Keratin hair treatment is the latest trend in hair care, but it’s natural to ask, “can I brush my hair after keratin treatment?”
It has become a must-have treatment to keep your hair shiny, healthy, and strong.
When done correctly, it helps strengthen the hair roots and repairs damage done by the environment and lifestyle factors.
But, how long it keeps making your hair look good depends on aftercare. And, when it comes to brushing after the treatment, it’s natural to feel all keyed up.
So, what do you think? Well,
“Yes, you can, and you must brush your hair after a keratin treatment, but don’t do it immediately after the treatment and follow the right techniques always.”
The Myth of Not Brushing after Keratin Treatment
We know how annoying it can be to fight frizz all day. Or, you may be trying to get your hair into the perfect straight style only to have it become flat or wavy after a few hours.
In this case, a keratin smoothing treatment can be a game-changer for your hair.
To get the most out of your keratin treatment, however, you must also follow the proper aftercare protocols.
And that’s when you have to answer, “can I comb my hair after keratin treatment?”
It's quite possible that, like most people, you think brushing is off-limit after a treatment.
Well, it’s a myth!
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t brush your hair for a week. You can continue to brush and comb your hair normally after getting a keratin treatment.
Why Does It Make Sense To Brush After Keratin Treatment?
A keratin treatment makes the hair a bit less tricky to handle, although it still can get tangled occasionally.
Despite your best efforts, you may still need to straighten your hair in the morning or after a windy day.
That’s when brushing comes into play. Of course, you should avoid overbrushing.
It can break your hair, make you lose volume, and make those locks frizzy with static.
What you do to your hair now may leave a lasting impression until the treatment fully fades. So, brush wisely because it has its benefits.
It Maintains Softness
If you want your hair to look its best after a Brazilian treatment, you should get into the habit of combing it regularly.
Because it maintains the softness and makes your hair manageable, it reduces the need to try additional styling products.
It Promotes Healthy Hair
Proper brushing distributes your hair’s natural oils, which are crucial to keeping your hair healthy.
Surprisingly, your hair and brush will get along great after the treatment.
Tip: Brush your hair to stimulate the tiny capillaries in your scalp to send oxygenated blood to your hair follicles and trigger growth.
Can I Brush My Hair After Keratin Treatment? Rules To Remember
Brushing has its benefits and is essential after your treatment, but you need to follow some rules to be safe.
For instance:
- Give the Keratin Enough Time to Set In
- Find the Right Brush
- Don’t Brush to Manage Kinks
1. Give the Keratin Enough Time to Set In
Before you even pick that brush and try it on your hair, wait.
You need to remember that the keratin takes some time to set in properly. In most cases, it’s somewhere around 72 hours or 3 days.
It’s better to not do anything with your hair during this time. And it includes getting it wet, tucking it behind the ears, and styling it with bands or clips.
How Does the Treatment Work?
The product’s keratin content sinks deep into your hair and completely surrounds each strand.
When subjected to high temperatures, Keratin seals and forms a sturdy sheath for each hair, protecting it from environmental aggressors.
The unique ingredients in the formula give hair a radiant sheen, silky softness, and flawless uniformity.
The whole thing takes around three hours, and the hair can be cleaned the same day.
Note: The benefit remains for a full three months.
Remember the Three-Day Rule
While you can clean your hair after the treatment, the keratin takes full effect after three days.
If you don’t observe the three-day rule, any excessive manipulation will produce tension, dents, damage, and lines of demarcation in the hair’s structure.
After the grace time, you’re free to brush whenever you’d like… but not in any way you’d want. There’s the right technique to follow!
2. Find the Right Brush
After the grace period, you’re free to brush, but not just any brush would do. You have to find the right brush, specially designed to handle keratin-treated hair.
How Will a Good Brush Help after Keratin Treatment?
The quality of a brush matters. It has to be able to work out tangles and kinks ever so gently.
Look for a brush that glides through your freshly treated hair without hurting the cuticles.
A good brush uses materials to easily soak up any excess oils in your hair to minimize washing. And, it also benefits your hair by removing dirt, dust, and lint.
Considering these characteristics, you might have to ditch your regular brush and switch to a boar bristle brush.
Tip: Feel the brush's seams by rubbing the bristles over the inside of your arm to buy the best product for your hair.
Why Your Traditional Plastic Brush is a No-No?
When you resume your brushing routine after your treatment, steer clear of any metal or plastic brush.
These brushes generate static, are rather harsh, and have the sensation of almost ripping your hair out of your head.
Brushes made of plastic and metal do not have flexible bristles to effectively separate your hair when styling it.
What Type of Brush will Work?
A boar bristle brush is a better alternative. It features bristles formed of porous keratin fibers, which have a feel almost equal to that of human hair.
Because these fibers are soft and delicate, they’re less likely to damage your freshly treated hair.
- Using a boar bristle brush makes more sense because it:
- Has bristles that are bendable and malleable in nature
- Does not pull against your hair but rather works with it
- Detangles without inflicting any damage to the hair
- Evenly disperse sebum to reduce the appearance of greasy scalp
- Gives your scalp a soothing massage
3. Don’t Brush to Manage Kinks
The reason you would want to brush after your keratin treatment matters as well.
If you’re brushing to eliminate tangles and kinks, you might go overboard with the idea.
You should be brushing to:
- Gently style your hair
- Stimulate your scalp
- Get rid of any dirt
- Distribute natural oils
- Tidy it up before sleep
How Do You Manage Kinks?
It’s better to use your hairbrush more as a therapeutic tool after your treatment. But, what should you do about those dreaded kinks?
Instead of brushing the hair to remove any kinks that may be present, you may consider using a straightening iron.
Adjust the temperature of your flat iron so it’s between low and medium, and use it gently on your hair.
Tip: You should blow dry and then flat iron if your hair becomes wet within the first 72 hours.
Can We Cut Down on Brushing in Some Way?
When you’re afraid brushing would harm your freshly treated hair, you can reduce the need for brushing in the first place. Here’s what you should remember.
Avoid Washing Often after the Treatment
When your treatment has been in place for three days, you should aim to skip daily washes.
After the procedure, it’s important to take care of the area so that the effects stay as long as possible.
Buy a high-quality shower cap to keep water out and your hair protected.
Try a Silk Pillowcase
Avoid cotton pillowcases, as they can harm hair after keratin treatments.
Instead, try silk pillowcases because they prevent friction, making hair softer and less prone to breakage.
Try Styling Cautiously
Avoid denting your hair immediately after the treatment. Careful styling matters a lot and lowers the need for brushing.
Avoid up-dos, braids, ponytails, hair accessories, hairbands, and tucking your locks behind the ears.
Tip: Use a sulfate-free gentle shampoo to get rid of buildup, make your hair fresh, and reduce the need for brushing.
Takeaway
But, to make those effects last longer, you should go for proper aftercare, and that’s when you should know, “can I brush my hair after keratin treatment?”
You certainly can, but some do’s and don’ts make all the difference.
Keratin is a fantastic option if you suffer from frizzy hair and are interested in maintaining its sleek, straight appearance.
Compared to the chemicals used in other straightening methods, such as a relaxing treatment, the ones used with keratin are safer to use on your hair.
