How to Take Care of Keratin Treated Hair

Are you planning to get a keratin treatment for your hair? Or have you recently had one done and are looking for ways to maintain it? Keratin-treated hair requires special care and attention to keep it healthy and maintain its sleek and smooth appearance.

If you’ve recently undergone a keratin treatment, congratulations on your beautifully smooth and frizz-free locks! To maintain the longevity and benefits of this hair treatment, it’s essential to follow a proper care routine. Keratin-treated hair requires specific attention to ensure its health, shine, and manageability.

In this section, we’ll explore essential tips and guidelines on how to take care of keratin treated hair. From choosing the right hair products to implementing effective maintenance techniques, let’s dive into the world of keratin hair care.

What Are the Benefits of Keratin Hair Treatments?

Before we delve into the care routine for keratin-treated hair, let’s first understand why this treatment is so popular and its benefits.

• Smoother and Frizz-free Hair: Keratin treatments infuse your hair with a protein called keratin, which helps smooth out the hair cuticles and reduce frizz.
• Increased As keratin works to fill in any gaps or damage in the hair shaft, it also adds shine and luster to your locks.
• Easier Styling: With smoother and more manageable hair, you’ll find that it’s easier to style your locks after a keratin treatment.
• Long-lasting Results: Depending on the type of keratin treatment you choose, the results can last 2-6 months. With proper care, you can extend the longevity of your treatment.

Once you’ve experienced the benefits of a keratin treatment, you’ll want to maintain it for as long as possible.

What Will You Need?

To properly take care of keratin treated hair, you’ll need to have the right products and tools on hand. Here’s a list of essential items that should be a part of your routine:

• Sulfate-free Shampoo: Sulfates can strip away the keratin from your hair, so it’s best to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.
• Conditioner: A good quality conditioner will help keep your locks hydrated and nourished.
• Wide-toothed Comb: Avoid using brushes or fine-toothed combs as they can damage the hair cuticles.
• Microfiber Towel: Regular towels can create friction and lead to frizziness. A microfiber towel helps to absorb excess water without causing damage.
• Heat Protectant: Using heat styling tools, always use a heat protectant to minimize damage.
• Keratin-infused or Argan Oil Hair Serum: These products help maintain the keratin treatment and keep your hair smooth and shiny.

Once you have all these items, you can start your keratin-treated hair care routine.

9 Easy Steps on How to Take Care of Keratin Treated Hair

Step 1. Wait Until Set

After getting a keratin treatment, allowing the product to set in your hair before washing it is crucial. This typically requires waiting for a specific period, as your stylist or the product instructions recommended. During this time, it’s essential to avoid getting your hair wet or using any hair accessories that may cause indentations or creases. Allowing the keratin treatment to set properly ensures optimal results and longer-lasting smoothness and manageability. Patience is key in this initial step of your keratin-treated hair care routine.

Step 2. Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner

After the waiting period, it’s time to wash your hair. Opt for a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner formulated explicitly for keratin-treated hair. Sulfates can strip away the keratin treatment, reducing its effectiveness and longevity. Gentle, sulfate-free products help maintain the smoothness and integrity of your hair, keeping it healthy and nourished.

Step 3. Avoid Excessive Washing

To prolong the life of your keratin treatment’s life, minimizing how often you wash your hair is essential. Overwashing can strip away the keratin coating and lead to dryness or frizz. Ideally, wash your hair no more than two or three times a week. You can use a dry shampoo on days between washes to keep your hair fresh and oil-free without compromising the treatment. Less frequent washing helps maintain your hair’s smooth and sleek texture for longer.

Step 4. Use Lukewarm Water

When rinsing your hair during the keratin treatment maintenance, opt for lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water can strip away the natural oils from your hair and scalp, leading to dryness and potential damage. Lukewarm water is gentle on your hair and helps maintain its moisture and shine.

Step 5. Pat Dry Gently

After rinsing your hair, it’s essential to dry it gently to avoid causing damage or frizz. Instead of rubbing your hair vigorously with a towel, which can lead to breakage and roughness, opt for a gentle patting motion. Take a soft, absorbent towel and lightly press it against your hair to remove excess moisture. Avoid twisting or wringing your hair, as this can cause tangling and potential damage to the treated strands. Pat drying minimizes friction, helping to maintain your hair’s smooth texture and prevent unnecessary stress on the keratin-treated hair. Remember, be gentle and let your hair air dry whenever possible to preserve its overall health and the longevity of the keratin treatment.

Step 6. Avoid Heat Styling Tools 

While keratin treatments leave your hair smooth and manageable, it’s best to minimize heat styling tools such as flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. Excessive heat can weaken the keratin protein and reduce the longevity of your treatment. If heat styling is necessary, always apply a heat protectant and use the lowest heat setting possible to minimize damage. Air-drying your hair whenever possible is a gentler option that helps preserve the benefits of your treatment. 

Step 7. Regular Trims and Maintenance

Regular trims are essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your keratin-treated hair. The ends can become dry, split, or damaged as your hair grows. Trimming the ends every 6-8 weeks helps prevent further damage and promotes overall hair health. Additionally, it allows for better manageability and reduces the chances of tangles or knots. Along with regular trims, following a consistent hair care routine that includes gentle cleansing, conditioning, and moisturizing is essential to keep your hair looking its best. By prioritizing regular trims and providing consistent care, you can prolong the benefits of your keratin treatment and enjoy healthy, beautiful hair.

Step 8. Protect Your Hair from the Sun and Pool Chemicals

UV rays from the sun and chemicals present in pools can damage your keratin-treated hair. To protect your hair, wear a hat or use a UV protectant spray for prolonged periods when exposed to the sun. Before swimming in a pool, wet your hair with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil to create a barrier against chlorine and other chemicals.

Step 9. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital to ensuring the longevity and overall condition of your keratin-treated hair. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, supports hair health from within. Hydration is equally important, so drink plenty of water throughout the day to nourish your hair and scalp. Regular exercise into your routine also promotes better blood circulation, which can deliver essential nutrients to your hair follicles. Lastly, managing stress through yoga, meditation, or other relaxation techniques can help minimize hair damage caused by stress-related hormones.

By following these steps and incorporating them into your regular hair care routine, you can maintain your keratin-treated hair’s smoothness, manageability, and overall health for months.

5 Things You Should Avoid

1. Using Harsh Shampoos: Avoid shampoos that contain sulfates or harsh chemicals. These can strip the keratin treatment from your hair, causing it to lose its smoothness and shine.
2. Heat Styling without Protection: Avoid using hot styling tools such as flat irons or curling wands without applying a heat protectant spray. Excessive heat can weaken the keratin bonds and lead to damage or breakage.
3. Overwashing Your Hair: Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of natural oils and disrupt the keratin treatment. Limit washing to every 2-3 days to maintain the longevity of the treatment.
4. Brushing Wet Hair: Avoid brushing your hair when wet, as it is more susceptible to breakage. Instead, gently remove tangles gently using a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush.
5. Using Hair Products with Alcohol: Avoid hair products that contain high levels of alcohol, such as hairsprays or gels, as they can dry out your hair and make it more prone to frizz and damage. Opt for alcohol-free alternatives to maintain the health and smoothness of your keratin-treated hair.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can ensure that your keratin-treated hair remains healthy, shiny, and manageable for an extended period.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining keratin-treated hair requires some extra care and attention. By avoiding harsh shampoos, heat styling without protection, overwashing, brushing wet hair, and using hair products with alcohol, you can extend the life of your treatment and keep your hair looking smooth and shiny.

Hopefully, the article on how to take care of keratin treated hair has provided useful information and tips to help you maintain your sleek, frizz-free locks.

So be mindful of these tips and enjoy beautiful, healthy hair!  Remember that even after a keratin treatment is complete, it’s important to continue taking good care of your hair to maintain its health and the desired results.