Hair frizz, breakage, perming and dyeing damage? What you may lack is not conditioner, but Hair KERATIN

Keratin

Your body naturally produces keratin, and keratin helps form your hair, nails and skin. Keratin products and treatments can help strengthen your hair and make it look brighter and feel softer. 

1. Overview

1.1 What is keratin?

Keratin is a protein that helps form hair, nails and your skin’s outer layer. It helps support your skin, heal wounds and keep your nails and hair healthy.Of the 54 kinds of keratins in your body, 11 are hair keratins.Most type I keratins (cytokeratins) consist of acidic, low-weight proteins. They have many functions, including helping protect cells from internal forces in your body (mechanical stress).

1.2 The Three Types and Choices of Keratin Nursing

1) Daily care type (shampoo/conditioner):

Advantages: Gentle supplement, suitable for mild injuries.

Representative ingredient: Hydrolyzed Keratin.

2) Deep repair type (hair mask/essence):

Advantages: High concentration penetration, repairing moderate damage.

Key steps: Heating or prolonged residence is required.

3) Straightening care type (Brazilian care/keratin straightening):

Advantages: Long term and smooth (3-5 months), but caution should be exercised regarding the risk of formaldehyde.

2. Function

2.1 What does keratin do to Hair?

Hair keratin is a structural protein that provides strength, elasticity, and protection to hair fibers. It forms a tough, fibrous matrix that resists mechanical stress, UV damage, and chemical breakdown. Additionally, keratin helps maintain hair's hydration, texture, and shine, while supporting repair and regeneration in damaged hair.

2.2 Do I need keratin for my hair?

Keratin is the primary component of hair, so many people believe that taking keratin supplements makes their hair stronger. However, there are no studies that conclude that keratin supplements make your hair stronger. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re thinking of taking keratin supplements to discuss any risks and benefits.

Getting a keratin hair treatment is a personal decision. It makes your hair shiny and silky while also reducing frizz. However, the treatment is usually expensive, and it may have negative effects on your body.

But Keratin hair products are chemical protein treatments that make your hair shiny and silky while also reducing frizz. They’re sometimes called Brazilian blowouts.

2.3 During a keratin hair treatment, your hairstylist:

• Washes your hair with a special shampoo and then dries your hair with a towel.

• Applies a liquid keratin solution to your hair in small sections.

• Blow dries your hair.

• Runs a flat iron set to a high temperature through your hair. This seals the keratin solution to your hair.

After your hair treatment, you shouldn’t get your hair wet for several days or pull it back with hair clips, scrunchies (elastics), hats or sunglasses. You may have to use special shampoos and other hair products to maintain the treatment.

When performed by a hair care professional, your hair will be smooth and voluminous for up to six months.

3. What color is keratin?

Hair, and the keratin within it, contains a pigment called melanin. Melanocytes are special cells that make melanin. Once made, melanin travels to other cells throughout your body. Melanin provides the pigment in your skin, hair and eyes.

Melanocytes produce two types of melanin that help determine the overall pigmentation that you have:

• Eumelanin: This type of melanin primarily makes dark colors in your hair, skin and eyes.

• Pheomelanin: This type of melanin primarily makes pink or red colors in your body.

As you get older, the amount of pigment in your hair’s keratin reduces. As a result, your hair turns gray and eventually white.

4. What is keratin made of?

Keratin isn’t a single substance. It consists of many different proteins, including various types of keratins, keratin-associated proteins (KFAPs) and enzymes drawn from animal tissues.

5. Steps to use keratin for hair

#①Shampoo Deep Cleansing

Use before keratin treatment: opens the hair cuticle,removes residue and prepare for keratin.

#②Hair Keratin Treatment

Straight,nourishes, repairs, and smooths, leaving your locks silky, shiny, and effortlessly manageable

#③Shampoo for Daily use

Use after keratin treatment: prolong the life of the keratin,reduce frizz and keep soft＆silky.

#④Intensive Repair Mask

Use after keratin treatment: prolong the life of the keratin,maintain hair nutrition,repair hair.

6. Factors affecting the effectiveness of hair keratin usage

1) Overly damaged or porous hair
Reason: Bleach, frequent dyeing and perming, or heat damage can cause severe hair cuticle spreading, resulting in strong water absorption but poor water retention of hair.

Impact: Keratin may be excessively absorbed but cannot be evenly distributed, resulting in ineffective or locally stiff and rough effects.

Suggestion: Use deep repair products (such as protein fillers) to balance porosity before using keratin.

2) Fine/Thin Hair
Reason: Keratin's protein layer may increase hair weight, causing the hair to become flattened and lose its fluffiness.

Suggestion: Choose a lightweight keratin formula (such as a hair conditioner) to avoid heavy care or straightening treatment.

3) Natural curly or high elasticity hair (Curly/Coil Hair)
Reason: Keratin straightening care temporarily breaks disulfide bonds to "tame" curls, but may alter the texture of curls, resulting in uneven straightening or rebounding.

Suggestion: Choose formaldehyde free curly hair friendly keratin care, or use it only to reduce frizz rather than completely straighten.

4) Oily scalp or easily oily hair
Reason: Keratin products (especially those containing silicone oil or oil) may accelerate scalp oiling, leading to sticky and flattened hair roots.

Suggestion: Avoid using in the scalp area or choose an oil-free formula.

Recently chemically treated hair
Reason: When the hair scales are not completely closed after dyeing or perming, keratin may react with chemical residues, leading to color fading or weakened curling of the perm.

Suggestion: Use Keratin 2-4 weeks apart and conduct a hair test first.

5) Dry&Protein Sensitive Hair
Reason: Keratin is a protein, and excessive use may lead to excessive protein, making hair brittle and prone to breakage ("protein over accumulation effect").

Suggestion: Pair with moisturizing products (such as hyaluronic acid, natural oils) for balanced care.

7. What potential side effects of using Hair Keratin?

The potential harm that may result from using hair keratin products (such as hair conditioners, hair masks, or straightening treatments) includes:

1) Chemical irritation and allergies

Keratin care containing formaldehyde (or formaldehyde releasing agents) may cause scalp irritation, redness, itching, and even respiratory discomfort.Some additives, such as sulfates and fragrances, may cause contact dermatitis.

2) Increased hair damage

Overuse or high-temperature treatment (such as perming hair clips) may make hair fragile, dry, and even break (due to imbalanced protein accumulation).

3) Risk of formaldehyde exposure

Partial keratin straightening treatment can release formaldehyde, and long-term exposure may increase the risk of cancer (such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma) and irritate the eyes and throat.

4) Dependency

Frequent use may lead to a decrease in the natural secretion of keratin in hair, making it appear more frizzy after discontinuation.

Suggestion:

Choose a formaldehyde free formula, avoid excessive heat treatment, and undergo skin testing. Sensitive individuals or pregnant women should be cautious.

8. Care

The following foods are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can complement hair keratin and promote hair strength, shine, and repair: