The 8 types of keratin, and how they are used

The term keratin is not something unknown to much of today's society. The progressive increase in the importance given to body image and the influence of the media make many of the names of different components and elements that are part of cosmetic and body hygiene products and of those products that improve the health of our skin or our hair. Keratin is one of them.

But there are a wide variety of types of keratin and treatments derived from it, as we will see throughout this article.

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Keratin or keratin is a protein present in the body of vertebrate animals (including ourselves). It is a protein highly rich in sulfur and with a fibrous structure, which is part of tissues such as the outer layer of the skin, hair or nails and whose main function is to protect epithelial cells from external damage.

That is why it is used as a component or as a product that favors hair protection, being one of the most used and known treatments today to strengthen it and protect it. However, among the wide variety of keratins that

there are some that can be harmful, such as those that contain formaldehyde. Likewise, it must be taken into account that in order for hair treatments with keratin to be effective, it is recommended not to wash your hair until 48 hours after applying the keratin.

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Two basic types of keratin

Although there are a large number of treatments and types of keratin that we can use in hair treatment, the truth is that we can find two basic types of this product based on its main source.

Alpha Keratin

Alpha keratin is the most common type of keratin and the one present in the hair, nails and horns of various animals, and is often used as the basis for all hair treatments that use keratin. It contains cystine, which allows its application to generate rigidity and resistance. It allows a hair straightening of up to four months of duration, giving it a smooth appearance and eliminating curl.

Keratin Beta

Beta keratin is used in milder treatments than alpha keratin. It hardly presents cysteine, making it less rigid than the previous one but equally resistant. It can be extracted from materials such as spider web. Softens the curls but has less duration than the previous one. Of course, it leaves the hair more manageable.

Other types

Alpha and beta keratin are the main ones based on their source, but there are other types of keratin. Among them, the following stand out:

1. Hydrolyzed keratin

This type of keratin is characterized by being a good hair conditioner and restructuring agent, regenerating the damage of its outer layers and hydrating it and giving it a shiny appearance. It also has smoothing and cauterizing properties.

2. Keratin with formaldehyde

This type of keratin has the peculiarity that it can be harmful and harmful as it contains formaldehyde, capable of degrading hair or even releasing gases that generate harmful effects on the health of the person who applies it or who wears it.

3. Keratin without formaldehyde

It is totally natural keratin, without formaldehyde or chemical components, which is usually made by processing keratin obtained from human or plant hair.

4. Chocolate keratin

Characterized by having cocoa oil in its composition, this type of keratin repairs and smoothes the hair while giving more weight to the hair. In addition, cocoa oil gives it a special smell and shine, possessing natural antioxidants that protect the hair.

5. Brazilian keratin straightening

Keratin treatment originating in Brazil, it is one of the most popular and well-known. It is distinguished from other types of treatment by the fact that it removes up to 95% of the curls, being a treatment especially indicated for the complete straightening of the hair. It also offers protection and nutrition to the hair, giving it a shiny appearance.

The process begins with a total washing of the hair with soap to remove grease and dirt, to later dry it with a towel. After that, the product is applied and it is dried with a dryer. Generally after that the hair is dried with a dryer and later it is smoothed with an iron so that the heat fixes the keratin in the hair.

6. Japanese keratin straightening

A type of keratin-based treatment that is characterized by leaving hair straight, shiny, soft and strong. The curl is completely removed, being able to have curls only the new hair. The effect wears off after a few weeks. The application procedure is the same as the previous one.