Are Keratin Treatments Good for Curly Hair? [Pros & Cons]

It dries out easily, is prone to split ends and tangling, and can quickly become unruly [1].

You may have heard of the keratin treatment for curly hair but not be sure about whether you should give it a try before your next salon visit.

We’ll review what a keratin treatment involves, how it affects your hair, and if it’s something you should try.

CHECK: Best Hair Straightener for Keratin Treatment

How Does A Keratin Treatment Work?

Keratin is an organic protein that makes up the structure of hair and skin. It is also found in nails, hooves, horns, claws, and feathers.

Keratin treatments work by sealing in moisture and locking in natural oils that keep your scalp healthy and prevent it from becoming dry and flaky [2]. The treatment also helps reduce frizziness and creates a smoother texture for your hair.

The keratin protein strengthens the bonds between strands of your hair. This prevents breakage, making your hair stronger and healthier looking.

Check out this video.

READ MORE: How Long Does a Keratin Treatment Last?

Is A Keratin Treatment Good For Curly Hair?

Keratin treatments are chemical + high heat treatments that open up the hair cuticle and smooth the curls. It also boosts shine, which is reduced by curls because the shine is caused by light bouncing off flat surfaces.

Keratin treatments are designed to dissolve the disulfide bonds inside your hair follicles. This chemical loss of disulfide bonds cannot be restored, and natural curls cannot exist without those bonds.

So, no matter how “gentle” or “safe” a keratin treatment purports to be, it’s crucial to understand that while your hair may seem smooth, glossy, and healthy after the treatment, your curls will be gone.

According to Laura McGraw, curls specialist, “Damage can occur anytime the curls are chemically altered in any way, shape, or form. That said, true damage can happen if the treatment is done poorly or a low-quality keratin product is used, resulting in hair breakage or unevenly altered curls,”

Benefits of Keratin Treatment on Curly Hair

Keratin treatment is a very popular method to get rid of frizzy hair.

• Smoothing: As mentioned above, keratin treatments help smooth your hair. They make your hair feel silky soft and sleek.
• Shine: Because keratin treatments seal in moisture, they also boost your hair’s shine.
• Easy To Style: You don’t need to use a lot of products to style your hair after applying keratin treatment. It makes styling easier and faster.
• Last Longer: Keratin treatments last longer than other types of hair treatments.
• It corrects porosity issues.
• It eliminates and avoids frizz.
• It enhances the vibrancy of your hair color.
  

cons of using Keratin treatment on curly hair

There are some disadvantages of using keratin treatment on curly-haired women. Some of them include:

• It can be expensive. Keratin treatments can cost anywhere from $250 – $450. per session, depending on where you go for it. You may also need to purchase additional products for the treatment (like a serum), which will add up quickly!
• The application of this product can be painful and annoying for some people. The formula contains harsh chemicals, which may damage your scalp or cause allergies and rashes.
• If your hair lacks volume, the treatment will flatten it even more.
• Special post-treatment care is required, such as the use of specific hair products.
• Tight hair bands and accessories are not permitted because they can damage the treatment layer on the hair.
• It can cause diseases such as cancer. Keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, and long-term exposure to this chemical can lead to cancer [3]. To reduce risk, opt for keratin treatments that do not contain formaldehyde.
• It may cause your hair to become dull. If you do not visit a skilled salon professional, you may end up with dull hair instead of smooth and silky hair. The most common cause has been an exposure of hair to sudden heat, which can occur during treatment or during the blow drying process.

CHECK: Does Keratin Treatment Cause Hair Loss?

Best keratin treatment for curly hair

The right keratin treatment for curly hair can be a game-changer. Not only will it help you to achieve your desired look, but it will also help to protect your hair from future damage and make styling easier.

There are many different brands of keratin treatments on the market today, so it’s important to find one that works best for you.

Here are my top favorites.

Brazilian Blowout

The Brazilian Blowout is an intensive keratin treatment that can last up to three months. It uses a combination of heat and chemicals to give you long-lasting results.

Soft Keratin Treatment

This treatment is perfect for those who want to straighten their curls without damaging them. It helps to eliminate frizz and gives your hair a shiny finish. 

It will keep your curly locks in place while also transforming them into frizz-free spirals without the use of a single pump of mousse.

In Conclusion

Investing in a keratin treatment for your curly hair could help tame frizz and add shine, but it’s important to remember that results will vary from person to person.

You should also be careful about the salon you choose to do the treatment. They’ll be able to help you determine if this home remedy may be exactly what your dry, frizzy curls need.

These keratin treatments aren’t a miracle cure, but they can be very beneficial. The key is knowing which one will work best for you and your hair type. Then, you’re off to the races!

Resources

• 1. Cloete E, Khumalo NP, Ngoepe MN. The what, why and how of curly hair: a review. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 2019;475(2231):20190516. doi:10.1098/rspa.2019.0516
• 2. Basit A, asghar F, Sadaf S, Akhtar MW. Health improvement of human hair and their reshaping using recombinant keratin K31. Biotechnology Reports. 2018;20:e00288. doi:10.1016/j.btre.2018.e00288
• 3. Weathersby C, McMichael A. Brazilian keratin hair treatment: a review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2013;12(2):144-148. doi:10.1111/jocd.12030