How to Do a DIY Keratin Treatment

How to Do a DIY Keratin Treatment for Curly Hair Safely

A keratin treatment is one of the most sought out hair treatments in this day and age. And it is no wonder! A keratin treatment will make you feel like you’ve got a good hair day every day. It makes your hair look its absolute best without having to sacrifice volume, health, or an softness. The results can be absolutely amazing and once you’ve experienced your hair at its best, it’s hard to go back.

However, not everyone has the time and funds to regularly go back to the salon to get this treatment. It can get expensive fast and can take the majority of your day. It’s a lot more convenient if this is something that you can do in the comfort of your home. So, is a keratin treatment something that you can DIY? Totally! However, there are just a few things that you should know before you start doing it. We’re here to guide you through the whole process.

Things to Remember

Choose Formaldehyde-Free

Not all keratin treatments are made the same. If you are going to do your keratin treatment at home, you must choose a formaldehyde-free formula. It may be a bit tricky as this chemical can have a lot of names, but basically, avoid anything with formaldehyde, formalin, methanal, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, oxomethylene, ormic aldehyde, paraform, formol, formalin (methanol-free), FYDE, formalith, methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene glycol, methylene oxide, tetraoxymethalene, oxomethane, and oxymethylene.

It’s a lot to remember, but make sure to keep this guide on you to check for the various names for formaldehyde. This is especially important because formaldehyde is a very toxic chemical and should only be handled by professionals with proper training. Not at all suitable for a DIY project. The good news is that formaldehyde-free formulas do exist and these are the types you will be able to use at home safely.

Manage Your Expectations

With that said formaldehyde-free formulas don’t exactly function the same way as keratin treatments that do use formaldehyde. That’s because this ingredient straightens the hair and makes the treatments last longer. Formaldehyde-free formulas give you a smoothening effect that will help you retain curls and waves and they will also typically last for up to 3-4 months as opposed to a formaldehyde formula that lasts for up to 6 months. So, manage your expectations and know what type of results you will be getting from your formaldehyde-free treatment.

On the plus side, formaldehyde-free formulas also do not cause any damage to the hair and instead gives it nourishment and strength. It also allows you to keep your natural texture while smoothing the hair and enhancing its shine. Formaldehyde can severely damage the hair and also affect your skin and health.

Always Be Safe

Just to reiterate, using a formaldehyde-free formula is non-negotiable. If you want to use a formula with formaldehyde in it, you would be risking your safety and any people you live with. So, be safe and choose formaldehyde-free.

Even when using a formaldehyde-free product, always make sure to patch test first and apply a small amount of it to an inconspicuous area. If no issues or reactions occur, you may continue to use it.

Follow Instructions to a Tee

Specific instructions come with different products for a reason. To get ideal results and make sure that you are using the product safely and correctly, always follow the instructions to a tee. Never just wing it or improvise to avoid any complications.

Read more related articles:

1. 3 Celebs Who Swear By Keratin Treatments for Their Curly Hair
2. Natural Anti Grey Hair Treatment That Works
3. The Secret of Natural Hydrolyzed Keratin

What is keratin?

Keratin is a protein that makes up the hair, skin, and nails. It provides strength and structure to your tissues. When hair is damaged or weak, that means there is a lack of keratin and the hair shaft is patchy. Using products with keratin will significantly benefit the hair.

Keratin helps strengthen the structure of the hair, making it less breakable, and preventing hair loss and thinning. It also provides the hair with a protective, hydrophobic coating that helps keep moisture inside of the hair and prevents overloading with moisture. It also patches up the holes the everyday damage causes on the surface of the cuticle that makes the hair frizzy and prone to breakage.

Keratin is also determined by certain factors like genetics and hair type. People with curly hair will have more keratin than those with a straight hair type. This also means that curly hair is typically stronger and thicker than straight hair. But of course with wear and tear especially with frequent use of hot tools, the hair keratin will eventually flake.

Read more related articles:

1. A Guide to Keratin Treatments
2. Unlocking the Secrets of Keratin Hair Care
3. What Are The Benefits of Keratin Treatment?
4. Keratin Treatment for Curly Hair Benefits

Guide on how to apply Mayraki Keratin Treatment at Home

Benefits of Keratin for Curly Hair

Hair Smoothing

Curly hair is notorious for being prone to frizz, dryness, and dullness. This is because curly hair is naturally dry and porous. This means that it doesn’t retain moisture well and can look frizzy especially when damaged or dehydrated. A keratin treatment helps decrease hair’s porosity, making it more effective in locking in moisture. It also wraps the hair in a coating that smooths it down and makes it soft and slippery.

Keep Your Curls

Your natural curls are gorgeous and embracing them means no more damaging straightening treatments. A formaldehyde-free keratin treatment will allow you to keep your curls defined and will still smoothing out frizz and maintaining the health of your hair. Unlike other chemically straightening processes, keratin treatments are also not permanent so when your roots grow out or the product wears off of your ends, it won’t look odd and you won’t have to keep maintaining it if you don’t wish to.

Keep Volume

Another con with other straightening methods is that volume and bounce is often lost. Hair straight, sleek, and flat. A keratin treatment provides the hair with more volume by literally thickening the strands of hair and allowing it to still be lightweight and bouncy.

Enhance Shine

Keratin is also a natural shine-enhancer. A keratin treatment coats the hair with layer of shiny, smooth keratin that gives the hair a brilliant sheen. This is especially beneficial for those with curly hair that does not have much natural shine.

Protect the Hair

The keratin layer that coats the hair also protects it from every day damage. This keratin allows friction, dirt, free radicals, and physical elements to slide right off, preventing damage. It also keeps the moisture inside but prevents too much moisture from coming in (moisture overload). Think of it as like the wax that keeps your car shiny and dirt-free.

Repair Damage

Imagine your hair is like a tree. The cuticle of your hair is the bark. When hair is damaged, the tree bark gets super brittle and starts lifting and flaking up in a lot of places. This allows the moisture in the hair to escape more rapidly and for hair to absorb things like moisture and other microparticles more easily. This can lead to dryness, moisture overload, and more damage. When moisture leaves the hair to quickly, the hair gets dehydrated. When hair absorbs too much moisture, it becomes gummy, brittle, and dull. Hair needs moisture to be locked in which is why the cuticle needs to be intact.

A keratin treatment provides a protective protein coating that not only protects the hair from damage but also repairs it. Remember the tree with the bark? The keratin is the sap that provides nourishment and protection to the tree and allows it to seal its wounded parts.

How to DIY Keratin Treatment for Curly Hair

Every keratin treatment is different so no matter what brand you’re using, make sure to follow its specific instructions. However, if you are using the Mayraki Organic Hydrolyzed Keratin Instant Smoother System, read on to find out how you can use this treatment at home.

1. Prep hair with the Purifying Shampoo included in the kit to cleanse buildup and get it ready for the keratin treatment.
2. After rinsing, section the hair and apply the keratin treatment.
3. Leave the treatment on for 1-1.5 hours and then rinse thoroughly with cold or lukewarm water.
4. Blow dry hair until 70-80% dry and use a flat iron to seal in the product.

FAQs

How Long Will It Last?

Provided that you don't use shampoos that contain sulfates and chlorine, your treatment should last anywhere up to 3 months. Possibly longer if you don't need to wash your hair too regularly.

Once it wears off, your hair will return to its natural curl pattern. You'll start to see it around the hairline first, and that's usually the first indicator of needing to retreat it. Unlike many other relaxing or straightening methods, there's no obvious line of demarcation between the previously treated hair and new growth, even if you don't get it touched up right away.

Will It Make My Hair Completely Straight?

Not unless you want it to. If you wish to, you may seal in the treatment by passing a 450-degree flat iron over your hair. The more your stylist flat irons, the straighter your hair will be.

If you like to wear your hair curly, but just want to tame your frizz, this product alone will help make your hair smooth.

The overall goal is to make your strands less of a burden to work with. However, if you have naturally curly hair, keep in mind that it won't air dry to a pin-straight texture. You'll still have voluminous body and waves if you air dry it.

Is It Safe?

Yes. This natural hydrolyzed keratin has undergone all necessary lab tests and has been proven safe on all hair types. In fact, it has been proven to actually help improve shine as well as moisture levels. However, please note that breakage can still occur when flat irons are used excessively. Most importantly, this product is made from natural extracts and is safe to use during pregnancy and on sensitive skin/scalp.

I Colored My Hair. Can I Still Use This Keratin Treatment?

Yes! Unlike chemical-straightening relaxers, you can safely use this keratin treatment on coloured hair without the risk of damage. However, if you do have colour treated hair, we recommend also using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner for maintenance. We further advice against using salt-based sprays for beachy, textured hair.

Spa Night for Your Curls!

With all that information, the gist is that DIY keratin treatments can be done at home safely, provided that you use the right products and heed some important reminders! Use a formaldehyde-free, organic formula, always patch test, and follow instructions very carefully. If you are unsure whether a DIY keratin treatment is right for you, it is best to consult with a hair care professional.