Tired of battling with frizzy curls? Our keratin treatment is your simple fix for smooth, easy-to-manage curls. We’ll guide you through a quick process and show you how to keep your curls looking great. Get ready for a confident new you with hassle-free curls!
How Keratin Treatments Work for Curly Hair
If you have curly hair and are considering a keratin treatment, it’s important to understand how it works and whether it’s suitable for your hair structure and curl pattern.
Keratin treatments are a popular option for those with curly hair who want to reduce frizz, improve manageability, and enhance the overall appearance of their wavy hair. The treatment involves the application of a keratin solution to the hair, which is then bonded to the hair cuticle using heat from a blowout for straightening irons. This process helps to smooth the hair strands, making them stronger, shinier, and easier to style.
It’s important to note that a keratin smoothing treatment for curly hair isn’t a permanent straightening method, nor will it give you completely pin-straight hair. Instead, it will give you smoother, more manageable hair with reduced breakage. The results typically last between 8-16 weeks, and with each successive treatment, you may notice an improvement in the overall condition of your hair.
Before getting a keratin treatment, it’s recommended to consult with a professional stylist who can assess the suitability of the treatment for your specific hair type and desired outcome.
Preparations for Keratin Treatment
To ensure the best results for your curly hair, there are important pre-treatment preparations that you should consider before getting a keratin hair treatment in Sydney.
First, it’s essential to choose a reputable salon, like Sydney Keratin Treatment Specialists at Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup, where trained professionals can handle the process with expertise.
Keep in mind that keratin treatments require heat activation, so you’ll still need to blow dry your hair to achieve the smooth look, but it will be easier and take less time.
Before you try a keratin treatment, it’s important to accurately report all the hair treatments you have had in the last two years. This is because not all keratin hair smoothing treatments are the same and often clients do not know what type they have had.
During your consultation with the stylist, communicate your hair history accurately, your desired look and any specific concerns you have about your curly hair. This will help the stylist customise the keratin treatment to suit your specific hair type and desired outcome.
The Keratin Treatment Process Step-by-Step
- Thorough consultation: Your stylist will ask detailed questions, refer to any images you have supplied and potentially take a strand test of your hair if you have had previous hair treatments that may interfere with a Keratin Smoothing Treatment. You will be asked to review a document that outlines everything that is discussed and the final cost of a keratin treatment.
- Clarifying Shampoo: Your stylist will start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup or impurities. This step is essential to prepare your hair for the keratin treatment, ensuring it can penetrate effectively.
- Towel-Dry: After rinsing out the shampoo, your hair will be towel-dried until it’s slightly damp.
- Your Personal Keratin Smoothing Formula: your stylist will create the perfect keratin application formula for your desired look.
- Application of Keratin Treatment: Your stylist will section your hair and apply the keratin treatment solution using an application brush. They’ll ensure the product is evenly distributed, covering every strand of hair. The solution will then be left to absorb into your hair for around 20-30 minutes.
- Blow-Drying: Once the waiting period is over, your stylist will blow-dry your hair using a round brush. This step activates the keratin and seals it into the hair cuticle.
- Flat Ironing: After your hair is completely dry, your stylist will use a flat iron to straighten each section of hair. The heat from the flat iron further seals the keratin, locking in its smoothing effects.
- Rinsing and Conditioning: Your stylist will rinse your hair to remove any excess keratin product. Then, they’ll apply a keratin-safe conditioner to nourish and hydrate your strands.
- Final Blow-Dry: Your hair will be blow-dried once again to complete the process, leaving you with beautifully smooth and frizz-free hair.
Immediate Aftercare Keratin Treatment
After completing the keratin treatment process, it’s important to follow immediate aftercare guidelines to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your treatment. The first few days at-home treatment are crucial for maintaining the smoothness and shine of your hair. Here’s what you need to do:
- Do not wash your hair for at least 48 hours
This allows the keratin to fully bond with your hair, ensuring longer-lasting results. If you wash your hair too soon, the treatment may not be as effective. If you choose Lily Jackson Hairdressing for your keratin smoothing treatment, you will receive courtesy reminder SMS’s to help you remember when it is safe to wash and colour your hair. - Keep your hair dry and straight
Avoid getting your hair wet or tying it up with any clips or accessories. Moisture can disrupt the keratin bonding process, so it’s best to keep your hair dry and straight during this time. - Use sulphate-free products
To maintain the effects of the keratin treatment, switch to sulphate-free shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. Sulphates can strip away the keratin and make your hair frizzy again. - Avoid excessive heat styling and support your hair by using a heat protectant:
The keratin treatment has already made your hair smoother and more manageable, so you won’t need as much heat to style it. A heat protectant will help keep your hair strands healthy. - Be gentle when brushing or styling
Use a brush with soft bristles to detangle your hair. Avoid pulling or tugging, as this can damage the hair strand. - Wait two weeks before you colour your hair. Keratin smoothing treatments are known to affect hair colour whether you have it coloured or not. It is not unusual for hair colour to turn a little warmer due to the heat required to seal or bond the keratin to your hair. Even uncoloured silver or grey hair has been known to change tone which can easily be reverted back with the application of an appropriate toner in a neutralising colour. Talk to one of our expert stylists if this is a concern to you. The application of toners is an additional cost.
How to Make Keratin Treatment Last Longer
Maintaining the smoothness and shine of your keratin-treated curly hair in the long-term requires proper care and attention. After getting a keratin treatment, it’s important to use sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for keratin-treated hair. These products will help preserve the effects of the treatment and keep your hair looking its best.
Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid washing your hair too frequently, as excessive washing can strip the keratin from your hair and reduce its effectiveness. Using the hair care recommended by your stylist for your hair type will minimise the need to wash.
If you do use heat tools, make sure to apply a heat protectant spray beforehand to minimise damage. Regular deep conditioning treatments are also essential for maintaining the health and shine of your keratin-treated curls. The range recommended by your stylist would also offer a mask for deep conditioning that is specifically formulated for chemically treated hair to boost up the keratin already bonded to your hair and provide the necessary hydration and nourishment.
Incorporating a weekly deep conditioning treatment into your hair care routine will help prevent dryness and keep your curls looking vibrant.
Swimming in the ocean or chlorinated pools will reduce the length of time your keratin lasts. Many clients who spend a long time by the ocean or swimming in pools, top their keratin treatments up at the beginning of spring and wait until the end of summer.
Lastly, it’s important to protect your hair from environmental factors that can cause damage. Use a hair serum with UV protection to shield your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. Additionally, wearing a hat or using a silk scarf can help protect your hair from wind, humidity, and other external elements that can cause frizz and damage.
Air conditioning in large office environments is also dehydrating so you may want to experiment with hydrating shampoos and conditioners that are keratin safe. These tend to be more suitable for people who have medium to thick/coarse hair.
Cost Considerations and Treatment Longevity
The cost of a keratin treatment can vary depending on several factors, including the length and thickness of your hair, the salon you choose, and the brand of keratin treatment used. Generally, keratin treatments can range anywhere from $250 to $400 or more. It’s important to remember that cheaper treatments may not always deliver the best results, so it’s worth considering the quality and reputation of the salon and the products they use.
In terms of smoothing treatment longevity, a keratin treatment can last anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks, with some people reporting even longer-lasting results. However, it’s important to note that the longevity of the treatment can be affected by factors such as how well you care for your hair post-treatment, the frequency of washing and styling, and your hair’s natural texture and condition. Also, topping up your keratin treatment before the 16 week mark will enable the treatment to build upon previous treatments i.e. you won’t be starting from scratch again.
To extend the life of your keratin treatment, it’s recommended to use keratin-safe shampoos, conditioners, and masks, as these products can help maintain the smoothness and shine of your hair.
In conclusion, a keratin treatment for certain types of curly hair can be a game-changer. It offers a non-permanent solution to frizz and unmanageability, leaving you with smooth, shiny, and healthy-looking hair. The process involves depositing keratin molecules onto the hair strands and bonding them to the hair cuticle using heat. With proper pre-treatment preparations and aftercare, you can enjoy the benefits of a keratin treatment for a long time.
So why wait?
Say goodbye to endless styling struggles and hello to effortlessly beautiful hair with a keratin treatment.
