In recent years, the "king" of hair spa treatments is keratin. It shows impressive results in hair restoration, their rehabilitation after unsuccessful dyeing and lack of care. Hairdressers offer their clients keratin straightening, keratin masks and other procedures that significantly affect the health of the hair.
What is keratin?
This is the name of a special protein, its function is to protect hair from mechanical injuries, from loss and brittleness. And if the body is healthy, then this substance will be produced in its tissues in the optimal amount. Natural keratin in this case is enough to make the curls strong and silky.
But damaged hair is definitely not enough keratin, therefore, they can be rehabilitated by the arrival of an artificial protein, which is added to keratin funds. It is synthesized from the wool of sheep.
The keratin formula contains:
- alanine;
- protein;
- glycine;
- cysteine;
- amino acid with sulfur.
By the way, keratin can also be different: beta-keratin is hard, and alpha is soft. The substance penetrates deeply into the structure of the hair, which can be damaged due to cracks, voids, tears. These defects are keratin and fills. Protein treatment is indispensable for hair. Thanks to this component it is possible to restore the moisture balance in the dried curls. This also solves the problem of split ends.
Product Overview
The simplest and most affordable option for everyone is shampoo. This is the first point of keratin hair restoration, for which you do not need to go to the salon. But there are certain limitations: if you bought such a shampoo, then more than once a week you can not use it. On the package you can see information about 5% keratin - this indicator can not be called safe for health.
There are other options.
- Mask. Also cannot be used more often than once a week. If you prefer to focus on masks, then the entire recovery course can not be more than 10 sessions (the minimum number is 7). If there is a hair loss, treatment is urgently stopped.
This negative point is explained by the weighting of curls. The mask can be store (with not the most environmentally friendly composition) and homemade (the option is safer).
- Liquid keratin. You can buy in the store in alternative versions. A spray reminiscent of hairspray is used during combing and styling. But the tool is not the most economical, since it is difficult to control its consumption. You can replace this option with oil, it is sold in ampoules. Also not the most convenient option: if you apply the entire contents of the ampoule, the hair may seem dirty; if you leave part of the product in the container, it will deteriorate.
- Balm. A popular tool that is easy to use. It is applied to already clean hair, previously washed with shampoo with keratin. Apply balm more often than once a week is also not recommended.
Before using a care product, make sure that its advantages look more convincing than disadvantages.
Advantages and disadvantages
Keratin is almost indispensable as a structural hair restorer. An affordable and competitive alternative is not to be found. It makes curls stronger, restores their healthy glow, creates the most favorable external impression. If you have a problem electrifying hair, then it can be solved with keratin. It removes the dryness of hair after curls, stains. A component is also used as an effective rectifier.
But there were some cons:
- its use is fraught with weighting of hair, which turns into their loss (therefore, owners of thin hair should not get carried away with keratin procedures);
- strands under the action of keratin become faster contaminated, take on an untidy appearance on the third or fourth day;
- most store products contain formaldehyde, a potentially hazardous substance for the body;
- do not use keratin products for pregnant and lactating women;
- women with allergies are also contraindicated;
- if the scalp is damaged, even keratin shampoo can not be used;
- cases were recorded when, after home keratin therapy, women felt sick, chest and throat pain appeared, nosebleeds were observed;
- hair color fades faster (we are talking about dyed hair).
Attention: the maximum keratin content in cosmetic products is 0.2%. But not all manufacturers strictly adhere to the standards - in some products you can find an excess of the permissible threshold of up to 10.5%.
It is worth noting that in many Western countries the keratinization procedure is considered unsafe, therefore it is excluded from the price list of hairdressing services.
Is Botox safer?
A direct competitor to keratin is Botox. Both procedures are designed to improve the external condition of the hair, but it is impossible to say that they replace each other. Botox penetrates deep into the hair, does not bypass a single hair, it saves even the most fluffy curls from electrification. And it is really safer, because formaldehyde in its composition is not. But minus the means in the fragility of the action, and in straightening it will not help.
Keratin also provides a longer effect, it straightens curly naughty hair well, quickly returns to its attractive appearance. But a composition far from environmental criteria deprives him of the status of a universal supermedium.
Home Keratin
Preparation
At home, you can also improve the condition of your hair with keratin. The procedure is not the most difficult, but it requires consistency and caution.Certain recipes will help to significantly improve the appearance of hair without visiting a salon.
For keratinization you will need:
- round brush;
- flattening iron;
- spraying agent - spray gun;
- hair dryer.
The main attribute of the procedure is a professional keratin-based product that can be purchased at a specialized store. It is not cheap, but one package is enough for about six sessions.
Performance
It is suggested that you already have a special shampoo with keratin. They need to rinse their hair twice. After thorough washing, gently pat them dry with a towel. Comb a wooden comb with rare teeth.
Further:
- gather on the occipital part of the head all the strands;
- pour into the spray bottle the purchased keratinization solution (how much money is needed depends on the length of the strands);
- Separate a thin layer of hair from below, do not spray on them, but spray them;
- so that the composition is well absorbed, immediately go a comb through the treated hair;
- on the same principle, treat all other hair;
- stand the remedy for 10-13 minutes;
- after that blow dry your head at the usual temperature;
- it remains only to straighten hair with an iron.
At the end of the action, you can apply a little serum with keratin on the curls.
Remarks
If in the near future you are going to dye your hair, do not do this earlier than two weeks after keratinization. You can’t wash your hair for three days, and blow dry and straighten it for two days. Keep your hair dry all the time. When taking a shower, wear a special protective cap.
You can not braid your hair for three days, stab it - avoid all sorts of creases on the curls. The use of styling products is prohibited. Staining, even delayed for two weeks, does not involve the use of ammonia paints.
Do not keratinize before going to sea. I would like to look perfect at the resort, but the effect of moisture will not leave a trace from the cosmetic procedure, as well as visits to the baths, saunas, the pool level the entire effectiveness of keratin hair treatment.
The first three days after keratinization are decisive. If any safety precautions are missed, all efforts may be in vain. Keratin-related procedures have a cumulative effect. The more he did, the more visible the result. But more often than every two to three months keratinization should not be performed - either at home or in the cabin.
If you want to achieve an outwardly similar effect, but without using cosmetic “chemistry,” think about gelling the hair. It is done without special problems at home, and the result is worthy of consideration of this method.
On how to do keratin hair restoration at home, see the next video.
