Keratin Treatment Side Effects

Keratin treatment is a popular way to get straight, shiny hair. But it’s not without its share of side effects that you need to be aware of.

The main issue is that many keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, a carcinogenic gas. That’s a problem because it’s absorbed into the skin when the product is applied.

1. Scalp Irritation

Keratin treatment is a hair-smoothing solution that makes your hair shiny and silky. It has become a popular choice among women who want to straighten their frizzy or curly tresses.

However, a keratin treatment can also cause scalp irritation. This is because the solution contains formaldehyde, which can irritate the skin and eyes.

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, so it’s important to avoid keratin treatments that contain it. The CDC has set the safe concentration at less than 0.2%.

It’s also wise to check that the salon you choose uses a formaldehyde-free formula.

The scalp is thinner than the rest of the body, so it may be more sensitive to chemicals in shampoos and conditioners. If you’re experiencing itching, burning or tender spots on your scalp after a keratin treatment, talk to your dermatologist.

2. Hair Fall

Keratin treatments are a popular way to get smooth, silky hair that’s frizz-free and super-enriched. These treatments dive into the hair follicle and inject porous areas with keratin, an essential protein for healthy hair.

These chemically-treated strands are also a lot easier to style and blow dry. But the downside to these smoothing treatments is that they often contain a lot of chemicals that can damage your hair in the long run.

Formaldehyde, one of the main ingredients in keratin, is a known carcinogen. Exposure to it can cause a range of side effects including difficulty breathing, eye irritation and nosebleeds.

It can also cause severe allergic reactions, according to the EWG. This can include itchy skin, sneezing, coughing and mood swings.

However, this is something that can be avoided if you use the right products and don’t go for back-to-back keratin treatments. Generally speaking, keratin treatments are safe to use as long as they are administered by a trained professional in a reputable salon.

3. Dry Scalp

Dry scalp is one of the most common and frustrating scalp conditions to deal with. It can cause itching and flakes that fall down your shoulders or get caught on hairbrushes.

The most common dry scalp causes are products that you use on your hair, cold weather and dehydration. To remedy this, try changing up your hair care routine and using products that are formulated for sensitive scalps.

Another dry scalp culprit is a diet that’s high in sugar. A diet rich in sugar can promote the growth of yeast, which can make dandruff and dry scalp worse.

To combat this, drink lots of water and avoid over-scalping your hair with hot tools or excessive styling. It’s also important to choose shampoo and conditioner that are gentle enough for your drier scalp. For example, Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care Shampoo is an effective product for flake-free hair. Its dual-action formula with almond oil helps relieve itchiness and improves scalp health in 2 weeks.

4. Hair Loss

Keratin is a protein that is naturally produced by the body. It is derived from animals’ horns, feathers, and wool, and it is used in hair and skin products.

Many people apply keratin to their hair in order to get smooth, lustrous, and healthy-looking locks. However, keratin can have unexpected side effects that do not improve your hair’s health or look, including hair loss.

The biggest reason why keratin treatments cause hair loss is because of the chemicals that manufacturers add to them. These chemicals, like formaldehyde, can be very harmful to your health and scalp.

Adding these harsh ingredients to your hair causes damage to the cells that make up your hair follicles. This can lead to excessive shedding of your hair and a slow hair growth rate.

To prevent this, you should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also, avoid using sulphate-containing shampoos and conditioners after a keratin treatment. These sulphate-containing products will strip your hair of its natural oils, causing it to break easily and become dry.