Introduction
If you’re tired of dealing with frizzy hair or struggling with your curls, you may have been considering keratin treatment as a possible solution. Keratin treatment has become a game-changer in the hair care industry, offering you a way to manage your hair and get a sleek, smooth look without having to use daily styling tools. However, it’s essential to know how long the results will last before deciding whether keratin treatment is suitable for you or not.
Everything You Need to Know About Keratin Treatment Lifespan
Keratin treatment is a chemical process that smooths and straightens hair by breaking and restructuring the keratin bonds in the hair shaft. The treatment usually takes two to three hours in a salon and lasts up to six months, depending on several factors that affect its duration. Let’s dive into these factors that determine how long keratin treatment lasts.
Factors Affecting Keratin Treatment lifespan
The lifespan of keratin treatment varies from person to person, depending on several factors. Here are some of the most important things that can affect treatment duration:
- Hair type: The natural texture and thickness of your hair play a significant role in how long the treatment will last. Coarser hair types typically hold on to the results longer than finer hair types.
- Aftercare: The way you take care of your hair after the treatment also affects how long the results will last. Avoiding sulfates, using specific haircare products, and avoiding heat damage are some of the things you can do to make the results last longer.
- Lifestyle: Your lifestyle habits, such as exercise frequency and swimming in chlorinated pools, can also affect how long the treatment lasts.
- Products Used: The type of keratin treatment products used can also impact its lifespan. High-quality products used during the treatment process and for aftercare can help extend the results’ life span.
Average lifespan and range of durability for Keratin Treatment
The average keratin treatment lasts up to six months or more, but you can expect a range of three to six months. Again, this depends on various factors, as we’ve discussed above. While a good quality treatment can last up to six months, the results manifest from the first month and eventually fade with time.
Keratin Treatment: The Facts About How Long the Results Last
Difference between “before” and “after” looks
The difference between your hair’s “before” and “after” appearance after the keratin treatment varies depending on your hair type and texture. If you have naturally curly or coarse hair, you’ll see more dramatic differences, such as significantly fewer tangles, reduced frizz, and more defined curls.
If you previously struggled with unmanageable hair that required daily styling tools, you’ll notice more relaxed curls, sleeker, and more manageable hair than before. Keratin treatment can save you many hours you once spent ironing your hair or dealing with difficult hairstyles.
Duration of the effect and how it changes over time
Although the initial results of the treatment are impressive, many people wonder how long they could keep the outcome. As mentioned, the treatment results can last up to six months, but these results could fade gradually from the first month. The duration of the effect also depends on various factors, including aftercare practices and lifestyle habits, we discussed earlier.
Typically, during the first month or two, your hair remains frizz-free, soft, and manageable. However, as time passes, you might start noticing minor flyaways or frizz. If you continue to take care of your hair as recommended, you’ll still have manageable hair that’s easier to style.
Maintenance requirements to keep the outcomes longer
The key to a long-lasting keratin treatment is aftercare. A simple way to maintain the treatment’s results is to avoid washing or wetting your hair for three days after the treatment. This allows the keratin treatment to settle in your hair and ensures that the treatment holds for a longer time.
After that, ensure to use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that protects the keratin in your hair from harsh chemicals that could break down the bonds and shorten the treatment’s lifespan. Additionally, avoid exposing your hair to heat, protect your hair from the sun’s harmful UV rays, and avoid swimming in chlorinated or saltwater as it can strip your hair of the keratin treatment.
Long-Lasting Locks: What to Expect from Your Keratin Treatment
Advantages of long-lasting Keratin Treatment
One of the most significant benefits of keratin treatment is the freedom to style your hair less, spending less time doing your hair in the morning or before an event. It helps reduce frizz, making hair easier to manage, and preserves the hair’s natural shine.
Additionally, during summer, when the humidity is high, keratin treatment shields your hair from absorbing moisture, keeping it smooth, and making your hair less likely to frizz.
Possible disadvantages
While there are significant advantages to keratin treatment, it’s essential to know some of the possible disadvantages.
- Expense: Keratin treatment is a bit costly compared to other hair care treatments, mainly because it produces more dramatic results
- Treatment process: It takes a few hours to apply keratin treatment, depending on hair’s length and thickness.
- Aftercare: The result’s longevity depends on taking care of your hair as recommended. Using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to protect the keratin in your hair requires a financial commitment to these specific products.
Comparison with other hair treatments in terms of durability
Keratin treatment is a better option for durability compared to other treatments like middle lamination or straightening. Unlike those treatments, keratin treatment preserves your natural hair texture while making it easier to manage and reducing frizz.
Hair extensions are another way to have manageable and easy-to-style hair, but they only last up to four months and require a more significant commitment in terms of maintenance and possible damage to hair follicles.
Keratin Treatment Durability: Debunking Common Myths and Misconceptions
Addressing false assumptions
There are several misconceptions regarding keratin treatment’s lifespan, and it’s essential to debunk them to have accurate information.
- Keratin treatment lasts forever: Keratin treatment lasts for a limited amount of time, even though it’s much longer than other hair treatments.
- All hair types last the same: As mentioned earlier, coarser hair types typically hold on to the results longer than finer hair types.
Proving the truth
Several studies confirm that keratin treatment lasts up to six months under the right conditions. An article featured by the Journal of Applied and Natural Sciences states that keratin hair treatments can improve hair texture and reduce frizz in wavy and curly hair for up to six months.
Research also indicates that keratin treatment lasts longer in coarser hair types than it does in finer hair types.
From Experts to You: The Secret to Maximizing the Longevity of Your Keratin Treatment
Tips on how to maintain keratin-treated hair
Here are some tips on how to maintain your keratin-treated hair and maximize its durability:
- Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners
- Avoid heat from styling tools or the sun’s damaging UV rays
- Wear a hat or use protective hair products for outdoor activities
- Avoid chlorine or saltwater pools
- Don’t wet your hair for the first three days after the treatment
Advice from professionals to prolong Keratin’s lifespan
Professional Keratin stylists recommend coming for a touch-up appointment every four to five months. During this time, the stylist applies a smaller amount of product to parts of the hair that need additional help to prolong the treatment’s lifespan.
Additionally, if you are taking care of an African-American hair type, experts from The Cut recommend doing a keratin treatment every four months or so, with touch-ups in between, to keep the hair shiny, moisturized, and protected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about keratin treatment duration
- Can I wash my hair after a keratin treatment, and how long should I wait? Wait for 72 hours before washing your hair to allow the keratin to settle in.
- Can I use any shampoo and conditioner after the treatment? Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that protects the keratin in your hair from harsh chemicals that could break down the bonds and shorten the treatment’s lifespan.
- What should I avoid after getting a keratin treatment? Avoid heat from styling tools, UV rays, chlorine or saltwater pools, and wetting your hair during the first three days after the treatment.
- How often should I get a keratin treatment to maintain the results? Keratin treatment usually lasts up to six months, so a touch-up appointment every four to five months can help prolong the treatment’s lifespan.
Conclusion
Knowing how long keratin treatment lasts is essential before investing time and money into a hair treatment. Most people can expect to enjoy the results for up to six months, though this varies depending on several factors such as hair type, aftercare, and lifestyle. It is an investment that saves time and makes hair more manageable, allowing you to step out with the confidence that comes with perfect hair. So, if you are considering a keratin treatment, remember to take care of your hair, use sulfate-free products, and visit a stylist for touch-ups for longer-lasting results.
