Should I wash my hair before keratin treatment? Can I get my hair wet after treatment? What aftercare routine should I follow to make my hair look stunning for longer?
Woof!
So many questions, but it’s important to get your answers for healthy-looking hair after your keratin treatment.
Keratin hair treatments are an effective way to improve the overall health of your hair.
They can restore shine and protect from damage, leaving your hair looking healthy, smooth, and shiny.
But, just like any other procedure, you have to understand how to prepare for it and what to do after the treatment.
One common question is about washing your hair before the treatment. So, should you do it?
Yes, you should wash your hair before the treatment because it works more effectively when applied to clean hair.
Tip: Always do your homework on keratin hair treatments before scheduling an appointment to know what to expect before and after treatment.
Should I Wash My Hair Before Keratin Treatment or Not?
Yes, there’s nothing wrong with washing your hair before your appointment.
In fact, it’s better to come with clean hair, as it makes keratin treatment produce better results.
If you want to wash your hair at home, it’s a good idea to do it on the day of your appointment.
You may use any shampoo, but we suggest you try a clarifying one.
Use your shampoo to wash your hair thrice while making sure you leave no shampoo residue behind.
Remember, conditioning your hair before your keratin treatment is not a good idea.
Tip: Don't be too hard on your freshly treated hair and use a detangler to get rid of any knots you may notice.
What to Remember When Washing Hair Before Keratin Treatment?
As mentioned, almost all keratin treatments are designed to work on clean hair.
Therefore, it makes great sense to wash your hair first. But, you should bear a few things in mind.
Select the Right Shampoo
You don’t have to sweat much when picking your shampoo, but opting for a clarifying or ph-balanced shampoo is the best bet.
Why is It Necessary?
A clarifying shampoo works more efficiently to get rid of any residue in your hair. And believe it or not, some will always be in your hair.
It’s usually the result of using too many hair products regularly. The heat protectant you use may also accumulate over time.
There may be some leftovers of whatever nourishing mask you use weekly after you flat iron your hair.
If you examine your hair care routine, you will see that your hair acquires remnants of hair products after a few weeks.
Not to mention the effects of exposing your hair to environmental pollutants, such as dirt and debris.
Normal shampoos won’t eliminate them entirely. And the last thing you want is to seal the keratin with particles of dust and dirt still out there.
What Will It Do?
Well, it will directly affect the efficacy of the treatment. Also, those particles can penetrate deep into your hair, causing it to dry out quickly.
And of course, you’ll be up against nasty frizz because the keratin fails to work efficiently.
How Do You Wash Your Hair Before Keratin Treatment?
If you’re going to a salon for your keratin treatment, why not let the stylist wash your hair as well?
Occasionally, saving a few bucks on washing can compromise the keratin treatment.
But, if you want to do it yourself, be sure to use a ph-balanced shampoo with no fragrance or dye.
Ideally, it should have more sulfates compared to your regular shampoo, but don’t overdo it.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Apply shampoo with a pH-balanced formula to wet hair.
- Gently massage your hair.
- Apply the shampoo to your scalp and lengths.
- Rinse the shampoo from your hair and apply it again.
- Don’t massage the scalp when doing it the second time.
- Leave the shampoo there for 3 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Let your hair air dry.
Once done, you’ll notice your hair feels clean and ready for treatment.
It might feel a bit dry after the clarifying shampoo but NEVER use any conditioner.
Keratin will take care of it!
What Else to Remember Before Your Keratin Treatment?
Washing your hair before your treatment is definitely an important consideration, but you have to remember other things as well. For instance:
When to Color?
Permanent color, semi-permanent color, and highlights should be applied immediately before a keratin treatment.
The treatment preserves the color, making it more brilliant and lasting.
When to Style Your Hair?
Ensure that no events requiring an updo, cap, clips, or bands are on your calendar for three days after your treatment.
It’s essential because your hair must hang loose for some time.
When to Expose Hair to Water?
Double-check and confirm you won’t have to indulge in an activity that warrants exposure to water.
Wait for at least three days.
This includes visits to humid locations and aquariums. Tell your roommates that you cannot get your hair wet for three days.
Tip: Avoid going for a keratin treatment if you're pregnant or nursing.
When Can You Wash Hair After Keratin Treatment?
No doubt, Keratin treatment is an easy way to achieve smooth, manageable hair.
However, it requires a great deal of time and money to complete. Therefore, it is essential to manage your keratin-treated hair properly.
Therefore, just like knowing when to wash your hair before your treatment, it’s essential to know how long to wait to wash hair after keratin treatment.
Can You Expose Your Keratin-Treated Hair to Water?
No, you can’t. Period.
If you do it immediately after your treatment, you risk losing all your investment since keratin won’t work at all.
Of course, there are exceptions, like you can wash your hair when you go for the keratin express treatment. But, it’s not always the case.
Why Should You Never Wash Hair Immediately after Keratin Treatment?
Keratin is not a substance that absorbs quickly. You must leave it on your hair for several days to ensure it’s effectively absorbed.
Therefore, the effects will wear off rapidly if you wash your hair soon after your treatment.
It will also diminish the quality of the keratin treatment results, and your hair will no longer be silky and sleek.
You should also understand that keratin is pliable, and the pressure exerted on your hair during a shower can alter its structure.
If you wash your hair before the allotted period, you will likely end up with dents, preventing you from achieving smooth and straight hair.
You should limit exposure to moisture because of the way it disrupts the treatment process and diminishes the quality of the final product.
Also, remember that your hair needs to be exposed to a high oxygen concentration to get the most out of the treatment. So keeping it dry is essential.
Can I Wash My Hair 24 Hours after Keratin Treatment?
Maybe, but it’s better not to.
It’s true, especially if you opt for a full-blown Brazilian keratin treatment.
In this case, you’ll be better off postponing your hair wash routine for at least 72 hours.
Be patient and learn to leave your keratin-treated hair alone for smooth and sleek results.
How Do Prepare Your Hair to Wash after Keratin Treatment?
If you’ve waited 72 hours after your treatment, you can probably go with your first hair wash.
But, before you go ahead, ensure that you prepare your hair for the shower.
For starters, get the right products. You’ll need a shampoo, conditioner, hair cream, hair mask, etc.
Ensure that you get products designed specifically to work with keratin-treated hair.
Keratin-friendly haircare products lack certain substances, including sodium chlorides and sulfates.
These harsh chemicals can strip keratin from your hair, which is not something you desire.
Right?
A better idea is to get your first hair wash after your keratin treatment from your salon.
They’re more likely to have the right products to help you wash your hair without causing any damage to your keratin.
Tip: Be sure to change how frequently you wash your hair and keep it to a minimum after getting your keratin treatment.
Takeaway
Who doesn’t want silky, shiny, smooth hair? And keratin treatment can help you get all that.
But, to make your treatment work, you need to know the answer to various questions.
Should I wash my hair before keratin treatment? Is it okay to do it after your treatment?
So, understand that learning about the right aftercare techniques can help you get better results from your keratin treatment.
