Do you want your hair to look smoother, glossier and shinier, just like that of all the models in those beauty magazines? Well, such hair is no longer out of your reach thanks to keratin treatments. But what to do with your hair after keratin treatment? It needs proper care after the treatment to make it last longer and keep it healthy throughout.

Keratin Treatment Aftercare: The Basics

A keratin treatment is a chemical-infused treatment that helps you to get smoother, frizz-free hair. Conventional keratin treatment involves applying keratin onto dry hair, and then blow-drying it, followed by the use of a flat iron to straighten your hair.

Keratin is the type of protein that makes up your hair, nails and your skin. It is a protective protein that is also less prone to scratching or tearing. It greatly betters your hair’s health, especially if brittle, improving its elasticity, reversing any damage and giving it a more youthful bounce. The treatment also eliminates frizz for about a period of three months. But how to make this stay for the longest period possible? Let’s take a look at some pointers you need to keep in mind for your hair after keratin treatment.

Keratin Treatment Aftercare: Key Tips to Know

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1. Use the right shampoo

It is critical to focus on haircare after keratin treatment in order to achieve long-term results. If you're wondering how to wash hair after keratin treatment, the right products are required to keep the keratin in your hair. The TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo is ideal for this as it gives a glossy finish while deep cleansing your hair. Because it contains keratin and lightweight argan oil, it keeps your hair straight and smooth. Plus, it is low in sulphates, which keeps your hair from drying (a consequence of any chemical treatment) while also improving the texture and overall health of your hair.

Step-by-Step

First things first, no washing your hair for the first three days. But on the fourth day, you are free to do as you wish.

  • Thoroughly wet your hair.
  • Take just the right amount of shampoo for your scalp, it shouldn’t be too little or too much. Mix it with a few drops of water and rub it in your palms till you get a lather.
  • Apply it to your scalp well and massage it all over.
  • Rinse it all off till you are sure there is no residue left in your hair.

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2. Condition your hair

After any treatment, you need to skip oiling for a bit. So, how can you get the nourishment your hair needs? That’s where a conditioner comes in. Change to a moisturising, keratin-infused conditioner that not only softens but also repairs dry hair like the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner. It, like its shampoo counterpart, uses argan oil and keratin to soften and smooth your hair, which is why you can use it for your post-treatment routine. It also contains micro moisture technology, which protects dry hair while calming frizz until your next hair wash.

Step-by-Step

After you have shampooed your hair, that’s when the role of the conditioner begins.

  • Take a coin-sized amount of the conditioner and start applying it from the mid-lengths to the tips of your hair. Avoid the scalp.
  • Evenly spread it with your fingers.

Let it sit for three to four minutes and then wash it off.

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3. Serum

Did you know that keratin smoothens not only the hair but also the frayed cuticles? That's right, no more frizz or split ends. So, if you want to style your hair or simply tame flyaways after washing it post-treatment, use a keratin serum as well. Simply apply a few drops of TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Serum. Camellia oil, in addition to keratin and argan oil, is used to strengthen your hair and lock in moisture, keeping it soft and shiny.

Step-by-Step

You can apply a serum after every hair wash session or just use it on special occasions when you want to style your hair.

  • After washing your hair, ditch the blow dryer and rough towel and let it air dry. If you are in a hurry, you can use an old but clean cotton tee or a micro-fibre towel to squeeze out the excess water.
  • Once your hair is damp, take a few drops of the serum in your palm.
  • Apply it to your hair from mid-lengths to the ends without touching your scalp.
  • Evenly spread it with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.

Alternatively, since it is lightweight and non-greasy, you can use it even on dry hair.

4. Keep it dry

To be honest, this goes for any hair treatment. After getting a keratin treatment, to get all its benefits and let the keratin get absorbed in your hair, you need to do whatever it takes from getting it wet for at least three days. Guess, now you know not to book your appointment during Holi or the monsoons. Avoid any activity that may wet your hair like swimming, that gets you sweating or getting wet in the rain. Also limit exposure to chlorine, hard water and UV rays to extend the life of the keratin.

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5. Don’t tie your hair

It is best to leave the hair untied for three days to allow it to blend with the keratin. Those three days are crucial as the keratin is malleable and can leave dents in your hair if you clip or tie it. If you must, use soft hair ties to tie your hair three days after the treatment. And while it is advised to leave your hair open till the effects wear off, you can loosely tie your hair. But do try using silk scrunchies as they are much gentler on the hair and will not cause any friction or breakage.

6. Don’t comb your hair

Are you seeing a pattern here, cause we definitely are. There are a lot of no touchy and this also means no combing your hair for the first three days. Use your fingers to smoothen any dents, creases, frizz or flyaways but that’s it. No playing and twirling with your hair! You can brush your hair after the three days, but be gentle and don’t pull or tug.

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7. Don’t oil your hair

You need to stay away from hair oils for at least a month so as not to mess with the keratin’s effects on your hair. But to maintain the moisture in your hair, you can always turn to a good mask which also happens to have keratin. Why not try a professional mask that even the salons use? Get your TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Mask and use it in the comfort of your own home to get a shiny finish. Along with the keratin, it uses marula oil to nourish your hair while calming frizz and flyaways. It also detangles your hair so no pulling at any knots.

Step-by-Step

You can use the mask once or twice a week after a hair wash.

  • Scoop out a generous amount and apply it to your hair from mid-lengths to the tips.
  • We don’t need to repeat any more, but of course, you gotta evenly spread it.
  • Let it sit for three to five minutes.

Rinse it off with cold water to seal all that moisture your hair needs.

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FAQs about Keratin Treatment Aftercare: Key Tips to Know

Q1. Does keratin treatment damage your hair?

A. Keratin treatment uses keratin which is found in your hair to smoothen out the hair shaft and make your mane appear silkier and softer. It uses relatively fewer chemicals than rebonding. If you follow a proper haircare routine, it doesn't damage your hair.

Q2. Can I tie my hair after keratin treatment?

A. No. As we’ve mentioned above, for at least three to four days, you shouldn't tie your hair with a hair tie or any tight clips and leave it open.

Q3. Does keratin treatment make your hair flat?

A. Keratin treatment makes your hair smoother and straighter and thus for the first few days your hair may appear flat but it will gain back volume and bounce after some time.

With just about everyone jumping onto this bandwagon, keratin treatment has become quite the fad. Well, if you have decided to get one too, take a look at the aftercare routine above to get the most out of your hair after keratin treatment.