THIS ARTICLE IS GOING TO EXPLAIN:
WHAT IS KERATIN AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?Keratin is a hard and structural protein that your body uses to grow hair, skin and nails. Your hair is composed of up 95% keratin and 5% moisture. Once your hair leaves the follicle on your head, your hair continues to grow, but the existing hair does not get any more keratin to rebuild damaged hair.
This is why the keratin treatment is incredible. It is one of the unique treatments that uniquely uses what we term as ‘liquid keratin’ to repair and restore your hairs damaged keratin. It does this by using keratin peptide amino acids instead of using other chemicals to treat hair. Other treatments use oils, serums and a variety of different ingredients and formulations, but keratin is the authentic approach.
The keratin treatment is a chemical process, usually done by a trained hairstylist that straightens or smooths, eliminates frizz, repairs hair damage and adds tremendous shine. Results are semi-permanent and can last up to six months on most hair types.
HOW DOES IT WORK? The keratin treatment works by using a formulated keratin amino acid solution to totally cover the hair shaft. The peptide amino acids use peptide bonding to repair deeply within the cortex of the hair.
It coats the entirety of the hair also by fills in the porous gaps within the hair shaft. Once filled and bonded, the hair shaft is then completely sealed so that the repair protein is locked in and hair becomes stronger, more elastic and healthier.
This is different from a re-bonding chemical treatment which uses an alkaline solution to swell the cuticle and break the cystine bond structure and crystalizes it straight. For more information on chemical straightening, click here.
KERATIN FORMULAS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE
Every brand has its own ingredients and formulations (how it is mixed together) and they are all very different. That is why it is common that when a client finds a keratin treatment that works for them, they are likely to stick to that brand for a long time.
Most keratin treatments use some version broken down amino acids combined with a bonding agent in their formula. For example, here at Terre a Mer they use the latest in Keratin Amino Acids with Glyoxyloyl Carbocysteine and shea butter in the unique formulation we believe gets the best results. Other brands use their own versions such as collagen and silk amino acids with other alternative bonding agents.
Beware of the toxic chemical Formaldehyde. Some brands, particularly the overseas brands use this as their bonding agent. Formaldehyde is dangerous should be avoided. Ask your hairdresser about the formula they use and how they know if the formula does not contain formaldehyde. If you have to leave your hair for 24 to 48 hours then it most likely contains formaldehyde in the formula.
Terre a Mers formula is proudly formaldehyde free and has be tested in Australian TGA certified labs for your peace of mind :)
Ultimately you need both the formula and the correct technical process (technique) for the desired keratin treatment result. You can get a treatment with a good formula, but with poor technique, you won’t get the desired result. Since all formulations are different, you could also apply the correct process but get a poor outcome.
PRO TIP: They key is you need both. A great keratin formula & specialised techniques.
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT TREATMENT?The most important aspect you should worry about is the end result you want for your hair. Whether you like it straight, frizz-free, chemically safe product it will be based on the quality of the product used by the salon and also the experience of the stylist or technician doing your hair.
Keratin treatments are all made differently can have many different formulas and different processes, so it’s essential to understand what is being done to your hair and why at each stage.
Terre a Mer has formulated its own professional keratin treatment and has done thousands of successful keratin treatments. We have our own techniques that guarantee success and can speak with some Authority.
WATCH OUT:Some salons advertise keratin treatments but don’t do use a keratin treatment when they do the service. They will use something that they like or that they think is better for their clients which can be one of several treatments that act like keratin but is not specifically a keratin treatment.
For example, some may even use a chemical straightening, relaxer or other bonding solution instead. Our expert opinion is to inquire and double-check the bottle and the ingredients on the actual products if unsure. The hairdresser should openly show you what they are using at each stage. If they do not, it can be a red flag.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DOWNSIDES?
IS IT WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
Your hair is unique right? You have specific hair goals that you want to achieve, and you have different problems to deal with when it comes to your hair.
At Terre a Mer we understand that. The hair repair experts (it’s what we call all our certified technicians) are trained to deliver a unique experience for you. How do we do this?
We take the time during the consultation and during the treatment to get the results we promise. We do not rush the process as we want your experience to be delivered.
Every woman’s hair is different, and all tresses have their unique needs. You have other requirements to most of your friends, right? Each of our Hair Repair Experts at Terre a Mer is trained in the techniques needed to deliver the best results.
1 - Repair hair damage to rescue hair.
2 - Delivery a keratin straightening treatment
3 - Transform hard to manage hair into frizz-free, easy to wear hair.
In the end, the choice is yours! Almost every salon offers a different brand. At Terre a Mer we understand the result people want and we aim to deliver that expectation every time.
]]>DOES YOUR STORY SOUND SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
Hair is curly or out of hand and you spend hours straightening your hair every day of the week. You are on your last straw, enough is enough, you want control!
Some hairdressers swear by chemical straightening, while others recommend the keratin treatment without a doubt. What they say conflict, you are confused and want to make the right choice for yourself.
That’s why you are! You want to learn about the science behind the Keratin Treatment and decide what is the best way to straighten your hair professionally: Keratin Straightening or Chemical straightening?
It can be confusing so we will help clarify and help you make a decision.
KEY QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS KERATIN STRAIGHTENING?
Keratin straightening uses a relatively new solution to straighten the hair called the Keratin Treatment. Your hair, skin and nails are made of keratin and just a few years ago scientists discovered how to break down keratin into its smaller amino acid compounds and were able to re-bind them to the hair, effectively repairing damaged hair with liquid hair.
WILL IT STRAIGHTEN?
The answer is, it depends. Every brand has its own formula. Some keratin treatments will straighten your hair but will not achieve what the industry calls a ‘pin-straight look’. The natural straightness has the advantage of being able to be styled and even curled which most people love the ability to choose to have a straight or styled look.
Along with straightening your hair, the treatment eliminates frizz, increases shine and also repairs your hair. Keratin treatments either use a low pH formula or formaldehyde (a toxic chemical) to achieve the hair straightening you are looking for. The low pH formula allows the keratin amino acids to bond the hair using heat. We recommend the low pH formula and to avoid any that contain formaldehyde.
PRO TIP: Terre a Mers formula is designed to Straighten Hair, is Formaldehyde Free and has been tested for peace of mind in Australian Labs.
IS IT PERMANENT?
Keratin treatments are not a permanent treatment and do not affect your hair’s disulphide bonds like chemical straightening (which is a good thing). It instead coats your hair and fills up the porosity (gaps) with keratin. It lasts on the hair between 4 and 6 months depending on the formula and the technical process followed when application occurred and how well you maintain it.
Keratin treatments are considered the natural alternative when choosing a hair straightening system as they use chemicals which don’t damage your hair. They also give you the flexibility to style your hair and it slowly wears out of your hair over time.
WHAT IS CHEMICAL HAIR STRAIGHTENING OR PERMANENT STRAIGHTENING?
The other name for these treatments; Thermal Reconditioning, Reverse Perms, Japanese Straightening and Relaxers. How does it work? The simple explanation these treatments essentially break your hair's disulphide (internal) bonds using a strong chemical formulation of sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate to permanently straighten hair.
Disulphide what now? It changes the internal structure of your hair, effectively breaking the bonds which hold your hair together. This chemical change makes the effect permanent but damages your hair in the long term. It can even cause short term immediate damage.
THE GOOD AND THE BAD
The good (actually the very good) is that you can permanently straighten even the most tightly curled hair. Permanent means that your hair will remain straight until new hair is grown (regrowth). And in the past 90s and 00s, it was the go-to treatment (no keratin technology). It gives your hair the ‘pin-straight’ look’ which is the straightest hair you can get.
The bad is that the ingredients break your hair internally so that you can set the hair into a straighter alignment to achieve permanent straightening. Hair breakage can occur after a chemical hair straightening depending on the previous condition of the hair. You will also need to deal with regrowth in a few months when new hair grows which can make your hair look inconsistent.
Other side effects cause your hair vulnerable for future damage, makes it brittle and super dry. You will need to give your hair continuous care. Most hair professionals do not recommend applying this straightening method on bleached, colour or highlighted hair and you will need to leave it for 2 weeks for your hair to recover.
PROS & CONS OF TREATMENTS
HOW TO DECIDE WHICH TREATMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK:
If your hair is currently damaged a chemical hair straightening application cause your hair to become weaker or at worst break or snap off in the future.If your hair is healthy chemical straightening would be an option to consider.
With a keratin treatment, your hair can be in almost any condition to do a keratin straightening. There is no risk of further damage, but it makes your hair healthier by getting the treatment done. Many people find getting your hair straightened and healthier at the same time is ideal.
If all you are aiming for is a ‘pin-straight hair’ and do not care about other factors such as hair damage or regrowth and you want to achieve the straightest look possible. Chemical hair straightening is probably the way to go.
If you want straight hair but are happy with a more ‘natural straightness’ and keeping your hair healthy is a high or equal priority to you then we would recommend a keratin treatment.
We have noticed people a prioritising the healthier options in their life over the traditional chemical approach. These treatments both use chemicals to achieve the results wanted to perform hair straightening but the keratin treatment is a more natural and risk-free alternative.
There are no health benefits of a chemical hair straightening. It uses harsh chemicals in its formulas, which can possibly result in skin burns and over-processing if left on too long or if the hair technician does something wrong or is careless.
In contrast, the keratin treatment uses keratin amino acids which is broken down protein which is basically liquid hair which is its core ingredient. It also uses other ingredients such as shea butter to achieve the result of straight healthy hair. The actual keratin treatment is a lot lighter won’t irritate most skin and there is no risk for over-processing. This we view the keratin treatment view as a more natural and safer option.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The great thing is you have options to straighten your hair and get the control you want. This article is aimed to have shown you a comparison of both options so you can make an educated decision. At Terre a Mer we prefer the natural approach as it does not risk more hair breakage, makes your hair straight and healthier and you can still have the option for styling. We have done thousands of treatments and believe in what we do.
If you have any questions just comment below or call or email us we are happy to help.
To book a keratin hair straightening with us click here
PH: 1300 824 685
EMAIL: info@terreamer.com.au
The Team at Terre a Mer
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