by Bridget Hildreth

Created on: January 21, 2011

Brazillian Keratin Treatments are a wonderful way to tame unruly tresses, smooth unwanted bulk, and enhance a wide variety of hairstyles from long lengths to short. The process is often confused with permanent hair straightening methods; Brazillian Keratin Treatments are NOT chemical hair straightening.

Human hair is composed of a protein called KERATIN. This natural protein begins as a liquid while forming beneath the scalp's surface, then protrudes from the hair folicle when hardenied (keratinization) becoming the strands we can physically see and touch. Through frequent thermal styling (blow-drying, flat ironing), chemical haircolor services, and even our indoor and outdoor environments, hair can become damaged and not appear healthy and shiny. Hair may become more and more difficult to manage as the outer protective covering of the hair strand (cuticle layer) sustains breaks and rough spots due to everyday or extreme styling offenses. More often than not, continued and more aggressive thermal styling is performed in a misguided attempt to tame the mane 

Brazilian Keratin Treatments can be viewed as bonding LIQUID protein to the external hair shaft through a meticulous and methodical set of processes manipulating the pH of the hair and implementing direct heat in excess of 400 degrees to activate the protein.. This service should ONLY be executed by a licensed cosmetology professional.. Additionally, it is recommended to only seek this service from a cosmetologist specifically CERTIFIED through extended training provided by the chemical keratin protein manufacturer/distributor.

Be prepared for the hefty price tag for this service as well as several hours of your day spent in the salon. A permanent chemical straightener breaks the physical bonds of the hair fiber, then re-bonds the once curly or wavy locks into a straight surface pattern. Brazilian Keratin Treatments DO NOT CHEMICALLY BREAK HAIR BONDS, so this service may be administered to clients with highlighted, color treated, previously relaxed or virtually any texture or density of hair.  The benefits of this service reduce the drying time of the hair as well as flat iron styling, while leaving the surface of the hair shiny and silky. There is also no need for a 'touch up" since the protein will slowly wear off in approximately 3-6 months,.leaving no visible line of demarcation. When you notice your previous texture beginning to resurface, it will soon be time for your next treatment. Most brands of Brazilian Keratin Treatment products recommend the client to refrain from shampooing (or wetting) the hair for several days after initially receiving the service.

The benefits of Brazillian Keratin Treatments can far outweigh the cost, time and initial inconvenience of the first few days of non-shampooing if you are ready to make virtually every morning evolve into a great hair day!

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