8 Professional Hair Care After Your Keratin Treatment

Medically reviewedby Dr. Amy Revene M.B.B.S.
WrittenbyLuat Duong
Last updated

Embarking on a journey towards silky, smooth hair with a keratin treatment is an exciting step! To ensure the longevity and vibrancy of your freshly treated locks, it's crucial to understand the nuances of post-keratin hair care. 

In this guide, we'll delve into eight professional tips essential for maintaining your hair's health and beauty after a keratin treatment. 

We aim to keep things simple, avoiding overly dramatic advice while ensuring you feel supported and informed throughout your hair care journey. 

Let's explore these tips together and help your hair retain that wonderful keratin glow!

What is a keratin treatment?

hair care after keratin treatment

A keratin treatment is a chemical process that smoothens and often straightens hair. It involves applying a keratin-based formula to the hair, which is then sealed in with heat, typically using a flat iron. This treatment reduces frizz, adds shine, and makes hair appear healthier and more manageable.

Keratin treatments infuse the hair with keratin, a protein naturally found in hair, skin, and nails. 

The process fills in the porosity of the hair, as overly porous hair causes frizz, tangles, and breakage. Adding keratin to the hair makes it smoother and more resilient to styling and environmental stress. 

Treatments can vary in strength and formulation, with some offering more straightening effects. 

In contrast, others focus on boosting shine and health. The results typically last a few months, depending on hair type and maintenance.

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Can you do a keratin treatment at home?

You can do a keratin treatment at home, though a professional application is often recommended. Home kits are available, but they may offer different strength or lasting effects than salon treatments.

Doing a keratin treatment at home requires careful attention to product selection and application. Home kits usually come with instructions that should be followed meticulously to avoid damaging the hair. 

It's essential to have the right tools, like a good quality flat iron, and to ensure proper ventilation due to the fumes that some treatments release. 

While home treatments can be cost-effective and convenient, they typically don't offer the same level of smoothing and straightening as professional applications. 

Additionally, if your hair is damaged, colored, or chemically treated in other ways, a professional assessment is advisable to prevent further damage.

8 best hair care after keratin treatment

Maintaining your hair after a keratin treatment is essential to extend its benefits and keep your hair looking healthy and smooth. Here are eight best hair care tips to follow post-keratin treatment:

1. Keep your hair dry

After a keratin treatment, keeping your hair dry for at least three days is crucial. This waiting period allows the keratin to fully bond with your hair, ensuring the treatment's effectiveness. 

Avoid activities that might wet your hair, such as swimming or getting caught in the rain. This step is fundamental in preserving the smoothness and straightness achieved by the treatment​​​​​​.

2. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo

Switch to a sulfate-free shampoo when it's time to wash your hair. Sulfates, commonly found in shampoos, can strip your hair of keratin and natural oils, significantly shortening the lifespan of your treatment.

A gentle, sulfate-free formula helps maintain the keratin's integrity, keeping your hair smoother for longer​​​​​​.

3. Wash your hair less often

Reducing the frequency of washing your hair helps in retaining the keratin treatment's effects. Frequent washing can diminish the treatment's impact, so limiting hair washing is recommended. This approach preserves the keratin and maintains the natural balance of oils in your hair​​.

4. Avoid tying your hair

For the first few days post-treatment, avoid tying or clipping your hair. The keratin makes your hair more malleable, and any pressure from hair ties or clips can leave dents or marks. Use soft hair ties or silk scrunchies after three days if necessary, as they are gentler on the hair​​​​.

5. Use lukewarm water for washing

Hot water can harm the keratin in your hair. Therefore, it's best to wash your hair with lukewarm water. This temperature helps keep the hair cuticle smooth, preventing frizz and maintaining the sleekness of the keratin treatment​​.

6. Gently manage your hair

Handle your hair with care to avoid damage. After washing, use a wide-toothed comb for detangling, pat your hair dry gently with a soft towel, and minimize touching or brushing wet hair. These practices help prevent breakage and preserve the keratin's effect​​​​​​​​​​.

7. Use keratin-infused products

Using products infused with keratin, such as conditioners, serums, and masks, helps replenish the keratin in your hair. 

These products are specifically designed to complement your keratin treatment, enhancing the health and shine of your hair. They also aid in taming frizz and making your hair more manageable​​​​.

8. Limit heat styling

Be cautious with heat styling tools after a keratin treatment. Excessive heat can damage the treatment's effects. If you need to style your hair, opt for professional blow-drying or styling with a low-heat setting. This helps to maintain the smoothness of your hair without causing additional stress or damage​​​​.

Following these detailed tips can significantly extend the life of your keratin treatment, ensuring that your hair remains smooth, healthy, and beautiful for a more extended period.

How to wash keratin-treated hair?

hair care after keratin treatment

Washing keratin-treated hair correctly is critical to maintaining its smoothness and shine. Here's a guide on how to do it properly:

  • Wait before washing: It's essential to wait at least 72 hours after the treatment before washing your hair. This allows the keratin to fully bond with your hair for optimal results.
  • Select the right shampoo: Use a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates can strip away keratin and natural oils, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
  • Use lukewarm water: Wash your hair with lukewarm water to avoid damaging the keratin.
  • Gently cleanse the scalp: Apply shampoo with your fingertips and gently massage the scalp. Avoid scrubbing the hair to prevent tangling and breakage.
  • Rinse thoroughly: Make sure all shampoo is rinsed out using lukewarm water.
  • Condition as needed: Depending on your hair type, use a sulfate-free conditioner, focusing on the ends rather than the scalp.
  • Towel-dry gently: Gently pat your hair dry with a soft towel after washing. Avoid rubbing to prevent tangles and breakage.
  • Use a wide-toothed brush: Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed brush to minimize breakage.
  • Avoid excessive touching of wet hair: Wet hair is more fragile, so limit brushing or touching it excessively after washing.
  • Consider professional styling: For styling, opt for a professional blowout or use a low-heat setting for blow-drying at home.

A better approach to help your overall hair health

hair care after keratin treatment

Scandinavian Biolabs offers a holistic approach with its 3-Step Hair Growth Routine. While keratin treatments focus on smoothness and frizz control, this routine complements it by promoting hair strength and growth. 

The routine includes a Bio-Pilixin® Serum, Hair Strength Shampoo, and Hair Recovery Conditioner, all formulated to nourish the scalp and hair follicles. 

This regimen supports your hair's structural integrity and health, which is particularly beneficial after a keratin treatment that may alter your hair's natural composition. 

By integrating this routine into your hair care, you can ensure that your hair remains smooth and sleek from the keratin treatment and strong and healthy in the long term.

Scandinavian Biolabs offers a 150-day money-back guarantee. This assurance highlights their confidence in the product's efficacy. 

The routine features key ingredients like Capilia Longa, a bio-active compound, and Provitamin B5, which nourish and strengthen hair. 

This comprehensive approach is designed to complement hair health, particularly beneficial after treatments like keratin, ensuring both strength and vitality.

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Conclusion

Maintaining hair health, especially after a keratin treatment, requires a comprehensive approach. 

Key points include keeping the hair dry post-treatment, using sulfate-free products, washing less frequently, avoiding tying or heating the hair, and using lukewarm water. 

To support this, Scandinavian Biolabs' 3-Step Hair Growth Routine, featuring the Bio-Pilixin Serum, provides essential nourishment. 

The serum's key ingredients, like Capilia Longa, enhance hair strength and growth. 

This holistic approach, backed by a 150-day money-back guarantee, ensures your hair remains healthy, strong, and vibrant.

FAQs

How long should I wait to wash my hair after a keratin treatment?

Wait at least 72 hours before washing to allow the keratin to bond fully with your hair.

Can I use any shampoo after a keratin treatment?

Use a sulfate-free shampoo to maintain the treatment's effects and avoid stripping away keratin and natural oils.

Is it safe to tie my hair after a keratin treatment?

Avoid tying your hair for the first three days post-treatment to prevent dents and marks.

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6218806/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509882/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8808739/

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Luat Duong

Luat Duong is a Copenhagen-based writer and content strategist specializing in hair loss and health. His work has been featured in MyHealthGuide, The Right Hairstyles, and Woman's Era. He is a graduate of Vaasa University. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.