Everything You Should Know Before Getting a Brazilian Blowout

Table Of Content

• Can You Get a Brazilian Blowout if You Have Colored Hair?
• How do you care for a keratin treatment?
• Before and After: How a Keratin Treatment Changes Your Hair
• Does the Brazilian Blowout Use Formaldehyde?
• Hair-smoothing treatments can be the ticket to a great short haircut.
• Everything You Should Know Before Getting a Brazilian Blowout

A keratin treatment, sometimes called a Brazilian blowout or Brazilian keratin treatment, is a chemical procedure usually done in a salon that can make hair look straighter for as long as 6 months. Your stylist will begin by shampooing your hair three or four times to remove all the product and create a base for the treatment to adhere. Working section by section, the Brazilian blowout formula will be applied from root to tip, then blow-dried smooth. A flat iron heated to 450 degrees will seal it in, then it's back to the shampoo bowl to rinse out the treatment, followed by a deep conditioning mask. Before diving into the benefits of keratin for hair, let’s be clear on what keratin is and how it affects the hair. It’s a fibrous protein that quite literally forms each strand of hair.

Can You Get a Brazilian Blowout if You Have Colored Hair?

"I've seen clients be able to grow their hair past their shoulders when they never could before after doing keratin treatments," she shares. "For those dealing with breakage from relaxers, keratin is a great option." Though she adds, "It's not for everyone." At his salon, Lordet uses several different types of keratin treatments on clients based on their hair texture and health. “When I am asked about the greatest products or tools I have used or experienced, the keratin treatment is at the top of my list. It’s a dream come true for anyone who wants to manage or smooth out frizzy, curly, or wavy hair,” says Charles Ifergan, hairstylist and founder of Charles Ifergan Salon.

How do you care for a keratin treatment?

As a result, if you’re looking to smooth and strengthen your hair for special events or even daily occurrences, opting for safer, gentler at-home formulas is the way to go. We spoke to two professional hairstylists, Michelle Dixon and Kim Kimble, to better understand the ins and outs of keratin treatments and whether or not they're a good option for Black hair. Below, they touch upon safety issues, benefits, potential side effects, how the formulas themselves work, what you can expect during the treatment, how to care for your hair after your keratin, and more.

Before and After: How a Keratin Treatment Changes Your Hair

If you’ve ever hoped for smoother, frizz-free hair, chances are, you’ve heard of keratin hair treatments—or, at the very least, Brazilian blowouts. These smoothing hair treatments—which are one in the same—are known for their ability to make hair look straight, smooth, and shiny for up to six months. The only problem is, they’re loaded with chemicals and often get a bad rap as a result.

As hair becomes damaged, it needs all the help it can get to repair and boost its natural structure. Keratin treatments and keratin-infused products offer many benefits to your hair. Read on for answers to other questions we're sure you're asking about the popular treatment.

Does the Brazilian Blowout Use Formaldehyde?

But while all Brazilian blowouts are keratin treatments, not all keratin treatments are Brazilian blowouts. A smoothing treatment can be a worthwhile investment for anyone with frizz-prone hair. In fact, some of us are willing to shell out $250 on average for salon services like a keratin treatment or aBrazilian blowout if it means getting smooth, glossy tresses in return. But what's the difference between these two popular hair treatments, exactly? There are several ways to use keratin for hair to get all the benefits, including stronger hair that is shiny and frizz free. As trendy and convenient as in-salon keratin treatments may seem, the amount of harm they can cause to your hair makes them simply not worth it.

Hair-smoothing treatments can be the ticket to a great short haircut.

But if you're looking to bounce between your natural curls and straight hair, this may not be the solution for you. Always see a certified professional who specializes in keratin treatments and protect the health of your hair by spacing out treatments. We dove deep into the technology behind volumizing hair products, learned about the history and chemistry behind antiperspirants, and read up on Accutane.

Keratin Treatments for Black Hair: Everything You Need to Know, According to Experts

Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about getting a keratin hair treatment. The body naturally makes the protein keratin — it’s what hair and nails are made up of. The process involves getting your hair washed, then having a stylist brush the treatment onto wet hair where it will sit for about 30 minutes. Keratin treatments help to smooth hair cuticles, which can give hair a shinier appearance.

Advent International acquires Brazilian haircare brand Skala Cosméticos - Premium beauty

Advent International acquires Brazilian haircare brand Skala Cosméticos.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Everything You Should Know Before Getting a Brazilian Blowout

Make sure you fully comprehend your stylist's aftercare instructions prior to leaving the salon and follow them when you get home. Dixon notes that keratin "reinforces your hair and tames the frizz, which makes it healthier– when it's done correctly." She shares she has even given the treatment a try herself. "I have natural hair, and it's curly and have been doing keratin for ten years now, and I love it." However, keratin treatments have gained themselves a bad rep over the years due to a slew of safety concerns and the treatment being done incorrectly. In recent years, though, formulas have been updated to be safer, more effective, and less damaging. In Brazil, it is actually referred to as the "Progressive Blowout" because of its gradual straightening effect, notes Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon.

"The differences between hair strands on textured manes means that heat will hit one area more intensely than another causing damage and breakage," Lord says. "The impact of the first treatment may not be observed by the naked eye but it is very likely damage has been done by the formaldehyde in the [formula]." While Matos says the treatment is safe on most hair types, Lord warns that people with textured hair should take precautions because the treatment could potentially be damaging. She suggests being mindful of the amount of heat you're applying to textured strands because of the different ways certain parts of your hair may react. "If you have someone inexperienced who's going over the hair too many times with high heat that's too high for that texture, it can damage the hair." If you feel like your stylist is overdoing it, don't be afraid to speak up.

Brazilian blowouts have become notorious for their transformative (and dare we say, life-changing) qualities of eliminating frizz and promoting intense shine. As for the process itself, Soekoro says a keratin hair treatment will typically begin with a hairstylist cleansing the hair to adequately remove residue that could inhibit the formula from saturating the hair. There are alternatives to Brazilian blowouts that are considered safer for your hair and body.

Although both end results are similar, a Brazilian Blowout has a mild formula that can be tailored to your hair type and is a little less delicate post-treatment. "After you get a keratin treatment, you don't have as many options," says Matos. Your stylist might also have options when it comes to the strength of the treatment.

Looking for long, ultra-sleek, pin-straight strands with zero frizz? The world-famous Brazilian blowout—also known as “hair botox”—might just be a game changer for you. This semi-permanent hair treatment is akin to a standard salon blowout on steroids, and works to seal the cuticle and impart a glossy sheen.