What to do Before and After Your Keratin Smoothing Treatment
If you've got unruly or stubborn hair, you've likely searched high and low for the ultimate treatment to tame your locks. You're a busy professional or stay-at-home mum who doesn't have the option of spending hours blow-drying and straightening your hair every day.
A keratin smoothing treatment can give you back the time you so desperately crave. The treatment will semi-permanently straighten and smooth your hair, saving you hours whilst improving your overall hair health and appearance (amazing right?!).
To obtain the best results possible, follow our advice on what to do before and after your treatment to maximise and extend your results.
Before
Book your permanent colour, balayage or highlights directly before your keratin smoothing treatment. The treatment seals in the colour making it last longer and appear more vibrant.
Clear your schedule of events so you can leave your hair down and untouched for the following 3 days.
Check the weather - your hair must stay completely dry for 3 days after your treatment.
Stock up on sulfate-free shampoo and conditioners.
Deep condition your hair about a week before your treatment. To seal the treatment, your stylist will use a hot iron. Moisturising your hair will help avoid any damage that might be caused by the hot iron.
Ask your stylist if there is anything they would like you to do before your treatment. Different stylists may have you wash your hair, avoid washing your hair, or even have you use a specific type of shampoo in the week before your treatment, depending on the formula and their preferences.
After
Don't wash your hair for a minimum of 3 days after your treatment. If you can, push this out to a full work as we ideally want as much of the keratin product to soak into your hair as possible.
Keep all moisture away from your hair. Wear a shower cap in the shower and avoid situations and events where your has any chance of getting wet - this includes sweat too so make sure you cancel those high-intensity gym sessions (sorry!). If it's especially humid, try to stay indoors with the air conditioning on.
Avoid touching your hair - excessive touching (even tucking hair behind your ear) or wearing items such as caps or hair clips in the first 72 hours will add waves and kinks to the hair structure so it's important to leave the hair as untouched as possible.
Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner and don't wash as often as you would have before the treatment. We always recommend waiting 4-7 days between washes even after you've passed the initial 72-hour period post-treatment.
Using a silk pillowcase can help reduce any friction, making your hair smoother and less prone to damage. When following keratin treatment aftercare, this is important to keep in mind as your hair will be more prone to damage from a cotton pillowcase.
Keratin smoothing treatments are a great option for those who are time-poor and even better for those with unruly or unmanageable locks who have tried every trick in the book to tame their mane.
With a few simple before and after tips - you can easily care for and extend the lifespan of your keratin smoothing treatment.