Should I Get a Keratin Treatment?

You love you kinks, coils or curls. But sometimes you wish you could be natural and have sleek, frizz-free hair that is longer and straighter. If this is you, you’ve probably given some thought to trying out a keratin treatment, or the Brazilian blowout. With the popularity of keratin treatments and a crop of over-the-counter products that promise the same results in the comfort of your home, perhaps you’re wondering if this treatment is right for you. Here are a few facts you’ll want to consider before you decide.
What is a Keratin Treatment?
Keratin is a fibrous protein that forms the basis of hair and nails. It is used in many hair products which are designed to fortify hair strands. Seems harmless enough, right? But a keratin treatment is a different animal altogether. It is a semi-permanent chemical process designed to make hair stronger, straighter, shinier and frizz-free. Keratin alone cannot deliver on these results long-term. Two factors are required to give the treatment staying power: formaldehyde and heat.
Many salon keratin treatments contain formaldehyde. This gives the treatment long-term effects; glossy, straight hair that lasts for several weeks. Formaldehyde is toxic and suspected to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing), especially when combined with the second key component of the treatment—heat. When the keratin treatment is applied in the salon, heat is used to seal it to the hair cuticle. This bonds the treatment with hair strands so that it will last through shampooing, sweating, etc. However, if the stylist applies too much heat for too long, serious breakage can occur.
A keratin treatment isn’t like getting a blowout. Your hair doesn’t return to normal after a wash or two. The treatment alters the internal structure of hair. Many have reported serious, irreversible damage to their tresses. So, if you’re considering this treatment, research the product and the stylist that will be applying it. Then weigh whether or not you’re willing to take any possible risks involved.
What About At-Home Keratin Treatment Kits?
Perhaps you’re reluctant to go with an expensive salon keratin treatment. What about keratin treatment kits designed for use at home? Are these safer since you can regulate the amount of heat applied? Not necessarily. While most at-home products don’t contain formaldehyde, they do include other chemicals which are proven to have adverse effects to the respiratory system and skin. Then there are recent consumer complaints about a popular at-home keratin treatment kit, Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit. The product has since been discontinued and the manufacturer is being sued by hundreds of consumers due to hair loss and other irreversible damage.
Are keratin treatments worth the risk? This is something each person must decide for herself. However, the article, The Straight Truth About Keratin and Other Hair Smoothing Treatments on Oprah.com said it best: “The bottom line: The only way to guarantee that you're not getting a hair-smoothing treatment that could expose you to unacceptable levels of formaldehyde is...to not get the treatment.”
If your hair is frizzy and unmanageable, try consulting with a natural hair stylist who can help you find products and treatments that will make your hair look and feel its very best.