5 Myths About Keratin Treatments for Curly Hair Debunked

Keratin treatments have quickly become a staple in the hair care industry. Celebrities and hair care enthusiasts all boast about the effects of a keratin treatment. It’s basically a good hair day in a bottle. However, if you are a curly looking to embrace your naturally gorgeous curls, you may be hesitant to get it done.

Curly hair requires a lot of care. It can be devastating that a single mistake can ruin all your hard work and mess with the definition of your curls. Things like sulfates, silicones, formaldehyde are all big no-nos when it comes to caring for your curls. And what exactly is in a keratin treatment? Is it also a no-no for curlies?

Read More: The Curly Girl Method: Made Simple

Fear not! We’re here to debunk the 5 myths about keratin treatments and how they affect curly hair.

It Straightens Curly Hair

More and more people are embracing their curls now that more information about how to take care of curly hair and how to make it look its best are being discovered. It’s also a social statement as curly hair has been deprecated for a long time. Rocking naturally curly hair is an empowering movement and a step forward in society’s progression and awareness.

Getting a keratin treatment and finding out that it straightened your curly hair can be devastating as it can take ages to get back your natural curls. However, do all keratin treatments straighten hair? The answer is no.

Salon-grade keratin treatments usually have a straightening effect as they contain formaldehyde. However, keratin treatments that do not contain formaldehyde or any variation of it does not have the straightening effect.

This means that you can get a keratin treatment and keep your curls as long as you choose the right formula that does not contain any formaldehyde or any form of it. You can reap the benefits of a keratin treatment without straightening your curls.

It Damages Curly Hair

Damage is another shattering occurrence when it comes to curly hair. That’s why the curly girl method has so many rules. It’s all to keep from damaging your curls as the slightest bit of damage can affect your curl pattern. Damaged curls will become frizzy and inconsistent.

Getting a keratin treatment can damage the hair. But again, the notorious cause of this is formaldehyde and different variations of it. This is what gives the hair a straightening effect, makes the treatment last longer, and what damages the hair. Opting for a formaldehyde-free keratin treatment means that you won’t be causing significant damage to your hair. Of course, you will have to use heat to lock in the treatment but as long as you stick to the proper temperature and use the proper technique, you will not cause any damage to your hair.

Read More: How to Fix Damaged Hair Naturally

Keratin is what the hair is made of. A keratin treatment will coat the hair with protein which makes it stronger, thicker, smoother, and shinier. Keratin alone is an incredibly nourishing ingredient that the hair loves, so getting a keratin treatment will actually improve your hair’s overall health as long as it is free of any harmful chemicals.

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It’s Permanent

Keratin treatments are a semi-permanent process. Formaldehyde can make it last longer. However, formaldehyde-free or not, keratin treatments last for up to 3-6 months only. For formaldehyde treatments, it can last for up to 6 months and for formaldehyde-free formulas, it can last for up to 3 months. So, no. A keratin treatment is not permanent and you won’t have to deal with it until your hair completely grows out. It will eventually wear off.

It’s the Same As Relaxing or Rebonding

Relaxing and rebonding are aesthetic treatments that you get to straighten and smooth down the hair. While there are some keratin treatments that straighten the hair, it does not work the same as relaxing or rebonding.

Relaxing and rebonding are both purely aesthetic treatments and incredibly damaging. They are also permanent. The hair looks good but this is purely for aesthetics and the hair gets damaged significantly in the process. You will also have to deal with the straightening effect until your hair grows out but the straightened parts remain straightened forever.

A keratin treatment is a nourishing treatment aside from improving the aesthetics of your hair. While formaldehyde formulas can damage the hair, formaldehyde-free keratin treatments are completely nourishing and improve the overall look and health of your hair from the inside out. It also protects your hair from damage in the long run. Furthermore, keratin treatments wear off. After 3 months or so, your hair will be back to its original state.

You Need to Maintain It

The problem with permanent treatments is that you have to maintain them. If you’ve straightened your hair permanently, you’ll have to keep retouching your roots or else things will look a bit iffy. With keratin treatments, while you can maintain it if you’d like, there is no need to. If you want to give your hair a break, there’s no need to grow your hair out and do a big chop. Simply let the keratin wear off and you’re good! Whether you choose to get it again right away or wait a few months to do it, there’s no problem and there’s no “awkward” stage.

Myths Busted!

Getting any kind of chemical treatment when you have curly hair can be daunting. But we’re here to tell you, keratin treatments are not something that curlies should be afraid of! We’ve busted the most common myths surrounding keratin treatments for curly hair. Sure, you’ll need to carefully choose the formula suited for your curls but once you’ve found the right one, it can truly make your curls rejuvenated and lush.