The Truth About Keratin Treatments
We got our first keratin treatment a year ago, and we were actually going to go for round 2 this year but then of course Covid happened, and now it is time for us to get a relaxer because we do stretch our relaxers for once a year. Yes, you can have relaxed hair and a keratin treatment. I’m still seeing a lot of misinformation about keratin treatments, so we did more research and found out more information about keratin treatments that I’ve never known about so we wanted to share that information with you all so you can avoid keratin treatment horror stories.
FORMALDEHYDE
This is a hot topic when it comes to keratin treatments ad many mistakenly believe that formaldehyde is an ingredient or chemical in keratin treatments. formaldehyde is actually a gas that is released when certain other ingredients are mixed together. The formaldehyde gas is what makes the hair straight.
So if you happen to come across a treatment that says it is formaldehyde-free chances are, it’s not, because again formaldehyde is what makes the hair straight. An Allure article mentions that if you come across a treatment that is formaldehyde free, research ingredient or ask the stylist “hey if there is no formaldehyde in this treatment, what exactly is making my hair straight?”
The article also mentions that some treatments could possibly use a formaldehyde alternative called glyoxilic acid-and this also smooths and straightens out the hair.
PROTEIN
Keratin is obviously a protein so when you are getting a keratin treatment you are smoothing out your hair, but you are also strengthening the hair via protein. I’ve been reading about keratin treatment horror stories and how many experienced excessive shedding during their keratin treatment.
Two reasons as to why that’s happening is because 1) They are protein sensitive or 2) It could be just a case of protein overload. Keratin treatments aren’t for everybody especially if you know you are protein sensitive. I personally would be leery of keratin treatments. Depending on the severity of your sensitivity, maybe you can try researching mild keratin treatments. Everybody is different and that’s why it is important to know your hair and know if you need to stay away from treatments like keratin treatments.
Now as far as protein overload is concerned, you all should know that too much protein will have your hair dry brittle, breaking off, shedding etc. I read in one of the horror stories that a girl was also doing protein treatments either right before or during her keratin treatment, I can’t remember but she did say she her hair felt dry and was experiencing more than usual shedding. Again keratin treatments are protein treatments that are supposed to last for at least 6 months if you are maintaining it correctly. You do not need a protein treatment during thisntime. You’re doubling up on it and its having a negative effect on your hair.
As far as making it last, many people are not following maintenance instructions which causes their treatments to strip. You should not be using sulfate or sodium chloride hair products. A lot of people are not using the right products which cause their treatment to dissolve and in turn they go back to-getting another keratin treatment in a short amount of time which could also lead to protein overload. In my personal opinion, I feel like 2x a year keratin treatments are good because they are well spaced out.
MAINTENANCE
Now when it comes to maintaining a keratin treatment,each keratin treatment is different when it comes to the application and immediately after application. Many treatments require you to stay away from washing your hair for at least 3 days. The reasoning for that is because the treatment is still settling into your hair. If you mess up that process by not following instructions, you risk ruining the treatment and that could either damage your hair or shorten the life of the treatment. So always follow the initial instructionsnof the specific treatment you’re using.
APPLICATION
Although I don’t recommend at home keratin treatments, if you are going to do it at home, make sure you know what you are doing. And if you are going to a salon to get it done, research the stylist.It would help if they are certified. So try to find a stylist that’ specializes in keratin treatments. After that, find out what brand of-treatment they use and research that brand, go through testimonials, just do your due diligence just like you would for a relaxer.
FULL KERATIN VIDEO: https://youtu.be/04Cc82WMBMo
