Keratin Treatments Explained: The Science, Benefits & What to Expect

Keratin is the protein your hair is already made of — about 95% of each strand. So when a treatment is called "keratin," what it's really doing is filling in the gaps where heat, chemicals, and time have stripped that protein away. Think of it as patching potholes in a road.

The three types of keratin treatments

1. Keratin smoothing (Brazilian blowout) — coats the cuticle to reduce frizz and cut styling time by 50–80%. Hair stays wavy or curly, just smoother. Lasts 3–5 months. Formaldehyde-free formulas are now the standard.

2. Keratin express — a shorter version (1 hour vs 3) for a quick refresh. Lasts 4–6 weeks. Great before an event.

3. Cysteine treatment — uses an amino acid instead of keratin. Gentler, safer for damaged hair, and the most natural-looking result. Lasts 3 months.

What actually happens in the chair

The stylist washes your hair with a clarifying shampoo, applies the keratin solution section by section, seals it in with a flat iron at 230°C (this bonds the keratin to your hair), and rinses. You'll sit with the solution on for 20–45 minutes. Total time: 2–3 hours.

Aftercare — this is where most people go wrong

Use sulfate-free shampoo only (sulfates strip the keratin). Avoid washing for 48–72 hours after treatment. Skip chlorine and salt water for two weeks. Use a silk pillowcase. Do these four things and your treatment lasts months longer.

Is keratin right for you?

Best candidates: frizzy, wavy, or curly hair that takes 30+ minutes to style. Not recommended for: very fine or straight hair (it can look flat), pregnant women (formaldehyde concerns — choose cysteine instead), or hair that's been bleached multiple times.

Get 15% off your keratin treatment and ask your stylist which formula suits your hair best.