Do you want to know how to prepare for a keratin treatment? Keratin is a hair-smoothing treatment that helps control frizz and make hair more manageable. While it does not contain harmful ingredients, proper preparation is essential for the best results.
Before getting started, it’s essential to understand how to prepare for a keratin treatment to achieve optimal results. To get ready for a keratin treatment, consider getting a fresh haircut, washing your hair thoroughly, and selecting the right keratin formula.
Choosing a reputable salon is also crucial for an effective treatment. Explore this article to learn the key steps needed when preparing for keratin treatment.
Why Do You Need to Prepare Yourself for a Keratin Treatment?
Preparing yourself before keratin treatment helps you prevent the side effects. Here is why you should prepare for a keratin treatment:
Maximizes Treatment Effectiveness
Proper preparation, such as getting the hair, washing it, and avoiding using colors or chemicals on it, will help you achieve better results in less time. Prepping your hair ensures that the keratin absorbs properly, leading to smoother, longer-lasting results.
Ensure Proper Precautions
Prepping hair sets an ideal condition for your hair and prevents it from damage. Learning about preparation helps you to know how to manage your hair for keratin.
Prevents Unwanted Damage
Some shampoos, serums, or chemical products are not encouraged to be used with keratin because they can interfere with keratin treatments, causing damage or reducing effectiveness. Preparing beforehand ensures uniform application and prevents unwanted damage.
Ensures Even Application
A well-prepared scalp and neat and clean hair promote the even and efficient application of keratin and reduce the risk of patchy results.
How to Prepare for a Keratin Treatment: Step-by-Step Guide
If you plan to get a keratin treatment, start preparing yourself at least 1–2 weeks before the treatment. Avoid applying any chemically formulated serums and gels. Here is the step-by-step guide for how to prepare yourself for a keratin treatment:
1. Choose the Right Salon and Product
Choosing the right keratin product is necessary. There are various keratin products for different hair types. Always select a high-quality keratin with some professional suggestions. There are different types of keratin formulations for people with sensitive scalps, thick hair, soft hair, or curly hair.
Moreover, some keratin may contain formaldehyde formulas. Ensure you get formaldehyde-free keratin formulas for efficient results. Furthermore, choosing the right salon and hair expert is necessary. Look for stylists with experience in keratin treatments. Read customer reviews to ensure quality service.
We recommend Fashion Gold Brazilian Keratin for smooth, frizz-free hair with long-lasting shine and softness.
2. Wash Your Hair 24-48 Hours Before the Treatment
Always get a proper hair wash with gentle cleansers or shampoos one day before the treatment so you can have fresh hair with no additional layers of oil on it. Washing ensures that keratin protein evenly settles on your hair and there is no blockage by oils or other dust particles. Washing your hair properly is a key part of how to prepare hair for keratin treatment, as it ensures the keratin absorbs evenly. Consider the following tips:
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo.
- Avoid using heavy conditioners or serum after washing.
- Let your hair air-dry or blow-dry it on a low setting.
3. Avoid Heavy Styling Products
Avoid heavy hairstyles before getting keratin treatment so you can have a natural texture. Heavy hairstyling includes excessive use of hairsprays and gels, making it problematic for the keratin protein to settle on the hair. Stop using hair masks or serums at least one week before getting the hair treatment because they create a barrier that prevents the keratin from fully penetrating.
4. Get a Trim if Needed
If you are concerned about how to prepare for a keratin treatment, don't worry. Simply get yourself a fresh haircut. Get rid of damaged hair, as well as dead hairs and split ends. Split ends can also be a barrier to smooth keratin treatment. Moreover, this approach helps minimize the overall treatment time while ensuring that keratin is applied precisely to the necessary areas. It provides effectiveness and reduces product waste.
5. Perform a Patch Test
If you are getting keratin treatment for the first time or using a new brand, always have a patch test. It will help you identify whether you are allergic to the keratin. If the patch test is successful, you can get the whole treatment.
6. Avoid Hair Coloring Right Before the Treatment
If you use any hair color or any hair treatment, avoid applying it almost one week before the treatment. Hair dyes contain harsh chemicals that can affect keratin absorption. So, dye your hair a week before the treatment or wait until you get the keratin.
7. Detangle Your Hair Before the Appointment
Smooth hair on the day of treatment is necessary for an even distribution of the protein and perfect keratin settlement. Tangled hair can make the application process more difficult, so detangle your hair to avoid any problems or inconvenience.
8. Avoid Heavy Oils
Heavy oil application or the use of a thick formulation can block keratin settlement. Therefore, avoid using heavy oils on your hair before the keratin treatment because some oil residue may remain stuck to the hair, causing trouble.
9. Schedule the Treatment on a Low-Humidity Day
Try to book your appointment on a day when humidity is low. High humidity can interfere with keratin settlement.
10. Wear Comfortable Clothing to Your Appointment
Keratin treatments can take a few hours, so wear something comfortable during your appointment. You should wear a loose or old shirt so you can easily change clothes in case of any problems.
Post-Treatment Tips for Long-Lasting Results
Keratin preparation is not just about prepping yourself before the treatment. It also includes the methods and ways of maintaining the treatment for long-lasting results. Once you’ve completed your keratin treatment, follow these steps to maintain smooth, frizz-free hair:
Avoid instant hair washing: There is no need to worry about how to prepare for a keratin treatment because you can maintain it easily by following simple steps. Never wash your hair immediately after getting the keratin protein treatment. Wait for at least 72 hours because it may wash away all the essential proteins.
Use Sulfate-Free Shampoos: After getting a keratin treatment, avoid using sulfate shampoos because they may damage your hair structure.
Minimize Heat Styling: Once you get the keratin treatment, minimize heat styling because too much heat may damage your hair. Also, heat protectants should be used when exposed to the sun.
Conclusion
Struggling with how to prepare for a keratin treatment is no longer difficult. Start prepping yourself 1-2 weeks before the treatment. The first step is choosing the right product and salon. The best keratin treatment depends on your hair type, desired results, and sensitivity to certain ingredients. Whether you want long-lasting smoothness, frizz control, or a temporary shine boost, there is a suitable option available.
Wash your hair a day before the treatment to ensure even protein application. Proper preparation and aftercare are essential to maintaining the benefits of the treatment.