How soon can you repeat keratin treatment?
Styling with frizzy, damp hair was the worst part of my life, until I discovered this product.
When I first learned about keratin and how it can help create more manageable hair, I went into research mode and spoke to a hair stylist.
One of my biggest questions was can I do this treatment on a regular basis, and I wanted to share everything I’ve learned with you.
CHECK: Best Keratin Hair Straightener You Shouldn’t Miss!
Keratin Treatment Basics
Before looking more into when you can repeat keratin treatments, I wanted to share a few important basics.
One thing I learned about keratin hair treatments that I really like is that is can help make your hair healthier without affecting the hair structure.
If you have a natural wave, it won’t be permanently removed. However, since keratin hair care products don’t produce a permanent result, you will need to repeat it to keep your sleek hair.
How long keratin-treated hair lasts will depend on hair texture and the specific treatment you use.
With the basics covered, let’s take a close look at how soon can you repeat keratin treatment.
Do All Keratin Treatments Have the Same Lifetime?
No, the longevity of keratin treatment depends on your hair type and which one you use. It will act differently on very curly hair than it will on soft hair with a slight wave.
When I first discovered keratine hair treatments, some people told me that they can last 6 months to a year. However, when speaking to more experts, I found out the more realistic lifespan is 3 to 6 months.
However, in all cases, your beautiful hair will need repeated treatments to continue your smooth style.
Not only does the type of keratin used and hair structure affect how long it lasts, but also hair growth and washing impact its lifespan.
As your hair grows, the new strands will not have had the treatment, and you will eventually end up with your unwanted, unmanageable hair again.
So, how often can you repeat the treatment? Let’s look at the different salon treatments and what waiting period you need between applications.
When To Repeat Brazilian Keratin Treatment
If you have a rebellious curl, you should choose Brazilian keratin, otherwise known as a Brazilian blowout, which nourishes hair from the inside, and gives a shinier and healthier look to your hair.
Highly respected hair stylists, Jennifer Matos Jennifer Lord, say that this treatment will last 3 to 4 months, so long as you use sulfate-free products. [1] Meaning, that you can repeat it around 3 times a year. [2]
It is one of the best options for those who want to get rid of frizzy hair. If you don’t overdo the treatment frequency, the protein enrichment that a Brazilian provides will give you more healthy hair.
However, if you do it too much, it can lead to damaged hair and hair breakage.
Japanese Straightening Treatment Frequency
Another treatment named Japanese straightening influences in inner parts of the hair without changing their molecular structure. Many people like this option as it is a formaldehyde-free keratin treatment.
But, for straight hair like Japanese women, you have to repeat this treatment frequently. Ron Williams, an expert in this type of styling says that you should repeat it every 6 to 8 weeks for the best results. [3]
However, some people can wait much longer between treatments. Check out this user’s hair a year after her last treatment.
Smooth Keratin Treatment Lifespan
Smooth keratin treatment is way different than the two I’ve mentioned above. The term is often used to describe the first two I’ve talked about, which makes it confusing.
However, it differs because it won’t destroy your curls. It will help make your hair smoother without changing the texture composition of hair.
It’s perfect for those who love their curls but don’t love the frizz that comes with this hair type.
If you choose this option to help keep your hair manageable, you should only have to repeat it every 6 months.
Keep in mind that it won’t give you that flat-ironed look. But if you want to occasionally make your hair smoother, I recommend purchasing a keratin flat iron as it will cause less damage than a standard model.
READ MORE: Keratin Hair Treatment Side Effects
How To Enhance the Lifespan of Keratin Treatment
Keratin isn’t a permanent solution and it fades away with time. Still, you can make it last longer by protecting your hair from any external elements or cheap products.
Minimize Pollution and Poor Quality Styling Products
While everyday air pollution is hard to avoid, it can affect your hair, making it weaker and frizzy. Too much exposure to sun rays can also result in dry hair and reduce how long your keratin hair treatments last.
One thing you can control is the type of products you use. Avoid poor quality coloring and bleaching products that will cause fragile, dull hair.
Avoid Sulfates
Only wash and condition your hair with sulfate-free products. One product I like is Hair Food Sulfate Free Shampoo, which is suitable for all hair types.
That isn’t the only option, there are many mild hair care products available, so test a few to find the best one for your hair type.
Even though this type of shampoo creates less foam, it contains more healthy ingredients that are less likely to cause hair damage.
Wait To Wash Your Hair
One piece of important advice I was given is to wait at least 48 hours after keratin hair treatments for that 1st shampoo. Waiting 3 days is even better.
Because of this, it is important to schedule your treatments at times when you don’t need your hair looking perfect for events such as weddings or parties.
When you do wash your hair, don’t scrub it roughly, and use a cotton towel, such as the Sualla 100% Cotton Towel, to gently soak up the water.
If you dry your wet hair too aggressively, it can cause breakage. This is because when wet, your hair strands are more fragile.
Moisturize Your Hair
It is important to keep your hair well hydrated with conditioning treatments. I like to use a weekly moisture mask, such as Nexxus Humectress.
When applying a hair mask, avoid putting it too close to your scalp. A 4-inch gap is what was recommended to me by my stylist. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes before washing out to help create silky hair.
Also, you can apply a leave-in conditioner, I prefer this as it does a great job making my hair stronger and leaves my hair smooth. I really like Honest Company Conditioning Detangler Spray, if you’re looking at options.
Enriching your hair with proteins with help get rid of that bad hair day for good! Studies have found that a strand of hair can contain at least 300 different proteins. [4]
Avoid Too Much Heat Styling
Too much blow dryer or flat iron use will not only cause heat damage to your hair, but it will also reduce the length of time that your keratin hair treatments last.
For more tips on keratin hair treatments and their aftercare, check out this video.
READ MORE: Keratin Treatment Vs Hair Straightening Permanently
FAQS
Why is my hair still frizzy after keratin treatment?
If your hair is still frizzy, it might mean that the type you used was not suitable for your hair type, you washed it too soon, or used heat styling the 3 days after your treatment.
Does keratin cause hair loss?
Yes, sometimes keratin can cause hair loss. It can particularly happen due to the high heat used during the process damaging your hair’s natural protein.
Do I really need to wait 3 days to wash hair after keratin?
Yes, you must wait 3 days after keratin hair treatments as it is slow to absorb. You also need to leave your hair unrestricted by avoiding hair ties and tight styles.
Conclusion
Who doesn’t want shiny hair? And, of course, banishing that frizzy hair can really increase your confidence.
Once you find the right type, you can enjoy relaxed hair all year round. I hope my answer to your question ‘how soon can you repeat keratin’ is helpful.
One important thing to remember is always to wait at least 3 months before you get the next treatment. Doing it too often comes with health risks, so it is best to stick to professional guidelines.
If you’re worried about trying this treatment, keep in mind that it is not permanent. So in pursuit of your dream hair, why not try it out? If you don’t like the results, you can rest easy that it will only last a few months.
What are your experiences with your hair after keratin treatment? Did it give you more manageable hair? Shiny hair? I’d love to hear about them!
Resources
- 1. Mychaskiw M. Everything You Need to Know About Brazilian Blowouts [Internet]. InStyle.com. InStyle; 2018. Available from: https://www.instyle.com/hair/brazilian-blowouts-guides-tips
- 2. What is a Brazilian Keratin Treatment? [Internet]. KeraStraight. [cited 2022 Aug 25]. Available from: https://www.kerastraight.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-brazilian-keratin-treatment
- 3. Japanese hair straightening | LOR Salon [Internet]. [cited 2022 Aug 25]. Available from: https://www.lorsalon.com/blog/tag/japanese-hair-straightening/#:~:text=Many%20hair%20stylists%20recommend%20hair
- 4. Adav SS, Subbaiaih RS, Kerk SK, Lee AY, Lai HY, Ng KW, et al. Studies on the Proteome of Human Hair – Identification of Histones and Deamidated Keratins. Scientific Reports. 2018;8.
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Sylvia is one of the most joyful people you’ll ever meet. She is a high advocate of self-love and encourages women to take care of themselves both mentally and physically. She loves girly talks especially salon talks (a little gossip doesn’t hurt) and spends most of her free time on skincare or hair care. You can find more about here HERE. Find her on LINKEDIN
Can Keratin treatment be done only on the grown hair like 3 to 4 inches. Or do I have to do it on the full hair again . My hair grows very fast so the stubborn curls show on the crown like in a few weeks.
Whats your advice