Keratin treatments are now widely offered in beauty salons as a method for straightening and beautifying hair. What exactly is keratin and why is it widely used in hair care? See the explanation in the following article.
Keratin is a natural protein that functions to form hair tissue, nails, and the outer layer of skin. This protein can also be found in various organs and glands of the body.
Keratin is often used as an ingredient to strengthen and maintain the beauty of hair. Therefore, many beauty products add keratin because it is claimed to make hair look healthier.
Various Kinds of Keratin Treatment
Keratin treatment can be done in various ways, including:
Keratin treatment at the salon
Keratin or keratin treatment series treatment usually done to get straighter hair. The results can last for 3 months depending on how it is treated.
Hair keratin treatment in salons is generally done by applying keratin cream from the roots to the hair shaft, then the hair will be left for 30 minutes until the keratin is absorbed by the scalp and hair. After that, the hair will be washed and straightened.
Keratin serum, shampoo and conditioner
Hair care products that contain keratin, such as hair serums, shampoos, and conditioners, are also good for strengthening and nourishing hair.
These products are also called good for preventing hair damage, especially on hair that is often styled. In addition, keratin can also repair dry hair caused by using hair dryers and dyes too often.
Keratin supplements
Apart from being used in hair care products, keratin is also available in supplement form to take by mouth. This supplement can be used to treat hair problems, such as hair loss and frizz, as well as strengthen nails.
However, if you want to use this product, you should consult your doctor first to determine the right dose.
Various Facts about Keratin and its Benefits
Before undergoing a keratin treatment at a salon or using a product that contains keratin, there are a few things that you need to know about keratin, including:
1. Solution for frizzy hair
Hair that lacks keratin will appear more frizzy and unruly. With the presence of keratin, hair will be smoother, shiny, and stronger. In addition, keratin is also important for stimulating hair growth.
Some research shows that using hair care products that contain keratin can make hair smoother. Not only that, products containing keratin are also good for owners of curly hair, because the hair will be smoother and easier to manage.
2. Keratin in beauty products comes from animals
In addition to the human body, keratin is also found in many animal tissues. This protein is found in the nails and hair or animal hair.
now, Keratin used in beauty products and supplements is usually produced through the extraction process of animal tissue, such as cattle and sheep.
3. The risks and side effects of keratin treatment
Keratin creams commonly used in salons usually contain the chemical formaldehyde. Exposure to formaldehyde can cause side effects, especially if the cream is used often enough.
The following are some of the side effects that can result from the use of keratin creams:
- Allergic reaction
- Itchy and itchy scalp
- Irritation of the scalp in the form of burns or blisters
- Hair loss and damage
4. Abstinence after doing hair treatment with keratin
There are several suggestions that should be done so that the results of keratin treatments are more durable, namely:
- Avoid shampooing for 3 or 4 days after a keratin treatment at the salon, so that your hair can absorb the keratin better.
- Do not swim in swimming pools with chlorinated water or in sea water as this can remove the keratin layer on the hair.
- Use shampoos and conditioners that are free of sodium chloride and sulfate, as these can thin out the keratin layer.
- Avoid drying or styling your hair with hot temperatures because it can damage the keratin structure in the hair.
Keratin treatment also should not be done by pregnant women. This is because the risk of exposure to chemicals in keratin cream is feared to interfere with fetal development.
Soft and shiny hair will make it easier for you to style and certainly can increase your confidence.
However, before doing keratin treatment on hair, it is recommended that you apply a small amount of keratin cream first on the skin and observe whether an allergic reaction occurs or not. Allergic reactions can include hives, rashes, and bumps on the skin.
If possible, choose a cream without formaldehyde. Currently, there are many keratin creams without these ingredients on the market.
If you want to know more about keratin facts or if you experience side effects on your scalp after undergoing a keratin treatment, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.