While a keratin treatment could help tame your frizzy grey hair, you’re also worried about the potential drawbacks of yellowing and irreversible damage.
Even I was scared, but I decided to go for it anyway. I thought, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ “Let’s just see what happens!”
I wasn’t too worried about the potential damage because I had a backup plan. If the treatment messed up my hair, I would cut it short. I’ve always loved short hair, so it wouldn’t be a big deal.
And if my grey hair turned yellow or brassy due to heat damage during the process, I was ready to colour it a vibrant colour like blue or pink. I’ve been using semi-permanent colours on my grey hair for years, and I know they’re a great way to cover up any damage.
You might like reading: How to Use Vibrant Colors on Grey Hair
So, basically, keratin treatments were developed to control and tame frizzy hair.
There are a bunch of different keratin treatments out there, and picking the right one depends on your hair type and what you want to achieve. It also matters how much you’re willing to spend and how long you want the results to last. And if you’re worried about formaldehyde, there are options with or without it.
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Reason for getting a Keratin Treatment:
So talking about my hair, it’s wavy and thick in texture but not frizzy.
So, right before I got my keratin treatment, I tried out this inverted bob. But since my hair is naturally wavy, it didn’t really show off the cut as much as I wanted. So I thought the keratin would help refine my haircut so the style would look better.
I talked to my hairstylist about what I wanted to do with my hair, and he recommended this GK Keratin treatment.
He suggested to me that it would be the best and safest treatment for my grey hair to smooth out my hair and make it a bit straighter, and wouldn’t make it completely straight. I was convinced and got the keratin treatment done. According to the length and density of my hair, he charged me Rs.4500.
The process:
Okay, so talking about the process and time of the treatment, (video clips treatment) it took me about 6 hours. I won’t go through the whole process because there are tons of videos on YouTube showing how it’s done, and mine was pretty much the same.
The keratin treatment has been a game-changer for my hair! Here’s a look at my progress over the past three months.
Keratin treatment on grey hair before and after Pictures:
It’s been three months since I got the treatment and now the keratin is starting to fade a little bit, so my hair is getting a bit wavy again. But I still love how it feels and looks. It looks good.”
“Okay, now let’s talk about the questions you guys asked me on Instagram about my keratin treatment. If you want to know more about me and my journey with gray hair, be sure to follow me there. I’m pretty active on it!”
Why did I choose the keratin treatment and not any other hair smoothening treatment?
“I chose a keratin treatment because I found it to be milder for my grey hair as compared to other treatments like Brazilian blowouts or Japanese straightening treatments. These treatments are more permanent options that chemically alter the hair’s structure to create a completely straight look, which I never wanted. While keratin treatment is temporary and gentle and lasts about 5 or 6 months. Also, Like I said before, I didn’t want my hair to be completely straight, so this was the perfect fit for me.”
Did you use any specific aftercare products for your grey hair?
My hairstylist recommended using GK hair shampoo and conditioner because they’re specifically designed for treated hair and don’t contain harsh sulfates that can strip the keratin. So, I ordered their shampoo and conditioner from Amazon. Both of these are non-pigmented and safe to be used on grey hair.
Also, he recommended a regular blow-dry of my hair after each hair wash to help maintain a smooth, frizz-free look for an extended period. So I do that every time I wash my hair.
After blow-drying my hair I apply this serum from Minimalist to my hair strands. It has keratin and argan oil in it, and it makes my hair really smooth and shiny. It’s like giving my hair an extra boost of keratin.
“Another thing I got was a silk pillowcase. It helps reduce friction on my hair, which will make the keratin treatment last longer.”
I also started giving my hair extra nourishment by using this hair masque from Lillarose once a week. It is an intense treatment containing Shea Butter and Moroccan Argan Oil. It strengthens and keeps my hair hydrated.
Other than these products I always use UV protection before stepping out in the sun and a heat protectant before blow-drying my hair.
Does keratin treatment turn grey hair yellow?
And the answer is YES, it does.
See, all hair, whether brown, blonde, or grey, can turn yellow with any kind of hair treatment. It’s just not as noticeable on pigmented hair.
3 Reasons why gray hair turns yellow after any hair treatment:
- Grey hair turns yellow because it doesn’t have any colour, and the chemicals in the treatment coat the hair shaft which can make it look yellow.
- How much your hair looks yellow depends on how much grey you have. If you have a mix of grey and black, it won’t look as yellow as someone with a lot more grey hair.
- And how yellow it gets depends on a few things, like what kind of treatment you’re getting, the health of your hair, the process itself, the temperature of the heat used, and even how you care for it afterwards.
My hair did turn a bit yellow, but the treatment is been fading with each wash. Now, it’s getting lighter and closer to my natural colour. I don’t think the yellowness is permanent.
Use of purple shampoo after the treatment:
You might be thinking I could’ve used a purple shampoo to fix the brassiness, but I didn’t.
Purple shampoos have sulfates in them, and I wanted to avoid those. Instead, I mixed just 2 drops of Silvering Tonal Control to my conditioner once a week and rinsed as usual. It helped neutralize the yellow without stripping away the treatment or the natural oils in my hair. It’s a great substitute for purple shampoos and I am loving it.
How long does it last on grey hair?
It’s been just three months since my treatment so it is difficult for me to answer this question at the moment but I think it’s nothing different for grey hair. Keratin treatments can last up to 2-6 months, depending on the brand, application method, hair type and maintenance routine.
But one thing is for sure the more you wash the more quickly it will stripe off from the hair.
So, what about the new hair growth? When should you get a touchup?
With keratin, you don’t have to worry about a harsh line between your treated hair and your new growth like what other treatments like smoothening and Japanese treatments do to hair. The keratin eventually washes out, so your new hair can blend in naturally.
As for reapplying, it’s up to you. You can get it touched up in two months or wait six. But I think once or twice a year is enough. These treatments are chemicals, after all, and your hair needs a break sometimes.
Will it make my hair shiny?
Definitely! Grey hair can look dull because it absorbs more colour instead of reflecting light. But keratin fills in the gaps in your hair, making it smoother and less frizzy. This helps light bounce off your hair, giving it a nice shine. Smooth hair always looks healthier because it reflects light better.
Is a keratin treatment good for grey hair?
Well, keratin itself isn’t bad for grey hair, but the heat and other chemicals used in the treatment can be damaging.
I didn’t like how much my hair was pulled when they flat-ironed it. I lost a few hairs during that part. If you have thin grey hair or have any scalp or hair issues, I would not suggest you to go for this treatment.
Also, the fumes from the solution and the flat iron made my eyes water during the process. That’s because of the formaldehyde in the keratin. Formaldehyde is a gas that can be dangerous if you inhale it.
So if you get this treatment, make sure to cover your nose and eyes tightly with a folded cloth to be safe from the gas during the process. I tried the face mask too but it didn’t work.
Related post: Keratin Treatment On Frizzy Gray Hair
Do you usually heat-style your grey hair after the treatment?
I’m not a big fan of using hot tools on my hair, especially after going grey. After my keratin treatment, my hair looked great without any heat styling.
Even now that the keratin is fading, I plan to use heatless curls to get some soft waves, but I’ll skip the hot tools on my hair.
You might like reading: Heat Styling Gray Hair
Final thoughts
Overall, I’ve had a good experience with keratin treatments, but I don’t like how much it can pull and break my hair, so I’ll probably only do it once a year or so. Because I love my grey hair…..it is beautiful.
If you have dry frizzy grey hair and can bear a little yellowness in your hair, you can definitely go for this treatment. It smoothens the hair texture making it manageable and shiny without any permanent damage. Make sure to consult your hairstylist about all the pros and cons before getting any keratin treatment.
So that is it, I hope you like the post! I’m here to support and inspire you on your gray hair journey. Please leave your comments, questions, or suggestions in the comments. I’d love to chat with you.