If it can last longer, does it mean it is better? No. If you are currently using the duration as the gauge, you need to read this.
This should be quite relevant to most of our readers, the keratin treatment. We have been doing this service for years and we have about an average of 18 people a week who directly booked for keratin treatment in specific. Serving thousands of ladies for these past years, let’s discuss more in-depth information about this treatment.
There are many brands of keratin treatment in the market and this particular treatment used to work really well in terms of hair straightening. A little bit of history. It used to be able to last up to 6 to 8 months, and some up to 12 months. The hair can stay straight and smooth for 6 to 8 months, even better than rebonding? Haha. But at what expense?
It can last that long because of this chemical. The F word. Wait for it. Not the F word that you’re thinking. Hahaha.
Formaldehyde. This F word.
People who have done their homework on keratin treatment might know this. Formaldehyde is a very harmful chemical. It was declared as a toxic substance by Canada in 1999 and some uses of it were banned in Europe too. Studies also showed that it is a carcinogen and years later, this formaldehyde was officially listed on the Report on Human Carcinogens, from the Department of Health and Human Services (United States).
Why is this so harmful?
It is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that can cause health problems when inhaled or absorbed by the skin. At the start, it can cause irritation to the eyes and also breathing problems. But with prolonged high exposure to formaldehyde, it is found that it causes myeloid leukemia and rare cancers. It is that dangerous.
With the new regulation, through the years, lesser products contain formaldehyde now, some countries are stricter than the rest. Notice the word ‘lesser’. Well, not all countries have banned formaldehyde and upon reading this, you should be alarmed.
Remember what I mentioned on top? Keratin treatment used to be able to last for 6 to 8 months in the past. For now, the keratin treatment that we’re offering, the smoothing can last up to 3 months, about half the duration.
Is it bad? Of course not, it’s even better. It’s good news actually. This deserves a toast. I will explain why below.
To be honest, I have a handful of customers who did some comparisons and told me that this particular brand can last longer so she wants to go ahead with that instead as that is worth the price for the duration it can last. At the earliest stage, keratin treatment used to be able to last 6 to 8 months and judging whether this is good by how long it can last, is not a very good determinant? We can at least agree on this yup?
Well, for my part, as somebody who prioritizes hair health, I did my part by telling her that perhaps we shouldn’t just compare the prices. What are the ingredients? Does it have extra ingredients? The F word? Or some other not-so-healthy ingredients?
While we’re at this topic, perhaps, we can use our product as the benchmark.
We’re using the product from Alfaparf Milano, an Italian product. The official name of this service is 4-Step Keratin Straightening Treatment. In short, I will just call it the keratin treatment.
The reason why we choose this brand is because of one thing - ingredients. Not only it does not contain formaldehyde, but it does not have sulfate, salt, and paraben too. These chemicals are bad for our hair and health. It’s just like our food, without preservatives, it wouldn’t last long, right?. Now, do you understand why it is good that it can only last up to 3 months? Because there are lesser chemicals.
Although it can only last up to 3 months, at least you know you are in safe hands, the products are not harmful and your health is unlikely to be affected. Why would you risk your health for something that can last just a couple of months more? Is that something you should prioritize? No, my dear. Health is the top priority.
To allow you to understand better, I’ll share more on the process of our keratin treatment. We had looked for some volunteers to try it at our second branch beside Tiong Bahru Plaza and I took some photos.
Why is it called 4-Step Keratin Straightening Treatment is because it has 4 steps in total, in 4 different bottles. I’ll briefly explain the process and show you how it works.
Before we start, this is the hair of our volunteer, we have a Whatsapp group where we’ll post as and when we need volunteers so the lucky ones get to try the hair services for free.
She was chosen because her hair is frizzy, very dry and slightly wavy, the perfect person to do the keratin treatment.
If your hair is frizzy and unmanageable, you should go for intense smoothing treatment such as the keratin treatment. In simpler terms, how it works is, a layer of keratin will be applied and locked in the hair, intentionally moisturizing and smoothing it deeply. Let’s go back to the process.
Step 1: Deep Cleaning Shampoo
Like the name stated, the deep cleaning will wash the hair to get rid of the impurities and dirt. It’s like a mini detox but in a shampoo form. Because the steps later will require the hair to be really “clean” so that what we’re locking in the hair is keratin and not dirt and impurities.
Step 2: Smoothing Fluid
This little bottle has all the magic stored in it, it contains a very rich and thick keratin mixture to be applied on the hair. Thereafter, we leave it on for about 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 3: Detangling Cream
The main function of this cream would be for the detangling and frizz reduction. The stylist will slowly and gently detangle the hair to prepare for the locking process next. We want to lock the keratin in a beautiful tangle-less hair so this step is extremely important.
The detangling cream acts as a heat protector too from the ironing so that the hair is protected from being damaged by the heat. A premium product with dual uses.
What happens now is after the application of the detangling cream, it will have to be combed slowly and evenly. And next, to blowdry it and the locking of the keratin in the hair begins.
Step 4: Rehydrating Mask
This is the last step of this service and the rehydrating mask works like a post-service treatment to give a dramatic boost of moisture to the hair. It has to be left on for 5 to 10 minutes so in the process of waiting, the new layer of keratin is slowly absorbing moisture from the mask.
You can tell that the hair is going to be really smooth by the product that was applied on it. It's a very rich and thick cream that will provide a dramatic boost of moisture.
The result
Does it look natural? If you are there on the spot, you will be able to see that the texture looks totally different now. It’s really smooth and nice to touch. That’s the function of a smoothing treatment, to deeply smoothen the hair and make it manageable and silky. Because it became slightly thicker too, it added a little depth to her hair color.
For the pricing, it’s at $98 on Mondays and $138 on other days (Tues to Sun). Both the $98 and $138 are for all hair lengths and it includes a free haircut, all handled by our team of Senior Stylists.
I mentioned at the top of the article that we have served thousands of customers just for this service alone, it is mostly because of our customers' referrals. That allows us to continue with this special Monday price for years. Notice the word years, not months. We're super grateful for all the referrals and recommendations. Thank you! :)
Who should do this?
If you think your hair is too rough and needs deep smoothing, this is it. However, one thing to take note is, as we’re locking the keratin in the hair with a flat iron, in the process, it provides a straightening effect as a result of the locking. Avoiding the difficult hair science, let me provide a simpler explanation.
When we apply the keratin on the hair, it is in liquid form. And through the locking process with the flat iron, heat is applied and now this layer of keratin is hardened, like a protection for the hair and instead of being hard and rough, it is smooth and soft. A little difficult to understand with words but it does make each strand a little thicker with the extra layer of the smooth keratin. All these explanation and illustrations are made really simple and the real hair science explanation is a lot more complication than this.
Now here's a truth for people who do rebonding often.
I have heard my customers tell me that they have been told keratin treatment works the same as a soft rebonding. It's just like soft rebonding but without all the chemicals. The effects might be similar but it works the same? I'm afraid not.
Ultimately, rebonding is solely a straightening service while keratin treatment is a smoothing service. Rebonding has one important function, and that is to break the original hair bonds (curly or wavy) and after the ironing, the straight structure is permanently set by reconnecting it back, re-bonding, now it makes sense yup?
However, for the 4 steps of the keratin treatment explained above, a simpler way to explain this is that the treatment added a large amount of keratin to your hair and in the process of locking the keratin in the hair, it provides a straightening effect, like a secondary bonus. The primary function is still the smoothing and not the straightening.
The process and function are different from rebonding. Now, the next question, the effects might look similar to soft rebonding and this is definitely true but how long does the straightening last for the keratin treatment? That's probably what you're most interested in.
And here's my answer, it depends. Yes, I get it, the typical answer, it depends. Haha. I'll explain further.
Everyone has different hair structures. Some of us have curly hair, some have wavy hair and some have just slightly wavy hair. This is the natural permanent structure. Now, let’s imagine a rubber band, if you pull it, stretch it and release it, unless it breaks, otherwise, it will always go back to the original structure, right? If you pull it hard enough, the rubber band will be a little loose but it will retain its own original structure. What if you cut the rubber band and glue it in a square shape? It becomes a square shape as you have intentionally made it like this.
The same goes for the hair too. Rebonding breaks the bond and re-bond it into permanent straight hair. The keratin treatment will help to make the hair straighter. Naturally straighter but not dead-straight like rebonding. Straighter but not very straight compared to rebonding.
If you have wavy hair, the straighter version of it will be a natural less wavy hair, perhaps the wavy-ness will be reduced by 50%. It will be naturally straighter, like soft rebonding. Natural and not flat. Very pretty!
And the next example, if you have very curly hair, the straighter version of this will not be the same as the straighter version of a wavy hair above. 50% less curly does not equal 50% less wavy. Now, do you understand why it works better for some people? Because we all have different hair structures. That’s why I said it depends. Because… it really depends! On what? Your hair structure. Haha.
Like I mentioned above, it’s at $98 on Mondays and $138 on other days, for all lengths with free haircut included.
Because rebonding dries out the hair, I have customers who are alternating rebonding and keratin treatment every 3 months. That way, the hair wouldn’t be too dry as it gets a deep smoothing every 6 months and the hair remains straight and silky. I also have quite a lot of customers who are solely doing the keratin treatment every 3 months, just because she likes the smoothing effect. It’s like $32.66 a month ($98 / 3), I guess it’s worth it! Haha.
And before I end, one last thing, we have just opened our second branch at Tiong Bahru, it’s just beside Tiong Bahru Plaza, a short 3 minutes walk, fully sheltered. If you’re nearby the area, do come and visit us! I’ll include the link to our studio tour below.
This is the address -
11A Boon Tiong Road #01-02
Singapore 161011
Call us at 6259 4631 for any appointment booking or inquiries.
In conclusion, after reading this, I doubt that you will still be using the duration as the gauge for how good the keratin treatment is. Understand the product well and you will be doing your body and hair health a huge help. It might be able to last twice the duration but at what expense? I’m sure you have the answer to that now.
If you need any help with your hair issue, you know where to find us. Just head to our fb page and send us a message. Or if you have booked an appointment with us on our website, you should have my number. Send me a message. Ask me anything, hair loss, hair care routine, hair maintenance. I’m always here to help you!
To book an appointment, head to the appointment tab above, or call us at 6259 4631 (tiong bahru) or 6336 1476 (bugis cube). :)
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