Keratin for Hair: All Your Questions, Answered
Keratin is known as a structural and protective protein that contributes to making up hair and nails. In hair, particularly, it’s responsible for preventing breakage, frizziness and heat damage.
Keratin hair treatments are known for their ability to make hair look straight, smooth and shiny for upto six months. Looking at how Keratin is a beneficial hair care ingredient on its own, many beauty brands have started formulating Keratin-infused-at-home products.
Benefits of Keratin for hair
Keratin is a fibrous protein that literally forms each and every strand of hair. It not only smoothes and strengthens hair but also adds shine to it. Keratin-infused hair masks help to strengthen hair that has been compromised by chemical and mechanical damage. It also helps to boost hair’s natural structure. A Keratin hair mask is perfect for long and shiny hair.
Over-the-counter treatments that often come in oil or serum form result in a smooth, shinier and healthier-looking mane.
In-Salon treatment vs over-the counter treatments
Keratin treatments have two varieties that include in-salon treatment and over-the-counter keratin treatments.
In-salon treatment treatments can damage hair and release dangerous fumes while OTC treatments do not contain any chemical or fumes.
In-salon keratin treatments, on the other hand, use liquid keratin, chemicals, and high heat to seal the protein into the hair. They are usually infused with a lot of chemicals that are not good for your hair and health as well. Additionally, fragile strands can be overwhelmed by the harsh chemicals within an in-salon keratin treatment, not to mention the heat damage that it causes to the hair. With OTC, there is no heat damage on your hair and you can safely apply it.
Some hairstylists have reported respiratory problems just from handling the keratin treatment products and inhaling their fumes repeatedly over time. Hence, pregnant women should definitely avoid getting this treatment. Adding to this, People with a sensitivity to formaldehyde or respiratory problems should also avoid keratin treatments.
Talking about at-home or over-the-counter keratin treatments, they are much safer and do not contain the chemicals and fumes associated with in-salon techniques.
How to use a keratin mask on hair?
Step 1: Apply the hair mask generously on the hair strands.
Step 2: Gently massage and run your fingers from the midsection to the tips and avoid the scalp.
Step 3: Leave the mask for about 10-15 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water.
The Takeaway
Keratin is the cornerstone of hair structure. It is a type of strengthening conditioner that repairs the hair shaft, smoothes strands and adds shine. Keratin can work well with argan oil to help add moisture to damaged hair. However, as trendy and convenient as in-salon Keratin treatments may seem, the amount of harm they can cause to your hair makes them simply not worth it. As a result, if you’re looking to smooth out and strengthen your hair for special events or even daily occurrences, opting for safer, gentler keratin-rich hair masks is the way to go!