80~85% of your hair is composed of a protein called keratin. The keratin makes up the prime part of the hair by amino acids molecules sourced from the food we eat.
Hair grows from a root at the bottom of a follicle under your skin. A hair follicle anchors each hair into the skin. The hair bulb forms the base of the hair follicle. In the hair bulb, living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft. The blood in your scalp goes to the follicle and supplies oxygen and nutrients to the hair root, which helps your hair grow.
Thus, hair care starts from the inside out.
What Does A Keratin Treatment Do ?
A keratin treatment, sometimes called a “Brazilian blowout, Brazilian keratin treatment, or keratin smoothing treatment,” is a chemical procedure usually done in a hair salon. It is a popular answer to frizzy, unmanageable hair. A keratin treatment can make hair smoother and sleeker. The result of keratin treatment can last up to 3 months, depending on the treatment formula what ingredients involve, such as formaldehyde or glyoxylic acid.
A traditional keratin treatment aims to straighten the hair and usually contains a chemical called formaldehyde, which is an effective and popular semipermanent hair straightener, in consequence, studies find out it is a carcinogen that could cause respiratory problems if exposure is frequent. It isn’t a single ingredient － it’s a gas released from other chemicals when exposed to heat.
No one wants to put themselves at the risk of getting cancer. Nowadays, most keratin treatments are “Formaldehyde Free.” Formaldehyde replacement with glyoxylic acid in semipermanent hair straightening without breaking the cysteine disulfide bridge. It provides a relaxing effect of hair fibers without causing damage to the hair and scalp irritations typical of alkaline chemicals and other straightening agents. However, newer keratin treatments don’t provide lasting effects.
*Disulfide Bridge :
A quick chemistry lesson : think of straight hair as a ladder and curly hair as a spiral staircase. The steps on both are the hair’s bonds. If you break those bonds, you can rebuild the spiral staircase as a ladder. So curly hair becomes straight.
Generally, a keratin treatment rebuilds the hair by putting back the lost protein into your strands.
Keratin Treatment VS Relaxers & Japanese Straightening
Keratin Treatment :
- Keratin treatment temporarily loosens your curl pattern and fades out over time. Your hair texture will eventually return to its natural state.
- It takes less salon time and generally costs less than the Relaxers system.
- It definitely can be used on dyed, bleached, heavily highlighted hair.
- I didn’t want dead-straight hair, just an overall softening and smoothing.
- The more often you have the treatment done, the better the result.
Relaxers & Japanese Straightening
- Ammonium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide permanently break your hair’s bonds and permanently straighten it, which can be effective last until your hair grows out, but they can be damaging.
- You will see regrowth in 5 to 6 months. Your new growth will look as it did before your Relaxers.
- If you have a chemical in your hair, such as hair bleach, excessive color damage, then you are not a good candidate for the process – ask for a strand test!
- You can not wash your hair for up to 2~3 days, and no clips and ponytails until you wash your hair.
- The process can take 3 to 6 hours and cost more than keratin treatment based on hair length & texture.
How Does The Japanese Brand Keratin Treatment Work?
- The hairstylist will wash your hair twice to ensure the hair is really clean.
- Next, the keratin treatment solution is applied to the wet hair and combed through.
- Hair is left to set or heated within 20 minutes.
- Rinse out the keratin treatment solution softly and thoroughly rinse off the conditioner.
- Hair is blow-dried.
- A flat iron is used to seal in the solution.
- The last step is finishing the keratin treatment solution and conditioner.
Flat iron for keratin treatments ?
The flat ironing stage of the keratin treatment requires a hair straightener with ultra-high heat output. High heat is necessary to seal the hair cuticles and to ensure superior shine and silky smooth finish. The flat iron should reach 340 to 430℉ to activate Dehydration & Condensation Reaction.
During condensation reaction, two molecules (NH2) combine to form a single molecule; in dehydration reaction, this lost molecule is water (H2O).
Things To Consider Before Getting A Keratin Treatment
Is A Japanese Keratin Treatment Suitable For Me?
The treatment is best suited for people with frizzy and curly hair. If you have moderately straight or fine hair, you can skip this treatment.
How Long Will It Take?
Typically, a keratin treatment wil require about 2 to 3 hours.
Will I Lose All My Curl?
Keratin treatments are designed to smooth your hair and remove frizz. It would generally be safe to expect at least a 50% reduction in your curl with a keratin treatment. Results depend on your hair type and texture. They also vary depending on how healthy your hair is, to begin with, and how thick it is. The hairstylist will adjust their ironing technique and treatment solution to give the desired result. Either way, you will see a dramatic reduction after keratin treatment.
How Often Does The Treatment Need To Be Applied?
Japanese keratin treatments typically last between 1.5 to 2.5 months, depending on your hair type and follow-up care. Over time the effects will slowly diminish, and your hair will return to a natural state. The treatment can be re-done as often as you like.
How Much Does It Cost?
JASON has years of experience in haircut and scalp treatment. He seeks to help his clients learn more about hair and scalp care tips. When he’s not cutting hair, he’s passionate about bodybuilding and loves to read in his free time.
