If you have ever struggled with frizzy hair, you may have been intrigued by keratin treatments that promise to make your hair smooth, shiny, and strong. But can it do more harm than good?
Keratin treatments often involve administering heat to open the keratin bonds in hair strands, then filling in the gaps with artificially derived keratin and formaldehyde. In theory, this is supposed to make the hair strand stronger and straighter.
However, the extreme heat used in these treatments can be very damaging to hair, destroying structural proteins and making the hair shaft weak and prone to breakage. Heat also causes moisture loss, drying out hair in the long run.
Formaldehyde is also known to cause skin sensitization or allergic dermatitis. Repeated contact with formaldehyde-related ingredients can cause scalp itchiness and rashes, sometimes even leading to severe hair loss.
What is keratin?
Keratin is a protein that is naturally produced in the body, and both your hair and nails are made up of keratin. In your hair, keratin is a protective protein that protects hair cells and prevents breakage and heat damage.
Keratin in hair products and treatments are usually derived from wool, feathers, or horns. Although you can purchase shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks that contain keratin, professional keratin treatments are much more effective, and the results can be dramatic even after a single treatment.
What are the benefits of keratin treatments?
Benefits of getting a professional keratin treatment may include:
- Smooth, shiny hair. Keratin smooths the hair strands, making hair straight, shiny, more manageable, and less frizzy. The treatment can also reduce split ends by temporarily sealing the hair strand back together.
- Long-lasting results. The results of a keratin treatment can last quite a while if the hair is cared for properly, for example by using sulfate and paraben-free shampoos and conditioners and washing hair no more than 2-3 times a week.
- Reduced drying time. Drying time may be cut by almost half or more after a keratin treatment.
- Improved hair strength. Keratin treatments can help repair damaged hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage. However, if treatments are done too often, it can eventually lead to hair damage.
What are the risks of keratin treatments?
Risks of keratin treatments include:
- Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can be dangerous if inhaled, irritating the eyes and nose. Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen by the FDA, meaning it can cause cancer in some people. Some brands hide the fact that they contain formaldehyde even if they do. Look for labels that say formalin or methylene glycol, which are potential sources of formaldehyde.
- Cost. Keratin treatments can be expensive. There are cheaper at-home options available, but the results typically don’t last as long.
- Maintenance. Several precautions should be taken to maintain hair health and help the results last longer. Swimming in chlorinated water or salt water (such as a pool or the ocean) can cause the results of a keratin treatment to wear off sooner. You should use shampoos and conditioners that are free of sodium chloride and sulfates because these chemicals can strip away the effects of the treatments.
How long do keratin treatments last?
A salon keratin treatment can take a couple of hours depending on the thickness and length of the hair, and results can last up to 6 months or longer depending on the products used and post-treatment hair care.
There are also at-home keratin treatments, which can produce similar results that don’t last as long. Either way, keratin treatments should not be done more than three times a year to avoid significant hair damage.
QUESTION
An average adult has about ________ square feet of skin. See AnswerTop Can Keratin Damage Your Hair? Related Articles
Your Hair & Your Health
Is your hair or scalp trying to tell you something about your health? Learn more about dandruff, scalp psoriasis, ringworm on the scalp, folliculitis, scalp pimples, and medications and conditions that affect your hair and body.
Hair Loss: Alopecia, Thinning Hair in Men and Women
Learn about hair loss (alopecia) in women and men. Discover hair loss causes and treatments like shampoos and drugs, as well as how to prevent hair loss.
Hair Loss Quiz
True or false: Genetic hair loss comes from the mother's side of the family. Take the Hair Loss Quiz to learn about your hair. Learn what damages hair and what doesn't. Take the quiz!
Hair Transplant Picture
Surgical approaches include various versions of hair transplantation (taking hair from the back and putting it near the front) or scalp reduction (cutting away bald areas and stitching the rest together). See a picture of Hair Transplant and learn more about the health topic.
How Can I Get Healthy Hair Naturally?
Hair has always been a significant aspect of beauty standards. Luscious and shiny locks have been considered ideal beauty for ages. Have you always dreamt of having that bouncy and voluminous hair seen in the advertisements? If so, this dream can turn into reality by following a proper hair care routine.
How Can I Make My Hair Soft and Silky?
The signs of healthy hair include thick, soft, and shiny hair. Having silky hair is something not every person is born with. Your hair may become dry and brittle if your diet is not healthy or if you use hair products that are not meant for your hair type.
How Do I Use Egg Yolk on My Hair?
Beautiful, shiny, lustrous hair! The thought itself makes the heart smile. A bad hair day can ruin mood instantly. The ever-growing hair care industry is the undeniable proof of the ceaseless concerns for healthy and beautiful hair. Hair thinning and dullness can be a concern for anyone, regardless of age and gender.
How Do You Treat Extremely Dry Hair?
Dull, frizzy and unmanageable hair haunts most of our hair care dreams. When hair is stripped of its moisture and becomes dry, it’s also more vulnerable to tangling, breakage and hair loss. You can apply oil, conditioner and hair serum to treat dry hair. Ditching heat styling helps dry hair. So does eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated.
silicon
Silicon is taken as a dietary supplement to strengthen bones and improve hair, skin, and nail health. There are no known side effects from oral ingestion of silicon supplements. Inhaled silicon can cause: liver disease, kidney injury, increased risk for tuberculosis, and autoimmune disease. Consult with your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Foods for Healthy Hair
Top foods for healthy hair include salmon, green vegetables, beans, nuts, poultry, eggs, whole grains, oysters, low-fat dairy products, and carrots. Foods for healthy hair supply protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals.
Surprising Reasons Your Hair Is Falling Out
Seeing clumps of hair in your brush every time you groom your tresses? Find out what might be behind your locks loss.What Are the Best Ways to Get Thicker Hair?
Hair loss and damage can occur due to genetic tendency for baldness, hormones (pregnancy), medications (cancer medication) and other medical illnesses (stress, thyroid disease or autoimmune diseases). Home remedies for thicker hair include massaging the scalp with oil, using minoxidil, applying hair masks or aloe vera, eating a balanced diet or taking hair growth supplements and nutrients.
What Are the Four Types of Hair?
Hair type and texture are determined by several factors including genetics. There are four main types of hair texture: Type 1 - straight, Type 2 - wavy, Type 3 - curly and Type 4 - tightly curled.