Caring for Keratin treated hair
“Brazilian Blowout” or hair treated with keratin protein has been creating quite a buzz since of late.
Keratin protein can make unmanageable hair shiny and smooth as long as up to three months. But it would require strict care on your part in keeping the hair this way for a maximum of three months.
This article will highlight some of the most important steps in caring for keratin treated hair.
#1. Avoid getting your hair wet for at least three days after treatment.
Moisture and water will wash away the keratin protein. Hence you should not wash, get wet in the rain, swim or sweat on the head during the three day period. If it’s washed away, it will leave marks on your hair.
#2. Don’t use hair clips or ponytails during the first few days.
The hair is quite malleable soon after the treatment, and hair clips can leave dents in the hair during this period. The best thing is to leave the hair down and straight for the first few days after. Once keratin has been on your hair for more than three days, you can use a soft hair tie to start with.
#3. Don’t use shampoo and conditioner containing sodium lauryl sulfate.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a powerful detergent that strips your hair of its natural oils. These shampoos and conditioners will destroy the keratin protein from your hair. This is a waste of your money in the long run. Hence it is best to use a shampoo that is free from SLS. These shampoos are available in drug stores and online.
#4. Choose silk pillowcases over cotton ones.
Cotton pillows can create friction in the hair. This will render the keratin treatment short lived on your hair. Silk pillowcases will create a very little friction on your hair, making it less frizzy. This will help to protect the keratin treatment for a longer period of time.
#5. Avoid using other hair products to style your hair (for the meantime)
Just blow dry your hair after washing it. You don’t have to use mousse, hair sprays and other hair-lifting products on the hair when using keratin treatment. Excess use of other hair products will make your hair look dirty and dull. The best thing is to blow dry the hair and run a flat iron over the hair. It will help to maintain the hair strands in the right style. All this will help to prolong the treatment on your hair.
Some of the NO-NOs for the first three days of application include: don’t place the hair behind your ears, do not use bob pins, no hand bands to be used, don’t use the glasses to hold the hair back, no exercises or sweating on the head and don’t wash your hair for the first three days.
Keratin protein can be used for chemically treated hair too. People with damaged and highlighted hair, blondes and other hair types can easily benefit from it. When using a flat iron for hair treated with keratin, it should be set to 430° instead of 450° (lower heat). This is recommended by many hair styling experts.
When looking for a keratin hair product, you should always choose one with the lowest percentage of formaldehyde. Any product with a high quantity of formaldehyde or related ingredients should be avoided altogether. Many reputed companies manufacture products with safe levels of formaldehyde. But there are some salons which are said to mix formaldehyde with the treatment during the application process. This is why you need to be extremely careful when selecting a salon to perform the treatment. Doing your own research will definitely help to keep you safe in the process.
The best keratin hair products are available for purchase through many trusted e-commerce stores online. A 120ml jar could be purchased for less than $50 from most online stores. In conclusion, proper care for keratin treated hair is essential to look your best at all times.
