Are Keratin Treatments To Straighten Hair Or To Boost Its Condition?

Keratin treatments are hugely popular, but what exactly are they and what do they do? Should you use one to straighten your hair or to rescue hair that’s in poor condition? Read on to find out!

What is keratin?

Keratin occurs naturally in your hair, skin, nails and other parts of the body. You need this protein (or, more accurately, this family of structural proteins) for healthy hair. It can be found in both the inside of each hair shaft and the outer layer. However, you can lose keratin from your hair as a result of hair coloring processes and heat styling. One way to restore it is to have a keratin treatment at the salon or using at-home keratin products.

Is keratin used to straighten hair?

A keratin treatment will do several things to your hair. One of those is to straighten it. As such, it is a popular treatment with those who have naturally curly, frizzy or wavy hair. The keratin smooths down the cells on the outside of the hair cuticle and straightens the hair. Not only that, but it lasts for months – usually for two to two and a half but up to six for some people. 

This means that keratin is a semi-permanent treatment, making it popular with those who don’t want to be heading back to the salon every other week. According to one All Things Hair survey, 52% of people have used keratin on their hair, highlighting what a popular treatment it has become.

Does keratin improve the condition of your hair?

Keratin can improve the condition of your hair, but it doesn’t always – and in some circumstances it can actually damage the hair. Confused? Let me explain…

Keratin’s smoothing benefits mean that it can increase the softness and shine of your hair. It seals and straightens the hair by restoring its protein bonds. As such, it’s a great repair for split ends.

However, some keratin treatments include the use of formaldehyde. In these cases, long term use can damage the hair rather than benefitting it. This means you need to be careful about the kind of treatment you’re having, in order to avoid damaging your hair while straightening it.

Can everyone use keratin?

No, keratin treatments aren’t for everyone. While they are ideal for those looking to straighten their hair, they are less well suited to people with straight hair and fine hair. If your hair is over-processed or has been bleached extensively, it’s also best to avoid having a keratin treatment. And if you’re pregnant, it’s best to seek the advice of your doctor on whether or not you should use one.

Home or salon?

If you have the time and money, heading to the salon and putting your hair into the hands of trained professionals is always a good idea. That said, there are plenty of temporary keratin products that you can use at home, which will provide benefits until you next wash your hair. These can be a great way to enjoy a glimpse of what a keratin treatment could do for your tresses.