Are you considering keratin treatment for your frizzy hair but afraid of its side effects?

You are not alone in your trouble. Many people fear the impact of keratin treatment on their hair colour.

Keratin treatment is a hair-smoothing solution that turns dryness into shine and volume.

But, does this transformation come at cost of your hair colour? This blog post by A&H Hairstylist will guide you in detail.

We, at A&H Hairstylist, help people feel and look their best with high-quality keratin and other hair treatments. Our amazing hair and beauty services provide you with hairstyle and colour of your choice.

Let’s see what a keratin treatment is and how can we make it safe for your hair.

What is a Keratin Treatment?

Keratin is the natural protein and major component of human hair. It adds shine and strength to hair and strengthens its structure. But sometimes, due to inadequate diet and stress factors, keratin content of hair decreases. As a result, your hair looks dry, frizzy, and dull.

That’s why keratin treatment is introduced. It adds a liquid solution containing keratin to your hair. This external keratin fills the pores created in a hair cuticle and restores its natural structure.

After adding keratin liquid, heat is applied to lock it in your hair. So, your hair can shine for longer period of time.

This protective hair treatment lasts for about 3-6 months depending on your care routine. Many style enthusiasts prefer the keratin treatment due to its effective results.

Is Keratin Treatment Good for Your Hair?

Keratin treatment is a useful way to give extra nourishment to your hair. This chemical procedure helps your hair in following ways.

• Adding Shine

Biggest advantage of keratin treatment is the shine it gives to your hair. Nutrient addition makes the hair look healthier and happy.

• Strengthening Hair

When the gaps in hair cuticle are filled, it gets its full strength. Keratin reduces the brittleness and breakage in each strand of hair.

• Reducing Frizz

Keratin helps in shaping the cells that overlap and cause frizzy hair. So, a glossy and smooth touch is added to your hair.

• Removing Split ends

It also makes the split strands bond back together. So, you can clear out your split ends through a keratin treatment.

• Increasing Hair Growth

When hair got strong and split ends are treated, growth becomes easier and faster. You can notice the increased growth rate after a keratin treatment.

With so many perks and benefits, lets see why people fear the keratin treatment. And are their concerns justified?

Does A Keratin Treatment Change Your Hair Colour?

Most common concern we face at A&H Hairstylist is; does keratin treatment affect hair colour? The answer is, it depends.

It depends on the following factors and conditions.

• Hair sensitivity
• Quality of Treatment
• Pre- & post-treatment hair care
• Hair colour is natural or dyed

Effect of Keratin on Natural Hair Colour:

If you have natural hair colour, keratin treatment will not cause any harmful change in it.

Blonde and light shades of hair may appear slightly lighter. This change is due to heat used in the treatment and opening up of hair cuticles. It is similar to the colour change caused by any straightening, curling, or hairstyling procedure. And it will go away in a week or two.

Filling of gaps by keratin can also result in a different sort of hue added to hair colour. But this is just the added thickness giving a fuller and vibrant look to your hair.

In short, you don’t have to worry about any type of colour change due to keratin, if you have natural hair colour.

Effect of Keratin on Dyed Hair:

For people with dyed hair, keratin treatment can cause a slight dullness in colour.

When a keratin layer is added to a hair strand, the colour layer is in the way. So, it can get spoiled a little bit during the process. As a result, people complain about duller hair colour (especially in blonde dyes) after a keratin treatment.

But the effect is very minimal and only applicable to recently applied dyes. So, timing is very important in this case. If you want your shine and colour go hand in hand, you have to plan it wisely.

How to Time Your Hair Dye and Keratin Treatment

Should you colour your hair before or after a keratin treatment?

Most of the colour change problems occur because people don’t know the answer to this question. Well, the expert guide is here for you.

1. Dye First, Then Keratin

If you’re going for a keratin treatment, it is best to dye your hair first. Because a hair dye has more potential to decrease the shine of your keratin-treated hair than vice versa. So, a prior dye followed by keratin is always preferred.

2. Wait for at Least 2 Weeks

To prevent the keratin-related colour change, increase the time distance between them.

Wait for at least two weeks after a keratin treatment, then dye your hair. This allows the keratin to set completely without the risk of the colour causing a reaction or altering the effect of the treatment.

If you follow these, the keratin will help seal your hair dye instead of damaging it. And you will enjoy strong and properly coloured hair for longer period of time.

If you have forgotten the prior dye and want to add the colour after keratin treatment. It is advised to give a break of 2-3 weeks to minimise the damage. Colouring soon after keratin treatment not only strips off the shine but also results in uneven hair dye.

Also, keep some extra care tips in mind to protect your hair colour.

Easy Tips to Prevent Colour Damage from a Keratin Treatment

Along with proper timing, you have to care extra for your hair to make them shine while maintaining their colour. Just follow these simple steps before, during and after a keratin treatment.

Before the Keratin Treatment

• Choose a Professional Hairstylist

Choose a trusted stylist for your hair and discuss your goals and concerns before getting a keratin treatment.

• Dye Hair at the Right Time

Try to dye your hair a week or two before the keratin treatment. This allows the colour to settle before applying the keratin.

• Go for a Patch Test

Every hair type is different and has altered sensitivity to a treatment. Consult with your stylist and plan a patch test before keratin treatment to prevent any surprises.

During the Keratin Treatment

• Take an Umbrella with You

Make sure you carry an umbrella or hood with you on your appointment day. Cover your keratin-treated hair to protect them from environmental factors.

• Use Colour-Safe Products

Ask your stylist to use products designed for coloured hair. They can protect your dye layer from damage during the treatment.

• Keep the Temperature Moderate

Heat is essential for sealing the keratin. But using a moderate amount of heat temperature can protect your colour from fading.

• Add a Cold-Water Rinse to Your Treatment

Cold water will protect your hair cuticles and prevent the colour layer from stripping off.

After the Keratin Treatment

• Keep Your Hair Loose

Your hair needs to hang loose after a keratin treatment to prevent dents. Avoid all clips and braids for 2-3 days and also cancel out any event which require hairstyling.

• Wait Before First Hair Wash

Give your hair 72 hours after the treatment before washing it. This helps the keratin fully absorb and set.

• Use Sulphate-Free Shampoo & Conditioner

After a keratin treatment, avoid sulphates, which can strip both the keratin and your hair colour. Go for shampoos designed to protect coloured hair.

• Limit Sun Exposure

UV rays can fade your hair colour faster. Wear a proper hat or use a UV-protective spray to save your hair colour after a keratin treatment.

• Avoid Swimming

Chlorine in swimming pools and minerals in natural water bodies are equally damaging to your hair. So, it is better to avoid swimming for a few days.

• Protect from Rain & Other Environment Factors

Environmental factors like rain, storms, snow and dust can lose the shine and colour of your hair. Keep them covered when going outdoors.

• Limit the Activity Level

Strenuous activity results in heavy sweating. This sweat contains salt harmful for your newly added keratin as well as hair colour. So, limit your activity for a week after keratin treatment.

Final Thoughts

A keratin treatment changes your hair colour only if they are chemically dyed and treated too soon after the application of colour. You can manage the damage if you plan the keratin treatment after 2 weeks of dyeing your hair. Correct timing along with a care protocol can keep both shine and colour of your hair intact. A professional hairstylist can also guide you to prevent your hair colour from fading.

Ready to Transform Your Hair?

Choose A&H Hairstylist for Keratin Treatments and Colour Care

At A&H Hairstylist, we believe that everyone deserves to feel confident in their hair. Our team of professional hairstylists can offer you a safe keratin treatment while keeping your hair colour intact.

With over 17 years of experience in haircuts and styling, we make sure you feel great in your skin and leave our salon with confidence.

Contact us to book your consultation.

Explore our services for men & women