What’s the secret to healthy, gorgeous hair? Regular care and fitting products. Keratin treatments are rising in popularity at salons. Keratin is a natural protein in hair and is responsible for strengthing strands, smoothing textures, and adding shine.
This miraculous protein consists of amino acids that affect hair’s structural framework. As new hair grows, the body’s cells produce keratin and deposit it in the hair shaft, where the protein works its magic. Keratin treatments supplement keratin to the hair, boosting the effects.
Discover what every stylist should know about keratin treatments if you plan on incorporating them into your salon services.
What Are the Pros and Cons?
Like any hair treatment, keratin has many pros and cons. Schedule consultations with your clients so they can understand the benefits and disadvantages of keratin treatments.
Keratin Treatment Pros:
- Frizz reduction
- Smooth, silky hair
- Improved hair manageability
- Reduced styling times
- Hair straightening
Keratin Treatment Cons:
- Potential allergic reactions to sensitive scalps
- Possible formaldehyde exposure
- Natural keratin is an animal-derived product, therefore not vegan-friendly
- Produces temporary results
- Requires post-treatment maintenance (e.g., sulfate-free shampooing and limited heat styling)
What Are the Different Treatment Applications?
Keratin treatments come in multiple forms. Some common treatment applications include the following:
Post Color-Treated Treatment
Keratin treatments are safe to use on color-treated or chemically processed hair. Adding keratin to dyed or permed hair enhances the reparations and protection by strengthening and sealing strands.
Curly Hair Manageability
Curly hair is often more demanding than straight hair. Special curly hair keratin treatments use keratin to reduce frizz and make curls more manageable.
Touch-Up Styling Spray
Keratin styling treatments allow you to touch up styled hair with some shine and smoothness.
Leave-In Conditioner
Apply leave-in conditioner treatments after hair washes. As a post-rinse treatment, keratin leave-in conditioners provide ongoing hair treatment and protection. It allows you to submerge and seal hair in keratin and let it soak in until the next hair wash.
Formaldehyde-Free Treatment
Keratin treatments consist of more than just keratin. They include active ingredients and chemicals, including formaldehyde. This substance is a potential carcinogen and irritant. However, many new formulations are formaldehyde and toxin-free, giving you a clean and healthy treatment solution for your clients.
Synthetic Plant-Based Treatment
Plant-based keratin treatment alternatives are perfect for your vegan customers. Instead of using natural keratin from animals, plant-based treatments use a synthetic alternative that offers all the same benefits. Manufacturers use plant-based amino acids and other natural ingredients to recreate keratin.
What Do You Need for Keratin Treatments?
You’ll need a few tools and pieces of equipment at your salon to perform keratin treatments. Hair salon dryers are the most important equipment for keratin treatment. It needs to dry before you continue styling the hair. Drying the treated hair locks in the ingredients and seals the hair in the formula.
Other tools for keratin treatments include the following:
- Gloves
- Applicator brush
- Hair clips
- Flat irons to further seal in the product
- Pre and Post-treatment shampoo
Treat your clients to the many benefits of keratin. Remember these three things every stylist should know about keratin treatments for success with your new salon service.