How to Maintain Hair After a Keratin Treatment?

A keratin treatment is one of the easiest ways to get smooth and glossy hair. Besides making your hair look healthy and shiny, this treatment can help repair your hair. Also, keratin treatments reduce the styling process significantly. But if you want to have good effects from the treatment, you should not only go to the salon but also take care of your hair after.

Unfortunately, most people tend to do things that damage their hair after a keratin treatment without even realizing it. Using the wrong hair products, washing your hair too often, and exposure to high temperatures may ruin your result quickly. In order to preserve the sleekness and healthiness of your hair, you need to follow certain rules of maintenance.

This article will give you the best advice on how to maintain hair after a keratin treatment and keep it healthy and smooth for months.

The First 72 Hours: The Crucial Period

This is probably where people mess up the most. Immediately after keratin treatment, the formula is bonding to the hair cuticles. Whatever interferes with the process will literally break the formula.

Do Not Wash Your Hair

The minimum time span between your keratin treatment and the first wash should be at least 48-72 hours. We understand – especially considering Kochi’s high humidity levels, 72 hours seem to be a very long time for you. But the period cannot be shortened. Water breaks the bond before they have set. If you perspire or get caught in the rain, use a towel to pat the wetness away, do not rub.

Keep It Straight and Loose

No hair ties, no hair clips, no tucking your hair behind your ear. Anything that bends or crimps your hair during this time may result in a permanent crease. Leave your hair down while sleeping or tie your hair softly in a silk scarf to prevent creasing even by your pillow indentation.

Stay Away From Water

One should refrain from exercise sessions, steam baths, and saunas. The coastal humidity of Kochi could be harmful here too. In case one needs to venture out, then they should maintain a dry scalp along with untied hair.

Shampoo Makes a Difference

After the initial 72 hours, you can forget about wash frequency; the choice of shampoo becomes crucial.

Switch to Sulfate-Free Shampoo Immediately

Sulfates are the nemesis of keratin. These are powerful cleansing agents that actually remove keratin from hair – that very same substance you spent money and time putting into it. Be wary of any shampoos containing sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate.

Seek out shampoos that are keratin-friendly, free from sulfates or labeled as color-friendly. Here at Exxude, we can help you find the most suitable products based on your specific hair type and the treatment you have applied.

Limit Frequent Washing

It’s not necessary to wash hair daily. The fewer times you wash your hair, the more durable keratin remains in place. Try extending your wash days to every 2–3 days and use dry shampoo on non-washing days.

Do Not Use Hot Water but Lukewarm

As hot water causes the hair shaft to open up, you may end up losing your keratin easily. Always wash your hair with lukewarm water and rinse with cold water to lock it all back in place. You may need time to adjust but you hair will appreciate it.

Conditioning & Deep Conditioning

Your hair requires keratin to smoothen its surface; however, nourishing it from within is also necessary.

Use a Keratin-Compatible Conditioner

Apply the conditioner to your hair from mid-shaft to the ends without applying any to the scalp. Wait for two minutes and then rinse off the conditioner. For optimum effect, combine it with your sulfate-free shampoo.

Once-a-Week Hair Mask Treatment

Weekly use of a hair mask will go a long way considering the harsh effects of the sun and sea salt in Kerala. Use hair masks containing ingredients such as argan oil, coconut oil, or hydrolyzed keratin. Apply the mask after washing your hair, let it stay for 15–20 minutes, then rinse.

Heat Styling After Keratin: Yes, But Smartly

The best thing about keratin treatment is that your blow-drying time is cut to a fraction. But careless use of hot styling equipment is likely to shorten the lifespan of the keratin treatment.

Use Heat Protectant Every Time

Prior to flat ironing or blowing or curling with any other tool, always apply heat protectant to your hair. It creates a protective coat that keeps the keratin layer away from the direct impact of heat.

Reduce the Heat Setting

You don’t have to crank up your temperature settings to 230°C anymore since your hair is smooth from keratin treatment. Lower temperatures of about 180°C work perfectly fine. Otherwise, you’ll only be reducing the lifespan of the keratin treatment.

Allow Air Drying Where Possible

Avoid styling with heat when you can and allow your hair some time to air dry. Gently pat dry using a microfiber towel and leave your hair to dry naturally since the weather in Kerala is quite favorable for it.

What to Steer Clear of for Long-Lasting Effects

There are certain things that can sabotage your keratin treatment without your knowledge.

No Chlorine and Saltwater Swims

If you’re going to swim at a pool or in the ocean, these are two places where your keratin can be quickly washed away. In particular, chlorine is very harsh and bleaches the hair along with breaking down the keratin coating. To protect yourself against this effect, cover your hair by wearing a swim cap, then wash your hair after with a sulfate-free shampoo.

No Tight Hairstyles

Braids, ponytails, or buns pulled too tightly lead to friction and pressure, causing breakage and reducing the effectiveness of the keratin treatment. Go for loose braids and silk scrunchies if you want to keep your hair up.

Skip Shampoo and Conditioners Loaded with Sodium Chloride

While sulfate-free shampoo should be used, some shampoos use sodium chloride as a thickener.

Humidity in Kerala: Your Biggest Threat

Staying in Kochi or any other part of Kerala coastline implies coping with one of the most humid environments around. However, the positive thing is that keratin treatment is created specifically to resist the effects of humidity on frizz. Nevertheless, if you want to maximize its effectiveness under such weather conditions, below there are several additional pieces of advice for you.

Anti-humidity serum: Using a serum or finishing spray will provide your hair with protection from humidity.

Clarifying rinse: Weekly use of clarifying rinse will help you remove excess products without washing off your treatment.

Silk pillowcase: While cotton pillowcase may cause a lot of statics during the night, using a silk pillowcase can prevent this problem.

When to Return for Touch-Up Treatment

It usually takes anywhere from three to six months for keratin treatment to wear out, based on your hair type, frequency of washing, and care routine. This can be determined by the appearance of frizziness near the roots of your hair or the drying speed slowing down from the treated state.

Avoid waiting for your hair to revert to its natural state before seeking touch-up treatment. Returning at an opportune time before complete fading allows you to use less product and get cumulative benefits from subsequent treatments.

Conclusion

One of the best ways to invest in yourself and your hair is a keratin treatment, particularly in a humid coastal city such as Kochi. However, it makes no sense if you don’t take care of the treatment after getting it done. With proper care, your hair will look and feel fabulous.

In case you find yourself confused about what kind of products to use or your hair needs a bit of a boost in between your visits to our salon, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal at Exxude Styling Lounge is not just to apply the treatment and see you off.