Keratin for Hair

“Keratin is a structural and protective protein that makes up hair and nails,” cosmetic biochemist Stacey Steinmetz adds. “It’s important in keeping your hair from breaking, frizzing, or getting damaged by heat. By applying keratin to your hair topically, you may smooth and de-frizz it.”

Keratin hair treatments—also known as Brazilian blowouts—are well-known for making the hair appear straight, smooth, and glossy for up to six months. The main issue is that they’re packed with chemicals, and for a good reason. Because of this, and knowing full well how beneficial it can be on its own as a haircare component, beauty companies have begun developing keratin-infused at-home products.

To learn more about utilizing it for hair, we consulted with the professionals, including the advantages, several ways to use it, and who it is best for.

There are two primary ways to incorporate keratin into your hair care regimen, and the advantages vary depending on the method chosen. “Hydrolyzed collagen proteins applied topically can help fill in damaged areas of the hair shaft and temporarily improve its strength,” says New York City dermatologist Hadley King, MD. “This is not the same as [in-salon] keratin treatments, which usually include formalin (formaldehyde and methyl alcohol) to straighten hair. Those procedures can damage hair and emit hazardous fumes. “Many people still schedule in-salon keratin treatments despite these potential risks.”

Find out what you need to know about the substance, including how it helps your hair grow and get all of the keratin’s advantages.

What Are the Advantages of Keratin for Your Hair?

Let’s clear up what keratin is and how it affects the hair before getting into the advantages of keratin for hair. It is the foundation of hair structure, to begin with. It’s a fibrous protein that binds together each strand of hair. When your hair becomes damaged, it needs all the assistance it can get to repair and restore its natural order. Many advantages are provided by treatments and products containing keratin.

• For fine hair:

Your hair will benefit whether you go for an in-salon or at-home keratin treatment. “At-home keratin treatments help to strengthen damaged hair,” Friese adds. According to studies, keratin enhanced strands by 40 percent.

• It also works to smooth and reduce frizz.

Keratin-infused products, often sold in oil or serum form, can make your mane appear smoother, shinier, and more healthful.

• The shine will be increased by pushing the silver button. 

It coats the hair cuticle and fills in damaged areas of the hair shaft, resulting in a lot of shine. In-salon treatments might produce more dramatic effects, but at-home products can also create shiny, healthy-looking hair.

• Split ends are less visible since this product covers split ends.

It aids in the strengthening and smoothing of hair cuticles after they’ve been torn, preventing split ends from showing. Stronger strands reduce breakage, which encourages hair regeneration.

• Decreases drying time:

Keratin treatments seal the cuticle of your hair, reducing water retention and allowing for quicker blow-drying. It will take less time to dry your hair using a keratin treatment than without one.

How to Take It for Hair with Benefit of Using a Comb:

There are various methods to utilize it for hair to receive all of the advantages, including stronger, shinier, and frizz-free hair. In-salon keratin treatments may appear fashionable and convenient, but the amount of damage they can do to your hair makes them simply not worth it. As a result, if you want to smooth and strengthen your hair for special occasions or even daily use, using less harmful at-home solutions is the way to go.

Dr. Steinmetz points out that shampoos, conditioners, and finishing products can apply a layer of keratin to the hair for a short time to make it appear glossy and smooth while reducing frizz. The benefits are only temporary. That doesn’t make these at-home treatments undesirable, however. After all, would you rather have to use a product daily or weekly to preserve healthy-looking hair or get an in-salon treatment with the prospect of damaging your hair and lungs? Yes.

Keeping all these thoughts in mind, here are several ways to use it in your hair.

• Treatment for damaged hair:

it treatments in the salon (also known as Brazilian Blowouts) utilize liquid keratin, chemicals, and high heat to seal the protein into the hair. “The effects are short-term and usually last around six months,” says Steinmetz. Because you have to expose yourself to potentially hazardous chemicals to reap those advantages, Brazilian blowouts attract a lot of criticism. While in-salon keratin treatments are technically feasible, they’re not always recommended.

• Add highlights to hair as a styling gel:

The addition of it to a styling serum while the hair is still wet will make it glossy and sleek and reduce drying time. Friese recommends Keratin Complex Infusion Keratin Replenisher ($30).

• Oil-based moisturizer:

It can also be used as an oil treatment. To smooth and de-frizz and moisturize your hair. It is frequently mixed with other oils (such as Abyssinian oil or Argan oil). According to Friese, the L’ANZA Keratin Healing Oil Hair Treatment ($46) aids in the repair of damaged locks.

• You may use it as a strengthening shampoo if you have thin or damaged hair.

You may also get all the strengthening and smoothing advantages of keratin from a shampoo. The Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Shampoo ($4) is an excellent choice since it keeps you healthy and frizz-free. And the clean formulation doesn’t include harsh chemicals.

• Repairing hair mask:

To help repair color-treated or heat-damaged hair, Friese suggests using a keratin-infused hair mask, such as Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Intensive Hair Treatment ($30). To treat dry and damaged locks. After washing your hair once weekly, apply the treatment and leave it in for 5 minutes. Rinse out your hair and style it as usual after rinsing.