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Quick Answer
No. Keratin treatments do not usually cause hair fall directly from the root. However, the treatment contains harsh chemicals and high heat that can weaken hair strands and cause breakage. This breakage makes your hair look thinner and resembles actual hair fall.
Keratin treatments can make hair smoother and easier to manage, but they also involve chemicals and high heat that can weaken already dry, coloured, or fragile strands. In such cases, the visible increase in hair may come from breakage rather than hair falling from the roots.
If you notice hair fall after keratin treatment, understanding the reason behind it is important. The change may be due to broken strands, scalp irritation, or another hair concern that became noticeable after the treatment.
Why Can Hair Fall or Breakage Happen After Keratin Treatment?
Keratin treatment can make hair appear thinner after the procedure because the chemicals and heat used during the process can weaken the hair and increase breakage. The change is usually linked to how the hair responds after the treatment rather than the treatment directly affecting new hair growth.
Understanding the mechanical, thermal, and chemical stress factors that cause visible post-treatment thinning can help you identify why your hair is breaking:
1. Weak Hair Cannot Handle Additional Processing
Hair that is already dry, bleached, coloured, or chemically treated has less strength to tolerate another intensive service. After keratin treatment, these strands can lose their ability to hold together properly, leading to more visible breakage.
2. Chemical Exposure and Stress-Induced Hair Fall
Formulas containing formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) release harsh fumes when heated. Direct contact with the scalp can cause acute contact dermatitis, chemical burns, or scalp inflammation. These are factors known to trigger temporary follicular shedding known as Telogen Effluvium.
3. Repeated Treatments Can Add Stress Over Time
A single keratin treatment may not create major problems for everyone. However, repeating the process frequently can expose the same lengths to repeated chemical and heat exposure, making them more prone to dryness and breakage. During the treatment, flat irons are heated up to 230°C (450°F) to seal the chemical formula into the hair shaft. High thermal stress breaks the internal disulfide bonds and alters the structural alpha-keratin within the hair shaft, causing the hair to lose elasticity and snap easily under minor tension.
4. Treated Hair Needs Different Care After the Procedure
Keratin-treated hair can feel smoother, but the strands still need protection after the service. Rough brushing, frequent heat styling, and harsh washing can reduce the smooth effect and make damaged areas more noticeable.
Signs of Hair Fall and Damage After Keratin Treatment
If you notice more hair on your brush or in the drain after a keratin treatment, first determine whether it's hair fall or hair breakage. Short broken hair strands, full-length strands with a root bulb attached to them, or scalp irritation can all point to different problems.
To help you distinguish between structural shaft snapping and true root shedding, review the physical indicators and underlying mechanisms outlined below:
|
Factors |
When you may notice it |
What you may see |
Possible reason |
|
Hair breakage |
Soon after treatment or during the following weeks |
Short strands, uneven lengths or rough ends lacking a white root bulb |
Heat or chemical stress on weakened hair |
|
Full-length hair fall |
May become noticeable over several weeks |
Long strands coming away from the root with an intact white bulb attached |
A change in the hair cycle or another underlying factor |
|
Scalp reaction |
During treatment or soon afterwards |
Redness, itching, soreness or scaling |
Irritation or sensitivity to the product |
|
Breakage with scalp discomfort |
Soon after treatment |
Broken strands along with redness or itching |
Hair and scalp reacting to the treatment at the same time |
Who Should Be More Cautious Before a Keratin Treatment?
Keratin treatment may not be the right choice when your hair or scalp is already showing signs of stress. Before booking a session, consider your current hair condition, recent treatments, and whether your scalp is comfortable and healthy.
Evaluating your structural and dermatological hair health before booking a session can prevent severe post-treatment breakage:
-
Notice ongoing thinning or reduced hair density
-
Have bleached or heavily coloured hair
-
Have scalp irritation or an active scalp condition
-
Recently had another chemical treatment
-
Regularly repeat keratin treatments
How to Reduce Hair Fall After Keratin Treatment
If you notice more breakage or hair fall after a keratin treatment, avoid adding more heat or chemical processing while your hair and scalp settle.
For the first couple of weeks, keep your routine simple and avoid anything that could place more stress on treated hair:
1. Pause straighteners and curling irons:
Keratin treatment already involves high heat. If you need to blow-dry your hair, use a low or medium setting, keep the dryer moving, and stop once your hair is dry.
2. Avoid another chemical treatment:
Do not immediately follow keratin with bleaching, colouring, relaxing or another smoothing treatment. Give your hair time before deciding on another salon service.
3. Wash gently:
Use a mild shampoo and apply it mainly to your scalp. For medium-length hair, start with about a small coin-sized amount and add more only if needed. Massage with your fingertips rather than scratching, then let the lather rinse through the lengths.
4. Condition after every wash:
Apply conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends to reduce friction and breakage in fragile hair. Leave it on for around 2–3 minutes, or for the time stated on the product, before rinsing.
5. Keep hairstyles loose:
Avoid tight ponytails, buns or braids while your hair is fragile. Repeated pulling adds tension to the strands and roots.
6. Trim only damaged ends when needed:
Trimming can remove split or broken ends and make the lengths look healthier. It will not change hair fall that begins from the follicle.
How to Tell Your Hair Is Recovering After Keratin Treatment
You can tell your hair is recovering when breakage reduces, fewer full-length hairs come away, and scalp redness or irritation starts to settle.
Rather than relying on a strict timeline, track these physical benchmarks to verify that your hair strength and scalp health are improving:
|
Concern |
Signs of recovery |
|
Breakage |
Fewer short or snapped strands during washing, combing or styling |
|
Full-length hair fall |
Fewer strands coming from the root and no further visible thinning |
|
Scalp reaction |
Less redness, itching, soreness or scaling |
However, if you have persistent hair fall, it may need a closer look at what's happening underneath. In such cases, a test-based approach can include your health and diet history, a scalp examination, and blood tests to determine the reasons behind your hair fall.
Find out the factors that may be contributing to your hair fall.
Take Traya's free hair test today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hair return to its normal growth after a keratin treatment?
Yes, if the follicles are healthy, new hair should continue to grow normally. Keratin treatment primarily affects existing hair strands, but it does not hamper new hair growth.
What happens after 3 months of keratin treatment?
By around three months, the smoothing effect may start to become less noticeable as your hair is washed repeatedly and new hair grows with its natural texture.
How many times a year can you do keratin treatment?
There is no established number of keratin treatments that is safe for everyone each year. Allow enough time between sessions and repeat the treatment only when your hair and scalp are in good condition to protect them from heat damage.
Does keratin treatment reduce hair fall?
No, keratin treatments are not good for hair loss. Keratin treatments do not reduce hair fall, nor do they stop hair fall from occurring. Rather, it can actually increase shedding and breakage. However, it does not cause hair fall from the roots.
References
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Hair Smoothing Products That Release Formaldehyde When Heated. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products: What You Should Know. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Zhou, Y., Rigoletto, R., Koelmel, D., et al. (2011). The Effect of Various Cosmetic Pretreatments on Protecting Hair From Thermal Damage by Hot Flat Ironing. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 62(2), 265–282. PubMed PMID: 21635854.
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Maneli, M. H., Smith, P., & Khumalo, N. P. (2014). Elevated Formaldehyde Concentration in "Brazilian Keratin Type" Hair-Straightening Products: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 70(2), 276–280. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.023.
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Gavazzoni-Dias, M. F. R., Rochael, M., Vilar, E., Tanus, A., & Tosti, A. (2016). Eczema-Like Psoriasiform Skin Reaction Due to Brazilian Keratin Treatment. Skin Appendage Disorders, 1(3), 156–162. DOI: 10.1159/000442529.
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Sánchez-Dueñas, L. E., Ruiz-Dueñas, A., Guevara-Gutiérrez, E., & Tlacuilo-Parra, A. (2022). Psoriasiform Skin Reaction Due to Brazilian Keratin Treatment: A Clinical-Dermatoscopic Study of 43 Patients. International Journal of Trichology, 14(3), 103–108. DOI: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_62_21.
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Mysore, V., Parthasaradhi, A., Kharkar, R. D., et al. (2019). Expert Consensus on the Management of Telogen Effluvium in India. International Journal of Trichology, 11(3), 107–112. DOI: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_23_19.
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Malkud, S. (2015). Telogen Effluvium: A Review. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 9(9), WE01–WE03. DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/15219.6492.
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Tai, T., & Kochhar, A. (2020). Physiology and Medical Treatments for Alopecia. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 28(2), 149–159. DOI: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.01.004.
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