Beautiful, shiny hair is the dream of many girls. Daily use of straightening irons, curling irons, hair dryers, and chemical styling products depletes the hair structure and makes it dull and brittle. An excellent solution to the problem is keratin hair restoration - a salon procedure that can restore shine, smoothness and silkiness to curls.
Keratin is a natural component of hair, therefore it has the ability to penetrate deeply into the strands and restore them from the inside. This helps eliminate hair breakage by softening and smoothing it. The result of the procedure lasts for 3-4 months.
Keratin hair straightening is a service that is performed in specialized salons and involves the use of a straightening iron in combination with keratin components. It allows you to restore the hair structure, give it strength, shine, volume, silkiness and provide nutrition for several months. This is due to the special protein composition of the drug used, which has an effective effect on curls, since it acts as an analogue of the natural building component of hair.
What is keratin hair restoration?
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Smoothness, healthy shine and elasticity - hair before and after keratin restoration is simply heaven and earth! What kind of procedure is this and where is the best place to do it?
- Keratin hair restoration is the treatment of strands with a special keratin composition , which transforms the hair, saturating it with nutrients, “repairs” damaged areas, moisturizes, seals split ends and generally improves the condition of the hair.
- The main work during the procedure is performed by the keratin itself , which is present in the special mask. Keratin is a protein, the building material of hair and nails. Its hydrolyzed form, combined with amino acids, penetrates the hair structure and helps restore damaged areas.
- Keratin hair restoration gives excellent results and transforms hair, and in addition, straightens it and makes it manageable . This effect is considered a side effect, but this is what girls usually come to the hairdresser for.
- The procedure should be carried out exclusively in the salon and only with a trusted specialist : the technique of keratinization is simple, but still requires experience and certain skills. Any inaccuracy in applying the composition can lead to unpleasant consequences (such as loss of hair quality or significant weight gain).
Indications and contraindications
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Keratin restoration in the salon is suitable for everyone who dreams of beautiful and healthy hair, vibrant and shining.
The procedure is indicated if you have:
- dry lifeless strands;
- split ends;
- frizzy hair;
- hair damaged by dyeing, hot styling and negative environmental factors;
- curly hair that you want to straighten;
- fragility along the length;
- difficulty combing.
This procedure is suitable for almost everyone and does an excellent job even on the most damaged strands, and this is the main difference between keratin restoration and keratin straightening (yes, these are two different, although in many ways similar processes!). The restoration effect does not depend on the length: excellent results are visible even on short hair.
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However, there are unfortunate exceptions.
You should forget about keratinization if you have:
- thin hair - keratin will not only deprive you of volume, but can also cause brittleness;
- tendency to hair loss - keratin makes hair heavier and can cause hair loss ;
- Damage or disease of the scalp, as well as increased sensitivity and reactivity - the procedure can cause severe discomfort or an allergic reaction, as well as aggravate inflammation.
It is also worth turning to alternative hair restoration methods if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the keratinization process releases formaldehyde, a toxic substance.
Some general facts
Have you noticed that the cosmetic industry has recently experienced a real keratin boom? This substance is present in almost all hair care products. On jars with masks, shampoos, balms or serums there is a corresponding inscription.
What is keratin and why does our hair need it? In terms of its chemical composition, the substance is one of the types of proteins (simple amino acids) produced by the human body. The structure of the hair, or more precisely its density, depends on keratin. It also determines whether our curls will be straight or curly.
The lack of proteins immediately affects the appearance of the hair. The strands lose their natural shine, begin to split, and become thinner. Manufacturers promise us that after using any product with keratin, curls will gain new strength.
But doctors who deal with hair problems, or experienced hairdressers, assure that the use of shampoos or conditioners will not give any amazing results. Intensive care products based on the same substance are much more effective.
Pros and cons of the procedure
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Keratin restoration works wonders for hair!
Here are just the main advantages of this procedure:
- elimination of frizz and antistatic effect ;
- straightening and smoothing hair;
- easy combing;
- protection of hair during styling with hot tools and from harmful environmental influences;
- simultaneously with the keratinization procedure, hair coloring or highlighting can be done using any technique;
- the components of the keratin composition not only penetrate the structure of the hair, but also smooth out its scales, giving the curls shine, silkiness and elasticity;
- keratinization can be done on both short and long hair;
- the procedure eliminates the problem of fragility and split ends;
- after the procedure, the hair retains its shape and volume well;
- keratin straightening and hair restoration helps correct unsuccessful “chemistry” or save hair after bleaching;
- the effect after the procedure lasts up to four months.
Despite all the advantages of keratin restoration, it also has some disadvantages:
- during the procedure, formaldehyde is released, a toxic substance with a strong unpleasant odor that can cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes;
- keratinization is not suitable for fine and oily hair;
- the procedure can cause hair loss due to the weighting effect;
- after keratin restoration, hair without styling looks less voluminous;
- the need to use special care cosmetics after the procedure;
- relatively high price;
- The duration of the procedure is about 4–5 hours.
Flaws
Among the disadvantages of the process it is worth noting:
- If the technology is not followed, the chemical composition can cause burns.
- Straightening is carried out in several stages.
- Hair becomes drier and requires constant hydration.
- Not everyone is allowed, there is a list of contraindications.
- There is often a strong odor when performing.
- As the hair grows back, it will return to its normal shape.
- Does not wash off. To return to curls, hair coated with the composition will have to be cut.
What does keratinization give: the effect of the procedure
Hair restoration with keratin is a magical remedy for the beauty of hair.
As a result of the procedure you will receive:
- shine and elasticity - keratin compensates for the lack of “building material” of the hair and glues its scales together;
- straight, smoothed hair - during keratinization, disulfide bonds are weakened, which changes the structure of wavy and curly hair;
- density - hair looks thicker and denser due to the appearance of a protective film on its surface;
- silkiness - curls become very soft to the touch, stop frizz and are easy to comb , the problem of dryness disappears;
- strength - hair stops breaking and becomes stronger;
- beautiful styling all day - the hairstyle looks neat and remains in its original form even in the evening. And so every day!
Strength test
Prolonged exposure to chemicals can harm very damaged hair. The test should be carried out on hair that has been dyed or previously chemically curled.
A little composition is applied to a thin cut strand. After half an hour, the product is washed off from the strand. Now she is being pulled by the ends. If the curl is stretched or torn, it is not worth carrying out the procedure.
How to do hair restoration with keratin in the salon: technique
The procedure is exclusively salon: only an experienced master is able to correctly mix the composition, apply it to the strands and perform the subsequent steps to transform the hair from almost tow into silk. Keratin restoration at home is a bad idea, primarily because it can completely ruin your hair, making it greasy and lifeless. If you are interested in what steps the master will perform during your visit to the salon, we advise you to read the step-by-step instructions for keratin restoration.
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- The first stage is cleansing. The master applies a deep cleansing shampoo to damp hair to remove excess sebum, as well as get rid of dirt and styling products.
- Next, the keratin composition is applied to the dried hair: carefully, strand by strand, moving 1–2 centimeters from the roots.
- After application, the hair is combed with a wide-tooth comb for better distribution of the product.
- The holding period is 40–50 minutes.
- After this, the hair is dried with a hairdryer : not a drop of moisture should remain on it.
- When the strands are completely dry, the master begins working with the iron: he works each strand at maximum temperature. In this way, keratin is sealed in the hair and better penetrates its structure.
- When all the strands are processed, you need to wash your hair with keratin shampoo. Next comes blow drying. The balm is not used at the end of the procedure.
Skin sensitivity test
To make sure that the client does not have an allergy or intolerance to the elements of the composition, a skin sensitivity test can be performed.
To do this, a drop of the drug is applied to the crook of the elbow and left for more than 30 minutes. If after time no reaction appears, straightening can be performed.
Features of care after the procedure
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A maximum of four hours in the hair master’s chair - and you will be the owner of a luxurious, shining sheet of hair! To prolong the effect and preserve the beauty of your hairstyle for at least three months, you must follow special care rules. Let's start with the fact that for the first three days you can't wash your hair, braid your hair, make buns or tie a ponytail. All of the above can cause creases in newly straightened strands. As for care, in this case the hair needs a special beauty “diet”.
Shampoo
The main rule of hair care after keratin restoration is: you can only use shampoos that do not contain sulfates. These aggressive surfactants will quickly destroy the protective film on the surface of the hair and wash away the keratin from it.
Micellar bath shampoo Bain Micellaire, Kérastase
More details
You can maintain the effect after the procedure using mild, sulfate-free moisturizing shampoos. The Bain Micellaire micellar bath shampoo from the Aura Botanica from will do this well .
Liss Unlimited shampoo from L'Oréal Professionnel is perfect . Cleansing after keratinization should be as gentle as possible!
Air conditioner
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As with shampoo, sulfates are not allowed in conditioner. In addition, the texture of this product must be light: oily masks and conditioners can help loosen the hair cuticle and, as a result, wash out the keratin.
SalonSecret experts advise paying attention to smoothing rinse-off care. For example, Daily cream conditioner from the natural Source Essentielle from L'Oréal Professionnel or Redken Frizz Dismiss .
Contraindications
Since the preparations contain alkali, the service has a number of contraindications.
- Any stage of pregnancy.
- Lactation.
- Diabetes.
- Thyroid disease.
- Bleached hair.
- Tendency to allergies.
- Individual intolerance to active drugs.
- Presence of wounds or cuts on the scalp.
Before starting straightening, it is recommended to do a test for skin sensitivity and hair strength.
Positive reviews
Girls who have had permanent straightening done in beauty salons leave positive reviews about the process.
The result lasts for a long time, the service is provided quickly enough and does not cause negative emotions.
When choosing a hairdresser, be sure to read reviews about the specialist. He should have enough reviews and a rich portfolio. To view it, visit the website.
After the first visit, the hair takes on a healthy appearance. Even elastic curls stop curling.
Bottom line
Chemical hair straightening is a procedure that gives you a perfectly smooth hairstyle like in the photo in magazines.
An experienced master will be able to complete it in a short time and will not cause harm to health. The result will last as long as you want it.
Therefore, chemical straightening is more economical than keratin straightening. Correction should be carried out infrequently, once every six months.
Focus your post-procedure care on hydration and strengthening. It is better to avoid using a hair dryer, straightener or curling iron.
Additional Tips
In order for permanent straightening to last for a long time, the room temperature must be at least 20°C. At low temperatures the effect will be uneven.
Before using the drug, check the integrity of the packaging. The ammonia contained in it quickly disappears. As a result, the effectiveness of the balm will be lower than required.
The room should be well ventilated. Otherwise, the content of hazardous chemical elements in the air will be exceeded, and negative consequences are possible.
