Brazilian Keratin Treatments

Hair has always been a major source of attraction for women. Your hair is one of the first things people will notice when they see you for the very first time. Frizzy hair can make it difficult to look and feel your best. Getting ready in the morning can be a time-consuming and frustrating task. Your hair can either make or break your day, this is why you need to consider ways to make your hair more manageable.

  • You might want to scroll down to read the most common aftercare FAQs

What is a Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

A keratin treatment is a semi-permanent hair smoothing service that temporarily smooths naturally curly hair, eliminates frizz, and adds shine. Keratin solution fills the porous hair with protein and forms a coating over the hair fibers so that your hair feels smoother and shinier.

attractive black woman with keratin straightened hair posing

What is the Difference between Brazilian Blowout and Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

Brazilian Blowout is a trademarked brand name within the Brazilian keratin treatment category. This is one of the most popular versions of keratin treatments offered in salons. There are other brands that do the same thing, but the smoothing process has unofficially become known as the Brazilian Blowout.

Who are the Best Candidates for Receiving Keratin Treatment?

The treatment is especially helpful for people with frizzy, dry, overly curly, and unmanageable hair.

The treatment works on color-treated, highlighted, chemically straightened, and virgin hair. Chemically treated hair tends to respond better to a keratin treatment due to its high porosity. The gaps in the cuticle allow a keratin product to penetrate the hair shaft. On unprocessed virgin hair, the results are less dramatic, and won’t last as long as on chemically treated hair.

Keratin Treatment Benefits

Keratin treatment gives your hair a better appearance and makes it easier to style. Below are some of the benefits that keratin treatment may offer.

  • Strengthens the hair and tames unruly curls
  • Eliminates frizz
  • Delivers a smooth and shiny finish
  • Protects the hair from further damage
  • Improves manageability
  • Reduces drying and styling time
attractive black woman with keratin straightened hair

The Procedure

The process usually takes between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on your hair length, type, and texture.

Your hair is cleansed, dried, and divided into four sections.  A stylist applies the smoothing solution to your hair with a color brush. The treatment remains in the hair for at least 20 minutes before drying. The hair is then carefully ironed to seal the keratin into the cuticle layer.

The proper flat iron temperature is based on individual hair type:

  • Up to 450 F (230°C) for normal, healthy hair
  • 430 F (221°C) for fine, color-treated, chemically processed, or highlighted hair
  • 350 – 400 F (177-205°C) for double-processed, fragile relaxed, or over-bleached hair

How Long will Keratin Treatment Last?

The Brazilian keratin treatment will last for approximately 12 weeks with proper maintenance. The longevity of the treatment depends on your hair type, smoothing product, and how often you wash your hair. The more your hair is washed, the quicker the treatment wears off. The treatment gradually washes out at an average of 2-4 months and your hair eventually will return to its previous state. If you want to get rid of the effects faster, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and also use a shampoo with sodium chloride.

The Initial Post-Treatment Period

You should wait 2-3 days after the treatment before washing your hair as the smoothing solution takes time to set. Keep your hair away from the water during this waiting period, avoid all sorts of hair accessories and wear your hair straight and down for the first couple of days.

beautiful young woman with straight hair glowing from the inside

Can Keratin Treatment be Done at Home?

Keratin hair smoothing treatments that you can do at home can save you money, but you can accidentally damage your skin and hair by doing it yourself. The application process requires proper tools and precautions, so it is advised to get it done by a professional or have an experienced friend help you.

Is a Keratin Treatment Safe?

The keratin formula usually contains formaldehyde which is a toxic air contaminant associated with several harmful effects. FDA has recently identified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen. When the formaldehyde solution is applied to the hair, it slowly releases toxic fumes which can pose health risks for the person getting the treatment done, but also to those in the same room.

What Are the Unwanted Effects of Keratin Hair Treatments?

The side effects are mostly due to formaldehyde in hair smoothing products. Some of the most common undesirable effects of a keratin treatment include the following:

  • Throat, nose, and eye irritation due to formaldehyde exposure
  • Skin irritations, particularly in the scalp
  • Allergic reactions
  • Excessive hair breakage
  • The hair may appear too flat and look unnatural for a few weeks until the treatment settles down.

How to Reduce the Exposure to Formaldehyde?

  • Consider using products that do not list formaldehyde.
  • Use a mask, gloves, and other protective equipment during the treatment.
  • Make sure the treatment is done in a room with good ventilation.
  • Get the product from a recognized manufacturer.
beautiful dark-skinned woman with keratin-treated hair posing

How to Sleep after Receiving a Keratin Treatment

Your keratin treatment needs some time to set up. For the best results, keep your hair straight during the first few days. Tying your hair may leave some visible marks. Try to sleep on your back using a satin pillowcase to keep your hair from messing up. If you notice a crease, straighten the affected part of your hair with a flat iron.

Using Hair Oils on Keratin-Straightened Hair

You can use oils as a pre-shampoo treatment. Choose pure oils as chemicals in hair oils can react with keratin. It is also safe to use oils as leave-in treatment but be aware that this will lead to more frequent shampooing.

Keratin Straightening Service and Hair Coloring

Your stylist will recommend coloring your hair first and then following up with the keratin treatment. The keratin treatment helps lock in the color, so it will last longer. If you decide to color immediately after keratin service, chemicals in hair dye can strip away the keratin. If you have received keratin treatment, wait at least two weeks to dye your hair.

beautiful black woman in a silver sequined dress dancing

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3 thoughts on “Brazilian Keratin Treatments”

  1. Question – with Brazilian Blowout treatment what is recommended for people who work out and sweat a lot to help treatment last – products or process with wetting or washing hair? I wash hair right after workouts to rinse out sweat but treatment has still been wearing off in 7 weeks.

  2. If you sweat a lot, you’ll probably have to wash your hair more often. Frequent washing can cause the Brazilian Blowout to fade faster. There are a few things you can try to extend your Brazilian Blowout.

    When you work out, put hair into a ponytail or clip.
    Try to wash hair less often.
    Use only sulfate-free shampoos when washing your hair.
    If you need to wash your hair more than once or twice a week, try to include co-washing in your hair care regimen. Use a cleansing conditioner (sulfate, silicone, and paraben-free) instead of shampoo. Try to rotate your regular shampoo (sulfate-free) with co-wash conditioner, or use only cleansing conditioner and clarify occasionally with a sulfate-free shampoo. You will find what works best for you.

    I hope this will help.

  3. I have virgin hair. I haven’t had any chemicals dies for the past 15 years. My hair is curly, fine texture all-natural, my hair for some reason just stop growing and has gotten thin, I need something to relax my curls, yet keeps my hair straight during high humidity days, I live in Florida so its often more hot than cold throughout the year, in addition, something that will grow my hair out. What is the best keratin treatment for my kind of hair?

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