Are Keratin Hair Treatments Suitable For All? Here's All That You Need To Know

Keratin, the protein that helps strengthen hair and prevents breakage, heat damage, and frizz, is necessary for strong and healthy hair. Here's what you should know before deciding.

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Keratin, the protein that helps strengthen hair and prevents breakage, heat damage, and frizz, is essential for maintaining strong and healthy hair. However, keratin straightening, the salon treatment that promise silky-smooth hair, has long been associated with serious health risks.

What Is Keratin Treatment?

Keratin is a protein found in our hair, skin, and nails that serves as a structural protein. It's also common in styling products to help strengthen hair, but the term "keratin treatment" is misleading.

As per the studies, hair fibres are divided into three sections:

Medulla: Located in the core of the hair fibre, this is only visible in larger or thicker hairs.

Cortex: The cortex is the main component of hair. It is protein-rich and provides mechanical support.

Cuticle: The cuticle is a thin protective layer made up of keratinized cells that overlap like scales.

Keratin forms a long helical chain within the cortex with the help of chemical bonds such as ionic bonding, disulfide bonding, and hydrogen bonding.

Furthermore, weaker forces of attraction between molecules, known as van der Waals forces, can aid in the preservation of the a-helical keratin structure. Filaments, which make up the majority of the cortex, are formed by groups of these helical strands. Keratin hair treatments contain chemicals that target the keratin strands and alter their shape.

A keratin hair treatment involves a stylist applying a keratin-based product to the hair and then sealing it in with a flat iron.

The cross-linking of the keratin strands changes as the chemicals diffuse into the hair, depending on the thickness or length of the hair. The combination of chemicals, blow-drying, and flat ironing speeds up cross-linking and straightens curly or wavy hair.

Is Keratin Hair Treatment Suitable For All Hair Types?

Keratin treatments are typically recommended by hair stylists and product manufacturers for coarse, thick, frizzy, or curly hair. As per reports, if you have thin, coarse, or curly hair, you should consider a keratin treatment. Keratin treatments may not be the best styling option if your thin hair is fine or straight.

Keratin hair treatments smooth the hair and make it shiny and frizz-free. People say it makes their hair more manageable. Although these treatments are expensive, the results can last for several months.

Despite their popularity, however, keratin hair treatments are not without risks. Most contain formaldehyde or other ingredients that can cause formaldehyde to be released. Side effects of these chemicals include allergic reactions, coughing, and vomiting.