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Keratin is a naturally occurring fibrous protein found in epithelial cells. Different types of Keratin are responsible for the structure and health of skin, hair and nails. Alpha hair keratin helps maintain the structure and strength of your scalp hair. Hair keratin is meant to protect your hair from stress which comes in the form of breakage, heat damage and frizz. The question you should be worried about is does keratin hair treatment cause hair loss and is keratin hair treatment good or bad?
Let's understand what is keratin hair treatment. Keratin hair treatment is used for improving the texture and appearance of your hair. Because it is naturally meant to bond the overlapping hair cuticles rendering it smooth, shiny and safe from exposure damage.
However, keratin hair treatment used in professional hair treatments and hair care products is derived from animal parts such as feathers, horns and wool. Not only that laying on keratin hair treatment on its own is not enough and therefore needs to be combined with bases such as formaldehyde or glyoxylic acid. Not only is formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, it can also cause respiratory problems when inhaled. Overexposure to formaldehyde and over-straightening can also cause damage to the hair strands which can result in dryness and weakening leading to breakage and increased hair loss. keratin hair treatment can also make hair greasy and limp.
Can I just use a keratin shampoo, conditioner or serum instead of getting the treatment done?
No. Keratin hair treatment on its own cannot help improve the texture of your hair or make it glossy. It needs to be combined with heat and chemical bases. So using these hair care benefits like keratin hair treatment will not have the same effect. In fact, some salon professionals refuse to do the treatment because of the risks involved.
How long does the effect of keratin hair treatment last?
For all the stress your hair goes through during the keratin hair treatment it isn’t permanent. A keratin hair treatment with formaldehyde as a base will last for about 6 months, whereas, non-formaldehyde milder versions will last only a couple of months.
Can keratin hair treatment cause hair loss?
Yes. Multiple people have experienced increased hair loss and no hair regrowth after one or repeated keratin hair treatment. While the hair fall might not be from the roots always, it will happen invariably because of the side-effects of formaldehyde on your hair and scalp and the high heat exposure used during straightening after applying the chemical formula. This can weaken your hair roots, cause dryness, brittleness and scalp irritation. Not only that for anyone who has a predisposition to hair loss or has poor follicle health on account of an undiagnosed hair loss condition can experience excessive hair loss in the months following the keratin hair treatment and may hamper hair regrowth.
Is Keratin hair treatment for hair loss?
Not at all! Hair strands don’t have any blood supply, they are made up of cells and protein bonds which is why chemical treatments or heat can be used to restructure them. Hair loss conditions and improper hair regrowth occur due to the health of your hair follicles, which receive blood supply, therefore oxygen and nutrition from your body. If your follicles are unhealthy, ageing prematurely or shrinking due to DHT, no amount of external treatment on your hair will help resolve it. It is only possible to treat hair loss safely with prescription medication such as topical minoxidil, topical finasteride. Combined with natural ayurvedic medicines and proper nutrition that help tackle the internal root causes of hair loss and improve hair regrowth.
