BEAUTY

Beauty Breakdown: Learn All There Is To Know About Keratin Hair Treatments

ByKim West

Sep 19, 2013 01:06 AM EDT

If bad hair days keep cropping up one after the other, have you ever considered a keratin treatment? Whether or not you've heard of this super sleek miracle worker, its always best to do your hair care homework before you look to try it. To help you decide whether or not to play for keratin keeps, we sat down with Nina Ellis, Brazilian Keratin Treatment expert and Marketing Director for the Kashmir Keratin Hair System, to pick her brain and learn all there is to know about this innovation. Read below to get the full scoop on the unique benefits.

So Nina, what exactly is a keratin hair treatment?
Also known as Brazilian hair treatments, keratin hair treatments are a semi-permanent, hair-smoothing, curl-softening professional chemical process designed to make hair straighter, shinier and even healthier. The treatments are usually made up of a chemical like formaldehyde (which creates the long-lasting smoothing effect), conditioners, and some keratin (a protein our hair is made of to add strength).

What types of hair are ideal candidates for keratin?
Keratin is more of a restorative treatment. Even if you have a healthy hair type, it still strengthens the hair shaft and makes your hair more resilient. If you usually style your hair straight, a keratin hair-straightening treatment could shorten your blow-dry time by 40% to 60%. You can forget about frizzy hair as well. The treatment is so effective, you could walk out in moist or light rain and your hair won't change.

Wow, bad hair days solved! How does it work?
The treatment is an infusion of keratin into the hair cuticle, and works best on hair that has been color-processed or highlighted because the hair shaft is already open. The keratin goes right on the hair's cortex, which helps to repair and smooth out damaged strands efficiently. A stylist applies a keratin hair-straightening product to your hair and then uses the heat of a flat iron to seal it in. The process takes about 90 minutes or longer, depending on your hair's length. The protein keratin formula can help to make the hair stronger, shinier and more flexible.

What are the benefits of a keratin Hair treatment?
Unlike Japanese hair straightening treatments that use heat to relax and straighten the hair, Brazilian treatments straighten the hair naturally with keratin, a protein that is already found in human hair.

What type of maintenance is involved with a keratin treatment? Is it a long-term commitment?
Opting for this treatment is great when you're the victim of severely damaged hair. The treatment allows you to help hair get healthier and reduces the need to use straightening irons and heated styling tools on a regular basis. It can also make dry and unruly hair more manageable. Women who have serious damage, frizzy hair, or super curly hair are good candidates for this type of hair straightening because the treatment does not damage hair further. It's a no-hassle committment.

Any potential drawbacks?
Even though keratin hair straightening treatments offer a number of benefits, it's important to remember that the keratin compounds will wash out of the hair within a few weeks.

Recommendations for women thinking about getting a keratin hair treatment?
The Brazilian keratin treatment process is very intensive. It should only be performed by a licensed professional who has had training in performing the treatment. Having the treatment done by someone who is inexperienced could lead to hair breakage and loss. You want to ensure that the treatment process is followed according to the guidelines for the optimal health of the hair.

Any additional tips or tricks?
With old formulas of Brazilian keratin treatments, you were not allowed to shampoo for four to five days after the treatment process. But with Kashmir Keratin, you are allowed to get the hair wet as soon as the same day of the treatment process. Shampoos containing sulfates and sodium chloride, however, should be avoided. These shampoos will strip the hair of its moisture and interfere with the keratin treatment.

Thanks Nina!

To learn more and try Kashmir Keratin and their line of Sulphate and Paraben Free Shampoos, Conditioners and Masks, click HERE.