A lot of women have heard about Brazilian keratin hair straightening treatments but aren’t sure what they are or how they work.

Keratin treatments aren’t magical. They are based on science.

Keratin Defined

Keratin itself is a fibrous structural protein that is actually already present in your hair, fingernails and elsewhere in your body. Keratin hair straightening treatments use this same protein — combined with other ingredients and heat from a flat iron — to bond it with the keratin already present in your hair in order to straighten it and remove frizz.

These treatments can keep your hair looking straight and frizz-free for up to two to three months. They also can reduce your prep time so you don’t have to pay as much attention to your hair when you are getting ready to go out.

Threats to Your Hair

Your hair already is composed of about 95% keratin. And this keratin is the first thing that is depleted whenever your hair is damaged, either by harsh chemicals or by environmental factors such as humidity or blow drying. Flat irons, curling irons and other thermal styling tools also can do a number on your hair.

Another cause of hair damage is stress. Whenever are feeling anxious or stressed out, it can affect your entire body, including your hair. Haven’t you ever noticed that your hair is its most unmanageable when you least need it to be — such as before a big date or an important presentation at work?

Keratin to the Rescue

Having a Brazilian keratin hair straightening treatment provide external protein protection in the cuticle of your hair.

It also provides an internal structure protein in your hair’s cortex. The result is that your hair looks straight, youthful and healthy. And it’s also physically stronger, so it can stand up to stress, environmental factors, and other threats.