When people hear about keratin, the hair-straightening treatments that are revolutionizing the hair care industry, they always have a lot of questions. Here are some answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about keratin and its benefits:

What exactly is keratin?

Keratin is a naturally-occurring protein that is already present in your hair.

How do keratin hair-straightening treatments work?

A stylist applies a hair straightening product containing keratin to your hair, then uses a flat iron to heat seal it in. This usually takes a minimum of 90 minutes, depending on the length of your hair.

What are the biggest benefits of keratin?

Well, it straightens hair and keeps it straight for approximately two to three months, during which time a keratin hair straightening treatment can shorten the amount of time it takes to blow dry your hair by 40% to 60%.  Plus, keratin won’t break your hair the way using a flat iron can. That’s because flat irons that are way too hot can actually scorch your hair, breaking it off.

Keratin is takes more of a restorative approach to hair straightening. It actually strengthens the hair shaft and makes your hair more resilient.

Won’t keratin wash out when my hair gets wet?

No, you can walk out of the salon into a driving rainstorm and your hair will remain perfectly straight.

Do I have to wait before washing my hair after I get a keratin hair straightening treatment?

Yes, it is recommended that you wait about three or four days after getting a keratin hair straightening treatment to give the keratin time to reach its fullest potential.

Do I have to do anything special to my hair after I get a keratin hair straightening treatment?

Not really. It’s recommended that you use a shampoo that is free of sodium and sulfates, but you probably want to do that anyway.