All about keratin

Many sooner or later face problems with damaged hair. There can be a variety of reasons for this. Keratin for hair can be their solution. Also, with its help, curls can be straightened. This procedure has become very popular because it allows you to simultaneously achieve the smoothness of the strands and their recovery.

Keratin is a type of natural protein that, with proper functioning of the body, is produced by it independently. The main tasks of this substance in relation to hair:

• protection of curls from mechanical damage;
• prevention of their loss and fragility;
• protection against the formation of split ends;
• giving hair elasticity and maintaining their strength;
• Healthy appearance, shine.

Keratin for cosmetic purposes is extracted from sheep's wool and is part of various professional and care products that are designed to repair damaged curls.

Natural keratin has a diverse composition, but its most valuable components are the protein itself and the amino acid complex, including cystine, cysteine, glycine, alanine. Protein is the basis of keratin, and amino acids give it the ability to accept any condition - liquid, hard, soft, dense.

Cystine, which is part of keratin, is responsible for stiffness. It provides hair strength and protects them from fragility. Cysteine ​​helps create collagen and improves hair elasticity.Healthy elasticity prevents hair damage.

The composition of cosmetics includes hydrolyzed keratin. During chemical processing, the molecules of such a substance are split into smaller ones without prejudice to their reducing ability, which gives them the ability to dissolve in water.

Despite the abundance of pluses, keratin still has its negative sides. And before deciding to conduct such a procedure with curls, it is worth familiarizing yourself with all the information.

The main advantage is that keratin is a natural substance. If for some reason keratin production is disturbed, the hair becomes brittle and dry, the ends begin to split. And replenishing keratin deficiency gives a noticeable result after the first procedure.

Keratin acts on the hair from the inside and removes unwanted dryness, moisturizes and helps create a protective layer. Outside, this layer protects the hair from any external influences and prevents possible mechanical damage. Including this layer protects the hair from heat, preventing the curling iron and hair dryer from drying out the hair.

Curls become soft, obedient and amenable to any styling. For those who suffer from naughty, curly, wavy or curly hair, keratin can be a salvation. The procedure has a long-term effect. Also, with any other straightening of the curls, they can be damaged by the chemical composition, and in this case the roots grow more healthy and shiny, which contrasts with the rest of the hair. In the case of keratin, there will not be such a contrast between regrown roots.

After keratin, the hair becomes soft to the touch after the first procedure. Keratin can restore dried strands even after dyeing or curling and restore them a lively look.

Some cosmetics used for keratinization of hair have a cumulative effect. With each new procedure, the hair will look better. Therefore, at this point, you should pay attention when choosing a product.

Keratin is an economical remedy. If we talk about home use, one bottle is not enough for more than once. Moreover, the result is already after the first procedure, and it should be repeated no more than once every 2-3 months. One bottle is enough for about 4-5 procedures. This is not the final figure, because a lot depends on the frequency of the repetition of the procedures, the degree of damage, the length of the curls.

If we talk about the minuses, then one of the most significant is that formaldehyde is included in the composition of cosmetics based on keratin. It is used as a preservative. In funds, it is contained in small quantities. But procedures with keratin are still contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.

Like any other chemical, keratin can cause an allergic reaction. Before use, it is worth checking the personal tolerance of the product: before the procedure, apply a little product on the skin. The test is best done within 12 hours. After this period, you can evaluate whether there is an allergy or not.

There is also an element of personal perception. Some do not like the smell of the composition, its consistency, may not suit the form of release, the ease of use of the bottle or application to the hair. This is all subjective, so you should rely on your own opinion in such matters.

Some users claim that keratin straightening spoils curls. But often it’s not keratin itself that spoils, but a poorly performed procedure. Straightening occurs under the influence of high temperature. If the master performing the procedure does not apply enough solution to the strand, there is a risk of burning the hair.Therefore, it is better to carry out such a procedure with trusted specialists or pay attention to the quality of processing strands when conducting it at home.

After procedures using keratin, sulfate-free shampoos should be used. They are more expensive than usual, but their use is a prerequisite for the long-term preservation of the effect of the procedure. Sulfate shampoos wash all keratin from the hair and the effect is quickly lost.

Keratin treatments should be used with care on thin hair. It makes them heavier and can lead to hanging out. Oily hair can also be a side effect.

Dyed hair during the keratin treatment can change its color by several tones. This is a consequence of using a deeply cleansing shampoo and filling the hair with keratin. Before further dyeing, it is necessary to inform the master that keratin straightening or keratin-based hair restoration was performed. Then the master will be able to pick you a suitable paint and stain so as to avoid possible unpleasant results.

Also, some attribute the complexity of the procedure to the minuses of keratin recovery, no matter where it is performed: at home or in the salon. But in contrast to this opinion, many users consider it quite simple, taking into account the result that it gives in the end. In this case, it is worth examining the keratinization issue before the procedure and deciding for yourself whether it is suitable or not.

There is a large selection of products for use at home or in the salon, which includes keratin.

The most popular products for home use are shampoos, balms, masks, serums and sprays, as well as hair dye. Similar products can be found in stores or pharmacies. Each product differs in its method of use, which is necessarily described in the instructions. Vitamins and minerals are often added to such household products for additional healing of the hair.

The use of skincare products usually does not produce the same instant effect as keratin restoration in the salon. Many of these tools need to be used constantly or in a course - they have a cumulative effect. During use, keratin accumulates in curls and over time makes them more moisturized, obedient, soft and well-groomed.

Specialized tools for professionals usually consist of several steps and include several products, the phased use of which leads to the desired result. These funds can be used at home on your own. But it is better to turn to a professional to avoid unnecessary damage to the hair - after all, the main task of keratin is to restore curls, and not harm them.

The choice of keratin for professional use (keratin hair straightening, for example) is usually made by a specialist who works with a particular line of professional cosmetics. Before you sign up for a procedure, you can and should clarify with which manufacturer the master works. Then it will be possible to get acquainted in advance with information about the cosmetic product and reviews on it. This will help to avoid trouble if the master is unscrupulous, and the keratin that he uses is of poor quality.

If we talk about keratin, which is suitable for home use, now in the mass market there is a large selection of such funds, and you can always find a suitable option.

Keratin hair serum is produced mainly in ampoules and is an indelible agent that is applied to the curls along the entire length, usually several times a week or after each wash your hair.In addition to the fact that serum restores the hairs, re-filling them with keratin, it also protects them from high temperatures.

Therefore, this format is perfect for those who:

• constantly uses a hairdryer or curling iron and wants to protect her curls;
• wants to restore their shine, elasticity;
• wants to moisturize hair, prevent their fragility.

Many manufacturers offer keratin-based serums: Osis Flatliner from Schwarzkopf, Active Keratine from Belita Vitex, Therapist from Kerastase, Keratin Silk Serum from CHI and others.

Keratin spray is also an indelible care product. It is distinguished from serum by its lighter texture and ease of application. Serums can sometimes have a weighting effect if applied more than required. Sprays do not sin in this way and are suitable for those who:

• wants to maintain the health and beauty of his hair;
• Needs additional conditioning of hair and ease of combing;
• uses a curling iron or hairdryer;
• whose hair is slightly dry and brittle.

The market has a wide selection of conditioning and regenerating keratin sprays: Hair Light Keratin Care Spray from Hair Company, Megapolis spray from Ollin Professional, Indola spray filler, Osmo keratin spray and others.

Keratin shampoos are produced mainly in a single line with balms and masks and are designed to complement each other. Since all these products are washable, the main effect is not immediately visible after the first application, but after some time. The result will have to wait longer, but this effect has its advantages: hair after undergoing such keratin therapy will look shiny and silky after it, since keratin accumulates in the hairs.

This option is suitable for those who:

• constantly uses a hair dryer or curling iron;
• often dyes hair;
• wants to prevent hair damage;
• suffers from dry hair;
• needs to be restored and prevent split ends curls.

Shampoo, balm and mask can be used separately, but the best effect is given by rulers when they are used sequentially and together. Popular lines of hair care products from various manufacturers: “Keratin line” from HairLuxe, “Keratin” from Dr. Sante, Magic "Argan + Keratin" by Eveline Cosmetics and others.

For those who constantly dye their hair, there is a paint with keratin. It is distinguished by a more gentle effect on curls and at the same time the effect of healing. This effect is achieved due to the ammonia-free formula and the content of keratin. Since the paint, in order to penetrate deep into the hair, opens the scales of the hairs, keratin also penetrates with it, which during the exposure of the composition on the curls has a restoring effect. An example of such a paint is “Magic Keratin” by Kapous.

For heavily damaged hair, serums, shampoos and balms with masks will not be the best solution and may not be effective enough. Such keratin-based products are well suited to cope with dry hair, moisturize curls, prevent damage, provide thermal protection, restore split ends.

If the hair was badly damaged, for example, by perming or dyeing, or suffered after a long winter and exposure to cold temperatures, it is worth giving preference to stronger means. In the case of keratin, this role can be played by sets of products for performing keratin restoration of curls for domestic use.

Now it’s very easy to study the instructions before buying any product and evaluate whether this format is suitable for you or it is better to contact a specialist.

Examples of such complexes for keratinization of hair: “Keratine Royal Treatment” from Ollin Professional, “Keratin Treatment” from Greymy, “BC Original” from SK Professional, “Gloss” from Bombshell and others.

For those who are afraid of the effects of high temperatures on the hair and do not pursue the goal of straightening the hair, cold keratin restoration of curls is suitable. With this procedure, instead of exposure to ironing, strands with a composition are either not processed at all or are treated with an infrared ultrasonic iron. An example of a cold keratin reconstitution formulation is N-Solutions from Homma Tokyo.

Among the products for keratin recovery can be found biokeratin.

The procedure for keratin restoration of curls does not give a permanent effect. The result lasts an average of 3 months. Duration depends very much on the means by which the procedure was performed. Some manufacturers promise a duration of effect of up to 4 months.

Also, the duration of the result depends on competent care after the procedure. The implementation of all tips for the care of curls will noticeably extend the duration of the effect, and failure to do so will reduce it.

The frequency of shampooing also affects how soon you need to repeat the keratinization procedure. Sulfate-free shampoo, although not as strong as any other, but still leaches keratin from the hair. So on hair prone to oily, it will last much less than on normal.

With care products like balms, shampoos and sprays, everything is clear: they are applied and washed off or not washed off depending on their purpose. With tools for home or professional keratin curl repair is a little more complicated.

The preparatory phase is mandatory - keratin is not applied to a greasy head. Before applying it, it is necessary to wash it with a special cleansing shampoo to wash away all possible dirt from the curls, as well as to reveal the hair scales. This will ensure that keratin penetrates deeper. If he only envelops the hairs outside - the effect will be short-lived and mediocre.

Almost all manufacturers producing keratin hair restoration products have cleansing shampoo. Normal shampoo for oily hair, which is positioned as a cleanser, will not work. After such washing, balm does not need to be applied.

The next step is the treatment of dried curls with keratin. The product must be applied carefully. Pouring the whole bottle on your hair is not worth it, but you do not need to feel sorry for it, so that the curls do not suffer during the subsequent heat treatment. The composition is not applied to the roots - the indent from them is about one centimeter. It is better to apply keratin to the tips with special attention, since the ends of the strands are often its most damaged part.

The consumption of funds for the length of the hair in one procedure varies within 50 ml. It depends on the quality of the hair, its thickness, density, length and degree of damage. So, for thin long hair less keratin will go than for thick hair.

After exposure time keratin curls are dried with a hairdryer. Experts advise alternating the supply of cold and hot air and not drying your hair at maximum temperature. When the curls dry, they are pulled out with an iron, if there is a goal to straighten hair and a complex of products is suitable for this. Typically, strands are pulled about half a centimeter. Ironing one strand is processed 5-7 times.

Then the hair is cooled, combed and, when the temperature of the hair has fallen to normal, washed with warm water without shampoo and balm. In conclusion, a fixing agent is applied. It can be a cream, mask or balm from the same line with keratin. This is an important step and should not be omitted if it is provided by the manufacturer. After the mask is washed off, the hair is dried completely.

Hair after such a procedure is instantly transformed.

Immediately after the procedure, using some keratin-containing formulations, you can not wet your head for 72 hours. The master must warn about this in advance. To wet is not only to wash your hair or rinse with water. It is also impossible to apply indelible sprays or other liquids, to get in the rain. Otherwise, the result will suffer and may not be so noticeable.

During the same 72 hours, curls can not be tied into a ponytail, braided into braids, pricked with hairpins, and generally wrinkled. Ugly creases can remain on the hair, which will be difficult to remove.

If you use ordinary sulfate shampoo, it will wash keratin from the hair in a short time and return them to their original state.

You can dye your hair after the keratin hair restoration procedure no earlier than two weeks later. If you do this earlier, there are two options for the result:

• the paint will not be taken, because it will not be able to penetrate the hair through the protective layer of keratin;
• the paint will break the protective layer of keratin and wash it out of the hair, thereby spoiling the effect of the procedure and reducing its durability (this applies mainly to ammonia paints).

Before the procedure, also stain no later than two weeks. Otherwise, you need to be prepared for the fact that the tone from the curls can be washed off in whole or in part, and it can be restored not earlier than two weeks after keratinization.

After the procedure, you do not need to use a curling iron or ironing. It is better not to use the hair dryer daily, only if necessary. The best option would be to soak your hair after washing with a towel and letting it dry on its own.

If keratin for some reason wants to be washed off, this can be done with ordinary shampoo.

Most of the reviews of those who went through the procedure of keratin hair improvement are positive. Users notice a noticeable result: silky hair, shine and a healthy look. In their opinion, keratin makes hair much softer and more obedient, has a stated healing effect. Many users praise the straightening effect of keratin and are satisfied with the appearance of the hair after the procedure.

But there are also negative reviews in which users note the absence of a long-term effect after the procedure and the loss of brilliance and vitality for several weeks. There are complaints of allergic reactions and hair damage. The latter is the result of the choice of an inexperienced master or their own home experiments. Users also complain that after keratinization, the hair becomes more oily and lose its natural volume.

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