Keratin for hair: benefit or harm

The benefits and harms of keratin hair straightening are issues that concern everyone who decided to choose this type of care. During this treatment, the liquid protein complex penetrates into the hair scales and remains there for a long time. Keratin and its conditioning agents are beneficial for their nourishing and strengthening properties.

What is Keratin

Keratin is a type of protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails. is he

also present in internal organs and glands. For cosmetic purposes, it is extracted from the feathers, horns and hair of various animals by hydrolysis. Since this protein is a building block of hair, keratin products are beneficial for strengthening hair.

Thousands of protein cells are naturally removed every day and renewed. The lack of recovery may be due to a general weakening of the body, a lack of vitamins and amino acids. Accelerated by various diseases such as psoriasis or seborrhea. As a result, the properties of healthy hair are lost. In this case, it is necessary to introduce a beneficial substance from the outside.

Keratin composition

Keratin is composed of 18 amino acids, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and carbon. When lightening, perming, frequent coloring, the protein layer of the hair is damaged and needs to be restored.

Why keratin hair straightening is useful

The benefits of protein straightening are smoother hair and easier to care for. The curls absorb the protective protein, as a result they look dense and shiny.

The results of the procedure strongly depend on how healthy the hair was, what is its natural thickness.

The keratin treatment is most beneficial for thick and unruly curls. After it, smoothness, even structure, ease of styling appears.

How keratin straightening is carried out in beauty salons

Before straightening, the master must necessarily ask about the possibility of allergies, familiarize with the contraindications and the likelihood of harm. The condition of the hair, the degree of its damage, the presence of color and extended strands are assessed. The final decision on the benefits of such care is made after the consent of the client, who is aware of all the properties of the product.

The step-by-step process looks like this:

1. At the first stage, the master removes all impurities with a special shampoo.
2. In the second step, a professional gel is applied. It is important to avoid getting it on the scalp. The drug is left to fix for 15 - 30 minutes, then it is dried with a hairdryer and a round brush.
3. At the third stage, the master ironed each strand with an iron from 7 to 14 times.The exposure temperature is not less than 230 degrees.
4. After that, the hair is rinsed in warm water, dried and a special moisturizing mask is applied.
5. The last step is the final drying and styling.

Keratin straightening has both pros and cons.

Its benefits are as follows:

• The rapid penetration of the protein composition into the hair shaft gives it the properties of elasticity and strength.
• Easy combing.
• Saturation of each curl with vitamins, nutrients.
• Shine, moisture, strand control.
• Remove unnecessary fluffiness.
• Elimination of the tendency to electrification.

Cons of keratin straightening:

• Harmful effects due to the toxic properties of the special mixture.
• A poorly performed procedure can increase fragility and provoke hair loss.
• High price.

How to do keratin straightening at home

For home straightening, you need to purchase a set of materials: a special cleansing shampoo, a keratin composition, a balm - care. Many companies offer trial kits that are affordable. From the tools you will need a hairdryer, an iron, a wide brush or a spray bottle, two combs - with wide teeth and a brush.

Step by step instructions for home keratinization:

1. Rinse hair thoroughly with shampoo, at least 2 times. Dry without hair dryer and comb with a wide-toothed comb.
2. Prepare the mixture according to the instructions.
3. Cover shoulders with foil, protect hands with gloves.
4. Apply the composition with a brush to each strand, starting from the back of the head. You can use a spray bottle. Try not to touch the scalp. Leave the treated hair to soak for 15 minutes.
5. Dry with a hair dryer with warm air. Use brushing during drying.
6. On the iron, set the temperature to 230 degrees and iron each strand at least 5 times.
7. Apply a care balm.

If everything is done correctly, then you can really achieve the desired benefits in the form of a beautiful appearance of hair. Keratin makes curls straight.

How long does keratin straightening take

The salon procedure lasts an average of 4 hours. May have a long duration if the curls are very long. An experienced master will scrupulously observe the technological process, reduce the time of any stages - damage the hair. The benefits of keratinization will fully manifest itself only with strict adherence to the instructions, taking into account all the properties and subtleties.

How often can you straighten your hair with keratin

If the result of the session does not suit you, you can repeat it after 1.5 months. With a successful result of straightening, the keratin will be washed off gradually. After its final removal, it is advisable not to do any salon manipulations for at least six months. Then it is allowed to carry out keratinization again. More frequent treatment can harm the hair - weaken it.

How long does keratin straightening last

The duration of the effect depends on the initial condition of the hair, its length and the quality of the process. The longer the curls, the faster the keratin will go away. With an initially porous hair structure, the fixing layer will also last less. The result of keratin straightening is preserved from 3 months to six months.

Hair care after procedures

Shampooing for 3 days after the procedure is strictly prohibited. Being in the pool or at sea will also be harmful. You should not visit the bathhouse, sauna, water park and all places associated with accidental wet hair for a week.

After treatment, it is harmful to use any clamps and braid. It is helpful to keep your hair loose to avoid kinking in freshly straightened strands. After 7 - 10 days, it is allowed to tie a soft ribbon. It is necessary to allow the protein to merge with the hair structure, penetrate and gain a foothold in it.To improve the effect, it is recommended to apply special masks containing keratin. They need to be bought from hairdressing stores.

What shampoo to wash your hair after keratin straightening

After keratin administration, proper care is very important. Shampoos that contain any sulfates are harmful. Using them will remove the protein and make the curls unmanageable again.

Only products with the most natural properties are useful. In addition, the use of additional hair care products, such as gels, varnish, mousse and others with hair-fixing properties, will cause harm. The straightening procedure is already caring, there is no need to supplement it with unnecessary components. After washing, you just need to dry your hair loose. The use of excipients weighs down the hair, making it dirty and lifeless.

Is it possible to dye hair after the procedure

After keratinization, coloring can be done no earlier than 2 weeks later. Protective protein envelops each hair, giving it a silky smoothness, and the dye will simply slip off the hair. After 2 weeks, the fresh keratin layer will become thinner and discoloration is possible.

An unambiguous harm will be caused by ammonia dye, which spoils the hair. Better to use oils or tinting agents. Coloring is preferable to carry out a couple of weeks before straightening, then the color will become brighter and more saturated.
Is it possible to curl hair after keratin straightening

It is better to curl the curls not earlier than after 2 - 3 weeks, so as not to damage the fresh protective layer. Curling should be light, on a curling iron - for a temporary effect.

Keratin straightening for hair extensions

Keratin straightening for hair extensions is possible only in the hands of a high-class professional. Strands can be natural and artificial, on which experienced craftsmen do not straighten.

It is important to work out the gluing line with high quality so as not to damage it.

It is better to refrain from smoothing on extended hair. For fragile joints of strands, this will not be useful.

Keratin straightening during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Keratin formulations contain formaldehyde. Only very expensive formulations are produced without it. The poisonous substance will certainly be harmful during pregnancy. For this reason, women should beware of this type of care while expecting a baby. Chemical vapors will damage the body of a nursing woman.

When carrying out keratin straightening, allergies are possible, toxic effects are very dangerous during pregnancy and lactation.

The harm and consequences of keratin hair straightening

Salon Keratin Treatment Blend contains high levels of formaldehyde. Some barbershops have even reported nosebleeds and breathing problems when handling keratin treatment products and inhaling their vapors repeatedly. People with chemical sensitivities or respiratory illnesses should also avoid keratin cosmetic treatments.

The harm is as follows:

1. The penetration of toxic vapor molecules into the blood.
2. Damage to strands by ironing.
3. Allergy.
4. Worsening scalp problems.
5. Destruction of follicles and hair loss when the dose of formaldehyde is exceeded in the product used.

Straightening won't be helpful:

• under the age of 13;
• with intolerance to pungent odors;
• pregnant or lactating women;
• asthmatics and allergy sufferers;
• in the presence of diseases of the scalp.

Taking into account all circumstances and risks will help to avoid harm and maintain health.

Which is better: keratin straightening, botox or lamination

These are three different treatments that are useful for improving the quality of the hair structure and adding shine.

Keratin and Botox straighten curls, which is one of the desires of modern women.The processes also have a smoothing effect, which significantly shortens the styling time.

Botox has anti-aging properties, strengthens the hair and makes it smooth. Although both methods give fairly similar results, there are significant differences. The first difference lies in their chemical content. Formaldehyde is one of the most harmful toxic substances present in keratin products. Botox does not include this and other aggressive ingredients.

The second difference is that keratinization is mainly a method of smoothing the hair, which is not desirable for a very depleted structure. Botox has the ability to deeply regenerate and condition healing that strengthens damaged strands by filling in split fibers. The treatment is beneficial for all types of hair, most suitable for very long, curly and brittle hair.

Lamination gives the strands an exceptional smoothness. Such care does not heal, but only covers them with a layer of silicone. A shine and polish effect appears.

In general, keratin straightening and botox bring beneficial effects and therapeutic results, while lamination has only cosmetic benefits. Which care is better depends on the condition of the curls, the purposes of application.

How to choose a product for keratin hair straightening

Hair straightening with keratin benefits and harms largely depend on the quality of the product used.

Keratin mixtures for professional and home use differ in the content of formaldehyde. The harm will be caused by exceeding the permissible dose of 2%.

There are products that do not contain toxic compounds, for example, they are absent in the professional mixture of the HONMA Tokyo brand. The product is versatile, the disadvantage is the high price.

The choice must be made in accordance with the following parameters:

• toxin content;
• hair type (indicated in the instructions);
• price;
• degree of damage;
• suitability for home use (if necessary).

For thick curls of light waviness, for example, the BB Gloss brand is suitable. CocoChoco Keratin is recommended for severely split and brittle ones.

The Cadiveu brand has products for all hair. Inoar products are designed for tight, thin, streaked and bleached curls.

Compositions of different brands include additional additives: white clay, natural oils, ethers. Their properties enhance the effect.

Only keratin formulations purchased from authorized dealers are useful. There are many fakes on the market, in which either there are no protein compounds, or the content of toxins is significantly exceeded.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of keratin hair straightening are the information that is important for women with dry, curly hair that is difficult to style. For them, protein recovery will be beneficial. Hair treated with keratin becomes naturally straight and generally more manageable. The usefulness of keratin care lies in the fact that the protein fills in the damaged hair.

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