treatments, the chemical treatments that promise silky, smooth hair. They seem to work: less frizz, more shine, easier mornings. But are they right for your hair? Here is everything you need to know about keratin treatments.
What Is a Keratin Treatment?
Keratin is a protein that your hair, skin and nails are made of. It provides strength and structure to your hair.
Excessive heat, dyes, and other routine treatments will remove this protein, resulting in dull, frizzy, and coarse hair. A keratin treatment in Mississauga (or another area), such as those conducted at Hairmasters Hair Salon, will add the needed protein back into the hair. Liquid keratin is sprayed onto the hair during the process, then sealed with heat.
The keratin fills in the holes and rough patches found along each strand, leaving hair smoother, shinier, and more manageable.
It doesn’t last forever, but you can expect it to last three to six months depending on your hair type and what you do or don’t do with it.
Benefits of Keratin Treatments
These treatments typically smooth and add shine to your hair by filling in porous areas, making it easier to manage and style. While the effects aren’t permanent, they can last anywhere from three to six months, depending on your hair type and aftercare practices.
- Smoother hair texture; hair feels softer and behaves better. If you have thick or curly hair that tangles and fights you, this is the change you’ll notice first.
- Reduced frizz; The big one, and the reason most people book it. In a humid, frizz-prone climate, the difference in effect may be more dramatic.
- Less heat styling; Smoother hair cuts down on the time you spend blow drying or flat ironing your hair, which minimizes future heat damage.
- Shinier appearance; Filling the gaps along the hair shaft can make the surface smoother, resulting in better reflection of light. That’s the shine.
Possible Side Effects of Keratin Treatments
Use of chemicals. This is the serious one. Most keratin hair treatments contain formaldehyde or methylene glycol, which is responsible for binding the protein and providing longer lasting results. Formaldehyde exposure is harmful and it is a carcinogen. The main source of exposure is the vapor from the heat sealing step. There are formaldehyde-free versions, some of which contain compounds that release formaldehyde at room or higher temperature. Ask your salon what is in the product if you are considering the formaldehyde-free option. Expect these to work less effectively and for less time. If you’re pregnant, this is a real exposure risk worth avoiding, skip the treatment and consider it after giving birth instead.
High maintenance. Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, less washing, and opportunities to skip hot tools. For some people that’s no big deal; for others it’s a whole new routine they didn’t sign up for.
However, it is not suitable for those with thin hair or hair that is already suffering from damage, because it can cause hair to appear limp or breakage, and may actually do more harm than good.
Short-lived. Because this treatment grows out and fades, you must return regularly to maintain the effect. That’s a cost that will always be there.
How to Decide if It’s Right for You
The effectiveness of a keratin treatment for your hair hinges on factors like your hair type, lifestyle, and what you’re hoping to achieve with the treatment. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
The most important thing is the type of hair, which answers most questions.
| Your Hair Type | Is Keratin Treatment a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| Thick and Curly | Yes! You’ll see a big difference |
| Frizzy | Absolutely! Say goodbye to frizz |
| Fine or Thin | Maybe not. Could make your hair look flat |
| Damaged | Proceed with caution. Chat with your stylist first |
| Oily | It could work, but might not last as long |
| Color-Treated | Go for it! Can help protect your color |
Then the lifestyle question. If you’re willing to switch shampoos and forego the ponytail for a couple of days, you’re fine. If that sounds annoying already, the maintenance will wear on you.
The Nitty-Gritty: What to Expect
Your stylist applies the treatment to shampooed hair, and seals it with heat, usually with a flat iron, once the treatment has set.
Time investment: Plan on spending 2 to 4 hours in the chair. Bring a good book or playlist.
Aftermath: Your hair may be extremely straight at first. Don’t panic, it softens up after a few washes.
Maintenance: It is also recommended to use sulfate-free shampoo from day one, and to avoid tying the hair up in the first few days as a hair tie creates a dent.
Money Talk: What’s It Going to Cost Ya?
Depending on the salon and your hair length, keratin treatments can cost anywhere between $150 and $300 or more. In fact, for many people, the three to six months it lasts is well worth not having to fight with a flat iron every morning.
If you have thick, curly, or frizzy hair, and you’re tired of fighting with it every day, it can really change your life. Do your research, find a stylist willing to answer your formaldehyde question, weigh whether you can live with the maintenance, and if your hair is fine or frail, don’t be afraid to politely decline. Remember that your hair is a part of you, with or without treatment.