How to prepare for a keratin hair treatment
What you need to know before you take the plunge.
Always on the hunt for the best possible ways to achieve sleek, poker straight locks? We hear ya. Seriously, us girls are so dedicated in our quest to achieve perfect hair that we often blast it with heat, apply globs of products and follow our favourite celebs on Snapchat religiously for any insider tips and ideas. So, if you’re constantly battling to perfect your straight hair game, you’ll be more than familiar with the keratin hair treatment. Getting rid of frizz and making your locks silky, smooth, and manageable – oh, and straight! – are just some of this popular treatment’s benefits.
Impressed? Well, while it sounds great, this procedure temporarily changes the structure of your hair, therefore it’s important to know all the facts. Presuming you’ve done that (if not, read here!), we’ve pulled together some tips on tricks on how to prepare for your first keratin hair treatment if you’ve decided to take the plunge. Read on to discover exactly what you should do before you sit in the hot seat.
What is a keratin hair treatment?
Our hair is comprised of keratin, a protein that makes locks strong. Over time, keratin can weaken and become more susceptible to damage. Of course, we aid in that process with chemical treatments, heat styling, hair colouring and product overload, to name a few! A keratin treatment works to revive and rearrange the bonds in your hair by filling in what you lost, making your hair smoother, healthier, easier to manage and more resistant to frizz. And did we mention it helps significantly reduce blow drying time?
Without breaking the bonds in your hair, these treatments work to make your strands look and feel healthier. The procedure, however, is temporary (since it only targets the outer layer of your hair) and your locks will eventually go back to their natural state (usually between 2-6 months) after the treatment has been completed.
Preparing your locks for a keratin hair treatment
Know the facts: Before you book your appointment, make sure you do your research on keratin hair treatments to better understand the process and how your hair will change.
Use a deep conditioner: Get your strands ready by including a hair mask or deep conditioner in your routine. These work to revive your locks and replenish lost moisture as they hydrate strands. The point? Giving your hair a little TLC will put it in better condition ahead of your treatment, which increases your chance of sleek hair satisfaction.
Editor’s tip: Formulated with Keratin and Marula oil, we suggest using TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Mask as a deep conditioner, to fight frizz, detangle knots, boost shine, add softness and tame flyaways. For best results use in conjunction with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo.
Consider a trim: Split ends are split ends: there’s no magic formula that’s going to make them disappear. Since you’re about to get straighter, smoother tresses, help make the most of your healthy-looking locks by tidying up broken, damaged ends. A small trim — just an inch or two — should be sufficient.
