Keratin-based hair treatments are usually applied to the hair to achieve a smoother, straighter and shinier hair effect. Many people choose this hair treatment because it can make hair more manageable and tangle-free.
But you also need to know that keratin-based hair treatments also have risks and side effects that can affect health conditions.
What Is Keratin Hair Treatment Like?
Keratin is actually a type of protein that helps in the formation of hair, nails, and the outer tissues of the skin.
Many people believe that keratin-based hair treatments make hair stronger, brighter and softer. That's why many shampoo and conditioner products contain keratin.
Generally, keratin-based hair care is done in the following ways:
- Applying it as a shampoo or conditioner
- Applying it after shampooing and then rinsing it off
- Applying it after drying the hair and then adding the use of a vise (iron) to lock the keratin in the hair
Benefits of Keratin Hair Treatment
Keratin-based hair treatments help provide a variety of benefits, including:
- Smoother, shinier and silkier hair
- Hair looks straighter
- Hair is softer and less clumpy
- Hair is stronger and less prone to breakage
- Hair looks thicker
Risks and Side Effects of Keratin Hair Treatment
Actually, keratin-based hair treatments still cause controversy in the health world due to the content of formaldehyde and other chemicals that release formaldehyde in keratin-based hair care products.
According to the CDC, exposure to formaldehyde can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, even in short periods of exposure. Whereas longer exposure times or high doses can cause coughing or choking. More severe exposure can even result in swelling of the throat or chemical burns in the lungs, as well as death.
Side effects of using keratin-based hair care products containing formaldehyde include:
- Irritation
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Allergic reaction
- Pain in the chest
Safe Hair Care Alternatives
Some keratin-based hair care products claim to be formaldehyde-free, but you may need to be aware of other terms for formaldehyde listed in the product, including:
- Aldehyde
- Bonded aldehyde
- Formalin
- Formic aldehyde
- Methanediol
- Methanal
- Methyl aldehyde
- Methylene glycol
- Methylene oxide
- Morbicid acid
You don't have to use hair care products that contain keratin to get a beautiful hair look. You can use products with natural moisturizers such as olive oil, argan oil, coconut oil, shea butter, sunflower oil and so on.
Having problems with hair appearance? It's best to consult your complaints and problems with a professional expert.If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr. Monica Salim
Noreen Iftikhar, MD (2023). What Are the Side Effects of a Keratin Treatment?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-the-side-effects-of-a-keratin-treatment
Grace Gallagher (2020). Pros and Cons of Keratin Treatments. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/keratin-treatment-pros-and-cons
Zia Sherrell, MPH (20230. What to know about keratin hair treatments. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/keratin-hair-treatment
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Keratin. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23204-keratin
EPA (2023). Facts About Formaldehyde. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-about-formaldehyde