Types of Hair Keratin

Want to learn about the different types of hair keratin? It’s a topic that is attracting growing interest among people who take care of their locks. A keratin treatment can completely transform the condition of damaged, frizzy hair, but the key to success is choosing the right product. Keratins are available both for professional use in salons and as products for home application. Each offers slightly different properties and results, so it’s worth learning about their specifics before making a decision. Read our guide, which explains what hair keratin is and which one is best for your needs.

In this article you will learn:

• When and how to use hair keratin?
• Available Types of Hair Keratin
• Hair Keratin – Which Is Best?
• Summary

When and how to use hair keratin?

Keratin treatments are best carried out when your hair shows signs of damage, frizz or loss of shine. The ideal moment for such a treatment is after intensive chemical processes, such as colouring or lightening. With regular care, the treatment is worth repeating every 3–6 months, depending on the condition of the hair. Which keratin is best for damaged hair? The key consideration is matching the product to the degree of damage.

The application process differs depending on the type of keratin for straightening hair. In professional salon treatments the product is applied to the full length of the hair, then the hair is dried and straightened at a high temperature. A professional hairdresser in Warsaw will advise on the right method and product. Home keratin treatments, on the other hand, are usually applied like a mask – spread onto damp hair, left for a set time, and then thoroughly rinsed out.

Available Types of Hair Keratin

On the market a wide range of hair keratin types is available, which differ in composition, purpose and effects. Professional salon keratins contain a higher concentration of active ingredients and are often enriched with additional nourishing substances. Home products, on the other hand, have gentler formulas, which makes them safer for self-application but gives less intensive results. It’s worth remembering that the effects of hairstyle transformations after keratin treatments can be spectacular – from intense regeneration, through smoothing, to long-lasting straightening.

In the case of keratin, the types include:

• keratin with formaldehyde:
  • used mainly in older formulas for Brazilian straightening treatments,
  • it gives a very long-lasting effect of smooth, straight hair, lasting up to 5–6 months,
  • formaldehyde acts as a ‘fixative’ – it seals the keratin into the hair while the straightener is working,
  • the downside is the risk of irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, which is why its use is now being restricted.
• formaldehyde-free keratin:
  • a modern and safer solution,
  • aldehydes or other fixing ingredients (such as acids) are used instead of formaldehyde,
  • the straightening effect is slightly less long-lasting (3–4 months), but the hair gains a healthy look, softness and shine,
  • safer for both the hairdresser and the client – there are no irritating fumes.

When it comes to keratin, the types also differ in the form of application and how long the effects last. Salons mainly use products intended for professional use, which require a special application technique and fixing with high heat. For home use, shampoos, conditioners and masks with keratin are available, which can be used regularly as part of everyday care.

Hair Keratin – Which Is Best?

When choosing the ideal keratin for your hair, you must first determine your goal and hair type. For fine, delicate strands, the best choice will be lighter keratin formulas, which do not weigh hair down while still providing the protein it needs. Thick and very curly hair needs a more intensive action – in this case keratin hair straightening using stronger products will bring the best results.

Keratin – which is best for damaged, dry strands? In such a situation, look for products enriched with additional moisturising and nourishing ingredients, such as plant oils, silk proteins or vitamins. Check the pH of the product – it should be close to the natural pH of the hair (4.5–5.5). Types of keratin for straightening hair also differ in their chemical content – if natural products matter to you, choose those without formaldehyde, parabens and sulphates.

Summary

Wondering which keratin to choose? The best one for you depends primarily on the condition and type of your hair and the results you expect. At the Dawid Krynicki salon in Warsaw we offer professional advice and high-quality keratin treatments. However, whether you choose a professional treatment in the salon or decide on home care with keratin products, your hair will certainly gain a healthier look and shine. We encourage you to try different types of keratin for straightening hair to find the solution perfectly suited to your individual needs.