If you’ve recently undergone keratin treatment, congratulations! Your hair is now sleeker, shinier, and more manageable than ever before. However, it’s important to remember that the aftercare process is just as important as the treatment itself. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about caring for your hair after keratin treatment, including tips on washing, styling, and maintaining your gorgeous new locks.
Understanding Keratin Treatment
Before we dive into aftercare tips, let’s first take a look at what keratin treatment actually is. Keratin treatment is a popular hair straightening process that involves applying a keratin protein to the hair, sealing it in with a flat iron, and then washing it out. The result is hair that is smoother, shinier, and easier to manage.
Why Aftercare is Important
While keratin treatment can work wonders on your hair, it’s important to keep in mind that it is a chemical process. This means that your hair will be more fragile in the days and weeks following treatment. If you don’t take proper care of your hair during this time, you risk damaging it and undoing all the benefits of the treatment.
Washing Your Hair After Keratin Treatment
One of the most important things to keep in mind after keratin treatment is how you wash your hair. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Wait Before Washing Your Hair
You should wait at least 72 hours before washing your hair after keratin treatment. This gives the keratin protein time to set into your hair and ensures that your treatment will last longer.
Use the Right Products
When you do wash your hair, make sure to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause your treatment to fade more quickly.
Don’t Overwash Your Hair
Try to limit your hair washing to once or twice a week to prevent your treatment from fading too quickly. If you have to wash your hair more frequently, try using dry shampoo between washes to keep your hair fresh and clean.
Styling Your Hair After Keratin Treatment
Aftercare for keratin treatment isn’t just about washing your hair – it’s also important to take care when styling your hair. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Avoid Heat Styling
While keratin treatment can make your hair more resistant to heat damage, it’s still a good idea to avoid heat styling as much as possible. If you do use heat, make sure to use a heat protectant spray to minimize damage.
Use a Wide-Tooth Comb
After keratin treatment, your hair will be more fragile and prone to breakage. To avoid damaging your hair when you brush it, use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush.
Be Gentle When Tying Your Hair Up
When tying your hair up, be gentle to avoid pulling out hair strands or causing hair breakage.
Maintaining Your Keratin Treatment
To ensure that your keratin treatment lasts as long as possible, there are a few things you can do:
Avoid Chlorine and Salt Water
Chlorine and salt water can both be damaging to your hair, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible. If you do swim in a pool or the ocean, make sure to rinse your hair with clean water afterward.
Get Regular Trims
Regular trims can help prevent split ends and breakage, which can be especially important after keratin treatment.
Dealing with Common Issues
Even with the best aftercare, it’s possible to experience some issues after keratin treatment. Here’s how to deal with some common problems:
Greasiness
If your hair feels greasy after keratin treatment, try using a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil. You can also try using a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup.
Frizz
If you notice some frizz after your treatment, try using a smoothing serum or oil to tame flyaways.
Hair Breakage
If you’re experiencing hair breakage, make sure to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and avoid heat styling as much as possible. You can also try using a deep conditioning treatment to help strengthen your hair.
Conclusion
With the right aftercare, your keratin treatment can last for months, leaving you with sleek, shiny, and manageable hair. Just remember to be gentle when washing and styling your hair, and avoid damaging factors like chlorine and heat.
FAQs
- Can I color my hair after keratin treatment? It’s best to wait at least two weeks before coloring your hair after keratin treatment to avoid damaging your hair.
- Can I swim after keratin treatment? You can swim after keratin treatment, but it’s best to avoid chlorine and salt water as much as possible. Rinse your hair with clean water afterward.
- How often should I get keratin treatment? Keratin treatment can last for several months, but the duration can vary depending on your hair type and how well you take care of it. It’s best to wait at least three months before getting another treatment.
- Will my hair return to its natural state after keratin treatment wears off? Yes, your hair will eventually return to its natural state once the keratin treatment wears off.
- Can I use regular shampoo after keratin treatment? It’s best to use a sulfate-free shampoo after keratin treatment to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils and causing your treatment to fade more quickly.