Before heading to the salon for your keratin treatment, make sure you have everything you need to maintain your results.
These days, there are so many ways to style your hair and express yourself. One popular way to beautify your hairstyle is by applying a keratin treatment. You can really transform your look with one of these. But maintaining them is another story.
Keratin treatments make your hair shiny, straight, and smooth. They can have a stunning effect on your appearance. But if you don’t treat your hair right, you’ll miss out on reaping the benefits. There are some things you should know before getting one done.
Keratin treatment is the best way to keep your hair straight and smooth, but it requires after-treatment care.
Keratin is one of the most popular hair treatments today. It’s so popular because it straightens your curls and smooths out frizz. It also gives your hair an alluring bounce, making it appear healthier and shinier.
But what is keratin?
Keratin is a protein that naturally occurs in our bodies.
It helps protect the skin, hair, and nails. The protein is clinically proven to make hair softer, smoother, shinier, and more manageable than untreated hair – at least for as long as the treatment lasts.
Scientific studies have shown that after using a keratin treatment, you can expect up to 78% less frizziness in humid weather conditions and longer-lasting results of up to six months!
That’s why so many women are in love with using keratin treatments. But maintaining your hair after applying a keratin treatment takes a lot of work.
If you get it wrong, you may end up with hair that is frizzy, dull, and lifeless.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about keratin treatments—from how they work to what kind of shampoo you should use after getting one!
What Is A Keratin Treatment?
A keratin treatment is a chemical process that changes the structure of your hair. As with all chemical processes, it damages your hair to create the desired effect.
It works by disturbing the outer layer of your hair, known as the cuticle, and altering your hair structure from the innermost layer. When your cuticle is irritated, it lifts. This lifting of the cuticle is what causes most hair breakage and frizz.
Bleaching your hair to make it lighter is a chemical process that lifts the cuticle to strip your hair of its inner pigment. We all know the havoc that bleach can wreak on our hair.
Keratin treatments work very similarly, but with different results.
It uses sodium hydroxide to lift your cuticle and penetrate deep into your hair.
Once the keratin gets inside your hair strands, it will begin to break down your natural hair structure to make it more porous and susceptible to the treatment.
After your hair breaks down, the keratin treatment fills the gaps it created in your hair with a synthetic protein. This makes your hair appear smoother and shinier, despite the damage.
Since your curl pattern was destroyed with the rest of your hair structure, these treatments may also leave your hair straighter as well. Many women do use keratin treatments to straighten their hair as an alternative to other chemical relaxers or Japanese straightening.
The added protein covers your hair in a protective coating that seals your cuticle. This coating makes your hair appear smoother and shinier for as long as the treatment lasts.
But it does not fix the damage caused by the initial breaking down of your hair structure.
Keratin treatments can be done at home or the salon, but they aren’t permanent. They wash out after a few months, leaving your hair damaged and in need of another treatment to straighten it again.
Can I Use Regular Shampoo On Keratin-Treated Hair?
You must use the right shampoo and conditioner to maintain your hair after a keratin treatment. A sulfate-free shampoo will help keep your hair from getting too dry or frizzy after the keratin treatment.
If you opt for a regular shampoo that contains SLS/SLES, you risk undoing the results of your keratin treatment. Then, you’ll be spending more money going back to the salon for another one sooner than you need to.
We also recommend using a deep conditioner at least once a week during this period, as it will help strengthen your hair and make it easier to manage in general.
Why Do You Need Sulfate-Free Shampoo After Keratin Treatment?
Sulfate-free shampoos are crucial because they help maintain the health of your hair and scalp.
Sulfate is a harsh chemical that’s used to create lather and foam in shampoo, but it also strips away oils and moisture from your hair. This can lead to an increase in breakage, dryness, frizziness—and even dandruff!
By using a sulfate-free shampoo after a keratin treatment, you’re helping to preserve the integrity of your hair as well as seal in moisture for healthier-looking locks.
Are sulfate shampoos bad for your hair?
Sulfate shampoos can absolutely be bad for your hair. They strip away natural oils, causing dandruff and hair loss.
If you have a keratin treatment, it’s best to avoid sulfate shampoos altogether — they wash off the keratin treatment, which is meant to stay in your hair for up to three months.
Instead of using regular shampoo after getting a keratin treatment (which will strip away the product), try using a sulfate-free shampoo or conditioner instead.
How do you care for keratin-treated hair?
The first 48 hours after getting a keratin treatment are the most crucial. Here are some tips to help you care for your keratin-treated hair:
Do not wash your hair.
Your hair will need time to absorb the keratin treatment. If you wash it too early, you will just end up removing the chemicals from the treatment before they have time to fully set.
Do not wet your hair.
You should avoid wetting your hair for the first 48 hours after the treatment. You can use a towel to blot excess water from your hair, but it’s important not to brush or comb through it, as this can cause breakage.
Avoid swimming and excessive sweating.
It is important to avoid both of these things while you are trying to maintain the straightness of your hair. If you do get wet, try to dry your hair as quickly as possible so that it doesn’t revert to its natural state.
Avoid styling products.
Styling products, such as gels and mousses, will stick to your hair and cause it to look dull and dry. Do not use any products that contain alcohol, sulfates, or parabens.
Stay away from heat tools.
Your hair might look nice and healthy after a keratin treatment. But it’s in a pretty fragile state. Resist the urge to use a blow dryer, and don’t even think about that curling or straightening iron!
Create a nourishing hair care routine.
Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo instead of harsh shampoos. Many typical shampoos have detergents that can damage the treated areas of your hair.
Apply a nutrient-rich conditioner after washing. Treat yourself with a moisturizing mask once or twice per week to keep your strands from drying out.
When you can use styling products again, don’t just rush back to your regular gels and mousses. Choose a protective serum that will help you to lock in moisture and amplify your hair’s shine.
Hair Products for After Your Keratin Treatment
Your hair is a reflection of your overall health, so it’s important to take care of it.
Ellatu is a full line of luxurious hair care products meant to nurture your hair after undergoing chemical processes like keratin or bleaching.
If you want to make the most out of your keratin treatment, use products that nourish and protect your hair. Our science-backed formulas help to fortify broken bonds in your hair and protect it from future damage.
Using Ellatu will preserve your hair’s strength, smooth frizz, and encourage its shine.
It is the perfect aftercare solution for maximizing your keratin treatment.
Create your own custom hair care routine with our full assortment of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.
Shop our collection: www.ellatu.com/products
