Keratin Hair Straightening: What You Need to Know
Last Updated (Thursday, 06 October 2011 10:48)
By Christina Mirabella
Keratin hair straightening treatments are among the most popular and frequently performed services in the hair industry today. Known as “possibly the greatest thing ever invented” to curly maned women across the country, Keratin treatments come in all shapes and sizes.
We are taking 3 of the most popular brands and breaking them down for your very own personal “how to Keratin guide”!
The trendy process of making kinky locks straight, frizz-free and sleek was pioneered in Brazil and hit the U.S. salon scene about 4 years ago. The term “Brazilian Blowout”TM is often misused to refer to the entire category of hair relaxing treatments in the Brazilian Keratin treatment family. In actuality, it is just one of the specific brand names.
The Brazilian Blowout
The Brazilian Blowout is the most semi-permanent of the treatments on the market. It is great for clients who may want to go back to wearing their hair curly. The Blowout IS safe for color treated and highlighted hair. An independent study claims that “the porosity created by prior chemical services makes this particular treatment last longer.” On average, the results from Brazilian Blowout lasts 3 to 4 months. A major plus to this treatment is that you can wash immediately and style your hair as usual.
The effects of the Blowout fade away at around the same speed your hair grows in so you will never have the appearance of “curly roots” and straight ends. The average price for the treatment is $350.00. The Brazilian Blowout is NOT recommended for expectant or nursing mothers.
Rejuvenol
Naturally, our hair loses shine, elasticity, and flexibility due to environmental factors, chemical treatments and age. Rejuvenol Keratin Treatments help restore those lost properties and more. Complete with an original and a formaldehyde free version, this is definitely a revolutionary treatment.
Rejuvenol BKT is safe on colored hair (like the Brazilian Blowout, it is recommended to do the color prior to the treatment). A small downside to this product is the 72 hours you must wait before shampooing, wetting or putting your hair in a ponytail. Although in my opinion, the results are well worth the wait. If your hair happens to get wet during those first 72 hours, blow dry it immediately and do NOT use a flat iron. Once it is safe to shampoo your hair, do so with a shampoo that does not contain sodium chloride. The Rejuvenol Brazilian Keratin treatment lasts 2 months on virgin hair and 4 to 5 months on any other type of hair.
Although Keratin treatments have various names, post care instructions, and longevity time spans, they have similar application techniques. Similar ingredients and almost all yield similar results.
Global Keratin
Global Keratin’s natural keratin and plant extracts promise to fortify and recondition frizzy, dry and damaged hair. Considered one of the most versatile keratin treatments on the market, it can be used in more ways than one. Global Keratin can reduce frizz only while maintaining desired curls, and to achieve various levels of straightness After the treatment, air –dried curly hair falls into a softer curl, and can blown out straight in ½ the time! Like Rejuvenol, you must wait 72 hours before washing your hair after the treatment. Results of the Global Keratin treatment last 4-5 months.
So at this point, you may be asking yourself:”If there is a product that is formaldehyde free and produces similar and desirable results, why would anyone choose a version containing formaldehyde?” This question is a major point of contention in the hair industry. My plain and simple answer is…formaldehyde prolongs the longevity of any keratin treatment. Don't get me wrong, the reported side effects of over exposure to formaldehyde are quite scary (nose bleeds, watery eyes and irritated throat). But the keyword here is OVER exposure. The amounts of formaldehyde inside these Keratin treatments are “minor irritants” much like an allergic reaction to pollen and can be easily avoided with proper ventilation within the salon.
Christina Mirabella is a Makeup Artist, Hair Stylist & YBI Contributing Editor. Read Christina's articles on YourBeautyIndustry.com and in Your Beauty Industry Magazine.
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