Is A Brazilian Keratin Treatment Suitable For Afro Caribbean Hair?
Brazilian Keratin Straightening Treatment, known as BKST or BKT, is a long term straightening blow dry that is specially designed for people who have curly or frizzy hair but dream of smooth, frizz-free locks. It is a revolutionary hair straightening treatment that does not use any harsh chemicals and actually claims to boost the health of your hair. It will help repair any damaged areas of your hair as the main component used is Keratin, which is a protein already found naturally in hair.
Also the treatment actually works better on damaged hair, in fact the more damaged your hair is the longer it will last. Afro hair tends to be dryer and more prone to breakages than other hair types. This is because the structure of the hair makes it more difficult for the oils to get from the scalp to the ends of the hair; therefore the ends tend to be very dry. The points where the hair curls are also prone to breakage as it is weaker than any other point in the hair. Also, because the hair is naturally very curly it tends to tangle more and attempts to ease these tangles by combing the hair can encourage more breakages.
Many people with afro hair are in a constant battle with their hair to try and relax and straighten it. They may well have tried numerous relaxing treatments or hot irons in a bid to achieve their desired look, but these things can cause damage to the hair, leaving it weaker and more brittle than before. Brazilian straightening treatments don’t use the same chemicals that are used in typical black hair relaxers, such as sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, or chemicals used in curling perms like ammonium thioglycolate. The hair is straightened with the active ingredient keratin which works naturally to smooth the hair.
If you have used a relaxing treatment before then you will know if you try to colour your hair after relaxing it, it can be especially harsh on top of already processed hair. You also have to careful about over-processing the hair if you try to use a relaxer more than once in a short space of time. The keratin used in Brazilian straightening treatments work well on coloured, highlighted or previously processed hair so there is no worry here.
The treatment usually takes at least a couple of hours to complete but it is not especially cheap. But it is well worth it. It will save you literally hours in the morning and will effectively reverse the damaged areas of your hair. The process is relatively simple. Firstly, a keratin solution is applied to the hair and the hair is blown dry and then sealed with high temperatures of up to 450 degrees. Then a hot iron is used to seal the hair formula into each strand. Unlike other relaxing treatments, the Brazilian keratin treatment gradually washes away and you will notice your hair’s natural curl return over time. The treatment can last anywhere between six weeks to a few months.
The treatment may sound like a miracle product for those of us who find ourselves battling with our unruly locks every morning and it really has been a lifesaver for some women. If you are a woman with afro hair who is constantly on the look-out for products to turn your wiry curls into smooth, straight and manageable locks then this treatment could be for you. It can restore the damage brought about by years of heat styling abuse and numerous relaxing treatments and leave your hair looking healthier than ever.
Treatment of afro hair is a specialist subject and if you are considering any sort of straightening process it is best to visit a salon that specialises in this hair type as other salons may not be familiar with the complexities of the hair structure. Whilst the Brazilian Keratin Treatment is great for those with curly or frizzy hair, straightening afro hair can prove difficult so it is advisable to visit a salon that specialises in such treatments to see if there is anything they can do for you. It is also important to understand that whilst some forms of keratin straightening can work wonders on afro hair, the Brazilian Keratin Treatment available at Inanch London is not suitable for this hair type.
