You may be wondering, can I straighten my hair after a keratin treatment? This is a valid question, considering the treatment itself can be expensive, and you want to keep your new hair. Don’t worry because we have the answers you are looking for!
In this article, we will discuss keratin treatment and whether you can use heat styling tools like straighteners on your newly treated hair. We will also talk about additional ways to care for your hair after a keratin treatment. Read on to find out more!
Can I straighten my hair following a keratin treatment?
Yes, the hair can be straightened after a keratin treatment. It’s pretty important to seal the protein in your hair and keep it straight afterwards, especially during the first few days.
Keratin treatment is a hair straightening process that uses keratin and coats your hair strands. It strengthens the hair shaft, helps reduce frizz and makes hair more manageable.
After receiving a keratin treatment, it is best to keep hair as straight as possible for the next few days. To ensure your keratin-treated hair lasts longer, follow the recommendations below.
- Do not shower or wash your hair for the first 72 hours. This allows the keratin to bond properly with your hair.
- Leave your hair down while you sleep. Avoid ponytails, scrunchies and hair caps, as they can crease your hair.
- Use a silk or satin pillowcase. This reduces the friction between your hair and the pillowcase.
- If your hair sweats, dry your hair as soon as possible on a medium setting. Avoid high heat as it can damage your hair.
- If you find creases in your hair, use a straightener to straighten them on medium heat.
In addition, using a straightener immediately after a keratin treatment is beneficial because the heat activates keratin. This will help seal the keratin into the hair fibers and keep your hair smooth and frizz free.
How to straighten hair after keratin treatment?
For the keratin treatment to achieve the desired effect, keep your hair smooth afterwards by following these steps.
- Wash your hair with shampoo without sodium sulfate. This will help maintain the keratin treatment.
- Use a blow dryer to dry your hair. Next, smooth the hair and create volume with a round brush.
- Divide the hair from the middle into four sections, two in the front and two in the back. You can use hair clips to hold them in place.
- Use a heat protectant spray and let it set.
- Set the iron to the optimal temperature. For fine hair, this usually ranges from 350-375 F while coarse or thicker hair can handle up to 400-450 F.
- Start working on the back pieces first and iron them from top to bottom in one motion. Do this until there are no more wrinkles left.
It is better to use a straightener with ceramic plates instead of metal plates. Ceramic plates reduce the amount of heat damage to your hair. They also make your hair shinier and less frizzy than metal versions.
When you straighten your hair, keep the heat low or medium. High heat can damage your locks as it can cause breakage and strip keratin proteins from your strands.
Common questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions about whether you can straighten your hair after a keratin treatment.
Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for keratin-treated hair. Avoid using blow dryers and straighteners on high heat as they can strip the treatment and cause frizz.
Keratin treatment can last up to several weeks to six months. It all depends on your hair care routine, as washing your hair daily and constantly moisturizing means that the treatment is likely to be short-lived.
So can I straighten my hair following a keratin treatment?
Yes, you can definitely straighten your hair following a keratin treatment. It even benefits your hair as the heat activates and seals the keratin, making it smoother and less frizzy. But be sure to set the heat on low/medium and use a heat protection spray before straightening your hair.
In the first three days after the treatment, you must take care of your hair carefully. The most important thing to do is not to wash your hair during these three days. Also, use a silk pillowcase while sleeping and let your hair down as much as you can.