Keratin Treatment: Benefits and Risks

Keratin treatment promises smooth, healthier hair that can last up to six months, but is it really that simple? Before deciding to undergo this popular treatment, it’s important to understand both the benefits and potential risks. This guide will help you make an informed decision!

What is a Keratin Treatment?

Keratin is a protein naturally produced by your body, which is essential for the formation of hair, nails, and the outer layer of your skin (epidermis). It helps maintain skin health, speeds up wound healing, and contributes to the strength of your nails and hair. The fur of animals, feathers, hooves, and horns also consist of keratin. The keratin used in hair treatments is usually derived from ground animal parts (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Keratin treatment, also known as a Brazilian blowout, is a chemical process typically performed in a salon. It helps smooth the hair cuticle, giving the hair a natural shine and healthier appearance. It can also speed up the hair drying process, making styling easier. However, these treatments can be quite expensive and contain ingredients that may be potentially harmful, carrying certain health risks (Gallagher, 2024).

The procedure for a keratin treatment includes (Cleveland Clinic, 2022):

• Washing the hair with a special shampoo and drying it with a towel;
• Applying a liquid keratin solution to the hair in small sections.
• Blow-drying the hair.
• Pressing the hair at high temperature to seal the keratin solution into the hair.

After the treatment, it is recommended not to wet the hair for several days, tie it back with elastics, or pull it back with clips, hats, or sunglasses. You may need to use special shampoos and other hair products to maintain the treatment's effects, such as sulfate-free hair products. When performed by a professional, your hair will be smooth and voluminous for up to six months (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Benefits of Keratin Hair Treatment

The benefits of keratin treatments can vary depending on your hair type and condition, as well as the care and products you use. Some of the benefits you can expect include the following (Iftikhar, 2023; Gallagher, 2024):

Silky Hair. Exposure to the sun, the use of dyes, and other chemical treatments can damage the natural keratin in your hair, creating porous areas more prone to breakage and other damage. Keratin treatments help “fill in” these damaged areas, leaving the hair smoother, silkier, and shinier. Keratin treatments can also reduce the appearance of split ends by temporarily "bonding" them together.

Smoother Hair. Depending on the products used, a keratin treatment can straighten curly or wavy hair, making it smoother and easier to style. A keratin treatment doesn’t necessarily result in completely straight hair. Some treatments only reduce the “frizz” effect, giving curls or waves a softer, smoother look.

Stronger and Thicker-Looking Hair. By replenishing lost keratin in the hair shaft, keratin treatments can make hair stronger and more resistant to breakage. For many, this can lead to longer hair, as the strands are less likely to break. In addition to strengthening hair, replenishing keratin can give it a fuller, thicker appearance, making it look healthier.

Easier-to-Style Hair. Keratin treatments make hair easier to style, especially if your hair is prone to frizz and unruly.

Long-Lasting Effects. With proper care and avoiding excessive washing (2-3 washes per week are enough), the effects of the treatment can last up to six months.

Faster Drying Time. If you frequently use styling tools, you will notice that your hair dries more quickly after a keratin treatment. Many people report that keratin cuts drying time by more than half. Your hair can also become healthier and stronger because you can air-dry it more often, preventing heat damage.

Faster Hair Growth. Keratin treatments can make your hair stronger and less prone to breakage, which can give the impression that your hair is growing faster, as the ends don’t break.

Potential Health Risks and Downsides of Keratin Treatments

Cancer Risk and Various Side Effects. Although keratin is a natural protein, keratin treatment products often contain additional chemicals, including formaldehyde — a chemical used as a disinfectant, fungicide, and pesticide. Formaldehyde is also used in funeral homes and medical labs to slow the decomposition of bodies. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause cancer (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlights that formaldehyde and related chemicals in keratin treatments may cause side effects such as eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea, chest pain, vomiting, and rashes. These reactions have been reported by both consumers who have had keratin treatments and stylists who performed them. These effects typically occur during or immediately after the treatment, but it is still unclear whether keratin treatments containing formaldehyde have long-term health effects (Iftikhar, 2023).

Maintaining Hair After Keratin Treatment Can Be Challenging. Keratin treatments can be hard to maintain because they require less frequent hair washing and avoiding swimming in chlorinated or saltwater, which can shorten the treatment’s effectiveness. You also need to use special shampoos and conditioners that do not contain sodium chloride and sulfates. After the treatment, you should avoid getting your hair wet for 3-4 days. Those who don’t like skipping hair washes may find this inconvenient (Gallagher, 2024).

Keratin Treatments Are Expensive. The cost of a keratin treatment is high, and it needs to be regularly refreshed to maintain its effects.

Keratin Treatment Is Not Recommended for Pregnant Individuals. It is not recommended for pregnant people (Gallagher, 2024). Furthermore, since the keratin used in hair treatments is usually derived from ground animal parts, if you are vegetarian, you might want to avoid these products (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Conclusion

Keratin treatments can be an excellent option for those who desire shiny, easier-to-style hair. However, it’s important to be aware of potential health risks, as well as the need for proper maintenance. Before deciding, consider all factors to ensure that this treatment is right for you.

*This text is for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended to seek assistance from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.

References:

• Cash, L. (2021, October 17). A woman getting her hair cut by a hair stylist. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-woman-getting-her-hair-cut-by-a-hair-stylist-Md_DhaFsnCQ
• Cleveland Clinic. (2022, June 9). Keratin. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23204-keratin
• Iftikhar, N. (2023, May 15). What are the side effects of a keratin treatment? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-the-side-effects-of-a-keratin-treatment#benefits
• Gallagher, G. (2024, July 26). Pros and cons of keratin treatments. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/keratin-treatment-pros-and-cons#pros