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Keratin treatments have become popular in recent years as a way to achieve smooth and sleek hair.
However, one of the challenges of keratin treated hair is finding the right shampoo afterward. Many shampoos can strip away the keratin treatment, leaving your hair dry and frizzy.
In this guide, we will recommend the best shampoo for keratin treated hair that will help you maintain your treatment and achieve the best results.
What is Keratin Treatment?
Similar to a Brazilian blowout, keratin treatments have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Many women love the results that they get from this type of treatment.
Keratin treatment is a process that helps to smooth and straighten the hair. A keratin-rich solution is applied to the hair and then sealed in with a flat iron.
This leaves the hair looking sleek, shiny, and healthy.
Keratin is a protein that is naturally found in the hair. When this protein is applied to the hair, it helps to fill in any damaged or broken areas.
This results in healthier, stronger hair that is less likely to break and more resistant to damage from heat styling and other environmental factors.
Why You Need Special Shampoo for Keratin Treated Hair
If you have keratin treated hair or damaged hair, then you know how important it is to use the right shampoo.
As mentioned, keratin is a protein that helps to strengthen and protect your hair. When your hair is treated with keratin, it can become more manageable and less frizzy.
However, if you use the wrong shampoo afterward, it can strip away the keratin treatment and leave your hair feeling dry and brittle.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide to the best products for keratin treated hair. This guide can help you find a shampoo that will clean your hair without stripping away the treatment.
What I Looked for in the Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Keratin Hair Treatment
These are the factors I considered for the best shampoo and conditioner for keratin hair treatment aftercare:
Zero Sulfates and Sodium Chloride
Sulfates are harsh chemicals that can strip away the keratin treatment from your hair, leaving it dry, frizzy, and unmanageable.
Sodium chloride is another common ingredient in shampoos and conditioners that can also strip away the keratin treatment.
I looked for products that were sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free to avoid stripping away the keratin treatment from my hair.
This way, you can prolong the effects of your keratin treatment and enjoy smooth, sleek, and healthy hair.
Keratin-Infused
Of course, I wanted products that are specifically for keratin treated hair.
As such, these shampoos and conditioners should have ingredients that are known to help and support the treatment.
This includes additional keratin to help replenish what is lost during the treatment process, as well as other ingredients that can help to smooth and protect the hair.
Additional Hair Benefits
I also checked for additional hair benefits, such as smoothening, color protection, and damage repair.
These are all features that can be found in good quality shampoos and conditioners, but they’re especially important for those of us with keratin-treated hair or dry hair.
This way, you won’t have to purchase many hair care products and risk overloading your hair.
Best Shampoo for Keratin Treated Hair
And here’s my list of the best products for keratin treated hair:
I love Videri's lemon sage and tea tree shampoo! It's gentle and sulfate-free, which is great for keratin treated hair.
It also has a nice refreshing scent, which leaves hair smelling great all day long.
Aside from having a natural and gentle formula, it also contains aloe vera and glycerin, which are great for keeping keratin treated hair hydrated.
Features:
- Sulfate, sodium chloride, and paraben-free
- Antioxidant-rich essential oils
- Vegan friendly
This combo is one of the best on the market for keratin treated hair.
The set comes with a shampoo that is designed to deeply cleanse the hair and remove any build-up, while the conditioner works to hydrate and detangle the hair.
The shampoo is made with Argan oil, which is a natural ingredient that has been shown to be effective at restoring shine and softness to the hair.
The conditioner contains Shea butter, which is another natural ingredient.
Features:
- Contains Moroccan Argan oil,
- All-natural and non-toxic
- Cleanses without residue.
I think L'Oreal's Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish shampoo is the best budget cleanser for keratin treated hair.
It's specifically designed to hydrate and nourish hair that has undergone treatment.
Key ingredients include Shea butter, olive oil and apricot oil. I've personally used this shampoo a few times and it does wonders for my keratin treated hair!
Features:
- Contains apricot kernel, grape seed, and camelina seed extracts,
- Color protection
- Deeply nourishes.
This is another shampoo that's specifically designed to work well with keratin-treated hair.
This Damila's Salt & Sulfate Free Shampoo & Conditioner set comes with a gentle formulation that won't strip away any of the keratin treatment from your hair.
Their key ingredients are hydrolyzed keratin, silk amino acids, and hydrolyzed silk protein, which work together to moisturize, strengthen, and protect your hair.
These products are also color-safe, so it won't cause any fading if you have color-treated hair.
Features:
- Has natural and botanical extracts,
- Contains amino acids
- Heat protection
The PURE BRAZILIAN line of anti frizz daily products do an excellent job of keeping your hair hydrated and looking healthy.
This duo contains a blend of Brazilian oils that help to nourish and protect your hair from the daily damage of heat styling and environmental aggressors.
The formula is also sulfate free, which is important for preserving your keratin treatment and avoiding frizzy hair.
It contains hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which provides additional keratin and a smoothing effect. As such, your hair feels softer as well as looks shiny and frizz-free.
Features:
- Infused with keratin amino acids, mango seed butter extract, and hydrolyzed collagen
- Color safe
- Sulfate and salt-free
Tips on Caring for Keratin Treated Hair
Aside from choosing the right hair care products, here are additional tips to caring for your keratin treated hair:
Be Mindful of the Type of Water You Have
Hard water can strip the keratin from your hair and cause your blowout to frizz. You may also want to invest in a shower filter to help remove impurities from your water.
Additionally, avoid swimming in pools and beaches for a while since the chemicals can also strip away the keratin.
Wait a While Before Washing Your Hair
Regardless of the type of keratin treatment you had, it’s ideal to wait at least 3 days before washing your hair. This allows the treatment to fully set in and makes it last longer.
The type of treatment will determine exactly how many days you should wait, so it’s best to ask your stylist.
Avoid Washing Frequently in the First Few Weeks
If you’ve just had a keratin treatment, resist the urge to wet your hair every day.
Washing too often can strip away the keratin treatment and leave your hair frizzy and unmanageable.
Once every three days or so should suffice in the first few weeks.
If you must wash your hair more frequently, be sure to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.
Let Your Hair Loose
It’s important to let your hair loose for the first 48 hours so that the keratin treatment can properly set.
That means no ponytails, buns, or anything that will put stress on your hair follicles, even tucking your hair in your ears.
Consider Using a Silk Pillowcase
Silk pillowcases are often recommended to people with all types of hair, but they can be particularly beneficial for those who have undergone a keratin treatment.
This is because silk pillowcases help to reduce frizz and protect the hair from damage while you sleep.
Invest in a high-quality silk pillowcase and you’ll see a difference in your hair’s appearance.
Keep Hair Dry as Much as Possible
Aside from avoiding washing your hair frequently, you may also want to blow dry your hair after working out.
This is because sweat contains sodium, which can strip away the keratin in your hair.
Invest in Dry Shampoos
Dry shampoos are a must for women with keratin-treated hair. They help to refresh and style the hair without having to use water.
FAQs: Best Keratin Shampoo, Hair Products, and Other Questions
What Type of Shampoo Should I Use After a Keratin Treatment?
A shampoo that is sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free is best to use after a keratin treatment. This will help prolong the life of your treatment and keep your hair shiny and vibrant.
Check out my list of the best sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free shampoos to find the one that works best for your hair type.
Can I Use Normal Shampoo After Keratin Treatment?
It’s best to use a shampoo that is specifically designed for keratin treated hair. These shampoos will help to prolong the life of your treatment and keep your hair looking its best.
Regular shampoos have harsh chemicals that can strip away the keratin treatment, leaving your hair dry and frizzy.
This can undo all of the hard work that your stylist put into making your locks look its best.
What Products Can I Use on Keratin Treated Hair?
Aside from a shampoo and conditioner that’s made specifically for hair that’s undergone treatment, you should avoid using any other products on your hair for the first three days after treatment.
This includes styling products, oils, and serums.
Once the initial three-day period is up, you can start using products again, but be sure to choose ones that won’t strip away the keratin treatment.
What Shampoo Ingredients are Bad for Keratin Treated Hair?
Avoid ingredients that will strip the treatment from your hair. This includes sulfates, which are found in most conventional shampoos.
You also want to avoid anything with harsh chemicals or fragrances, as these can also strip away the oils that are placed to supplement your natural hair oils.
Can a Keratin Shampoo Be Used Daily?
Yes, you can use a keratin shampoo daily.
However, it’s best to avoid washing your hair frequently, especially during the first week after your treatment, as this can strip away the natural oils that protect your strands.
Are Keratin Treatments Safe?
Yes, keratin treatments are safe when applied by a professional.
The main ingredient in these treatments, formaldehyde, is a gas that can be released into the air and inhaled, which can be dangerous.
But when the treatment is done correctly, the formaldehyde is sealed within the hair shaft and poses no risk.
Does Keratin Shampoo Help Hair Grow?
There is no definitive answer to this question since everyone’s hair is different.
However, many people report that their hair grows faster and is healthier after using a keratin shampoo.
This may be because the shampoo helps to stimulate the scalp and hair follicles, which can promote hair growth.
Additionally, keratin is a protein that is essential for healthy hair. By providing the hair with this protein, the shampoo may help to strengthen and nourish it, resulting in faster growth.
Conclusion: Best Shampoo for Keratin-Treated Hair
Choosing the right shampoo is vital to maintaining healthy and beautiful keratin-treated hair.
The right shampoo for this type of hair is one that is free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals, as these can strip away the protective keratin layer.
A good keratin shampoo will also be packed with nourishing ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins, and natural oils to keep your strands hydrated and looking their best.
With so many different options on the market, it can be hard to know which shampoo is right for you.
I hope this ultimate guide has helped narrow down your choices and that you find the perfect shampoo to keep your keratin-treated hair at its best.
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