Keratin For Hair: Explore Its Benefits, Myths, And Expert Tips

Has your hair been feeling supremely unruly and damaged? Despite summoning a squad of care products, does it still stay frizz-inflicted? Well, if the answer to the above questions is a series of disconcerting yeses — it’s time to consider a keratin treatment for the hair. One must note that we are not referring to the keratin treatment offered, courtesy of your nearest salon (although that is an option) but a litany of keratin-based products available on Nykaa. Before we take you through the list of these top-notch offerings, let us pause and understand the functionality, the structure and the benefits of keratin for hair.

What Is Keratin?

Keratin is the fibrous protein which serves as the building block for your hair and nails. It prevents your mane from damage against external aggravating factors and extreme weather conditions. If your hair is damaged or stressed, topical application of keratin-based products helps reverse the damage and rejuvenate by bolstering every single strand, from the root up.

What Are The Benefits Of Keratin

As touched upon briefly, earlier in this article — the use of keratin bestows multiple benefits on your mane. Keep scrolling to learn more about them!

1. Keratin Helps Bolster Hair Strength

Keratin is found naturally in the hair strands and nails. However, with time, this level of structural protein dwindles due to excessive styling, external factors and chemical use. This leads to the hair strands becoming brittle and hence, more prone to damage. To help circumvent this concern, you may use a keratin-infused product, which will intuitively fill the vacancies created in the shaft (keratin absence). And in the process, bolster hair health.

2. Keratin Helps Defrizz Hair And Makes It More Manageable

If you dread stepping out in humid weather due to your hair frizzing, almost instantly— you ought to make best friends with a potent keratin concoct. An infallible keratin serum or conditioner will cast away excessive moisture and help dry overly porous hair sans the worries of tangling.

3. Keratin Makes Your Hair Shiny

Who doesn’t fancy shiny tresses that fall so perfectly over the shoulders? We do! Since keratin prioritises hair healing from within by reversing damage, expediting air drying time and reducing frizz — it adds a layer of protective lustre to the mane. It also makes the shafts naturally straight and well, gorgeous.

The Keratin Treatment Process

Keratin has become the magic word to describe sleek, smooth, and manageable hair. However, what is keratin for hair, and how does it work? Keratin is a natural protein in our hair that forms the structural framework that maintains hair strength and elasticity. Over time, damage from heat styling, environmental agents, and chemical treatments contributes to keratin depletion, with dullness and frizz susceptibility as the results. A replenishing keratin treatment essentially brings this critical protein back into the hair's system, thus giving it a health and appearance transformation. Here's a closer look into the keratin treatment, its benefits, and possible solutions for your hair concern.

Prep: Setting the Stage

Before the treatment, the hair is cleansed to remove buildup and residue that could interfere with the keratin's absorption. Your stylist may recommend a trim for split ends and damaged hair, however, some prefer to maintain the hair at its natural length. This preparation allows the keratin solution to work on a clean, healthy base.

Application of the Keratin Solution

Finally, the keratin solution-a combination of keratin protein and conditioning ingredients is applied meticulously, strand by strand, to coat each strand of hair evenly and let the keratin penetrate as deeply as possible into the hair. It works right then, delivering moisture and proteins to the hair.

Heat Styling: Locking in the Benefits

After the application of the keratin solution, your stylist will blow-dry your hair to remove excess moisture. Finally, using a flat iron, they seal the keratin in the hair shaft. Heat activation is necessary for locking down all benefits from keratin and getting your hair soft, shiny, and frizz-free. This results in beautiful silky hair that feels silky to your touch.

Waiting Period: Let it Absorb

After the treatment, it needs to be allowed to soak and absorb into the hair wholly. Stylists usually discourage people from washing, stylising, or exposing to moisture for 24 to 48 hours. This waiting time will ensure that the treatment doesn't wear off too fast.

Follow-up Care: Keeping Your Locks Healthy

After-care is key to extending the life of your keratin treatment. Sulphate-free shampoos, reducing heat styling, and protective products are often recommended. These steps help keep your hair smooth and shiny as long as possible after the treatment.

Is Keratin Treatment Good for Hair?

For many, the answer is a resounding yes. A keratin treatment can dramatically reduce frizz, enhance shine, and improve hair manageability. However, results vary from person to person depending on the hair type, treatment, and after-care instructions followed. Discussing your goals and concerns with your stylist will help ensure the best outcome.

Finally, keratin for hair is more than just a fad, it is a life-altering treatment that will rejuvenate your hair to regain health and beauty. Be you combating frizz or seeking silky smooth locks, knowing what a keratin treatment for hair does, may just help you decide whether this is the right thing for you.

How Long Does Keratin Treatment Last?

The longevity of hair keratin treatments differs with various factors, such as texture, porosity, and even health. Healthier strands tend to last longer. Proper maintenance techniques, such as using sulfate-free shampoos, minimising hot styling, and applying products that protect the hair, are responsible for extending the life of any treatment. Most treatments last around 3 to 6 months, though this varies among individual hair types and specifically what treatment is used. Regular touch-ups and diligent after-care are essential for keeping results smooth, shiny, and frizz-free. Understanding what keratin is for hair, it is a protein that adds strength and smoothness to strands, helps highlight its transformative power. When considering what keratin treatment for hair consists of, it is clear to say that it provides a sleek and polished look. Wondering, is keratin treatment good for hair? The answer lies in how well you take care of it, because well-kept ensures maximum benefits and long-lasting results.

6 Best Keratin Products Available On Nykaa

Now that you know the benefits of keratin, like the back of your hand –it's time to employ a keratin-based product in your regimen. Lucky for you, we did some digging and are listing only the best of the lot for your consideration.

1. Best Professional Offering - Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Frizz Away Shampoo With Babassu Oil

Price: INR 1150 for 250ml
Rating: 4.3
Treats: Frizz

The Bonacure Frizz Away shampoo is used by professionals across salons — a testament to the efficacy of the blend. A bestseller from Schwarzkopf, the shampoo gently cleanses the tresses and seals in nourishment in the damaged parts of the volume. Additionally, crafted using the cell perfector technology, this formulation fills in gaps and strengthens the strands from the root up. Deemed suitable for everyday use, summon this brew for a guaranteed lustrous shine at the end of your wash-lather-rinse ritual.

2. Best Keratin Shampoo For Damaged Hair - L'Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo With Keratin XS For Damaged Hair

Price: INR 779 for 650ml
Rating: 4.4
Treats: Damaged Hair

Bid goodbye to damaged tresses with the L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5! The star ingredient of the blend, keratin (no surprises there), revives all kinds of damaged hair —caused due to styling, heat or pollution. The incredible formula replenishes the moisture content in the hair cuticles, dwindling the stiffness and the straw-like texture. It also minimises episodes of inexplicable split ends and brittleness by filling in the damaged areas of the shaft (where keratin vacancies).

3. Best Keratin Shampoo For Dry Scalp - Argatin Keratin Repair Lasting Shampoo

Price: INR 1214for 330ml
Rating: 4.6
Treats: Dry scalp

Argatin Keratin Repair Lasting Free Shampoo is a protein-based shampoo with Argan oil that supplies essential vitamins, minerals, and lipids for the nourishment of dry, frizzy, and damaged hair. This keratin-rich formula will strengthen and protect hair from root to tip, thereby reducing hair fall, and resulting in smooth and shiny ends. Suitable for keratin-treated, coloured, or highlighted hair, it enhances the hair's resilience and gives it deep moisturising benefits at the scalp. Sulfate and paraben-free, this shampoo prevents colour fading and boosts softness and silkiness.

4. Best Weekend Keratin Treatment - Tresemme Keratin Smooth Deep Smoothing Mask

Price: INR 600 for 300ml
Rating: 4.5
Ensures: Hydration

Give your mane a much needed TLC sesh with the wondrous Tresemme Keratin Smooth Deep Smoothing Mask. The creamy texture is whipped to perfection and once summoned, will grant you the mane of your dream — silky, sleek and gorgeous. The presence of argan oil, a powerful antioxidant, helps prevent oxidative damage and episodes of breakage. Use a generous scoop on the entirety of your hair after thoroughly cleansing with a shampoo to get lush locks for 72 hours at a stretch!

5. Best Paraben-Free Keratin Offering - Be Bodywise Keratin Conditioner (Paraben and SLS Free) - Reduces Frizz and Locks in Moisture

Price: INR 499 for 200ml
Rating: 4.3
Ensures: Glossy Tresses

Using a conditioner after cleansing your tresses is non-negotiable —the process ensures that ample moisture content is locked into the cuticles to help the mane appear soft and smooth. That’s right, a good conditioning treatment is indispensable to frizz-free, manageable hair and if you are looking for recommendations, we have just the perfect product! Be Bodywise's conditioner melds protein, biotin and niacinamide to help fill in the damaged areas in your hair– making it ultra smooth, healthy and glossy! The consciously-inclined formula steers clear of SLS, paraben, and petroleum and has been crafted with clinically proven actives only.

6. Nykaa Army Approved - Bare Anatomy Anti Frizz Hair Mask

Price: INR 629
Rating: 4.4
Treats: Frizz

The Bare Anatomy Anti-Frizz Hair Mask works wonders with long-lasting control of frizz, making hair sleek, manageable and silky for 24 hours. It is highly enriched with hyaluronic acid giving you deep hydration to nourish your scalp, helping draw in moisture to keep the hair soft and smooth. Moisture, sealed by the fatty acids in the formula, yields a frizz-free glossy finish. Also, it provides a boost for keratin in hair as it supports the retention of protein content to improve hair strength and healthy strands. This protein strength works to give you brilliant, healthy hair by distributing richness and enhancing the shine and vitality of your hair.

Key Takeaways

Keratin treatments are transformative solutions for smooth, shiny, and frizz-free hair. Understanding what keratin is for hair and its benefits can unlock healthier, more manageable strands. Whether you are exploring what keratin treatment for hair involves or debating whether keratin treatment is good for hair, proper after-care is key to maximising its longevity. With regular maintenance, such as using sulfate-free products and protecting your hair from heat, you can enjoy sleek, polished results for months.

FAQs

1. What is keratin for hair?

   Keratin is a natural protein that strengthens and smooths hair, improving its texture, shine, and manageability.

2. What is keratin treatment for hair?

   A keratin treatment is a salon process that infuses keratin into the hair, reducing frizz and adding smoothness for a sleek, polished look.

3. Is keratin treatment good for hair?

   Yes, keratin treatments can improve hair’s appearance and manageability, but proper after-care is essential to maintain its benefits.

4. How long does a keratin treatment last?

   Keratin treatments typically last 3 to 6 months, depending on hair type, treatment quality, and maintenance practices.

5. What after-care is required for keratin-treated hair?

   Use sulfate-free shampoos, avoid heat styling, and protect hair from excessive moisture to maintain the treatment’s effects for longer.