Keratin Treatment Guide: What to Expect and Aftercare
By Bella Garcia · · 5 min read
If frizz takes over your mornings, a keratin treatment can cut your styling time way down. Our keratin treatment is a semi-permanent premium smoothing treatment, otherwise known as a Brazilian Blowout, and it typically lasts three to six months. Here’s what to know before you book.
Who it’s for
Keratin treatments are great for frizzy, puffy, or hard-to-manage hair, and for anyone who wants faster, smoother blow dries. It smooths and softens your hair. It won’t make curly hair stick-straight permanently, but your hair will be easier to style and handle humidity much better.
What happens during the appointment
Smoothing treatments like this generally follow the same pattern: the hair is cleansed, the treatment is applied section by section, and then the hair is dried and sealed with heat. Plan on about 2 hrs 20 mins. Long or very thick hair takes the full time, so don’t book anything tight right after.
How long it lasts
Keratin typically lasts three to six months. Where you land in that range depends mostly on how often you wash, what shampoo you use, and how much time you spend in pools or the ocean. Someone washing twice a week with a sulfate-free shampoo will usually get closer to six months than someone washing daily. Because it’s semi-permanent, results fade gradually, so you won’t get a harsh line as it grows out.
Aftercare tips
- Follow your stylist’s advice on when you can first wash your hair, tie it up, or tuck it behind your ears.
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to make results last longer.
- Limit time in chlorine and salt water, or rinse and condition right after.
- Air drying works much better now, so heat styling can be quick or skipped.
Pairing with color
If you’re coloring and doing keratin, it’s usually best to color first so the keratin seals in your fresh tone. Ask us about timing when you book.
Is a keratin treatment right for you?
A keratin treatment is often a good fit if any of these sound familiar:
- Your hair frizzes the minute you step outside, even after you style it.
- Blow drying takes so long that you skip it or rush it.
- You love wearing your hair smooth but want to use less heat day to day.
- Your hair tangles easily and feels rough on the ends.
It may not be the best choice if you love your full curl pattern and want to keep every bit of volume, since keratin usually relaxes texture a bit. If your hair is very fragile or recently over-processed, talk to us first so we can look at its condition together.
How to prepare for your keratin treatment
- Plan your color first. As mentioned above, coloring before keratin usually gives the best result.
- Get a trim if you need one. Clean ends make the smooth finish look even better. If you can’t remember your last cut, here’s how to tell when your ends need attention.
- Time it around your plans. Because there are a few days of careful aftercare, avoid booking right before a beach trip or a big workout week.
- Block out your schedule. With about 2 hrs 20 mins in the chair, bring something to read or catch up on.
Keratin treatment vs. silk press vs. blowout
These three get compared a lot, but they work differently. A blowout and a silk press are temporary styles that last until your next wash. Our silk press, for example, ends with hot-comb straightening after a detox wash and blowdry; once you wash, your natural texture returns. A keratin treatment is a semi-permanent smoothing service that keeps working wash after wash for three to six months. Many clients find that after keratin, their blowouts go faster and hold better. To compare the two temporary options, read how long a silk press holds versus a standard blowout.
Mistakes that shorten your results
- Washing too soon. Follow the timing your stylist gives you so the treatment can fully set.
- Using clarifying or sulfate shampoos. These strip the treatment faster than gentle formulas.
- Swimming without prep. Wet your hair with clean water and add conditioner before a pool or ocean swim.
- Skipping heat protectant. Even though you’ll use less heat, protect your hair whenever you do style it.
- Over-brushing wet hair. Use a wide-tooth comb and work from the ends up.
Keratin and warm-weather frizz
Summer heat and the occasional humid stretch in El Monte are hard on frizz-prone hair. Many clients book a keratin treatment in late spring so their hair stays easier to manage through the hottest months. Since results typically last three to six months, one appointment can carry you through the whole season. If you swim a lot, wear a cap or wet your hair with clean water first to protect the result.
Is it worth the cost?
A keratin treatment is $220 on our menu. Because it typically lasts three to six months, the cost is spread across many weeks of smoother hair and shorter styling time. For people who spend a lot of time fighting frizz each morning, that trade is often worth it. It can also mean fewer hot-tool sessions at home, which many people find helps their hair feel softer over time. If you’re unsure, text or call us and ask whether your hair is a good candidate before you commit.
For day-to-day habits that work alongside keratin, see these frizz fixes for wash day and drying.
Keratin and color services are both listed on our smoothing and color menu.
Want to line up keratin with a color appointment? Contact us and we’ll help you plan the order and spacing.
FAQ
Is a keratin treatment the same as a Brazilian Blowout?
At Beya Studios, yes. Our keratin treatment is a semi-permanent smoothing treatment otherwise known as a Brazilian Blowout. It takes about 2 hrs 20 mins and typically lasts three to six months.
Will keratin make my hair straight?
It smooths and reduces frizz and can loosen texture. It isn’t meant to make curly hair permanently pin-straight.
What shampoo should I use after keratin?
A sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner help your results last longer.
Book with Beya Studios in El Monte →