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Keratin Hair Treatments: Making Curly Hair Straight

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What is a Keratin Hair Treatment?

Keratin is a protein that strengthens hair. Found naturally in about 88 percent of hair, the protein helps treat and cure damaged hair cuticles. Keratin hair treatments are used to straighten, smooth out, strengthen, add shine to and tame frizziness of curly hair. Treatments cost between $250 and $600, and last about three to four months. Keratin in the treatment rearranges hair protein to produce a sleeker and softer look. While the treatment lasts, women with naturally curly hair can continue getting a straight and smooth hair style at home after leaving the salon. Photo: Getty Images

The Keratin Treatment Fad

From the bob to an afro, hair trends come and go. Most recently, keratin treatments have become the latest hair fad. The hair treatment allows women to transform their hair from curly to straight. According to wallstreetjournal.com, keratin hair treatments are popular among women who feel the need to control frizzy or curly hair for the professional work force. “The women who have the power spots in banking and hedge funds and all of that never wear their hair to extremes. People who are being groomed for high potential, and people who are handling a lot of money, have overseers who really understand that they can’t look unkempt or ungroomed,” Susan Sommers, a New York image consultant, said. Keratin treatments don’t produce pin-straight hair, but give women relaxed beach waves that many celebrities have. Zhanna Tretiakova/PhotoSpin

Ingredients in Keratin Treatments

Keratin hair treatments are composed of four major ingredients: keratin, formaldehydes, conditioners and cyclomethicone. The keratin protein serves as the main ingredient that reinforces hair and gives it a stronger build. Keratin found in the hair treatment formula also keeps hair hydrated by strengthening and coating hair cuticles. Formaldehydes in keratin treatments smooth hair cuticles, making hair appear glossy and tame rather than frizzy. Conditioners also work as a contributing ingredient in softening and controlling curly strands. Softening tresses when applied, cyclomethicone leaves hair feeling silky. Photo: Getty Images

The Process of Keratin Treatments

The keratin treatment process begins by washing hair with a clarifying shampoo. Stylists then blow-dry the hair and apply the treatment on each hair section. Clients must sit for about 20 minutes while the formula soaks into and fully reinforces hair. After the treatment absorbs, the hair is blow-dried a second time. The process concludes by straightening hair with a flat iron. Straightening hair seals the keratin treatment into hair cuticles, allowing them to become tame and smooth. Depending on hair length and texture, treatments last two to four hours. After receiving a keratin treatment, customers must not wash hair or put it in a ponytail (the treatment can dent hair if put up at first) for 72 hours to receive the full and lasting effects. Photo: Getty Images

Haircare After a Keratin Treatment

Unlike other hair-straightening treatments such as thermal reconditioning, keratin treatments are temporary and last three to four months. Once clients leave the salon, they can still maintain a tamed and straight hairstyle. A wallstreetjournal.com article said, “Women, using a blow-dryer at home, can recreate the smooth, straight salon look in less time than it would take with unprocessed hair. Or they can let their hair dry naturally for frizz-free curls.” Make your keratin treatment last by following procedures within the first 72 hours of the appointment. Also, use shampoo and conditioner without sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate to ensure the keratin protein is not stripped from hair. Auremar/PhotoSpin

Keratin Treatments at Home

Besides going to the salon, women can use keratin treatment products themselves at home. Popular keratin treatment brands include Brazilian Blowout, Coppola Complex Keratin Treatment, Global Keratin Treatment and Liquid Keratin. Although keratin treatments last longer when performed in salons, keratin treatment products are cheaper when purchased in stores and used at home. Different keratin treatments exist based on hair type, so be sure to find a product that matches your texture. Also, follow box instructions closely, apply in a well-ventilated area and follow the same 72 hour guidelines that follow keratin treatments at salons. Photo: Getty Images

Controversy Behind Keratin Treatments

Although keratin treatments have become a popular hair trend, they are also the center of controversy. The ingredient formaldehyde, a possible carcinogen, worries many users and regulators. According to wallstreetjournal.com, many salon employees around keratin hair treatments reported headache, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, fainting and rash symptoms to the Food and Drug Administration. The wallstreetjournal.com article also said Proctor & Gamble Co. determined Brazilian Blowout contains formaldehyde and removed the product from its Frédéric Fekkai salons. If getting a keratin treatment, be sure to look at product ingredients or go to a well-ventilated and trusted salon for the procedure. Auremar/PhotoSpin

Keratin Treatment Alternatives

After keratin hair treatment controversies developed, many companies created other hair-straightening products. For example, L'Oréal said they will sell straightening product L’Oréal Professional X-Tenso Moisturist in salons beginning in April. "When the whole dilemma about formaldehyde came out, X-Tenso became very popular in Europe because salons wanted to find something that's safe," Alejandro Lopez, vice president and general manager of L'Oreal salon products division, said. Also, many women say an alternative to keratin treatments is embracing and accepting their curly hair. References: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704461304576216470789970688.html?KEYWORDS=Anjali http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/keratin-hair-treatments/p48342/page2 http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/features/keratin-hair-straightening-treatments http://www.livestrong.com/article/180040-keratin-hair-treatment-ingredients/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/248304-how-to-care-for-keratin-protein-treated-hair/ Photo: Getty Images

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