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Although curls and waves have their own beauty and charm, some people prefer to get theirs straightened or looking to try something different for a change. In addition, though it might not seem fair, curls and waves can require lots of maintenance, and some people simply prefer the manageability of straight hair.
There are a number of salons offering hair straightening methods. One of the most popular methods is the Brazilian keratin hair straightening treatment. It is very popular for the good results that it produces even on tightest curls. Here we breakdown the facts about the hair straightening treatment.
How it works
The keratin hair straightening technique involves the sealing of hair bonds with liquid keratin. Although, keratin is naturally present in the hair, it is less visible in curly or wavy hair. The liquid keratin is mainly added to cover up the spaces on the hair surface making the hair stronger, smoother and even longer.
How it is applied
The first step in the hair straightening process involves the application of the keratin solution and then blow-drying. This is then ironed using a hot hair iron to straighten out the hair. This way all the frizz in the hair is removed and the hair is more manageable. The results are soft, shiny, silky straight hair.
What’s so good about it
The major advantage of this hair straightening method over the other methods is that it does not permanently change the texture of the hair. It is a short-term process and the new growth will have the original texture, while the previously treated hair will have much smoother curls or waves.
Other hair straightening procedures like perms or relaxers permanently changes the texture of the hair and contains chemicals that can cause major damage to hair overtime.
Another major advantage is the effectiveness of the procedure. The keratin technique works well on any type of hair, even on very coarse, tight curls with great results. It can also be used on color treated hair.
What’s not so good about it
One of the biggest disadvantage of this method is that the chemicals used contain formaldehyde which can be a health hazard. Though strict regulations are in place on the kind of products being used in the numerous salons, there have been cases of people being affected.
However, this is attributed more to the salons than to the brand of products. Salons change the original composition of the straightening products to achieve quicker results and reduce their cost and this is where potential problems might arise.
Another major disadvantage is the cost. The keratin hair straightening treatments are not cheap. Average prices can range from the high 100’s and up to $600, and multiple treatments are needed to maintain the results. It is a good idea to choose a reputable salon to get the best results and ensure only branded products are used for the procedure.
How long does it last?
The Keratin Brazilian Hair Treatment lasts for 3 months and requires repeated visits to the parlor to maintain it. The first sitting may require more time, some times even up to 9 hours to get the best results.
After the first treatment, the hair is typically less frizzy and the curls more manageable. Â The later hair straightening treatments will be applied mainly to target the new growth.
Maintaining keratin hair straightening treatments
Once it is done, you cannot shampoo your hair for 4 days, since the chemical takes time to set well. After that it can be treated like any other hair, taking care to use a shampoo that does not contain Sodium Sulfate that can react with the chemical application on the hair. After several keratin hair straightening treatments, the curls are typically more defined with less frizz and flyways.
Have you ever had the Brazilian keratin hair straightening treatment or interested in trying it? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below
Great post! I’ve been wanting to do this treatment for a while but read some bad reviews but I think I might have to reconsider it. Does it work on Type 4C hair?
Hi Tasha, I believe the treatment is supposed to work on all types of hair even type 4c. I think the important thing is to go to a salon that has experience with your hair type. Thanks!
i have naturally curly hair and this stuff gets my hair super straight, i just wonder about the possibility of long term damage to my hair.
Hmm…great point Megan, will have to do more research on that
How can I gt rid of it ! The brazilian blow dry lasts forever.
I had it done on Aug 8th this year , 5 months ago,
It is still as good as the day it was done and as straight.
But my regrowth is all curly and I want my curls back all over.
I have half straight and half curly hair, looking rdiculous.
I use all the wrong shampoos with sulfates in to try and wash it away.
Do I have to have it cut out, will I ever have my curls back.
Help !!
Hi Gayle, sorry to hear about your hair situation. It’s been 5 months since you had it done, and although on average it takes about 3 months for the curls to come back, I’ve read of cases where it can take up to 6 months! So just wait it out, don’t cut off your hair, give it another few months and see how you feel. In the meantime, you might just have to flatiron your new growth to match the straight parts. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
You can wash your hair with dandruff shampoo
Hi Tital, that’s interesting. So using a dandruff shampoo helps to bring the curls back faster?
All the good and bad reviews about the Brazilian treatment leaves me even more confused. Gayle, I wonder if your curl did ever come back? Anyone had similar issue?
Yes I had a Keratin treatment done before and my curls never came back after waiting over a year. So I had to cut it and start over.
Great article. The salon product is extremely expensive and part of that is the time involved. People can get keratin treatments as home for a fraction of the cost. Just be sure to buy a good product and use a good flat iron that gets to 450 degrees.
I am looking forward to trying outone called cocoa keratin smooting treatment . i hope it works and i have really thin hair and alot of hari as…..
hey, My hair type is 3C what the best keratin product should I use
Sounds nice simple fact! I really wanted to try this keratin brazilian treatment.
This -was generally a great piece and well-written. If I may, I’d like to offer a few ideas:
1) ADVANTAGES: Some of the most important advantages of Brazilian keratin are that it preserves the versatility to wear hair straight or curly (that is, a looser version of its natural self, ideal for AA natural hair looks), and it super-conditions to repair relaxer damage (the purpose for which it was originally developed) and strengthen against breakage so hair can be grown much longer than before, and perhaps most important of all, by sealing the cuticle it prevents moisture from entering and causing hair to frizz. NOTHING controls frizz more effectively than keratin–it is the best available technology, plain and simple. And nothing beats it for ease of straightening–hair straightens easily with minimal blowdrying or flat ironing, typically less than half of before.
2) DURATION: A high-quality keratin such as Uncurly will typically last 3-5 months–longer with successive treatments.
3) FORMALDEHYDE: The FDA and OSHA have both studied and reported on this issue. Their findings were that the exposure level accompanying a keratin treatment could result in temporary watering of eyes or burning sensation in the throat or sinuses for some but not all users. That was it–not the dire hype that was reported in the heat of the moment during the Brazilian Blowout debacle, which, incidentally, was a case about dishonest/inaccurate labeling. And these side effects can be minimized or prevented by the use of an ordinary household fan to divert the steam, which quickly breaks down in several minutes to its components (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) rather than lingering around indefinitely. And for what it’s worth, the concern was originally about stylists, who potentially could use the product many times a week as opposed to the client who would use it at most 1-5 times per year.
4) COST: The biggest drawback to Brazilian keratin has always been the cost. My earliest treatments, for instance, cost me $450 plus tip!, but it was so life-changing that I continued to pay it. However, keratin is extremely easy to administer at home. The most important thing is to use a top-quality, professional grade product unlike the ineffective ones sold in drugstores or Sallys-type establishments.
Wow I absolutely loved your article on the keratin straightening treatment. I thought it was very informative. I just personally got the keratin treatment today and I LOVE it already. However, boy was I shocked when my bill came $475.00 (which also included the price of a haircut as well as the special shampoo and keratin conditioner. I’m saddened to think that this will only last a few months IF I’m lucky. I would totall consider the do-it-at-home version but im not to good at the blow drying aspect of it. The flat iron part I could do. I could definately see how this could be a life changing event for me. I just know that my self-esteem/confidence will definately be affected and that is for sure for the better. Thank you for your article.
Hi Debora, glad you enjoyed the article 🙂
Thank you for your nice blog
I am new to your blog and found it quite informative. I got this treatment done last year and I am pretty impressed with it. It made my hair look so natural and brought volume in my hair. My hair does not look frizzy anymore and the quality is also improved. So far no damage. 🙂