Hair Care

How To Prepare For A Keratin Treatment On Your Hair

A keratin treatment can provide you with silky smooth hair that doesn’t take you hours to style anymore.

If you are planning on having a keratin treatment done on your hair, there are a few things that you can do to help ensure you get your money’s worth out of the service.

With a keratin treatment, your hair can be silky smooth and frizz-free for up to 8 weeks, but there are a few ways that you can prepare ahead of time in order to make sure your treatment last as long as possible.

You can use these tips for both professional treatments as well as any at home keratin treatments as well.

What To Do Before Getting A Keratin Hair Treatment

Follow these tips to prepare for your keratin treatment so you can have successfully silky smooth hair.

Confer With Your Hair Stylist To Find Out Exactly What Type Of Keratin Treatment Is Best For You

There are several different types of keratin hair treatments. It’s important that you ask your hair stylists questions beforehand so that you get the best treatment for your hair type and color. Also, make sure you are upfront with your stylist with any type of products or chemicals you have used on your hair in the past few weeks as they can affect the whole straightening process.

Also, check with the stylist to see what type of ingredients are in the treatment. A lot of salons have moved away from using keratin treatments that have formaldehyde in them, but it’s a good idea to ask if any of the ingredients may have side affects with your health.

There are also some newer keratin treatments that are slightly different than the traditional ones and don’t come with all the aftercare rules.

It’s a good idea to discuss this with your stylist so you know what to expect afterwards as well as how long you can estimate your appointment may take. Most traditional treatments take approximately 2 hours while some newer ones that don’t require the 3 day rule take up to 4 hours.

Consider Coloring Your Hair Before Your Keratin Treatment Appointment

If you have plans on coloring your hair or you need a root touch up it is recommended that you color your hair before the keratin treatment.

The reason why you should color it before and not during the same appointment or right afterwards is because once the keratin has been applied to your hair, it sort of closes off the hair shaft. This means that the color won’t be able to penetrate the hair shaft properly you may end up with an even color or even hair that doesn’t take the color at all.

If you aren’t able to color your hair before the treatment process it is recommended that you wait at least 2-3 weeks after the process to color your hair.

Be Prepared With The Proper After Care Hair Products

After having a keratin hair treatment you most likely will have to change out some of your hair care products. Some products, like smoothing serums, you may not need anymore, while other products like shampoos and conditioners may need to be swapped for different ones.

If you want your hair smooth and silky for longer than a week or so I recommend that you get a quality shampoo for keratin treated hair. These shampoos don’t have any sulfate or sodium chloride, which can strip away the keratin from your hair. If you use your normal shampoo and it has sulfate in it, you’ll find your hair frizzy and not so straight anymore after only 1-2 weeks.

I also recommend picking up a good quality dry shampoo, especially for those 72 hours after your treatment when you can’t get your hair wet.

Also, the less you have to wash your hair the longer your treatment will last. It’s not a bad idea to use dry shampoo for every other shampooing after your hair is treated.

Be Sure To Follow The After Care Tips To Make Your Treatment Last Longer

There are certain aftercare tips that you should follow in order to make your keratin last longer. This is especially true with your traditional style treatment in which you need to wait 72 hours before you can get your hair wet or style your hair.

There are some other things that you should know about taking care of your hair afterwards as well if you want it to last as long as possible.

Be sure to ask your stylist for any tips or advice that she has or check out my guide on how to take care of keratin treated hair if you plan on doing the keratin at home.

Just like anything you do with your hair, getting a keratin treatment does take some research and reading so that you can get the best results. Keratin treatments aren’t cheap so you want to make sure that you plan ahead properly so you can have silky, frizz-free hair for as long as possible before heading back to the salon.

Keratin Treatment Aftercare FAQ Guide and Tips

If you just got back from the hair salon or are scheduled for a keratin treatment coming up, you may have a few questions about what you can expect after getting your hair treated.

When you have keratin treated hair, there are certain precautions you should take to help ensure you get the most out of your money. If you follow some simple tips you can extend the life of your treatment and go even longer in between your hair appointments.

Here are some frequently asked questions about keratin treatment aftercare to help you maintain your silky smooth locks for longer.

How To Care For Keratin Treated Hair

How Long Does A Brazilian Keratin Treatment Last?

The average keratin treatment last approximately 12-14 weeks.

Of course this varies greatly depending on you hair maintenance as well as the type of hair you have.

If you don’t change any part of your normal hair care routine you may find that the keratin is stripped away from your strands within 2 weeks time. You will also find that the more you wash your hair during this time period the quicker your hair will return back to its normal state.

On the other hand, if you take the proper precautions and tips that I list below you could easily have straight, healthy hair for up 6-8 months.

When Can You Wash Your Hair After Getting The Treatment?

The most important thing you have to remember after a keratin hair treatment is to never wash your hair the first 72 hours after the treatment.

Not only should you not wash your hair during this time, but you shouldn’t allow it to get wet at all.

If you find that your hair is getting quite oily or dirty during these 3 days, you can use a good dry shampoo to help clean it up a bit. But, just remember to not get it wet with any type of hair product nor wash it at all for those first 3 days.

Once those 72 hours are up, you need to make sure that you use one of the best shampoos for keratin treated hair. The shampoo that you use should should have absolutely no harsh chemicals that will strip away the keratin from your hair.

Make sure that any shampoo or conditioner that you use is completely sulfate-free as well as sodium chloride-free.

Also, you want to wash your hair with as cool water as possible or at lest lukewarm water. Too hot of water can cause the keratin to start pulling off the strands and can also damage your strands. Even when you don’t have straightened hair it’s still a good idea to not wash your hair in hot water.

How To Take Care Of Your Hair the First 3 Days After A Brazilian Keratin Treatment

How you take care of your hair the first 3-4 days after the treatment will have a huge impact on how long your hair will remain silky smooth. If you don’t follow the proper guidelines during this time, you aren’t going to have very good results.

As mentioned above, never ever wash your hair until at least 72 hours after the procedure. Do not get it wet at all, so make sure you bring your umbrella with you and don’t go near a pool or beach.

The other things to keep in mind during those first 3-4 days include:

Don’t use any hair clips, bands or ponytails in your hair
Try not to tuck your hair behind your ears
Avoid touching your hair as much as possible
Only use dry shampoo if you really need to clean your hair
Do not use any styling tools or heat near your hair such as a straightener or curling iron
No workouts that will cause you to seat excessively

You should follow these guidelines for the first 72 hours to help you ensure that your hair really takes to the treatment and you have the straightest hair possible without any waves or bumps.

Important Sleeping Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Keratin Treatment

You may not know if but you can actually extend the life of your keratin straightening treatment by simply making a few changes to how you sleep.

The first tip is to use only a satin or silk pillowcase. These materials don’t create as much friction between the pillowcase and your hair as cotton material does. The less friction the less frizz and breakage you will have.

Secondly, never wear your hair in any type of ponytail or bun when sleeping. This can not only damage your hair but you’ll find that it will make your straightening treatment last a lot shorter than usual.

If you are the type of person that can’t stand your hair down while sleeping you can try to use a silk scarf to cover your hair at night and keep it off your face.

Lastly, if you want the most out of your straightening treatment, then try not to go to bed with your hair wet or damp.

Although it’s a good idea to air dry your hair after washing, you don’t want to sleep on the hair when it is still wet. Wet hair at night may not strip the keratin from your hair, but you will find that your hair won’t be as straight and smooth as it could be if you simply go to bed with dry hair.

What To Know About Using Styling Products After A Keratin Treatment

As mentioned above you should avoid any type of styling products that have chemicals that will break down the keratin in your hair.

The chemicals that you should steer clear of include sulfate, sodium chloride, and other parabens.

I recommend that you use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair. A good leave-in conditioner will help to keep your hair from drying out as well as help tame your tresses as well. It can also help your hair to feel softer and even look shinier.

Just be sure to use a conditioner on that doesn’t have any of the no-no ingredients listed above.

If your hair is really dry or you feel like it doesn’t look as healthy as you would like you can use a deep conditioner or conditioning masque anywhere from once to twice a month. These deep conditioners help to really add in more moisture to your hair and provide vital nutrients and vitamins to keep your hair healthy.

Just don’t over do it as they are not made to be used on a daily basis. Start out using them once every 2-3 weeks to see how your hair responds.

If you blow-dry your hair often you can also use a heat protectant spray to help guard your hair from damage from the blow dryer. When blow drying your hair it’s a good idea to use a cooler setting as a keratin treatment actually makes your hair drying process a lot quicker. You don’t need the high heat after a keratin treatment and you actually want to avoid it so you don’t strip away the proteins from your hair.

You’ll find that after having the straightening treatment done you won’t need a lot of products to get the style you want. You can probably ditch most of the gels, mouses and hair sprays that you used before. The less stuff you put in your hair, the longer your treatment will last.

It’s also recommended that you wash your hair as little as possible as each washing breaks down the keratin. That means you may want to pick up a sulfate-free dry shampoo as an alternative to washing your hair every day. The dry shampoo will help your hair to still look clean and healthy even when you haven’t washed it for 2 or 3 days.

Can I Color My Hair Hair After A Keratin Treatment?

It is not recommended that you color your hair right after having a Brazilian keratin straightening treatment.

If you do color your hair, you should do it before the treatment (it can be done right before at the same salon appointment) or you should wait at least 2-3 weeks after you get your hair treated.

If you choose to color your hair right after the you’ll find that your color won’t be even due to the layer of proteins that is applied to the hair during the blowout treatment. It acts as a barrier so the hair dye may not take properly or may turn your hair spotty in certain areas.

The best time to actually color your hair is right before the keratin because it helps to seal in the color.

What Type of Hairstyles Can You Do With Keratin Straightened Hair ~ Can You Curl Your Hair?

One of the most common questions that I hear when it comes to straightening treatments is, can you curl your hair after a keratin treatment?

As mentioned before, you should never attempt to curl or style your hair the first 3 days after the treatment. But once those 72 hours are up, you have a lot more freedom when it comes to being able to style your keratin treated hair.

Yes, you can absolutely curl your hair after a keratin treatment.

This type of service doesn’t mean that you will have stick-straight hair but instead it helps to reduce the volume of the hair and restores it back to a healthy condition. This means most people find their hair straighter and with less frizz.

This also means that you may still have to run a straightening iron through your hair or you can curl it or add waves with a curling iron or wand.

With keratin treated hair you can basically do just about any type of hairstyle as long as you have waited the initial 72 hours after the treatment.

You’ll most likely find though that any style you choose won’t take you as long to accomplish from straightening to curling as it did before. One of the best benefits of keratin treatments is the fact that you won’t have to spend as much time styling your hair as you did before.

In Conclusion

The most important aftercare measures come within the first 3 days of having the application done to your hair. In those first 72 hours just be sure that you follow the advice of your hair stylist and don’t get your hair wet or put anything in your hair.

After your first shampoo you’ll find that you can simply have fun with your new, shiny and smooth hair and just take a few precautions to help make your keratin treatment last as long as possible.

The Best Shampoo For Keratin Treated Hair 2018

What Shampoo Is Good For Keratin Treated Hair?

With a keratin treatment you can get that smooth and silky hair you may have always wanted, but if you don’t use the best shampoo for keratin treated hair you may just be throwing your money right down the drain.

Most shampoos have harsh chemicals and other ingredients that will strip away the keratin, causing your treatment to not last as long as you would hope. Some of these shampoos can even cause other problems including dry scalp and actual damage to the strands of your hair.

Fortunately there are some great products available that will help your keratin treatment last longer as well as keep your hair and scalp as healthy as possible.

In A Hurry —> Click Here to check out my pick for the best shampoo for keratin treated hair.

How To Choose A Shampoo For Keratin Hair

The one most important thing you should know about choosing the best shampoo for keratin treated hair is only use shampoo that is both sulfate-free as well as sodium chloride free.

Both of these chemicals not only strip away the keratin from the hair but are also skin irritants. Which means even people who haven’t recently gotten a keratin treatment should avoid these chemicals in their shampoo as well.

You should also be on the lookout for certain keratin shampoo brands that claim to be safe for using after treatments but actually contain sulfates.

There are even some sulfate-free shampoos that are actually hiding Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in their ingredients and simply list it something else such as DEA (Diethanolamine) or TEA (Triethanolamine).

According to the International Journal of Toxicology, humans should only use skin products that contain less than 1% of SLS. You won’t find a shampoo that has SLS in it with less than 1% unless it is completely sulfate free.

This is why I recommend that you only use the shampoos listed below to help ensure the longevity of your keratin treatment.

These shampoos are all sulfate-free as well as sodium chloride free and don’t have any hidden chemicals that will do damage to your treated hair.

The Best Sulfate Free Shampoo After Keratin Treatment

LuxeOrganix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo

Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo

This shampoo is completely safe and healthy for colored treated hair as well as keratin treated hair.

You’ll find that women who have used this shampoo don’t go back to their normal drugstore shampoos as this is definitely one that you’ll want to use all the time.

There are a lot of great benefits for your hair and scalp when you use this shampoo.

The shampoo has absolutely no sulfates, sodium chloride, parabens, or phthalates or other harsh chemicals. It’s even gluten free.

It contains a UV and thermal protectant to help protect your hair from heat from styling tools such as hair dryers and straighteners, as well as the sun’s rays.

The argan oil helps to replenish vital nutrients and moisture back into dry or brittle hair. It’s great for all hair types as it helps to balance out your own natural oils.

It contains Vitamin B5 that helps strengthen hair and helps prevent hair from breaking.

Some people have even found it to help relieve itchy scalps and dandruff as it helps to provide natural oils and vitamins to the scalp as well as the hair.

With this shampoo you don’t have to worry about the strong smell as you do with some other natural shampoos that tend to have strong smelling oils. This has a gentle citrus floral scent.

The Luxe Organix rejuvenating argan oil shampoo also has a set with the conditioner so you don’t have to worry about finding the best conditioner for your keratin treated hair as well. The conditioner also is chemical free and is great for keeping your hair smooth and manageable.

You’ll find yourself using this shampoo long after your keratin treatment has worn off as it’s just a simple, great hair care product.

The one thing to keep in mind is that this shampoo conditioner set will cost you a bit more money than what a drugstore shampoo cost. But, you’ll also find that it is cheaper than most salon shampoos that don’t even work as well for keratin treatments as this shampoo does.

More Great Shampoos For Keratin Straightened Hair

Here are a few more sulfate free shampoos that would also work great for extending your keratin treatment and making your hair super healthy as well.

Art Naturals Organic Argan Oil Shampoo

Art Naturals Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set

This is another good option for shampoo after a keratin treatment. It is made of all natural organic Moroccan argan oil that helps to gently clean your hair without stripping color or keratin.

Some of the reasons why I recommend this product include:

Sulfate-free as well as paraben free.
Ingredients are all 100 percent natural and include botanical extracts as well as the argan oil.
Helps hair to maintain natural moisture and oils as well as helps strengthen and protect your hair.
Gentle on the scalp and good for people with itchy scalp or sensitive skin.
Smell is very pleasant and mild unlike some other natural shampoos.
Comes as an affordable set with the shampoo as well the conditioner that also helps to protect your straightened hair.

Most people notice that this product makes hair tangle free and silky smooth even if you haven’t had a recent keratin treatment, which makes it a great choice for an every day shampoo.

OGX Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo

Although this is a keratin therapy shampoo that is designed to help give people smoother, straighter hair, it’s also great for hair that has had a keratin treatment already.

You’ll find that when you use this type of shampoo your hair will be even smoother and straighter because it’s not stripping the keratin from your hair but instead is helping to strengthen it. This makes all the strands much smoother and silkier than if you just used a regular shampoo.

Here are a few other features that make this product a great choice.

Has only sulfate-free surfactants listed in the ingredients, which means no harsh chemicals to damage your hair.
Made with coconut oil and keratin proteins to strengthen and soften the hair.
Avocado oil and cocoa butter help smooth the hair as well as make it shiny.
Helps with dry or frizzy hair to add natural moisture to the hair without being greasy.

This shampoo from OGX is a great alternative to the argan oil shampoos if you want something a bit different to see if your hair responds better to coconut oil.

The neat thing about this product is that users have actually mentioned it extending their keratin treatment since it does have the keratin proteins right in the shampoo. This can help you save some money in the long run from being able to go longer in between your salon appointments.

Puracy Natural Shampoo

Puracy Natural Daily Shampoo

Check out this shampoo if you are interested in an all natural ingredient shampoo that has absolutely no harsh chemicals in it.

Puracy shampoo was developed by doctors to help women and men with all hair types restore the natural oils and nutrients back into the hair. You see, most shampoos people use contain sulfates and other chemicals that actually strip natural hair oils making the hair weaker and drier (or oilier depending on the ingredients).

This shampoo has no sulfates or other chemicals that can ruin keratin treated hair.

Some other nice features include:

A blend of Vitamin E and B5 with olive oil to help static and frizzy hair.
Fresh citrus and mint smell with a hint of eucalyptus gives a clean scent to hair without any chemicals or artificial fragrances.
Vegan, gluten-free and hypoallergenic.

This shampoo may be a great option for anyone looking to go completely chemical free while maintaining their Brazilian keratin treatment.

Can You Use Dry Shampoo After A Keratin Treatment?

Yes, you can use a dry shampoo after a keratin treatment, but just like the normal ones above, make sure you choose one that doesn’t contain any sulfates or other harsh chemicals that may damage your treated hair.

In fact, dry shampoo may just become your best friend after a keratin treatment, especially when you can’t wash your hair for the first 72 hours after the treatment.

Dry shampoo is a powder material that is applied to your hair (usually just in the roots) to help soak up the dirt and excess oil you may have lying around. It refreshes the hair and helps to not only make it smell better but also make it look less oily as well.

Best Dry Shampoo For Keratin Hair

Although you may not “need” a dry shampoo after a keratin treatment, I still totally recommend you pick one up as it’s nice to have not only after getting your hair straightened but can be used on those days where you just don’t have the time or energy to wash your hair.

Here are a couple recommended dry shampoos for keratin treated hair.

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk For All Hair Types

This is a great dry shampoo that is sulfate, paraben, and sodium chloride free. In fact you won’t find any harsh chemicals in this dry shampoo that may damage or weaken your hair.

It includes plant-based ingredients that are gentle on your hair but still do a great job at cleansing.

The oat milk that is in the product helps to clean hair in only a few minutes and you absolutely don’t need any water at all.

If you have ever used a dry shampoo before you know that some don’t have the most pleasant odor.

With this one you don’t have to worry as it actually smells really good and the smell alone can simply freshen up your hair.

It’s super simple to use as you simply shake well and then spray it evenly over the roots of your hair. Wait about 2-3 minutes and then brush your hair like normal.

This product would be great for those days after your keratin treatment when you can’t get your hair wet as well as simply a good product to help you extend the days in between shampooing.

Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo

Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo

Te name of this shampoo may be a bit corny but it definitely is another good choice for a dry shampoo, especially if you are looking for one that doesn’t have a strong or distinct smell.

The shampoo is talc-free but will still soak up oils and product build up from your tresses. All you have to do is spray, brush and style the way you want for healthier and cleaner looking hair.

Plus you can pick up this dry shampoo for a really good price especially when you compare it to salon quality brands that don’t work as well.

It’s super lightweight and works for both dark and lighter hair colors so you don’t have to worry about buying a specific type according to your hair color.

FAQ: When Can You Wash Your Hair After A Keratin Treatment?

You need to keep your hair completely dry for 72 hours after a keratin treatment.

That means no washing your hair for 3 days or you may just find your hair a frizzy, kinky mess instead of smooth and silky.

This also means that you should go and buy the dry shampoo I recommended above to at least keep your hair clean and fresh for those 72 hours.

It’s not the shampoo that will ruin the treatment but the water, so no getting caught in the rain as well.

3 More Tips For Washing Your Hair After a Keratin Straightening Treatment

1. How Often Should You Wash Your Hair After A Keratin Straightening Treatment?

For the average woman, washing your hair every day is not the best idea. Washing your hair every day can lead to dry, brittle hair and can even have the opposite effect and make your hair oilier. It strips away the natural oils in your hair, which is never a good thing.

Once you have waited the 72 hours after the treatment to wash your hair, I would recommend that you not wash your hair more than every other day.

Most women may even find going 2-3 days in between washings and simply using the dry shampoo is best for their hair.

Sometimes you will even find that after a good quality keratin blowout you can go even longer in between washing your hair and may only need to wash your hair twice a week.

Keep in mind the less products that you use on your hair, the longer your hair will remain smooth and straight. More products may just mean more hair appointments and more money.

2. What Type Of Conditioner Should You Use After A Keratin Treatment?

It’s important that you use a good conditioner that will help protect your hair as well as moisturize it but won’t weight it down with that heavy product feel.

You can use a normal conditioner that you wash out or you can choose a leave-in conditioner as well. It’s all up to what you prefer and what your hair responds best to.

If you are looking for a new conditioner I recommend Maple Holistics Silk 18 Conditioner. This conditioner is sulfate-free and doesn’t have any other harmful ingredients, but it does have amino acids derived from silk that make your hair feel wonderful after using it.

If you are looking for a leave-in conditioner, check out It’s A 10 Miracle Leave In Conditioner. This conditioner has tons of great reviews and is perfectly safe on all hair types including the chemically straightened.

It even has keratin in the ingredients to help replace some of the proteins in the hair that can be stripped away. It’s great to use after a Brazilian blowout but can be used anytime as it helps with frizzyness as well as keeping your hair healthy and balanced.

3. Can’t You Just Use Your Normal Shampoo With Keratin Straightened Hair?

If you paid quite a bit of money for your keratin treatment you may be wondering why you have to go and spend more money on a different shampoo. The reason why I recommend that you buy one of these top shampoos listed above is because it will end up saving you money in the long term.

Keratin treatments only work if you don’t strip the keratin away from the strands of hair. With any type of shampoo that has sulfate or sodium chloride, the keratin is stripped right out of the hair, making the treatment you just had done completely useless.

If you want to continue having sleek and smooth straight hair, you need to use one of the sulfate free and sodium chloride free shampoos that I recommend. If you just use your normal shampoo that you have been using and it does contain one of these chemicals you’ll find that your treatment won’t last very long and you’re hair may even look damaged after a few weeks.

So, extend your hair appointments a little longer, save yourself some money and buy the best shampoo for keratin treated hair and you may just be surprised at how beautiful your hair looks for weeks and weeks.