Everything You need to Know About Keratin Straightening Treatments

If your hair is frizzy and unmanageable, where you’d prefer to have a look that’s smooth and straight, a keratin straightening treatment might be for you.

A keratin straightening treatment is the ideal compromise between permanent hair straightening, or just running your hair through a pair of straighteners at the end of your trip to the salon. In this blog we’ll outline exactly why that is, as well as telling you everything you need to know about keratin treatments.

First up, what’s keratin? Many people think that this is simply the name of a cosmetic treatment, but actually, keratin is what our natural hair is made from. It’s a protein that makes up hair, skin and nails. Because it makes up the structure of our natural hair, many people believe that keratin hair treatments can help to improve the strength or health of their natural hair.

Within the context of a straightening treatment, the keratin works by smoothing down the hair cuticle. Hair becomes frizzy when the hair cuticle lifts and allows moisture to enter, which causes the hair shaft to swell and thicken. The keratin effectively locks down the cuticle, preventing the entry of moisture and, as a result, frizz or breakage.

In practice, a keratin straightening treatment at Beauty & The Bleach would involve your stylist washing your hair and applying the keratin. After using a hairdryer, your stylist would use straighteners to essentially activate the treatment with heat, smoothing and straightening your hair for that perfect, glossy look.

We know that a bit of variety goes a long way, and not everyone is after the pin-straight look. So, if a full straightening treatment isn’t quite what you’re looking for, we have other keratin treatments available to remove frizz or help you achieve the perfect curls.

While a permanent hair straightening treatment, which will last up to 6 months (when new hair grows in to replace it), a keratin straightening treatment will usually last around 4 to 6 months. At this stage, the treatment will begin to wash out of your hair, although it’s worth noting that the exact time period could be altered depending on how often you wash your hair.

Although a keratin treatment won’t always last as long, it’s far less damaging than a permanent chemical treatment would be, particularly given the potential benefits of keratin products. Permanent straightening treatments damage your hair follicles, and can cause split ends, breakage and hair loss. Keratin has a much less damaging effect.

Additionally, keratin straightening treatments aren’t impacted by previous treatments, like colouring or bleaching, nor does it impact your ability to modify your hair afterwards, like a perm would.

That’s not to say that a keratin straightening treatment won’t cause any damage whatsoever. All modifications - from perms to adding highlights - can harm your natural hair. While keratin treatments themselves are widely thought to be healthy for your hair, it’s the heat that can cause damage.

This is a popular question, and that’s because a large number of keratin straightening treatment products contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and can be really harmful to both clients and stylists, especially when treatments are applied incorrectly.

However, here at Beauty & The Bleach, this isn’t something you need to worry about. We use K-Respect by milk_shake, a line of keratin products that are proudly free from both formaldehyde and Glyoxal. There’s nothing dangerous about receiving this kind of treatment with one of our stylists.

The only person who can answer this one is you. However, if having frizzy, untameable hair is beginning to get you down, a keratin straightening treatment may well work wonders.

This treatment will smooth down your hair, improve thickness and smoothness, while making your hair appear glossier and straighter. If manageability is a problem for you, this can make your hair far easier to work with and take care of.

Our stylists are fully trained, experienced, and able to consult you thoroughly on the process, as well as the best aftercare treatment to uphold results. If you’re interested in booking a keratin straightening treatment at Beauty & The Bleach Bideford, prices start from £120. Book now via our online system, or feel free to give us a call for a chat first.