What To Do If You Have An Allergic Reaction After A Keratin Hair Treatment
The most important thing to do immediately after a reaction is to seek medical attention from your GP. They will be able to guide you through treatment options for moderate to severe reactions, these include treatments like antihistamines and sometimes even steroids, explains Dr Simmy Kaur, resident GP at Monpure. If the scalp feels hot to touch, if it becomes red or very itchy, its important to seek professional help.
As well as seeking professional medical help, scalp care is vital following a keratin treatment, especially if youve had an adverse reaction.
Hair loss can vary tremendously from person to person and between different textures
An itchy scalp is no fun. Dr Kaur recommends Monpures nourishing scalp mask and hydrate and smooth serum to stimulate hair follicles to prevent hair loss and promote growth.
This will help to provide immediate relief for an irritated scalp and begin working at promoting hair growth.
While some hair shedding is perfectly normal and part of the natural hair journey, Dr Kaur explains more: Its normal to shed around 50-100 hairs per day. However, in reality, hair loss can vary tremendously from person to person and can vary between different textures. Thicker, coarser hair tends to shed less, while fine hair generally tends to shed more.
What Is Keratin What Does Keratin Do For Your Hair
Keratin is a protein found in the hair that is responsible for its health. It is also a structural protein found in your nails and skin. The protein protects your hair from humidity, which is the major cause of frizz.
So are you wondering why you need keratin treatments when it is naturally present in your hair? That is because your hair loses keratin with time due to sunlight, pollution and harsh hair treatments. So a keratin treatment helps the protein reach your hair follicles and its pores.
What Ingredients Go Into Keratin Treatments
Like most intensive hair treatments, keratin treatments are loaded with complex chemical compounds that will make your hair do what genetics could not. That means that people who routinely get these treatments done are exposing themselves to harmful chemicals that could have adverse long-term effects.
Formaldehyde is perhaps the most common chemical that is released during keratin treatments. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration stipulates that the formaldehyde levels in a salons air must not exceed 0.75 parts of formaldehyde per million parts over the course of an eight-hour shift, and no more than 2 ppm within a 15-minute period.
While OSHA doesnt regulate formaldehyde levels in keratin treatment products, it does strive to ensure that salon-goers exposure to this harmful chemical doesnt endanger their health.
No keratin treatment contains formaldehyde itself, the chemical compounds that release the gas when used together do. When these compounds come into contact with water or heat, they release formaldehyde.
If you have any concerns about excess formaldehyde exposure, ask your stylist if there are any keratin treatments that dont release formaldehyde. Youll want to do your homework, especially because the FDA does not regulate the levels of formaldehyde-releasing agents in salon-grade keratin treatments.
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What Does Keratin Do To Your Hair
Keratin chemical treatment uses a solution with Keratin protein and formaldehyde, under high heat, to straighten hair strands and lock them in position. They are said to be beneficial for people who have curly or frizzy hair.
In this treatment, the beautician mixes Keratin with formaldehyde that is brushed on the hair, blow-dried and then straightened with a flat iron to lock hair strands in position. The hair can then be styled as per the latest trends. From fancy braids to stunning bouffant, hair stylists can turn straight hair into attractive styles quite easily.
There are a number of benefits one can get from Keratin chemical treatment:
- Firstly, it helps in smoothing your hair. If your hair strands are unmanageable and curly, smoothing your hair gives you an attractive, naturally beautiful look.
- Secondly, Keratin chemical treatment makes your hair lustrous and shiny. You may have often seen glamorous stars in advertisements and films with a full mane of thick hair that looks shiny, lustrous and full of life. These stars often go through special Keratin chemical treatments that are responsible for their straight hair.
- Thirdly, this treatment fills the gaps in each hair strand making it appear fuller and thicker. Women today, who often complain of split ends and damaged hair, can opt for a complete Keratin treatment, which will not only fill in the gaps in the protein of each hair strand but also give richer looking hair.
Is Keratin Good Or Bad For My Already Thinning Hair
There has been a lot of buzz about keratin in the hair loss industry lately. Its been touted as a miracle product, able to smooth curls and frizz whilst adding body and shine. But is it really all its cracked up to be?
The advertising and marketing of some hair products would have us believe that the keratin used in hair products like keratin hair fibres, keratin smoothing treatments and keratin shampoos/conditioners is the same keratin that makes up our hair and nails.
Whilst this is almost true, and without getting too technical, keratin is actually a family of fibrous structural proteins and humans have 54 functioning keratin genes. Only some of these keratin genes are found in human hair and they are not likely to be the same keratins found in hair products.
So where does this keratin come from?
As well as being present in human hair, keratin is also found throughout the animal kingdom in wool, horns, feathers, claws and hooves. It is from these sources that most keratin hair products synthesise their keratin. So whilst you may believe that you are buying something that closely resembles or imitates human hair, you are likely to be buying animal products.
Im not a vegetarian so does this really matter?
Are all keratin hair products made from animal protein?
But are keratin hair products really harmful?
Is there a way to just boost my natural keratin stores?
I use keratin hair fibres, are there any alternatives?
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Your Scalp Might Be Sensitive
Introducing any harsh chemical on the hair could irritate people with sensitive scalps. If you have a sensitive scalp, avoid keratin treatment and any other harsh chemical that may damage your hair.
Several signs indicate a sensitive scalp. Have you been experiencing unpleasant sensations such as pain, burning, itchiness, and redness on the scalp? These may occur due to a change in environment, cosmetics, diet change, or when youre stressed.
If this is the case, advise your hairstylist in advance. So, if they must apply keratin to your hair as a treatment solution, they dont drench it. That way, you avoid losing your hair in the end.
Natural Hair Loss Treatment
My grandmother recipes for hair loss:
Mulberry Tea
Make a tea with two spoons of chopped mulberry leaves, which can be found in the homes of natural products, and apply on the scalp with the help of cotton. Massage the head of delicate shape and leave it for half an hour.
Wash your hair normally.
When using this recipe, you should avoid sun exposure on the same day.
Apply it twice a week.
Cucumber juice:
Add sliced washed cucumber and with washed lettuce leaves into a blender, add 200ml of mineral water. After well blend, the juice is ready to drink.
It is recommended to drink a glass on an empty stomach every morning .
Lettuce juice
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What Is The Keratin Treatment Process
The keratin treatment was started in Brazil. It uses a blend of formaldehyde solution, conditioners, and keratin hydrolysates to smoothen and straighten hair. Lately, this formaldehyde solution has been replaced by formaldehyde releasers, which are safer alternatives. The process involves saturating your hair with a formaldehyde solution, drying it out, and using a flat iron to lock your hair in a straight position . However, the chemicals used for smoothing hair are not as strong as those used in hair straightening treatments. This makes the keratin treatment less damaging .
The hair is straightened when water breaks the hydrogen bonds of the keratin molecule. It is then blow-dried straight . The newly redesigned keratin remains in this shape as the formaldehyde crosslinks the keratin filaments in a perfect alignment .
Though the keratin treatment process is relatively less damaging, it may cause certain side effects.
When To Wash Your Hair After Keratin Treatment
Its important to remember that a keratin treatment is temporary.
Keratin seals your hair cuticles and forms a protective barrier over each strand but every time you shampoo your hair, some keratin molecules are washed off.
But when is the right time to wash your hair post-keratin treatment?
Most professionals recommend waiting roughly three full days before you wet your hair.
Give your hair the three days it needs to allow the keratin to be fully absorbed into your strands.
If you wash too early, your keratin treatment might not be as effective and can be worn out in just a month or two.
It also omits some odor when you wash just a day or two after getting your treatment done.
So 72 hours after your treatment, you can hop into your shower and reward all that hard work with a soothing, satisfying head-to-toe shower.
When shampooing keratin-treated hair, sulfate-free shampoos are an absolute must.
Regular shampoos often have sulfates, a harsh cleaning agent that can strip your hair of natural moisture and its new layer of protective keratin.
Washing regularly with a sulfate shampoo will make your treatment fade prematurely.
Switch over to a gentle shampoo and dont wash your hair daily, so you can extend the lifespan of your keratin treatment.
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Keratin Serums Shampoos And Conditioners
Keratin serums, shampoos, and conditioners cant make the same claims as a keratin treatment in a salon. But they do claim to make hair more damage-resistant and repair hair that has been dried out by heat and hair dye. To identify these products, look for the words keratin hydro lysates in the ingredients list. Researchers that the active components of keratin were a promising ingredient for people that wanted stronger hair.
What Are Other Hair Health Tips For Thin Hair
There are several other ways to keep your thin hair looking healthy and to treat thinning hair:
- Eat a balanced dietfull of fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats to get the vitamins you need to keep your hair healthy and strong.
- Look for products that volumize thin hair, such as shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. A stylist or an online video may provide tips for blow drying your hair to make it look fuller.
- Consider wearing a wig or changing your hairstyle to find a style you like that works with your hair thickness.
- Seek treatment for thinning hair. There are cosmetic products available to address this condition as well as oral medications, injectables, laser hair treatment, and hair transplants.
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What Is The Process Of Getting A Keratin Treatment
The treatment takes a few hours, though it varies based on hair length and type. Depending on the texture and density of your hair, you can anticipate your salon visit to be anywhere from two to four hours, says Fitzsimons. Your hairstylist will first wash your hair, then apply the keratin treatment onto the wet hair, where it will then sit for about 30 minutes however, some stylists might blow dry the hair first and then apply the treatment, he explains. Lastly, since the treatment is heat activated, the stylist will flat iron the hair in small sections to seal it in.
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What Are The Differences Between In
There are some pretty amazing options in each category. If you do decide to get a keratin treatment in a salon, its recommended that you dont exceed three a year, as too frequent treatments will weaken your strands considerably.
If a salon treatment which can be very pricey isnt in your budget right now, then you can achieve pretty similar results with an at-home treatment. The only drawback is most at-home treatments barely last a week, so youll have a lot more upkeep to worry about if you go this route.
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Why Can Keratin Treatments Cause Hair Loss
Many keratin treatments contain the chemical formaldehyde. UK government guidelines define formaldehyde as a colourless, corrosive, flammable gas with a pungent, suffocating odour.
Used primarily as an adhesive and binder in many industries and processes, formaldehyde is commonly used to help produce other chemicals, as an insulating building material and as a cosmetic preservative.
Produced naturally in the body, formaldehyde is largely safe at very low exposure levels. In keratin treatments, formaldehyde is the chemical that works to set the hair into its new straight and smooth finish.
Founder of health assessment service Viavi, Dr Sabine Donnai, explains: Formaldehyde is a chemical that is toxic to the system and can cause anything from skin irritation to asthma, loss of hair by affecting the hair follicles, as well as an increased risk of cancer through DNA adduct formation.
By December, I had lost half my hair
She continues, Studies have proved that most keratin treatment products have a concentration of formaldehyde that is five times higher than the recommended level and thats even in some treatments that claim to be formaldehyde-free.
Treatments For Hair Thinning That May Actually Work
Want to do something about your thinning hair? The first thing you should do is talk to a dermatologist or trichologist. They can figure out whatâs causing your hair loss, and they can recommend treatments that might be right for you. They may suggest options including:
1. Minoxidil . This medication is a foam or a liquid that you put on your scalp. You can buy it over the counter without a prescription. You may have to use it for several months before your hair starts to thicken. If you do regrow hair, youâll lose it again if you stop taking minoxidil.
2. Finasteride . This prescription medication is a pill you take by mouth. You may have to take finasteride for months before you see results, and youâll lose new hair if you stop taking it.
3. Microneedling. A device with hundreds of tiny needles that you use on your scalp may help hair grow, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The site says research suggests that microneedling may work better if you use it along with another hair loss treatment. You can buy one of these devices without a prescription, but talk to a dermatologist first. They can let you know if itâs safe for you, and they can recommend a specific microneedling device.
5. Low-level laser therapy. The American Academy of Dermatology says research suggests that this scalp treatment may help the following conditions:
- Male-pattern hair loss
- Hair loss from chemotherapy
- Healing and hair growth following a hair transplant
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Aniston Owns Up To Damaged Hair
Jennifer Lopez usually wears her curly hair fully straightened and is said to be a fan of keratin treatments
The cracks in the keratin story first became public when former Friends star Jennifer Aniston suddenly started sporting a chin-length bob at the end of 2013, which she said was an attempt to regain the health of her hair after keratin straightening treatments. In cutting off the ends quite dramatically, as her hair had been significantly longer she hoped to put some vitality back into her locks. My hair did not react well to it , she told Elle magazine at the time.
More recently both Sienna Miller and Jennifer Lopez have had their long, straight hair cut into lobs and speculation is rife that this, too, was something of an emergency measure following hair breakage after keratin straightening treatment. This causes the hair to become brittle and snap off along the shaft, giving the hair an unwelcome frizzy appearance it can also make the hair look thinner.
Benefits Of Using A Hair System
Whilst there are many benefits of getting a hair system to fight thinning hair or hair loss, we have listed below 2 popular ones only:
Instant results: Hair systems provide a quick change in the overall appearance. Unlike keratin treatment, there is no waiting time with this hair recovery option. All you need to do is buy the best hair system and you are good to go!
Pocket-friendly: Hair systems are affordable as well as practical recovery solutions if your hair thinning is pretty extreme. By spending less than US$1000 a year, you can enjoy a full head of hair.
Check out how awesome Chris looks after using Lordhairs premium hair system:
There you go!
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Benefits Of A Keratin Treatment
Keratin treatments carry a host of benefits for strands.
- Prevent frizz in humidity: According to Taylor, a keratin hair treatment is great for those with frizzy hair and is a healthier option than other straightening treatments . “Because keratin treatments fill in the porous gaps in your hair strands, it completely smooths out your hair and will keep it free from frizz,” she says.
- Smooths out the hair cuticle: “Also, one of the key benefits of a keratin treatment is how it smooths out your curl pattern. If you’re pressing out your hair regularly, this will save you a lot of time,” adds Taylor.
- Imparts a lustrous shine: In terms of shine-factor, those with naturally curly hair typically don’t see shine in their hair with a keratin treatment, your hair will appear loads shinier.