Frizzy, flyway hair is not a look you want to sport, especially with the party season around the corner. That’s where hair treatments come in. They work wonders, smoothing out rough edges, taming frizz, and conquering flyways so that you are party-ready anytime. However, if you are more of a DIY person, the right combination of shampoo, conditioner, and serum can deliver similar results.
The keywords when it comes to smooth locks are Keratin and smoothing. Even though they are thought to be the same and are often used interchangeably, you need to know that there is a difference between shampoos and conditioners, and that’s what we’re going to explore next.
Smoothing Vs. Keratin
The terms smoothing and Keratin get thrown together because they both deal with taming hair and battling frizz, but there is a difference between Keratin and smoothing, especially when looking at hair treatments.
Smoothing refers to de-frizzing hair and adding shine without changing the texture, while Keratin replenishes the protein keratin in the hair and scalp. It also protects against the sun, harmful chemicals, and pollution damage.
How do Hair Smoothing and Keratin Treatments Work?
Smoothing and keratin therapy are popular salon treatments that make hair manageable, shinier, and more glamorous. So let’s take a closer look at how they work.
1. Hair Smoothing
The process begins by saturating hair with a solution that deeply permeates the hair’s cortex. The hair is then dried out, and heating rods are used to straighten it. The result is often smooth, bouncy, and soft hair that lasts for around three to six months. The treatment is often preferred for thin hair rather than dense.
The pros to opting for smoothing include an overall natural look, and the chemicals used during the saturation process are gentler than those used in other treatments. As a result, they have a lower risk of causing any damage to the hair. Cost-wise too, smoothing treatments are manageable because they don’t require a lot of post-care.
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2. Keratin Therapy
Keratin therapy, as mentioned earlier, focuses on protein building. Like smoothing, the process begins with saturating the hair in a solution. This requires a protein called keratin to coat the cuticle, almost like armor. The hair is then blow-dried and flattened out.
The effects usually last up to three months. After that, the treatment focuses on replenishing the hair’s Keratin and strengthening weakened hair. It is an effective way to nourish the hair and make it easier to nourish and style while ensuring that it looks dense and voluminous.
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One of the perks of keratin therapy is that it thoroughly moisturizes and conditions the hair. Plus, it makes hair manageable without giving it an artificial look. However, keratin therapies can be a bit on the expensive side and do require regular maintenance.
While both treatments offer you shinier, smoother, healthier-looking hair, choosing between them comes down to knowing your hair type and what you expect from the treatment. Now that you have an insight into the difference between Keratin and smoothing, you are better equipped to make an informed choice.
But don’t just dive in. If you decide on the salon treatment route, discuss your options with your stylist and choose the best one for your hair.
Hair Treatments at Home
One of the exciting things about the day and age we live in is that a lot of what used to be salon-only treatments can be adapted and reformulated into products that can be put to work in the comfort of home. That’s right, you can tame your tresses just by using the right combination of products like Keratin and smoothing shampoos and conditioners.
1. The Easy Way
Smoothing shampoos and conditioners offer a smoother texture and add definition to waves and curls. However, quality is essential. Any shampoo and conditioner will not do if you want a professional finish.
Thus, you should invest in salon-quality products. Smoothing shampoos thoroughly cleanse the hair of dirt and product build-up, leaving it perfectly prepped for the conditioner to strengthen the hair and for smoothing agents to reinforce the cuticles.
The perks of using a smoothing shampoo and conditioner start with stronger hair. The products work in conjunction to support frizzy hair, leaving it strong and resilient without weighing it down. They are also a good choice if your hair is damaged and prone to breakage.
Damaged hair is also more to frizziness and flyaways, so boosting moisture and hair resilience effectively helps control frizz. The best products can retain this sleek look for up to 72 hours. Besides that, washing colored hair opens up the cuticle allowing the pigment to seep out, eventually leading to the color fading away.
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Salon-quality smoothing shampoos and conditioners are equipped to slow down the fading process while nourishing the hair, leaving it luminously glossy. In addition to shampoos and conditioners, hair smoothing serums can offer a more immediate effect, while hair masks help nourish the scalp and hair.
You can use products that have been specifically formulated for chemically treated hair. For example, you can use the Rice Water range of products from Mamaearth that have been developed for gentle hair care products that has been chemically treated.
While oiling may hamper the keratin and smoothing process, you can always use hair shampoo, hair conditioner, and a hair mask made with naturally derived ingredients safe for chemically treated hair.
2. The Keratin Way
The protein keratin, naturally found in the body, is considered one of the building blocks of our skin, hair, and nails. It fortifies the structure of the hair, making it stronger and smoother. That’s why it is a key ingredient in hair treatments and products.
Keratin smooth shampoo and conditioner are more potent than regular products. They strengthen and fortify hair by replenishing keratin protein, fortifying cuticles, and preventing breakage. They also protect against environmental damage.
The products work together, cleansing the hair and scalp of impurities and nourishing them. Hair that is healthy and safe from damage translates to frizz-free, smooth, and shinier hair that is easier to manage and style. Shampoo, conditioner keratin serums, and hair masks have also proven effective in nourishing and taming hair.
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Get the Most Out of Your Smoothing or Keratin Products
Here are a few things to keep in mind when using at-home smoothing or keratin treatments.
- Always choose good quality products that you trust or come recommended by a specialist.
- Choose products that are paraben and silicone-free and low on sulfates.
- Wet your hair thoroughly before applying your shampoo. Use warm water, not hot, to preserve moisture.
- Use gentle strokes to massage the shampoo into your scalp and hair. Ensure that the shampoo is spread out evenly. Do not be aggressive.
- Rinse hair thoroughly. Do not leave behind any residue. And squeeze out all the water.
- Gently apply your conditioner. If the conditioner needs to be washed out, wait a few minutes, then rinse again and pat dry.
- Apply a hair mask once a week to nourish and strengthen hair. Follow the instructions on the packaging precisely.
- Apply a few drops on clean, damp hair when using a serum. Then, use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the serum evenly through your hair.
- Avoid applying serum on the roots and using too much, as it can make the hair appear greasy.
- Before styling your hair – especially if using hot rods and flat irons – use a heat protectant spray to protect your hair from heat damage.
The takeaway
Sleek, smooth, and shiny hair is the dream, one that is achievable – whether you choose to get a salon treatment or follow an at-home routine. The key, though, is to remember that no matter how similar they sound, there is a difference between keratin and smoothing treatments, and choose the better fit for your hair.
Salon treatments have proven extremely effective in taming out-of-control hair and giving it a lustrous look, like the locks you see models sporting on TV. On the other hand, at-home treatments also prove their worth, taming flyaways and frizz while strengthening and nourishing hair. But whichever route you choose, know that smooth, soft, healthy, and bouncy hair can be yours. So, get moving!
FAQs
What is the difference between Keratin and smoothing?
The difference between Keratin and smoothing comes down to the content of the solution the hair is saturated with and its effects. Smoothing deals with de-frizzing and adding shine to the hair, whereby the solution permeates deep into the cortex of each strand, strengthening the hair. The result is natural-looking sleek hair. It works well for thin hair.
As the name suggests, Keratin therapy replenishes keratin protein, strengthening the hair. It clings to the cuticles, protecting the hair against damage from the sun, chemicals, or pollution. It gives the hair a smooth and voluminous look.Is Keratin smoothing good for hair?
Keratin therapy is one of the best treatments for damaged and frizzy hair. This is because it helps replenish the protein keratin, naturally found in the body, strengthening and fortifying hair and protecting it from environmental damage. Keratin therapy doesn’t just tame frizz and flyaways.
It also nourishes the hair and makes it more manageable and easier to style. As with all treatments, there is a certain amount of risk that comes with it, and you can best judge whether it is suitable for your hair by first understanding your hair needs and your expectations by discussing it with your stylist.Is Keratin and smoothing the same?
Though they offer a similar function of smoothing and strengthening hair, and taming frizz and flyaways, there is a difference between Keratin and smoothing. The key distinction is that one is focused on replenishing proteins, and the other is not. As a result, smoothing lasts longer than keratin therapy and is more economically viable.
In addition, smoothing products and treatments work from the inside, repairing and preventing damage so that the hair is sleek. On the other hand, Keratin clings to the cuticles, strengthening weakened hair and protecting it from the sun, chemical, and pollution damage.Can smoothing and Keratin be done together?
Hair treatments generally involve exposing the hair to chemicals and heat. Thereby most experts will agree that when it comes to treatments, less is more. In the case of keratin and smoothing treatments, doing both simultaneously is a no-no. However, both treatments have a similar smoothening effect, though Keratin does not focus on straightening hair but rather strengthening and protecting it.
If you are keen on trying both treatments, start with smoothing to tame hair and make it more manageable. Then, after a fixed time, usually, after three months, you can opt for a keratin treatment to strengthen the hair and retain smoothness. Before deciding on a treatment course, it is best to consult a specialist to understand if it is beneficial for your hair.What is the difference between hair smoothing and Keratin?
Hair smoothing and keratin therapies are similar yet quite different. Smoothing refers to de-frizzing hair and adding shine without changing the texture, while Keratin replenishes the protein keratin in the hair and scalp. The hair smoothing process begins by saturating hair with a solution that deeply permeates the cortex of the hair.
The hair is then dried out, and heating rods are used to straighten it. The result is often smooth, bouncy, and soft hair that lasts for around three to six months. The treatment is preferred for thin hair rather than dense.
On the other hand, the keratin therapy process begins with saturating the hair in a solution until it has completely coated the cuticle, almost like armor. The hair is then blow-dried and flattened out. The treatment replenishes the hair’s keratin protein and strengthens weakened hair.
It is an effective way to nourish the hair and make it easier to nourish and style while ensuring that it looks dense and voluminous. The effects usually last up to three months. It thoroughly moisturizes and conditions the hair, makes hair manageable without giving it an artificial look, and protects against damage from the sun, harmful chemicals, and even pollution.
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I’ve always been curious about the difference between keratin and smoothing treatments, and this article provided a clear and concise explanation. Very helpful
I’ve been considering getting a hair treatment, but I wasn’t sure whether to go for keratin or smoothing. This article provided a great breakdown of the differences between the two. Thanks 🙂
I now understand that keratin treatments are more focused on improving hair health and restoring damaged strands, while smoothing treatments primarily target frizz and create a sleek appearance. Thank you for clarifying these differences
As someone who has struggled with frizzy hair, I found this article on the difference between keratin and smoothing treatments very enlightening and helped me decide which option would be best for me.
I’ve been considering getting a hair treatment to manage my frizz hair. Thank you for sharing this informative article!