Read This Before Attempting A DIY Keratin Treatment At Home
Let’s talk about your frizz…
Stick straight hair does not just happen. A widely favored solution if you don’t want to use hot tools daily: keratin treatments. Even celebs like Kim Kardashian have been known to get them. The popular salon service is by no means new and you’re probably familiar with it, as least on a basic level.
The experts weigh in.
Stick straight hair does not just happen. A widely favored solution if you don’t want to use hot tools daily: keratin treatments. Even celebs like Kim Kardashian have been known to get them. The popular salon service is by no means new and you’re probably familiar with it, as least on a basic level.
“It’s a semi-permanent hair smoothing treatment that typically lasts about 3 months,” says hairstylist and owner of John Henry Salon in Malibu Jonathan Colombini. For anyone with puffy, frizzy, or unruly hair it can be a godsend because it really does work. “Even if you just want to soften your own natural curl a bit, it’s a great option,” says celebrity stylist Jess Elbaum.
As the name implies, the key ingredient is keratin, a protein found in the hair, skin, and nails. “It adds intense glossy shine to hair and reduces frizz,” explains Elbaum of the final results. “The liquid solution binds to the hair, forming a protective layer around each hair strand,” explains Colombini. “When the protein gets applied into the cuticle of the hair it softens and smooths the hair out when heat is applied,” adds celebrity hairstylist Richard Marin. Basically, keratin treatments enter the hair follicle and inject porous areas with more keratin protein, which helps to smooth the hair shaft and creates a healthier strand of hair. They’re also not permanent, and will wash out after several weeks.
Sounds pretty magical, but it can get pricey, with salon keratin treatments costing from $250 to $500 each time. But lately cheaper at-home versions have been making the rounds on TikTok, so the question is: Can you safely do keratin treatments at home? The short answer is yes, but there are few items to note before attempting one yourself.
So. What Is The Difference Between Salon & At-Home Keratin Treatments?
The biggest difference is the formula strength. The DIY versions have all the smoothing benefits of the professional kind just with less chemicals. “Even though any keratin treatment initially makes your hair healthier, you have to remember it's still a chemical [formula],” says Marin. Luckily, there are formaldehyde-free options at many salons — you’ll want to inquire about this prior to booking your appointment.
As for selecting an at-home formula, “Look out for sulfates [that strip and dry out your hair] and try to find products with more natural ingredients,” notes Elbaum. (Most direct-to-consumer options contain only gentle, hair soothing ingredients like argan oils and amino acids.) And note that they also don’t last as long (about six weeks), compared to professional treatments.
Full disclosure: Colombini recommends a salon treatment over an at-home one.
“While the at-home versions might be safer [in terms of how harsh the chemicals are], the prep, application process, and the timing are still extremely important”
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hairstylist Jonathan Colombini, owner of John Henry Salon in Malibu.
Still, the chemicals used in at-home treatments might also release formaldehyde gas (similar to in a salon), so you’ll want to be in a place with good ventilation if you do decide to go with the at-home route.
What Makes At-Home Keratin Treatments Risky?
Even though at-home versions are less intense, like professional treatments, they can cause hair breakage if you do them too often. “Even though it’s a [gentler keratin treatment] and helps condition the hair, a lot of protein in the hair can cause damage when it’s processed more than every eight to 13 weeks,” explains Marin. Application also matters.
“Using too much product (or too little), applying too much heat (or not enough) are some ways you can damage your hair permanently
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“I would not use either in-salon or at-home keratin on hair that was fine, thin, or bleached hair,” adds Elbaum. It’s best for sturdier hair textures, and definitely don’t try either at-home or the salon version if you’re pregnant.
So. How Do You Do An At-Home Treatment?
Still want to give it a go yourself? Fair warning, doing an at-home keratin treatment is pretty involved — there’s more to it than just slapping on some product. Marin says that home treatment steps are the same as the in-salon version: wash your hair, then while hair is still wet, use a brush or your hands to apply the treatment from roots to end. Be sure to brush hair thoroughly to evenly distribute, then leave it on for 30 minutes.
“Then, with the product still in, blow it dry, then use a straight iron over all the hair until you’ve completely ironed the entire head [of hair].” This is when the gases will be released from the solution (similar to opening a window).
The next step: Rinse it out with cool water, not warm, as that will open the cuticle and rinse out more of the product. And make sure you don’t use shampoo or conditioner here — you want the product to stay on. From there you can air dry, blow dry, or style as usual, says Marin. The most important note: “No shampooing for 48 hours,” says Marin. “I suggest wrapping your bed pillow in a towel so it doesn't transfer.”
Anything Else To Know About At-Home Keratin Treatments?
The pros reiterate how important it is to read the instructions and check the ingredient list for harsh chemicals before buying at-home keratin. All in all: At-home keratin treatments can be a nice, cheaper option compared to visiting a salon. But be sure to consult with your stylist about your hair type and goals before making a decision either way.
Article originally published by TZR
Photo Courtesy of @chrisappleton1
Hair Botox Is Actually Wildly Different Than What It Sounds Like
Some exciting news for seekers of youthful hair!
Attention silky strand seekers: hair botox is the latest TikTok trend to hit the mainstream. One quick search reveals that the hashtag #hairbotox currently yields 17.7M views on the platform, but it’s not what you think. In fact, hair botox is nothing like Botox for your face, which is a type of neurotoxin that relaxes muscles and prevents fine lines.
There’s a new buzzy treatment in town!
Attention silky strand seekers: hair botox is the latest TikTok trend to hit the mainstream. One quick search reveals that the hashtag #hairbotox currently yields 17.7M views on the platform, but it’s not what you think. In fact, hair botox is nothing like Botox for your face, which is a type of neurotoxin that relaxes muscles and prevents fine lines. It doesn't actually involve injecting anything. Basically, you can think of hair botox as the ultimate anti-aging hair treatment, more effective and deep conditioning than even your favorite at-home mask.
The whole process seems to be much like getting your hair colored. After washing and cleaning the hair, a stylist paints on the product (a blue-hued goop that looks similar to hair dye), wraps it up in plastic for a dryer session, before finally blowing it out to reveal ridiculously luminous strands.
New York-based celebrity colorist Jeremy Tardo explains that the unique formula is packed with peptides, vitamin B5, vitamin E, antioxidants, and collagen that help to reinvigorate damaged hair. “This combination simultaneously helps to plump the empty parts of your hair strand while smoothing frizz,” he tells TZR.
But before you start comparing it to a keratin treatment, know that it is not the same thing. “Some keratin treatments contain formaldehyde [which can cause skin irritation, allergies and dry out your hair], but the botox treatment is as natural as it comes,” explains LA-based hairstylist Glenn Ellis, who happens to specialize in smoothing treatments.
Simply put:
“Keratin is a chemical treatment that changes the hair texture while hair botox doesn’t permanently change the texture; it’s more of a reconstructing hair treatment that helps [with] healthy hair growth and damage protection”
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Keratin treatments also last longer since hair botox is more of a surface-level product. And even though it’s gentler than keratin, hair botox is not something you should do yourself — it’s a professional-grade product.
While “hair botox treatments are great for hair that is damaged or frizzy, it works well on all hair types” confirms Tardo. For reference, Toronto-based stylist and TikToker @elzakalia has an entire account dedicated to the mesmerizing hair trend. One video, titled “SMOOTHING BOTOX CHECK!”, has over 4 million views. In the clip, you’ll see a very clear start to finish transformation. “I did a smoothing botox to reduce frizz, add some shine, and give her a soft hair texture,” the caption reads.
If you want to try out the in-salon service for yourself expect to spend between $200 and $450 each time, depending on the salon and stylist.
“Hair botox treatments last about two to four months [and can vary] depending on your at-home care and your hair texture,”
says Ras. As with all treatments, consult with your stylist and go back for a refresh when you feel that your hair is beginning to lose the effect.
Article originally published by TZR
Photo Courtesy of @Simihaze