A Brazilian keratin treatment, sometimes called the BKT or Brazilian blowout, relies upon a combination of keratin protein and formaldehyde or other aldehyde compounds to smooth and straighten hair. These costly salon treatments do require special aftercare to preserve the results for a few months, keeping your hair smooth, silky and manageable.
Function
Brazilian keratin treatments smooth the hair and eliminate frizz. Depending upon your hair, you may find that your natural curl pattern is looser and softer or your hair is straight and silky. If you normally straighten your curly or frizzy hair, a keratin and aldehyde treatment can reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to do your hair each day.
Time Frame
With proper care, your Brazilian keratin treatment can last 10 to 12 weeks. Depending upon the process your salon uses, you will need to be especially careful for the first few hours or days after your BKT. Your stylist can advise you on your specific treatment, but you should should avoid allowing your hair to get wet, curled, kinked, or pushed into another shape immediately after the treatment, recommends Style-Hair-Magazine.com.
Products
It is essential that you avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfates or sodium chloride after a Brazilian keratin treatment. Both sulfates and salt can pull the keratin from your hair, reducing the effectiveness of your treatment. Your salon can recommend appropriate products and should offer an organic, bioactive shampoo and conditioner for use following your treatment.
Considerations
Keratin treatments are ideal for damaged hair and may even work better if your hair is damaged. If you color your hair, you may color immediately before a keratin treatment without damaging your hair or reducing the effectiveness of your color or straightening treatment. Wait at least two to three weeks after your Brazilian keratin treatment before applying hair color, recommends KeratinTreatment.co.UK.
Effects
Keratin treatments wash out gradually over time. Wash your hair less often to extend the effects of the treatment. The chlorine in swimming pools and salt in seawater can wash out your keratin treatment. If you do opt to swim after a Brazilian keratin treatment, consider applying a protective oil and covering your hair when you swim.
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