What Happens If You Wash Keratin Treatment Before 72 Hours?

It is a rule of thumb to wait at least 72 hours before washing your keratin-treated, but what happens if you wash keratin treatment before 72 hours?

You’re not the odd one out if you’re asking this question; this is something we all play around with, a rule we’re tempted to flout sometimes.

But by the end of this article, you’ll have been convinced always to wait 72 hours.

So…

CHECK: Best Professional Hair Styler Keratin Flat Iron

Why Do You Need To Wait 3 Days Before Washing Your Hair After Keratin Treatment?

You should wait 72 hours before washing your hair after keratin treatment to allow the hair products enough time to work accordingly and effectively.

The 72-hour period rule is necessary to allow your hair to soak the keratin treatment properly without the possibility of the keratin being washed off.

Your keratin-treated hair will need up to 72 hours if you want to reap the full benefits of keratin hair treatments.

If you have frizzy or curly hair and want to improve your health and get your hair smoother and straighter, a keratin treatment is a good idea.

However, you must be aware that keratin treatment is a chemical process that requires using a solution containing keratin complex and other strong chemicals such as formaldehyde and sodium hydroxide in its chemical composition (1).

Applying the keratin solution to your hair shaft will create a keratin coating on the outer layer of your keratin-treated hair.

It takes time for the hair cuticles to fully internalize the applied keratin solution.

Same-day wash keratin treatments are only possible with old keratin treatment products.

Applying excess water, hot water from steam showers or even wet brushes with abrasive effects can interrupt the process.

Getting your hair wet after keratin hair treatments will wash keratin off your hydrated hair fiber, leaving your hair in a horrible state.

Yes, not only will the keratin be washed off, but your hair will be left in an unpleasant state.

Check out this cool video of the first wash after keratin treatment.

@ma_andrea123 First wash after Keratin treatment! #fyp #foryou #keratin #hair #parati #tiktok ♬ Happy Vibes – GNL

Let’s look at the consequences of washing your hair within 72 hours after a keratin treatment.

Consequences of Washing Keratin treatment Before 72 Hours

The following are the consequences if you wash your hair within 72 hours after a keratin treatment:

1. The treatment will not last long

It takes time for the keratin treatment to get to the hair core. Washing your hair too early will wash the keratin from your hair.

2. It will leave your hair porous

Washing your keratin-treated hair too early will make your hair porous. This is because you have not given the proper time for the keratin to seal the hair bonds properly after breaking them up.

This way, you’ll have damaged rather than sleek and straighter hair, as you envisaged. Also, rather than having your hair strands resilient, your hair will be weaker.

3. Your hair will lose its glossiness

Keratin treatment is designed to make your hair shiny. Washing the keratin coating off will leave your hair dull.

4. Your hair will be uneven in appearance

Your hair will lack uniformity as some parts will be composed of frizzy and curly hair while some will be composed of frizz-free hair.

However, if you accidentally pour water on your hair after a keratin treatment, ensure you blow-dry and use a flat iron to straighten it as soon as possible.

READ MORE: Can we use dry shampoo after keratin treatment?

What Can You Do to Make Keratine Treatment Last Longer

The following are the list of rules and aftercare instructions to follow to make your Brazilian treatment last longer:

• Use Boar Bristle Brush: Whenever your hair gets tangled, don’t use brushes with hard bristles. You should use a boar bristle brush instead.

• Avoid styling your hair as much as possible: One of the care recommendations for your hair after a keratin hair treatment is to avoid styling it as much as possible, especially in the first two weeks. Avoid using hair bands (including soft hair bands) and hair clips or put your hair in a bun or ponytail.
• Avoid towel-drying your hair: Regular towels have a high absorbent ability that can be too strong for your keratin-treated hair. I recommend the use of a microfibre towel. You can check out Microfiber Towel Handy for your keratin-treated hair.

• For proper hair maintenance after a keratin hair treatment, avoid using heavy hair oils: They often form a redundant layer over the hair as they can’t get into the hair core after the keratin treatment must have sealed moisture into your hair strands and formed a permanent keratin coating over your hair.

• Avoid excessive touching of your hair: This will help keep your hair clean, as excessive touching will end up rubbing dirt and oils on your hair without you knowing. This dirt and oils will reduce how long your keratin treatment will last.

• Use fewer hair styling products: If you have to use styling products, ensure they are mild hair care products.
• Avoid using heat-styling tools such as curling irons and flat irons.
• Washing your hair less: Even after waiting three days before washing your hair, you’ll now need to practice washing your hair less frequently per week.
• Avoid any activity that can cause indentations, e.g., tucking hair behind ears or engaging in tough workouts.

• I recommend the use of a silk pillow after a keratin hair treatment.

• Practice using keratin mist spray to increase your hair volume.

• To prevent dry hair and sustain the glossiness of your colored hair, I recommend using sulfate-free shampoo.

For additional tips on how to make your keratin treatment last longer, you can watch this video:

Shampoo To Use After 72 Hours of Keratin

It is best to talk to your hairstylist for shampoo recommendations after a keratin hair treatment.

This is because using the same line of products for your hair chemical treatments is advisable.

However, if you’re having an at-home keratin hair treatment, you should go for a treatment set with a deep conditioning treatment mask, keratin serum, pre-treatment clarifying shampoo, keratin-enriched shampoo, and sulfate-free shampoo.

Ensure that your aftercare shampoo doesn’t contain salts (e.g., sodium chloride), sulfates (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium Laureth sulfate), or harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde as long-term formaldehyde exposure can be dangerous to the hair (3).

According to research, formaldehyde exposure can cause dermal allergies affecting the skin and hair (4).

Here is a list of five recommended shampoos that you can use 72 hours after a keratin hair treatment:

1. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo is suitable for any hair type 72 hours after a keratin hair treatment.

It can remove oil residues and other forms of residues that can cause bad hair days. To reap the full benefit of this shampoo treatment, you shouldn’t use it more than once a week.

2. Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo

This shampoo is also suitable for every hair type, especially for color-treated hair. It helps to balance the natural moisture of your hair while utilizing sulfate-free technology to cleanse your hair.

3. Videri Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo

This is another sulfate-free shampoo that is suitable for colored hair that is keratin-treated. It is formulated with ingredients that can cleanse and hydrate hair and dry scalp.

It also contains rosehip seed oil and vitamin c, which help to nourish the scalp.

4. LuxeOrganic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo

This product is a great combination of Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. It is sodium chloride and sulfate-free.

If you get unruly hair after applying the shampoo, the conditioner will fix it all, giving you smooth hair.

5. OGX Brazilian Keratin Smooth Shampoo

OGX Brazilian Keratin Smooth Shampoo is formulated with nourishing ingredients such as cocoa butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil and will make your hair shiny and moisturized after use.

CHECK: Can keratin cause allergic reaction?

FAQs

Conclusion

Now you know what happens if you wash keratin before 72 hours!

I’m sure if you were thinking about breaking the 72-hour no moisture rule before now, you’ll find that that’s not the best choice to make.

Keep this rule to heart, and you’ll always have your hair shiny, straight and glossy!

Resources

• 1. Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: An overview. International Journal of Trichology. 2015;7(1):2. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450
• 2. Bondi CAM, Marks JL, Wroblewski LB, Raatikainen HS, Lenox SR, Gebhardt KE. Human and Environmental Toxicity of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Evidence for Safe Use in Household Cleaning Products. Environmental Health Insights. 2015;9:EHI.S31765. doi:10.4137/ehi.s31765