Keratin straightening: how to do it step by step, and advantages

Few are the lucky women who have perfect straight hairOthers, on the other hand, always have frizzy, dull and dehydrated hair, and many want to remedy this problem. The iron ends up mistreating their hair, so these women look for other solutions.

The reality is that keratin straightening is the ultimate solution to this dilemma. Thanks to this treatment it is possible to have straight, healthy and strong hair. It lasts for months, and it is very comfortable as you do not have to straighten your hair daily with the iron.

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Keratin straightening: know its advantages and its process

Keratin is a natural component in our body. There are different tissues that have it, especially nails and hair. However, due to different factors, sometimes not enough keratin is produced to make hair look shiny and healthy.

For this reason there are products that allow us to add the keratin that it needs to the hair. With this it is achieved that it has a much better appearance, in addition to being stronger. At the time of applying this product, a procedure is carried out to smooth it temporarily.

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What to expect from keratin straightening?

Keratin straightening treatment has many benefits for hair. Something important to know is that keratin by itself does not straighten hair, and that is that to activate the keratin proteins it is necessary to apply heat. For this reason the iron is used, with which a perfect straight hair effect is achieved.

The treatment lasts approximately between 3 to 6 months, depending on the case. There are different brands that offer this product for sale, although it is a treatment that can be performed in a hairdresser.

In some places they sell or apply keratin treatments with formaldehyde, which are harmful to health. To detect a keratin with formaldehyde, it is enough to pay attention to the smell.

Normal keratin does not emit a strong or penetrating odor. On the other hand, the one that contains formaldehyde has a very strong smell that even causes itching in the eyes and nose.

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Who can use keratin straightening?

It is a very popular treatment, but keratin is not recommended for all hair types. With weak or very damaged hair, the properties of keratin cannot be used. Before being able to do it in these cases, it is necessary to carry out other treatments that hydrate and strengthen it.

On the other hand, it must be taken into account that the more marked the natural curl, the more difficult it is to achieve a perfect straightening. Of course, something must be taken into account, and that is that performing the keratin treatment can condition the type of curl that you have in the future. Whoever has hair will want to think it over before applying keratin.

People who have a very oily scalp denem be careful about washing their hair. For at least three days after applying the keratin, you should not wash your hair. It is also not recommended that it be pressed or held in rubber bands, tapes or any type of accessory.

There may be some discomfort for three days if the hair cannot be collected, but the result afterwards is worth it.

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How to do keratin straightening?

Below is a step-by-step show of how to apply keratin at home. Although it is more advisable for an expert person to do it, whoever wants to save that cost can do it at her home. It is not complicated, you just have to know how to do it.

1. The product

Keratin is a product that can be purchased in specialized beauty salons. It is possible to apply it at home or go to a professional so that this person can do it.

The treatment comes with two products: a shampoo and keratin. The shampoo is used to give a deep cleaning to the hair, and you have to use that one and not one that you already have at home.

2. Shampooing

hair must be washed with the shampoo that accompanies the keratin treatment. It should be washed very well, and it is recommended to wash twice before applying the treatment.

People who have colored hair should leave the shampoo on for longer. About ten minutes should be a long time for this. Finally, what you do is rinse it well and dry it with the hairdryer or let it dry naturally.

3. Determine the amounts

Once the hair is clean, the keratin is applied. The application is made directly on the hair, from the roots to the ends, the length of the hair being very important. The reason is that the amount of keratin depends on the length of the hair.

Normally the product has precise indications regarding the quantities to be used. It is necessary to follow these indications to the letter. Putting more product will not enhance the result.

Approximately the recommendation is:

• Short to medium: 40 ml.
• At shoulder height: 60 ml.
• At the level of the back: 75 ml.
• Extreme length: 120 ml.

4. Treatment application

For a better application, the process must be divided into four parts, according to the head area. It begins to be applied to the nape of the neck once the product has been properly mixed in the applicator bottle.

It can be applied separating wick by wick, in much the same way as applying dye. Each section should be completely covered with the product, but it is not necessary to apply too much.

5. Seal

Before starting to iron, you have to dry your hair. Without having rinsed the product, you have to blow the dryer through the entire hair. It can be stretched from the roots at the same time that the dryer is directed in the area.

Once it feels dry, apply the heat of the straightening iron. Continuing with the division of quadrants in the head, we must start with the strands of the neck. You have to do 10 repetitions at the root, and from there move on to the middle and ends.

6. Final sealing

The final seal is made when it is washed and after it has been ironed. It is important that during the following months a sulfate-free shampoo is used to extend the effects of the treatment for much longer.

In addition, you have to re-iron at least once a month to reactivate the keratin. Thus, in addition to having the perfect straight, the hair remains shinier and silkier for longer.

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Bibliographic references

• Cox, C. (1999). Good Hair Days - A History of British Styling. London: Quartet Books.

• Barel, A.O., Paye, M. and Maibach, H.I. (2009). Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Third Edition. CRC Press.

• Leal, M. (2015). Keratin Treatment: A Practical Guide to Keratin Treatment for Hair (Independent Publication).