I have very frizzy and curly hair. Am starting work soon and need to look proper, not messy as I can if my hair are not set right.
So there is a deal on Brasil Keratin Hair straightening. I read the reviews and saw that it can be harmful, the fumes can cause cancer. where as some were happy with the results.
I just dont know low long will this last and if I have to go back every 5-6 months and do the treatment again or if it is harmful for the hair in the long term.
I saw this other thread here on straightening irons and was thinking maybe I should invest in a good iron instead. Dont use any right now.
I think Keratin treatment relaxes the hair a lil bit but doesn't make it pin straight..
I got it done last summer and it felt smoother and less frizzy and with 5-10 mins of straightening iron, I got great hair. It did damage the ends of my hair though. Like it sort of fried them because they straighten your hair while it is still wet with the formula. But I still had to keep straightening my hair. I was expecting that once I take a shower, my hair would fall into place naturally but they didn't at all. The frizz was still there. Maybe my hair was just stubborn? Idk
However the results lasted about two months where I had smoother and easier to manage hair but it wasn't worth the money I paid for it.
Permanent straightening/relaxers are different though because the hair that gets straightened remains straightened but new hair that grows/roots do not. But that damages your hair more. Plus, then you can not make all sorts of hairstyles :(
P.S. I am a cosmetologist.
I agree with that above regarding permanent straightening & would never recommend it b/c of it.
As for the Brazillian Keratin Treatment, I had it done once several years ago and I have a cousin who’s been getting this done since last year. My hair is fine/wavy and I wanted to try this to help with frizziness. Pricing it usually based on the length and thickness of the hair. It’s important to find a reputable salon. I paid somewhere between $200-$250 for it (several years ago so don’t remember exactly how much). I remember after I left the salon, I was told that I could not get my hair wet at all for 4 DAYS. Results were great. My hair stayed smooth (but not pin straight) for almost 3 months. Since I wanted it for frizziness, I got what I wanted.
$ was the #1 reason I never had it done again. If I remember right, I was told that depending on the person’s hair, the results last between 2-3 months and the process must be redone. There was no way I could justify spending almost $1000/year just for smoother hair! As for the cancer worries, the articles are referring to the use for formaldehyde. As a client getting the hair done every few months, the amount of formaldehyde you’re getting exposed to isn’t something to worry about (heh…from my trip to Indonesia last year, I think I got exposed to more cancer causing agents just from the 2nd hand smoking!). The cancer worries are mainly for the WORKERS who do it every-day for HOURS without proper protection. HOWEVER…they do make formaldehyde FREE brazillian keratin treatment. My cousin who’s had it done a few times since last year goes to a salon that uses one without formaldehyde. She has SUPER thick, very curly/nappy hair and doesn’t mind spending the $$ on it b/c it takes her almost 2 hours to straighten it manually. So if you’re getting it done at the salon, call and ask them if the one they use contains formaldehyde.
If you’re willing to spend the $ on it to maintain this regularly, then you should try give it a try to see how you like the results. But if you don’t want to spend the $ OR don’t like the results, then get a good straightener. I used Chi Turbo for several years and just got Sedu Revolution last week (see my other thread for reference).
thanks so much for the reply.
so you are right, this procedure needs to be redone every 4-5 months, for that I cannot also give out like 1000 euro every year and I dont know if this salon has formaldehyde free treatment. The lady was speaking very weak german so it was not light to get info out of her or to understand her fully.
here is a pic of my hair. I didnt get time to do anything other than blow dry them, so thats how messy they look.
I am afraid that with the iron, it will take a lot of time and for that I dont know if I have this time. How many times in a week do u iron them.
I think you can only know how long it will take when you try it. With good straighteners, even thick, curly hair can be done in 15-20 mins max. How many times you need to do it really depends on how often you wash your hair. As once straightened, hair only requires touch-ups until it's washed again.
I used to straighten my hair ALL the time for many years but over time I think the condition of my hair deteriorated. So I don't think it's the best idea. Personally, I embraced my wavy hair and only occasionally straighten now - when I do, they are so much smoother and silkier and when I was straightening all the time.
If you are thinking of buying irons for straight hair, I would also look into how to manage your natural hair so that you can switch between the two. For example, probably stop with the blow drying and instead use products on wet hair that will bring out the curls and make them smooth and frizz free when they have dried.
I mousse my wet hair, let it dry as much as it can whilst I do my makeup. Then give it a blast with the hairdryer before putting just a few waves in with some tongs on the outside parts of my hair, after I've done my parting... just to make the wavy look a bit more pronounced.
Have you ever used a hair straightener before? How do you blow dry the hair?
If you’re not able to properly communicate with the person doing the Keratin treatment for whatever reason, then I wouldn’t go there. Personally, I wouldn’t allow ANY treatments done to me involving chemicals if I can’t communicate fluently with the person doing it.
How often you wash your hair it totally up to you. I usually wash it 2-3x/week. When I wash it depends on when I go to the gym and if I need to go to any special events. If your hair gets a bit oily, you can also use dry shampoo OR rub a tiny bit of baby powder on the roots in order to absorb some of the oil/greasiness so you don’t have to wash it often.
When I blow dry, here is what I do. After shower, I wrap head in towel for a few minutes (do not rub the towel). Then I put a small amount of Moroccon Oil on my palm, rub it on both hand, and run it all over the hair. I let hair air dry for about 30-40 minutes. Then I use a flat brush to blow dry it section by section. Once dry, I again wait about 30 minutes to an hour, and then straighten it. With a good quality straightener, once you get used to using it…it shouldn’t take too long UNLESS your hair is super thick.
If you have never used a straightener before, I would recommend you buy a good one and try it for a few weeks.
Pehli, I have discarded the idea of getting the keratine treatment. I dont think I want chemicals on my hair. Plus you are right, of the communication barrier, I would not feel like I am in good hands.
I too wash 2/3 times in a week. I think my hair tend to get oily on the roots and dry at the ends. I use good professional products. At the moment I am using Wella Care shampoo and mask.
SaadiaB I highly recommend a ghd! I promise you straight hair in less than 10 mins! BEST fashion investment ever followed by bobbi browns skin finish foundation :D
you can use iron for curls too
Saadia, with your hair, I would go for a top end straightener that will be able to manage it to give you fast and good-looking results.
Considering you were about to go for a treatment that only lasts and few months and isn't cheap, the straighteners are an investment and will see you through a number of years!
I was looking into buying from UK as we dont have them in the shops here, the ones from Germany are too expensive.
I forgat that there can be an electricity, plug issue here, what is the watt in UK 240.. but I think the plug is different, for that I can get an attachment.
As for the cancer worries, the articles are referring to the use for formaldehyde. As a client getting the hair done every few months, the amount of formaldehyde you’re getting exposed to isn’t something to worry about (heh…from my trip to Indonesia last year, I think I got exposed to more cancer causing agents just from the 2nd hand smoking!). The cancer worries are mainly for the WORKERS who do it every-day for HOURS without proper protection. HOWEVER…they do make formaldehyde FREE brazillian keratin treatment. My cousin who’s had it done a few times since last year goes to a salon that uses one without formaldehyde. She has SUPER thick, very curly/nappy hair and doesn’t mind spending the $$ on it b/c it takes her almost 2 hours to straighten it manually. So if you’re getting it done at the salon, call and ask them if the one they use contains formaldehyde.
If you’re not able to properly communicate with the person doing the Keratin treatment for whatever reason, then I wouldn’t go there. Personally, I wouldn’t allow ANY treatments done to me involving chemicals if I can’t communicate fluently with the person doing it.
which GHD do you recommend ? the gold ones cost around 150 Euros! expensive.