If you’ve landed on this blog, chances are you’ve already heard about keratin treatment and its magical abilities, and are probably looking for ways to decide if you should go for it or not. Keratin treatment, although delivers unbelievably amazing results, requires a wee bit of maintenance and aftercare. Let’s make the decision easier for you and break it down into pros and cons of a keratin treatment.
WHAT IS KERATIN TREATMENT?
For those of us who need a little background on keratin treatment, it’s a type of hair repairing treatment that makes up for the loss of natural keratin from the hair and refills the gaps with a keratin-infused formula. To understand it better, let’s explore the science of hair for a moment:
A hair shaft consists of multiple layers; the innermost layer being medulla. Medulla is most commonly found in thick, coarse hair types. Covering the medulla is the hair cortex, which contains proteins, vitamins, oxygen molecules, keratin, and pretty much every nutrient to keep the hair healthy from within. Finally, the outermost layer is made up of hair cuticles, which lie down firm and flat and resemble the scales of a fish. The purpose of hair cuticles is to keep the hair cortes protected, and maintain its health.
Now, here comes the tricky part. As the hair ages, and is exposed to potential harmful conditions, such as heat-styling, sun exposure, chemical treatments, and others, the hair cuticles begin to raise, and fall out, leaving the gaps and exposing the hair cortex. This results in the loss of nutrients, keratin, and natural moisture, and your hair becomes drier after each passing day.
This is where a keratin treatment comes in. A treatment powered with keratin and other healthy, good-for-your-hair ingredients, it seals the cuticle gaps, makes up for the lost keratin, and retains the natural moisture of your hair.
So far, so good, right? But this doesn’t end here. A keratin treatment typically lasts up to 3-5 months, depending on how carefully you maintain it. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of keratin treatment and see if it fits your idea of ease.
Frizz-Proof Hair
Hair frizz is the problem of almost every other individual, which makes it quite a common concern nowadays. However, the real trouble is the stubbornness of the frizz. No matter what you do, this poofy mane just doesn’t tame. A keratin treatment proves to be quite useful in handling frizz, as it tames the hair and gives it a sleeker, shinier look for several months.
No Dryness
Take it from the experts: Never let your hair go dry and brittle. Dryness is the origin of most hair concerns that we normally face on a daily basis, such as frizz, flyaways, roughness, split ends, hair tangles, and much more. Dryness occurs when the cuticles are so damaged, they lose the ability to retain natural moisture inside the hair shaft. As a result, the moisture starts to escape from the cuticle gaps and the hair becomes excessively dry and dehydrated. A keratin treatment, when applied onto hair, delivers the moisture and retains it by sealing the cuticle gaps.
Damage Repair
Reversing the damage that has been done to your hair is super difficult, but it is possible. With years of TLC, you can revert your mane back to its original, healthier state. However, many of us usually don’t have years of patience. Hence, keratin treatment saves the day. It only takes about a few hours for the application process, but it saves you from years of effort trying to revive your hair, leaving it healthy, nourished, and as good as new.
Hair Strength
The more your hair is damaged, the more vulnerable it gets. As the treatment repairs your hair from within, it also boosts hair strength and makes it stronger, more nourished. STudies have shown that people who got a keratin treatment noticed up to 70% reduction in hair tangles and mid-shaft breakage.
Shine & Elasticity
If you have damaged hair, you might have noticed that your hair definitely lacks the shine and bounce of healthy hair and simply looks lifeless. As the keratin treatment helps repair the damage, the hair looks 2x shinier, bouncier, and more nourished. The keratin helps the hair hold a hairstyle in place while adding a gorgeous luminosity to it.
More Manageable
One of the perks of keratin treatment is that it temporarily alters the hair bonds and reduces the curl pattern of hair, making it more straight, and more manageable. This also results in less hair maintenance, less time consumption, and less hair styling efforts. Hair knots and tangles also stay at bay and it becomes twice as easier to maintain and manage your mane.
Enough for the perks! Let’s move on now to the dark sides (if any) of keratin treatment:
Your Internal Hair Texture Remains The Same
Not sure if to count this one as a pro or con, but for some people, it might be a bummer that keratin treatment does not change the internal texture of your hair. It only temporarily straightens your hair; as soon as the treatment is worn off, your hair is back to its natural hair pattern. To alter the internal texture of hair, other treatments such as hair xtenso or hair rebonding come into play, as their purpose is to make the hair straight. Keratin, on the other side, focuses more on hair health rather than hair texture.
The Application Process Is Time-Taking
The application process of keratin treatment takes up to 2-3 hours and is time-consuming. So, you have to spare a leisurely amount of time for getting the treatment, which many people don’t find convenient with their tough schedules.
Bye-By Hair Experiments
Bad news for you if you’re a hair colour enthusiast! Keratin treatment, once done, requires care followed by a particular hair care regimen. This also includes less interaction with hair coloring, hair lightening, or any other treatment that contains sulfates, parabens, and/or other harsh chemicals. These chemicals do not go well with keratin treatments and cause it to wear off sooner than it should.
And these are pretty much all of the downsides you need to know about the keratin treatment. Looking at these, going for a keratin treatment seems like a perfect idea for those who are tired of managing their hair on a daily basis. Our pick for a high-end keratin treatment? GK Hair The Best Treatment. A professional keratin treatment for dry, brittle hair that needs a makeover, The Best Treatment revitalizes damaged hair and gives it a whole new look. This keratin treatment is powered with Juvexin, Natural Plant Extracts and Natural Seed Oils, which help to strengthen the hair from within and keeps it aptly nourished. Originally designed for professional use, The Best Treatment is user-friendly and can be used at-home easily without any professional help.
The process of using The Best Treatment Kit follows as such:
- Wash your hair with GK Hair pH+ Shampoo, leave it on for 2-3 minutes, rinse, and then repeat. This will open up your hair cuticles and cleanse off all the buildup and sebum.
- Section your hair into thin parts of ½ inch starting at the nape of your neck and apply The Best Keratin Treatment ¼ inch away from the roots. After you’re done with the application, comb through hair to evenly spread the product. Make sure the product does not touch the roots while combing. Be gentle with your hair and slowly comb through so that your hair doesn’t pull off.
- After you’re done combing, let the treatment process and sit for 40-60 minutes. If your hair is fine or wavy, leave on the product for 40 minutes, If your hair is curly, coarse, and thick, let it sit for 60 minutes. Cover your hair with a plastic cap. You can do your pending tasks or do a fun activity meanwhile.
- Rinse out all of the product with warm water. To make sure no product is left onto hair, wash it until the water runs clear.
- Once the product is washed out, blow-dry your hair straight with enough tension on high-temperature. Make sure the hair is 100% dry before moving to the next process. .
- Section the hair and flat iron at 400°F to seal the cuticles. If the hair is damaged or overprocessed, keep the temperature at 350-375 degrees.
And you’ve given yourself a perfect keratin treatment at home. To increase the longevity of the treatment, use GK Hair aftercare products for long-lasting, effective outcomes, such as Leave-In Conditioner Cream, Moisturizing Duo, and Argan Oil Serum. For more hair care tips and advice, follow uson social media.
FAQ's
What are the benefits or pros of getting a keratin treatment for my hair?
Keratin treatments offer several benefits, including smoother and more manageable hair, reduced frizz, enhanced shine, and easier styling. The treatment can also make hair more resistant to humidity, helping it maintain a sleek look for an extended period. Additionally, for individuals with curly or wavy hair, keratin treatments can result in a temporary straightening effect.
Are there any potential drawbacks or cons associated with keratin treatments?
While keratin treatments have numerous benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. The treatment may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals, which can emit fumes during the application process. Some individuals may be sensitive to these chemicals, leading to respiratory or skin issues. Overuse of keratin treatments can also cause hair breakage or damage if not applied correctly or if the hair is excessively processed.
How long do the effects of a keratin treatment last, and what is the maintenance involved?
The longevity of a keratin treatment's effects varies, but it typically lasts for a few months. The duration depends on factors such as hair type, aftercare, and the specific treatment used. To maintain the results, it's essential to use sulfate-free and keratin-friendly hair care products. Frequent washing, exposure to chlorine, or excessive heat styling can shorten the lifespan of the treatment. Regular touch-ups are necessary to keep the benefits consistent.
