Keratin Treatments Are Not Always Pleasant 

 

 

heat is involved & fumes do occur

​

We recommend that you research a bit about Keratin as the service takes several hours but yields amazing long lasting smooth manageable hair. While keratin is a natural protein, these products are made with several other added ingredients, including trace amounts of formaldehyde.

​

We carry two products but we always highly recommend Keratin Research which is a bit more expensive but USA FDA approved and has yielded the best multi months results for our clients. 

​

Why we recommend Keratin Research. After thousands of clients over ten years, Keratin Research has had the most consistent long lasting results of our three Keratin products. Keratin Research's Original Keratin Hair Treatment is USA FDA approved but it does contain formaldehyde and the associated strong smell during application. we always recommend wearing a face mask during application in our well ventilated salons and can provide you with a plastic shield as well. 

 

 

Let's take a look at the ingredients of Keratin Research: Aqua (water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Bromide, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Formaldehyde, Mineral Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl (protein), Petrolatum, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil, Argania Spinosa (Moroccan Argan oil), Amodimethicone, Dimethiconol, Acetamide MEA, Panthenol, Sorbitol, Sodium Cocoyl Collagen Amino Acids, Cocoyl Sarcosine, Wheat Germ, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ) Oil, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Sulfur, Polysorbate-80, Oleth-10, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Seed Oil), formaldehyde, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Cyclopentasiloxane.  

​

These ingredients contain the essential building blocks for a highly effective keratin treatment, on top of many other ingredients that help moisturize, smooth, and protect the hair.

​

Keratin Research does contain the two main factors for an effective DIY keratin treatment

A fusing agent and keratin:  

• Formaldehyde - Helps create a cross link between the keratin which naturally occurs in your hair and the new keratin from the treatment.  This fusing agent essentially helps the keratin bind to your hair.  IT WILL CREATE FUMES and some clients do tear up on occaision. 

• Hydrolyzed Keratin - Often derived from sheep's wool, these protein molecules penetrate the hair shaft to help enhance the interior cortex and thus changing the hair's shape.  

 

In addition to the essentials, I've found the formula also contains additional ingredients that are helpful for hair strenth, shiene, and smoothness 

​

• Cetrimonium Bromide - A smoothing agent that helps reduce frizz and increase shine.

• Sunflower Seed Oil - This oil helps boost hair hydration while also reducing frizz.

• Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl (protein) - aka Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein. Improves hair texture and manageability. 

• Petrolatum - aka Petroleum Jelly. Helps seal the hair shaft and protect it from breakage.

• Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil - Helps reduce hair protein loss.

• Argania Spinosa (Moroccan Argan oil) - Reduces frizz and helps the hair retain moisture.

• Wheat Germ - Oil rich in fatty acids that increases hair moisture and softness.

• Linolenic & Linoleic Acid - Reduces water loss and stimulates hair growth.

• Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Seed Oil) - This ingredient is rich in vitamins and minerals which helps strengthen the hair.  

• Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans - Increases hair moisture retention.It's important to note that due to the nature of these ingredients (formaldehyde, sulfur, proteins)

 

 

Keratin  treatments should be done sparingly.  In fact, if keratin treatments in general are performed too often, the hair can be overloaded with protein and actually cause breakage.  This is why we recommend keratin treatments approximately once per year, because you want to be sure the treatment is completely worn off before have the treatment done again. 

 

Keratin Research is by far the brand we recommend for least damage to existing hair coloring, consistency and longest lasting results. This product is best for those with any type of skin sensitivity 

 

It is expensive so we offer an alternative product. 

 

PURC Keratin Treatment - Used for curly/kinky haired clients. Lower priced Keratin e treatment. Yields great results on stubborn, frizzy haired haired clients. This product does contain Formalin, which is technically not Formaldehyde but it has a strong odor and some health concerns with high exposure. 

 

Aftercare - This is important 

Do not wash your hair for at least 72 hours, no swimming, no bathing, don't get caught in the rain

​

ONLY use Sulfate Free Shampoo - supermarket shampoos will strip the Keratin quickly.

​

We carry a fantastic Sulfate Free Microbead shampoo but there are many others to choose 

 

Be careful Shampoos are typically advertised as "sulfate free" but that just means that they might have swapped Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) for another harsh surfactant.  AVOID the following ingredients:  Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Ether Sulfate.  Basically, anything that even remotely sounds like Sulfate, Sulfonate, most Sodiums, etc.