Smooth, frizz-free strands, real shine, and half the drying time are three keratin treatment benefits your stylist will promise. Keratin treatments work by sealing a protein layer onto each strand of hair. This locks down the cuticle, reducing frizz and drying time for months. Keratin treatments can be used on straight, wavy, and curly hair, although results will vary based on your base texture.
7 Keratin Treatment Benefits for Your Hair
A keratin treatment smooths the cuticle so hair holds less moisture from the air. In practice that means less frizz, more shine, faster drying and easier styling for roughly three to five months. Here is what each of those changes actually looks like with one of the most popular salon keratin hair treatments offered here in Canada.
1. Less Frizz, Whatever the Season
Since keratin fills in voids along your hair shaft and flattens down the cuticle, moisture from that humid summer finds it difficult to pass into the hair strand, and a smoother surface builds up less static in that dry winter. Naturally curly and wavy hair sees the most improvement because these textures tend to frizz the easiest.
2. More Shine
Flattened cuticles reflect light evenly from strands of hair, so hair looks shinier after treatment both in the salon and at home. Colour-treated or porous strands have the greatest difference as they usually scatter light.
3. Faster Blow-Drying
Hair retains less moisture after washing when cuticles are sealed, so hair can air- and blow-dry faster. This is especially noticeable with thick, coarse hair. Some individuals claim their drying time was reduced by over half, Healthline reported.
4. Stronger-Feeling Strands
Hair is composed of keratin, which is why keratin treatments temporarily fill in unruly, raised cuticle scales. GK Hair formulas include Juvexin V2, a plant-based protein derived from quinoa and pea, which strengthens hair from within as the treatment works on the surface, so your strands feel stronger and are less likely to snap when brushing and styling, but split ends will still need to be trimmed.
5. Smoother, More Manageable Texture
Detangling is much easier when the cuticle lies flat. This becomes very important for dense hair that kinks and knots easily. Curly and coily hair will end up loosened into a wave rather than being pin-straight without additional heat from a stylist.
6. Months-Long Results
Typically, treatments last between three and five months, depending on your hair type and frequency of shampooing. This is considerably longer than a blowout or other DIY method.
7. Gentler Than Permanent Straightening
Chemical relaxers break and restructure bonds within your hair shaft permanently, and keratin treatments simply flatten the outer layer of your strand and fade gradually over a few months.
Keratin Treatment Before and After: What to Expect
Right after treatment, your hair will look shinier and straighter as the stylist has essentially ironed the keratin onto each hair strand. Over the next few weeks, this effect wears down to a natural-looking, frizz-free version of your hair's typical texture.
Does Keratin Treatment Straighten Hair?
Yes, but only somewhat and temporarily. Since keratin loosens the curl pattern and smooths the cuticle instead of chemically relaxing the hair like a relaxer would, most clients will maintain some texture. How straight your hair will be depends on the formula strength and flat iron heat.
What Happens After 3 Months
Most stylists will tell you that what you get with a keratin treatment after 3 months is not a total flop, but a sign that it's beginning to fade. The new growth at the roots will take on your natural texture, as opposed to the treated lengths. You'll have frizz back before you lose the shine.
Learn about the longevity of keratin treatments versus other hair treatments to know when it's time for another or if you can trust your go-to products in between.
Who Benefits Most From a Keratin Treatment?
Curly, fine, relaxed, colour-treated, and short hair will all respond differently to a keratin treatment, and knowing what questions to ask beforehand can alter the outcome you walk away with.
Keratin Treatment for Curly Hair
A keratin treatment for curly hair works best when you want softer, more manageable curls rather than pin-straight hair. It smooths the cuticle so curls frizz less and detangle faster, and most people keep a looser version of their natural pattern, with tighter coils holding more of their shape than loose waves do. Tell your stylist whether you want to tame or straighten, since fewer flat-iron passes keep more curl.
Keratin Treatment for Fine Hair
Fine hair can appear flat and weighed down if you use too much product or apply it too near the roots. Using a lighter formula and staying away from the roots will typically fix this.
Stylist's Corner
If your roots get oily fast, remind your stylist to keep the formula off your scalp. The Best directions call for starting about 1/4 inch from the roots, so new growth stays light while the lengths get the smoothing.
Keratin Treatment for Relaxed or Colour-Treated Hair
A keratin treatment for relaxed hair is usually safe. It typically adds shine and makes relaxed hair easier to manage since it's already been chemically straightened.
Back-to-back chemical services raise the risk of over-processing, so tell your stylist about every relaxer, colour or lightening service before booking.
Keratin Treatment for Men
Frizz control and reduced drying time are important for both short, textured cuts and long hair. Fades and crops typically require less product and processing time than longer styles.
Downsides and Side Effects to Know
Weigh the downsides and real keratin treatment side effects before you book. Expenses can become substantial with repeat appointments. Many salon formulas require you to keep hair dry for 72 hours as part of keratin treatment aftercare, although The Best Hair Treatment lets you wash the same day with GK Hair shampoo and conditioner. Swimming in chlorinated or salt water still shortens results either way.
Keratin Treatment: Benefits vs. Drawbacks
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Cuts frizz and static for months | Cost adds up with repeat visits |
| Shortens blow-dry and styling time | Some formulas need a 72-hour no-wash window |
| Adds visible shine and smoothness | Chlorine and saltwater shorten results |
| Loosens curl without a full relaxer | Some formulas release fumes when heated |
Does Keratin Treatment Damage Hair?
Not usually, but it can. Applied correctly, the formula stays off the scalp, so follicles aren't touched. Damage usually comes from flat-iron heat that is too high for weak hair or from repeating treatments too often, and some formulas can lift colour slightly. Fine or already over-processed hair is the most vulnerable, so a lower iron temperature and a longer gap between services matter more than the formula itself.
Choosing a Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Treatment
Formaldehyde-free matters because of what happens when a formula is heated. According to the FDA, hair straightening products that contain formaldehyde or methylene glycol can emit formaldehyde gas when heated with a flat iron. That gas can irritate salon customers' eyes and airways without adequate ventilation.
Health Canada requires that cosmetics sold in Canada limit formaldehyde to 0.2% when it is used as a preservative. The limit is far stricter, 0.01%, for products that release formaldehyde vapours, such as hair straightening treatments that are blow-dried or flat-ironed. Our current treatments, sold in over 75 countries, are formaldehyde-free.
GK Hair Keratin Treatment Options
Want salon-quality results without stepping foot in a salon? The Best Hair Treatment penetrates with Juvexin V2, a revolutionary plant-derived protein from quinoa and pea, working from the inside out to repair and strengthen your hair. It's formaldehyde-free, long-lasting up to five months, and best for coarse, resistant, or colour-treated hair that desires optimal shine.
Prefer a vegan keratin treatment? The Best Vegan Hair Treatment, available as The Best Coco and The Best Acai, pairs Juvexin V2 with plant ingredients such as coconut oil, lasts three to five months, and is 100% formaldehyde-free. It's safe on colour-treated hair, and GK Hair recommends colouring after the treatment.
So, Is a Keratin Treatment Worth It?
Yes, if you are like most people wanting silky smooth hair, the keratin treatment benefits listed above are worth it. If you prefer DIY maintenance, check out GK Hair's entire lineup of hair treatments and find one that works for you.
FAQs
Is keratin treatment good for hair?
Yes, a keratin treatment is good for hair, for most hair types. It defrizzes hair, adds shine, and decreases styling time for months. Fine hair needs a lighter application kept away from the roots, and it isn't the best fit for hair that reacts negatively to chemicals.
Can I color my hair after a keratin treatment?
Yes. GK Hair recommends colouring after the treatment, and you can do it the same day if you use deposit-only colour with a 10-volume developer or lower. Save lightening or bleach for a separate appointment, and tell your stylist about every chemical service your hair has had.
Does keratin treatment cause hair loss?
Not directly. Keratin coats the strand and does not reach the follicle. Health Canada has, however, received complaints about smoothing products that contained too much formaldehyde, including burning eyes, nose and throat and a report of hair loss, which is one more reason to choose a formaldehyde-free formula and keep it off the scalp. If shedding persists after a few weeks or occurs only at the hairline, see a dermatologist to eliminate other causes.
How much does a keratin treatment cost in Canada?
Salon keratin treatments cost CAD $200 to $600 in Canada, depending on the length of hair and city (tends to be on the higher end in Toronto and Vancouver). At home, a 3.4 fl. oz. bottle of The Best Hair Treatment retails at CAD $98.50; check the product page for current offers.
How long does a keratin treatment last?
Most keratin treatments last three to five months. The Best Hair Treatment keeps hair smooth for up to five months, and results last longest when you wash with sulfate-free shampoo, limit chlorine and salt water, and use heat protection. New growth at the roots returns to your natural texture.
