What are some positive adjectives one might use to describe skin? The words "soft" and "youthful" come to mind. Now, how would you describe nice hair? You might describe it as sleek, shiny, and vibrant. Here's the thing: you can have the soft, youthful skin and sleek hair you've always dreamed of. It all comes down to how you care for your hair. That means letting salon professionals do more complex treatments like coloring, and it also means using good-quality products on your hair and skin. Learn more about the secrets to healthy skin and hair as you dive into our articles on the topic.
Going From Coily To Straight Safely With Keratin Smoothing
While having coily or extremely curly textured hair enables you to wear a myriad of styles, from sleek braids to Senegalese twists, you may want to switch it up every once in a while and wear your locks straight.
There are many ways to straighten your hair, from a full-on chemical relaxer to an old school press and curl using a metal straightening comb. However, a relaxer is irreversible and can lead to brittle hair that is prone to split ends. A traditional press with a straightening comb can leave your hair heat damaged with limp strands that never become curly again.
To avoid those issues when you want to straighten your hair, consider a keratin smoothing treatment. With this treatment, you have the advantage of loosening your hair's texture and eliminating frizz and flyaway strands for up to a few months at a time.
The Basics
Keratin is a natural protein that is already present in your hair. It serves as a protective barrier to prevent your hair from suffering damage and stress from over manipulation and poor care. A keratin smoothing treatment infuses a high concentration keratin into your strand's cuticle and seals the solution with carefully applied heat. The result is stronger, shinier, frizz-free hair.
Salons offer keratin treatments and you can also purchase smoothing kits from beauty supply stores. However, if you've never had a treatment, consult a professional before undergoing the process so you do not damage your hair. Licensed stylists can also provide you with the proper products you need for aftercare.
Overall Benefits
Unlike relaxers, a keratin smoothing treatment does not involve using lye or similar chemicals that break down strands, changing their structure in the process. Also, relaxers can cause chemical burns, scalp inflammation, thinning, and even respiratory problems. Walk into any salon that performs relaxers, and you will be able to smell the lye from relaxers right away.
Also, keratin smoothing does not subject your hair to the long-term damage of heating tools like flat irons, straightening combs, and curling wands.
Care and Maintenance
Because everyone has different hair, the exact duration of the keratin smoothing varies from person to person, from a couple of months or longer. Once you undergo the treatment, the stylist will recommend that you not wash your hair for several days. After that, make sure to use a sulfate-free shampoo on your regular wash day. Sulfate-free shampoos will not strip your hair of its natural oils and are less harsh than cleansers with sulfates.
After shampooing, use a smoothing conditioner to restore moisture to your strands. You should also use a daily treatment spray formulated specifically for keratin smoothed hair.