What Is Keratin Hair Straightening?

Most of today’s popular straighteners are keratin-based. Keratin is a protein found naturally in your hair. It can fill in gaps in the hair cuticle that are cracked, dry, or damaged. It is mixed with varying levels of formaldehyde, and applied to the hair, and then sealed in with the heat of a flat iron. The formaldehyde helps hold the keratin molecules together, which straightens your hair and keeps it that way. The results of keratin-based treatments last about two to 2 1/2 months. Keratin treatments take about 90 minutes or longer, based on the length of your hair. The price also rises and falls with your hair’s length. Color — whether highlights, low lights, or merely covering up the gray — can be done on hair that has had keratin-based straightening treatments. In fact, it is recommended getting the treatment right after your color so that it seals the color in as well.