“It’s such a waste of time and money to head to the hair salon every other day to have my hair brushed just so I could look decent,” said Maha Mohammed. “I have curly, wild hair and I have to visit the hair salon regularly to control it, for I don’t have time to do it myself. However, with time, my hair has lost its shine and I now suffer from dry ends due to all the blow-drying.”
In the last decade or so, many hair chemical treatments became popular for their ability to straighten curly hair and keep it smooth. One treatment that many experts recommend, if done by a professional, is Keratin.
“Keratin is a type of liquid treatment made from Keratin protein, which already exists in natural hair but fades away after abusing your hair with coloring, heat and other chemicals,” said a hair specialist at an international hair salon in Jeddah. “Keratin is the ultimate solution to your hair because it protects it from the sun, controls dandruff, makes it shiny and gives it texture. And, the best part about this treatment, which is done every six months, is that it works on all kinds of hair, be it frizzy, colored, curly, damaged, oily or even wild and unmanageable.”
“Many women think that spending this much money every six months on a hair treatment is not worth it, but this is not true, as it saves you money from getting your hair done at the salon or from having buy expensive instant hair treatment,” she added. “It’s known that Keratin is good for your hair, as it gives it all sorts of vitamins. Plus, you only have to do twice a year. So, this much money is only spent every six months and you’ll be worry-free.”
It’s easy to apply Keratin to one’s hair, but a professional should do it to avoid any mistakes. “To start with, the customer’s hair should be wet and shampoo-free because shampoo contains chemicals and we want the hair to be just clean. We also only towel-dry the hair without using a blow dryer. Then, we separate the hair into four sections and spread Keratin evenly while combing it to avoid soaking the hair. We leave the Keratin to sit for 15 minutes and then dry the hair with a blow dryer. Finally, we divide the hair into two sections and use a flattening iron to straighten the hair,” explained the hair specialist.
There are two different kinds of Keratin used in hair salons: Brazilian and American.
“I believe that the Brazilian is better because it’s full of vitamins and is healthy for the hair. Some salons use cheaper products, or Keratin mixed with other strengthening products, and that is why it is cheaper,” she said.
“Once you get the Keratin treatment and your hair is straightened, it is very important that you do not wash your hair for four days after the treatment. Furthermore, when you do eventually wash it, you should only use a special shampoo and conditioner that is chemical-free for the next six months, until it’s time for your next treatment,” emphasized the hair specialist.
Keratin is not advisable for pregnant women or people with breathing disorders since a lot of steam is let out during the ironing phase as well as a strong smell. It is recommended that women double-check with their doctor if the treatment is suitable for them before getting it done. However, for people with no health problems, they can either wear a mask or carry a fan.
According to Dr. Ahmed Zaher Allayali, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Consultant of Dermatology and Cosmetics at Silky Image Clinics in Jeddah, Keratin treatments are generally safe.
“Keratin is a deep conditioning agent, so using those kinds of agents makes the hair shaft stronger and superior,” he said. “However, I advice women not to overdo it because some might get dandruff since Keratin comes from animals,” said Allayali.
“As for side effects, seven percent of customers might have intense hair loss, while two percent might have a reversed effect where their hair gets damaged rather than healthier,” he added.
Ultimately, he cautions customers to make sure the Keratin product is formaldehyde-free since some contain small amounts, which is harmful.
