Keratin hair treatment: pros and cons

By Prof. Dr. Soner Tatlidede 2022-09-06

A keratin hair treatment is a process that smooths and often straightens hair. You have surely heard about hair keratin treatment many times, about its benefits and advantages, especially when using keratin on curly hair. But, do you know the disadvantages, or the risks of using a keratin treatment on your hair? Does keratin straighten hair? Is it true that keratin can damage your hair? How often can you use it? We answer these and many other questions below. 

What does keratin do for hair? 

First of all, it is necessary to know what hair keratin is. Keratin is a protein that our body produces naturally - although in very small quantities - that we can find in the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin), but also forming structures such as nails or hair, to which it provides strength and flexibility. In fact, although the use of keratin for hair straightening is quite popular, its main function is not that: rather, keratin serves to repair and nourish hair, mainly. 

Although our body generates its own keratin, over the years it produces less quantity, affecting the appearance of the skin or hair. In addition to repairing and nourishing damaged hair, the best-known property of keratin for hair is, as we have just said, that of straightening hair. Keratin is used on curly hair to straighten it, being the effect more or less permanent depending on the type of treatment applied. 

Thanks to keratin, it is possible to straighten hair without using methods or tools that can damage hair, such as hair straighteners, achieving an effect that lasts for several months. It is a treatment that is recommended for any hair (except if you already have healthy or straight hair), and although it can never be an alternative to a FUE hair transplant if you are losing hair, it has many benefits that we will see in detail below. 

Is keratin treatment good for hair? 

Like any treatment, keratin has advantages and disadvantages that it is important to know. However, there are many reasons why we can say that keratin is good for hair: e.g., it can help to reduce frizz, increase shine, and strengthen hair. Let´s take a look at the main properties of keratin: 

• Nourishes: keratin nourishes hair, providing it with vitamins and amino acids.
• Cures: gives a healthier, silkier and brighter appearance to hair.
• Protects: it cares hair against external agents, and the damage caused by hair straighteners and dryers.
• Strengthens: gives strength to hair, rebuilding hair fibres.
• Restores: eliminates frizz, and facilitates combing.
• Straightens: allows hair to be straightened for a long time; a keratin treatment for curly hair manages to straighten hair remarkably, and the effect lasts for several months. 

What are the disadvantages of keratin hair treatment? 

Now that we have seen the advantages of using keratin in hair, it is time to talk about the drawbacks and risks of using keratin with hair, which are the following: 

• Formaldehyde: some keratin treatments (especially if you apply yourself a keratin hair treatment at home, and not by professionals) may contain formaldehyde, a toxic and carcinogenic substance, as confirmed by scientific studies; so if you use a treatment with formaldehyde, you should wear gloves and masks to avoid touching or inhaling the product.
• Price: a keratin treatment can be quite expensive, and costs £200 and up in a beauty centre.
• Limitations: if your hair is thin or sparse, you will barely notice the effects of using keratin; in addition, after a treatment with keratin, you cannot dye your hair nor pick it up during the first days.
• Allergies: keratin can trigger allergic reactions, especially on the skin and scalp; it is important to undergo an allergy test before using the product.
• Shedding: your hair can become more brittle and fragile when using keratin, and hair shedding may increase if your hair was already weak or very damaged.
• Pregnancy: it is not recommended to use keratin in pregnant women or, after pregnancy, during breastfeeding. 

Does keratin treatment damage hair? 

Many people think that keratin treatment can damage hair. The truth, however, is that the keratin currently used by professionals normally does not have harmful chemical substances for hair, and neither has formaldehyde. 

That is: a keratin treatment carried out by specialists does not damage hair, but rather nourishes and strengthens it, restoring and straightening hair. In addition, a good and skilled professional will know how to evaluate your hair condition, and advise you on whether it is good for you to use keratin or not. Anyway, take into account that after a keratin treatment, you have to wait at least 15 days to dye your hair. 

How long does keratin hair treatment last? 

It depends on the quality of the product used, but also on how your hair reacts, or the care you provide to your hair after the treatment. A good quality keratin can normally last from 3 to 6 months, depending on these factors. If you want to keep your hair healthy and nourished throughout the year, we recommend to apply a keratin treatment every 4 or 5 months. 

To prolong the duration of the treatment, it is recommended to use a good shampoo for keratin treated hair, which does not contain sulphates and with ingredients as natural as possible. 

Does keratin treatment for hair really work? 

When we talk about using keratin to straighten hair, or simply to strengthen it, we must bear in mind that the result obtained varies depending on each person. In addition, when used on thin hair its effects will hardly be noticeable, while when used on very curly hair, your hair will never be completely straight. 

Of course, using a keratin hair treatment can bring many benefits for some people; but we must not forget that in can never replace the treatment that a specialist can offer, especially if we have serious problems with our hair or symptoms of alopecia. Clinicana is the best hair transplant clinic in Turkey, and we are specialists in all hair treatments: just ask for your free consultation, and request a free, no obligation estimate for your treatment. We are here to help you!