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Getting asilk pressis a special moment.
Annie Blay
Thats why some naturalistas are combating this reality by getting keratin treatments for smoother, longer-lasting silk presses.
Keratin treatments are also said to make coily textures easier to manage when curly.
Keratin treatments can change the structure of your hairs follicle, which could mean a change incurl pattern.
Blay’s 4C hair before the keratin treatment.
In the case of all three treatments, the underlying connotation oftexturismcomes into question.
Ultimately, how you choose to wear your hair is up to you.
Meet the experts:
In this story:
What is a keratin treatment?
Blay’s silk press after the keratin treatment.
Keratin is a protein naturally found in your hair, skin, and nails.
Keratin makes up the outermost layer of the hair cuticle, says cosmetic chemistAmanda Lam.
Your hairs cuticle provides a barrier to regulate what penetrates the hair (including moisture).
Blay’s curls after her first wash post-keratin treatment.
Akeratin treatment, though, is more than adding extra protein to your strands.
Its important to distinguish products thatcontainkeratin from keratin treatments.
Many shampoos, conditioners, and leave-ins contain artificial keratin combined with silicones or emollients to improve shine.
What does a keratin treatment do to textured hair?
The cosmetic chemist explains that the hairs cuticle is already made of keratinized cells resembling scales.
For textured hair, this process also loosens the hairs curl pattern.
While this will make your hair easier to comb and detangle, it does so by loosening your curls.
If the thought of changing your curl pattern makes you uneasy, I get it.
But when a keratin treatment is done correctly, the results should be temporary.
What is the process of getting a keratin treatment on textured hair?
Before starting my treatment, I briefly chatted withRaeAnne Cotto, my hairstylist for the day.
We talked through my hair practices and desired results.
Process-wise, theres no real difference between getting a keratin treatment on textured hair versus straight hair.
I started my appointment at 10:15 am and ended at 3:00 pm.
you’re able to expect to pay a similar base price in most major cities.
This took about 30 minutes.
Blay’s 4C hair before the keratin treatment.
Once my hair had been saturated, Cotto blow-dried my hair with the treatment still in itno rinsing required.
This isnt something you should do at home, says Cotto.
How long does a keratin treatment last on natural hair?
A clarifying shampoo with sulfates may even get you there faster.
Who shouldnt get a keratin treatment?
If your hair is already damaged, you might want to think twice before getting a keratin treatment.
I was pleasantly surprised when smooth silky strands cascaded down instead.
Blay’s silk press after the keratin treatment.
Blay’s curls after her first wash post-keratin treatment.
Overall, Im very happy with the results of my keratin treatment.
For now, Im just excited to wear my (quicker to style) hair curly for the summer.
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