Two months ago, I had my first Brazilian Keratin hair straightening treatment. As promised, I want to keep you all updated as to how it’s going.

Brazilian Keratin vs. Japanese Hair Straightening

First, I still believe that Brazilian Keratin hair straightening is very different than Japanese hair straightening. If you choose Brazilian Keratin, it’s very important that you realize your hair isn’t going to become pin-straight like it can with Japanese hair straightening.

Your hair will definitely be extremely straight when you walk out of the salon (it’s flat ironed), but realize it’s not going to stay that way.

I’ve seen some ads online that I believe are a little misleading, because they show models with pin-straight hair. Maybe that happens to some types of hair, but certainly not the majority.

What will happen is that your hair will feel healthier, look shinier, be straighter, and you will blow dry it less, if at all.

These are all good things.

Sulfate and Sodium Chloride-Free Shampoos Can Still Be Drying

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brazilian hair straightenin

I made the mistake of using an organic sulfate and sodium chloride-free shampoo that was good for my flaky scalp, but actually a little drying for my hair.

I started using it prior to the Brazilian Keratin and was pleased to know that it was already free of the things I was supposed to avoid after the treatment. So, I kept using this shampoo.

I’ve read complaints online about how people weren’t educated about Brazilian Keratin or Brazilian Blowout shampoo alternatives. They didn’t realize they’d have to stop using the expensive shampoos that have sodium chloride or sulfates in them.

After reading a little bit about these two ingredients in shampoos, you don’t want to be using hair products with them anyway. The bottom line is that they are drying, harsh, and will wreck your Brazilian Keratin treatment so you CAN’T use them.

Be prepared to toss these shampoos or use them up beforehand.

Anyway, I switched shampoos and now alternate between my old one for flaky scalp and a new one that’s more moisturizing.

The moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that I bought was recommended to me by a stylist, where I had my Brazilian Keratin treatment done. It’s the Kevin Murphy Luxury Wash And Rinse Duo (Update: I’m not sure if this is sold anymore). Kevin Murphy is a salon-only line that uses the highest quality natural ingredients. These two products are for thick, colored hair. My hair isn’t colored, but it was getting dry.

All Kevin Murphy products are paraben and sulfate-free. After 2 washes, I noticed a huge difference. I use less shampoo and conditioner when my hair is straight and I’m very pleased with these products so far.

A few months later I tried The Original Moroccanoil Hair Treatment in conjunction with these shampoos. I also tried the Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner) and experienced even better results.

Brazilian Keratin Bottom Line

You need to rotate in or switch to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner starting immediately after your Brazilian Keratin treatment.

Don’t assume that all sulfate and sodium chloride-free shampoos will work. Like conventional shampoos, a wide variety for different types of hair exist in this category.

Two months later, my hair is still straight, and I haven’t blow-dried it once since having my treatment.

I am mentally prepared to see the Brazilian start falling out somewhere between 3-4 months as is the nature of my hair. My Japanese hair straightening lasted 4 months, but I was able to slack on getting another until 5-6 months because it still looked okay.

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Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).

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96 Comments

  1. I am going to talk to you about this tonight! I have mostly straight hair but it still needs to be blowdried. But I hate getting ready – so I wet bun it to work! I’d love to have something that would help me look great and save time.
    .-= Natalie´s last blog ..Homework =-.

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Brazilian Keratin Hair Straigtening Treatment After Care | Beauty Tips Blog

  3. While straight hair looks lovely, in between treatments don’t forget to embrace your curls! Ouidad salons are experts in curly hair. Check them out!
    -Deb
    .-= Deb´s last blog ..Escape the Winter Blues and Get Those Curls to the Beach =-.

    Reply

  4. Does the Brazilian Keratin Treatment contain formaldehyde?
    What is the active (straightening) ingredient? Keratin by itself does not straighten.

    Reply

    1. Don’t believe the hype…………..the truth is ALL Brazilian keratin straightening products have formaldehyde in some form. However, the actual active ingredient’s molecular structure varies slightly from formaldehyde, and therefore can be marketed as “formaldehyde free” keratin treatments. If you have never done a keratin treatment, I strongly recommend that you have it done by a professional and that the salon is well ventilated. I have had several keratin treatments and in my experience my eyes, nose and throat were all burning from the fumes, which are absolutely NOT safe to breath for any length of time no matter what anyone tells you!

      As for the results, my hair is highlighted, a combination of wavy and curly, and very frizzy unless blown dry and flat ironed. After a keratin treatment, my hair is much easier to manage/tame in less time. However, I still must blow dry and use the flat iron to achieve desired results. My hair air dried looks the same as without the treatment. So, is it worth it? It takes hours, especially if you have long hair like mine. I DESPISE waiting days to wash it after the treatment. It is expensive and depending on how often you wash your hair, it may not last longer than 2-3 months, which flies by quickly. In my opinion, if you have unruly hair, but can blow dry and/or flat iron and get it straight without frizz, buy a can of good hair spray for about $20 and spend the money you’ll save ($200+)on something that will last longer than a keratin treatment.

      Reply

      1. Not true at all. My stylist found one that not only is free of formaldehyde, but also the sneaky ingredient they use instead of it (can’t remember the name), which is essentially formaldehyde mixed with water. The treatment therefore was applied without gloves, and had virtually no odor to it.

        Additionally, it cost me $75, and was applied by one of the top hairdressers in my state who gets everything wholesale and doesn’t overcharge customers.

        Also, you must not actually have coarse, frizzy hair if you think a can of hairspray can solve it. I have very very thick, frizzy, Italian hair and no matter what I’ve done to it all disappears as soon as there’s any moisture in the air. Real frizz isn’t tamed by hairspray AT ALL! And I use hairspray daily.

        The keratin treatment is a lifesaver for someone with truly frizzy hair. Plus, they have treatments at my salon that last up to 6 months, which I’m getting before I head over to rainy England for study.

        Reply

  5. Hi there,
    Thanks for this informative review. I am getting Keratin Straightening next week and can’t wait:-)
    I’ve been trying to find information on something for a while and can’t see to, maybe someone here could help.
    1) I understand you can’t use products or wash your hair for 3-4 days following the treatment. What about after that? Can you use mouse, gells, de-frizzers, glossers, thickening sprays, etc?
    2) Being on a budget, I am having a really difficult time with the idea of $25 shampoo and conditioner. Is there something sodium and sulfate free that’s a little bit more reasonably priced? Perhaps at drugsores?

    Thanks very much!

    Reply

    1. You’re not going to want to use product. After the 2nd day it will feel a little stringy. I got a great shampoo at Whole foods for about $8 the other day. It’s made by Jason.

      Reply

  6. I really appreciated for sharing your story here which will lead to consider some major point before going or deciding for Brazilian Keratin or other kind of straightening hair. Thanks for sharing informative note on it. 🙂

    Reply

  7. Of course BKT is different from Japanese Thermal Striaghtening (JTS)! JTS uses ammonium thioglycolate, just like a permanant wave. It breaks the hair’s bonds before they are reformed into the new configuration. BKT uses formaldehyde or a cousin aldehyde–it is created when formalin (a liquid) reacts with the 450-degree heat of the flat iron to create formaldehyde gas. ( “Formaldehyde FREE” relies on a cousin aldehyde or is a trick wording, since formaldehyde is a gas and none of these actually CONTAIN it.”) BKT does not break bonds but coats the hair, much like a nail hardener with its webbed texture coats the nails. Sodium chloride (salt) and Sulfates break down the coating, thus, the shampoo recommendations. There are many inexpensive shampoos free of these ingredients–read the ingredients lable. And if you find the right one for your hair type and the chemicals to which it has been exposed, there is no reason at all to “rotate” shampoos. If your stylist did not explain all of this to start with, find a new salon. BTW: The reason you cannot shampoo for at least 48 hours is because at the stage immdiately after the service, the heat from the shower (remember what I told you about the heat from the flat iron?) releases the formaldehyde gas. A woman in Brazil died from showering immediately after a service. In Brazil, the ingredient concentrations are much higher and “home” salons (where this was discovered) were using straight up furneral home formaldehyde, but that is no reason to ignore science and safety. All that said, there are third-genertion straighteners on the way that soften and weaken bonds but do not break them, and use no aldehydes.

    Reply

    1. Fascinating. But I’ve tried so hard to find a shampoo that’s both sodium chloride and sulfate free (and presumably it needs to be free of all sodium ingredients) – and I can’t find a single one. You say that there are many inexpensive shampoos free of these ingredients, but it would be brilliant if you could list some of them? I was sold Kerastraight after my treatment, but I don’t like it. I wouldn’t mind but it’s really expensive, and it seems to have lots of unpleasant sounding ingredients. This whole area of shampoos that you can definitely use post the keratin treatment seems to be a minefield. eg. Is John Masters ok to use?

      Reply

      1. Here are a list of brands I use on my BKT’d hair (i alternate and buy a different shampoo & conditioner after each is empty). They all vary in price, I just google until the best buy comes up! Some of the brands are only have sodium/sulphate free for a small portion of their shampoos (i.e. the volumising one will be sodium free but the colour care one won’t be etc.) so just read them before you buy – or email customer care! Oribe (expensive), Alterna, Unite, Pureology, Label M (only the Organic Orange Blossom), Tigi (Your Highness, Superstar, S-Factor, Some Like it Hot), SAMY (Fat Hair (it’s cheap)), Kevin Murphy.

        Reply

  8. I got the treatment done and LOVE brazilian keratin treatment and I have been blowing my hair straight for 17 years and using the iron and for once all I have to do is blow dry it . Plus blowing it dry only takes about 10-15 minutes and my hair is soft/healthy. I’ve done so much damage over the years with the iron and all the blond highlights
    Ps. My hair is finally getting back to being healthy. 🙂
    .-= keratin shampoo´s last blog ..Picture =-.

    Reply

  9. hey, im thinking about getting the brazilian straightening. im half black and half white, so i have really thick curly hair, not so much compacted spirals but like alicia keys. i got a relaxer at a salon once & it totally ruined my hair, it left it dry & stiff, not to mention damaged! & it took a year to come out! so could you tell me how your hair looks and feels? like is it poofy? & do you have to straighten it with a flat iron? & when the treatment comes out does it like grow out? or is it just getting curlier in time? thanks(:

    Reply

    1. It just gets curlier over time and will go back to normal. That happened to me at about 4 months. I didn’t straighten it with a flat iron but I might have if I was going somewhere really fancy or just wanted it to look straight. Keratin is good for your hair so it might actually help the dryness. Ask your stylist.

      Reply

    2. I had this treatment done on my daughter the other day. She has the same hairy type as you half/half and it has made it shiny and straighter. people keep saying that it is a hair straighten treatment and it’s not it is a product to help strengthen the hair and make it healthier. There is maintenance you have to do for the first 4 days. If it gets kinked or ridges you must straight iron it. I have done it quite a few times throughout these past 3 days. Wearing a silk wrap loosely at night will help you can get one cheap at any beauty supply store. Her hair is straighter BUT the true test is after we wash it. I can comb/brush her hair for the first time in her life w/o her crying but her hair is dirty right now. Also before you get the treatment find a beauty supply store which carries shampoo/conditioner that is sodium and sulfate free for the after care.

      Reply

  10. My hair is soft with fine touch but it is wavey. I made Kiratin treatment the day before yesterday. When can I wash as I can’t stand now more than 48 hours ? I want to wash my hair after 48 hours now.Can I???

    Reply

    2. I think it depends on the type of keratin system they used on your hair. My understanding that it’s either 2-3 days. I had Global Keratin used and my stylist said that it’s ok to wash after 48 hours. I would call yours to make sure though!

      Reply

    3. Depending on the treatment you got but i believe you HAVE to wait 4 days. if not the treatment will not take full effect.

      Reply

      1. I have been doing the Brazilian Keratin for a year now. Did it four times. I come home and wash my hair and it looks amazing and I love it. However, I have naturally straight hair, it’s just so damaged from the highlights that the BKT brings it back to life. I don’t listen to the 24/48 hr rule. It burns my eyes too much.

        Reply

  11. I had my Ksilk Keratin done 3 months ago. I can not even begin to express how this has changed my life! I have always had the frizziest, curliest hair and have never been able to wear it straight. No matter how much time and product I put into my hair as soon as I walk out the door the hummidity takes over and my hair balloons out! I have always hated my hair! But now after having the Ksilk Keratin treatment on my hair I feel like a new woman. My hair looks so beautiful. I can wear my hair straight on a rainy day and it doesn’t even frizz! I LOVE it! I will definitely be getting another one in about 3 more months!www.ksilkkeratin.com

    Reply

  12. I just had this treatment done on my 12 year old daughter. She is bi-racial and has super tight ringlet curls. For her the hair is still curly it is just a more relaxed curl and the friz is GONE! Thank you Jesus! Like I said, we just had it done so I don’t have a lot to report on as far as results but I am really looking forward to it.

    Reply

  13. just wanted to make sure about this >> we can’t wash our hair for 2-3 days because of the formaldehyde it will release, and not because it’ll loose the treatment (making the hair go back curly/wavy)?

    thanks 🙂

    Reply

    1. No, it’s because (except for the original BB brand salon treatment) the keratin hasn’t fully penetrated your hair and is still “malleable” (soft and can be dented or otherwise affected) for 72-96 hrs. after application. It’s not the formaldehyde (which is the catalyst and is evaporated by the heat of flatiron) that will “release” but the keratin that will be compromised. Your hair is made of inert keratin, and the way heat-activated keratin treatments work is to deposit a layer of keratin onto the hair’s rough “cuticle” and temporarily bond to it—the heat is the final step to help it bond and seal the cuticle. BB gets washed after the final flatironing, so you can wash as soon as you feel like it—the keratin applied is no longer malleable. Not so with the gentler, formaldehyde-free treatments. There’s a tradeoff for everything.

      But with all keratin treatments, no matter how long and how many shampoo cycles you’ve been through, you must avoid any shampoos that contain sulfates and especially sodium chloride (as well as from saltwater or excessive sweat)—which will penetrate and dissolve the keratin that the treatment deposited on your hair (and the money it withdrew from your bank account.

      Reply

  14. I had thebrazilian blowout done and had a very bad experience.. the owner of the salon said because her stylist that did mine had the iron on too high.. This damaged my hair really bad.. Does anyone know what I can use to get the treatment out of my hair? I have these really bad calic’s from the way she styled it while giving me this blowout.. And my hair looks awful.. I just want it out.. Help..

    Reply

    1. I had that experience with going to a cheaper salon for a Japanese hair straightening. I tried numerous products but what helped the most is getting a deep hair conditioning treatment from a salon. Though Japanese is a different technique, it took a while for it to settle down. Is your hair dry/fried looking?

      Reply

      1. Generally, look for shampoos that are completely clear or specifically labeled “clarifying.” Kerastase is one, but even cheapo Prell (a salon I used to go to for color uses it as their “strip” shampoo) or the freebie minis you get at hotels & motels (or the travel sizes at the drugstore) will work. It will also strip out dyes, so you may have to get a color touch up after.

        Reply

  16. Your hair looks fantastic! I got my brazilian hair straightening 4 months ago and I have loved it! My hair used to be coarse and wavy, and now it’s silky with waves in “all the right places”. I left the treatment in for 3 days, and it’s lasted 4 months. Now I’m getting it done again as I can see I need to work harder at blow drying it! However, this time, I only have 24hours free to wait, as I have a diving course I can’t cancel. my hairdresser at Dessange in Hong Kong said 24 hours should be fine, only it won’t last as long.

    Reply

  17. Can you still use a hair straightener after having had the hair treatment? I am using the recommended shampoo, and not washing it every day, just rinsing sometimes, but wanted to find out if I could straighten once in a while without doing too much damage to the treatment

    Reply

    1. Hi Caitlyn…I use a hair straightener almost daily. It just needs a very little as it takes right to it. I have to use it on my ends or my hair will look like toothpicks (way too straight!) For me the heat has not taken away the keratin treatment. I’m told our hair does well with heat as it activates the keratin. Just no salt, like in many shampoo’s and even in the ocean and avoid pools.

      Reply

    2. I sometimes follow my blow-dry (or air-dry) with a flatiron (and a heat-protectant spray). But I found an ion-tourmaline straightening brush that is faster, easier & gentler to use than a flatiron, and smooths the hair w/o making it look artificially straight. The mfr. warns not to use any product on your dried hair before using the brush; but after you unplug it and your hair cools, you can use any kind of shine or anti-humidity spray or serum.

      Reply

  18. Hi, I have been getting the keratin treatments for years and also just starting using the Moroccan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner as my stylist that did the keratin recommended. In the shower yesterday, I noticed that 6th ingredient from the last is Sodium Chloride!! I notice from your review that you, ” A few months later I tried The Original MOROCCANOIL Hair Treatment in conjunction with these shampoos (I also tried the MOROCCANOIL shampoo and conditioner) and experienced even better results.” All the research says don’t use products with Sodium Cholride. The Morroccan shampoo was expensive, now I’m wondering if it’s OK to continue, did my stylist just assume because it’s sulfate free it’s OK, maybe the Sodium Cholride is minimal being so far down the ingredient list. What’s your take? Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Michaele..interesting day to ask me this as I JUST had my keratin treatment done today. My salon has been using the Lasio keratin and everyone is happy with the results. When he finished I had a few hairs sticking up and he grabbed the
      Moroccan hair spray and we talked about the product line. He said we can use it on our KT hair 🙂 I personally only use the Coppola shampoo & conditioner with no sulfates in it. It’s just too expensive to do the treatments and risk not having it last as long as possible.

      Hope that helps!
      Katie

      Reply

    2. I actually used Moroccan Oil too! It was fine, on my hair anyway. In fact, I had a conversation about it with the rep that was at the same salon event I was at. We did not address Sodium Chloride specifically (I didn’t know to ask at the time), but she assured me it was fine with the keratin treatment.

      Reply

  19. Hello,
    Thank you for sharing. I am about to get brazilian blowout and was wondering if you could please share which shampoo you used for flaky scalp? I have the same issue and am having a very hard time finding appropriate shampoo that will help with dry itchy scalp and is safe to use after the treatment. I heard pureology made an excellent one, but it is now discontinued… just my luck!!
    Thank you in advance,
    Jeniya.

    Reply

  20. Hi,
    I have just purchased and put in the Brazilian Keratin treatment by Organix from the drug store.
    I think I put too much in because even with blow drying and flat ironing it does not want to dry like if I put grease in sometimes (I am white, but have very thick naturally wavy hair). I am really thinking I want to wash it out now as I don’t think I can stand going out in public with my hair like this.
    I noticed my ends frying and looking frizzled from the heat. My best friend and several of her friends just had the treatment in the salon and the first day their hair looked flat and frizzled ends, but then I was amazed at how my bf’s hair was quite straight with just air drying. I am hoping mine will be like that but I just want to wash some of it out and then maybe try ironing it again without so much of it in. Since it was my first time I did not know what DO NOT OVERSATURATE meant. Now I do, for me it means use less than half of the bottle because my hair is not even shoulder length and though it practically absorbs the stuff, it is very hard to get it dry with too much of it in. Doesn’t matter to me if it doesn’t last as long if I don’t leave it 48 hours because I have more to do it again. And then I will know better what is about “the right amount” from this experience.
    I also bought the Organix shampoo and conditioner so I will use that. However, I have well water and use a water softener so I am hoping the salt in my water is not going to mess things up….

    Reply

    1. I had no idea that you can buy a kit from the drug store. Do let us know how it goes after you wash it. Was it expensive?

      Reply

  21. Hi there! I’m just wondering if any of you who got the BKT, have a water softener and if it affected the BKT once you washed your hair? Thanks.

    Reply

    1. I have a water softener actually. I don’t think it affected my Brazilian Keratin treatment, but we are not as good about putting in the salt as we should be.

      Reply

  22. hi there, i have just had a brazilaion and am looking for a shampoo without sulfates, however there are different kinds of sulfates; sodium laurel sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and zinc coceth sulfate.
    the sodium laureth sulfate is an ingredient in the “brazilian kaukau shampoo” that they sell WITh the brazilian blowdry and the zinc coceth sulfate is an ingredient that is in a totally naturally shampoo that another hairdresser recommended for a brazilian. my question is; are ALL sulfates bad? or are some of the above sulfates ok? hope someone can help asap as my hair desperately needs a wash and i cant find a shampoo with NO sulfates xx
    ps my hairdresser recomended BIOLUSTRE shampoo. anyone heard of that? cheers tracy-lee

    Reply

  23. I’m half white and half black so i have naturally thick course and frizzy hair so I just recently tried a BKT from Sally’s Beauty Supply called Ion Smoothing solutions and I absolutely LOVE IT!! I did it yesterday and am in the process of waiting the 72hours. I thought the waiting peroid was going to suck so bad after reading people’s comments, but actually already my hair is 10X smoother, shinier, and silkier. I can feel a little of the product, but nothing major. Also, from what Ive heard it will only get better so I can’t wait to see the finished result. I’ll keep you updated!!:)

    Reply

    1. Cheryl–I’ll be excited to hear your results. I was just at Sally’s and considered buying the Ion Smoothing products for use after my BKT next week. Do you use those for your aftercare and, if so, how do you like them? They were very reasonably priced compared to the Brazilian Blowout brand sold at my salon.

      Reply

  24. FYI, Japanese straightening only costs $200. If you’re paying $600 you are getting ripped off. Go to an actual Korean or Japanese salon to get it done, not a high-end Beverly Hills type salon.

    I have to say I love Japanese straightening because its permanent, makes hair easy to manage, is fermaldehyde-free and you can any products with it. The only reason I switched to Brazilian is because I wanted more body and the ability to hold curl and wave more easily. I haven’t washed my hair yet, so I don’t know what the results are yet or what its like to manage.
    Also, I wish someone had told me about the shampoo thing before so I don’t have to be running around trying to find the right shampoo so I can finally wash my hair.

    Reply

  25. HERE IS YO ANSWER LADIES, ENJOY:

    Mini List of SLS-Free Shampoos:

    ABBA-‘True Curls’ 10oz : $11.25
    ALFA PARF-‘Splendore-Hydrate’ 9oz:$15.49
    ALTERNA – ‘Hemp Seed & Cavier’10oz:$16.99
    BROCATO – ‘Splash’ 10oz:$9.45
    DEVA -‘Curl Low Poo’ 12oz:$13.50
    ENJOY- all Sulfate-Free 10oz:$12.99
    J BEVERLY HILLS – ‘Fragile-Colour-Safe’ : 12 oz : $13.05
    JONATHAN – ‘Moisture’ 8.4oz : $20.00
    KENRA – ‘Platinum’ 10oz : $14.40
    L’ANZA -‘Healing Colour Care’ 8oz:$16.50
    MASTEY- ‘Enove Creme Shampoo’ 8oz:$9.90

    Reply

  26. Hi. thanks for the very insightful article. I just did the Brazilian Blowout and I am looking for a shampoo without all the bad stuff. I have heard of the Moroccan oil and shampoo. Is it sodium/sulphate and paraben free? Despite having the brazilian, my hair gets rather dry with these natural/organic shampoos. . So i’d love to use the Moroccan shampoo. Also, i heard that any conditioner is suitable as conditioners contain no bad stuff to strip the Brazilian goodness, do you know if that’s true?
    Safiyya. Jhb, South Africa

    Reply

    1. Hello,
      I have checked out my area for Brazillian Blowout and they all have told me I could go home that very same day and wash and blow dry my hair. I had it done for a very reasonable price by a woman working out of her home. (great find!) Any way, I am fairly happy.
      My hair is a combination of fine, and extra wavy in the back with extra fullness. My hair has always frizzed after styling in damp weather, fog, humidity… I think it still has some of that and I still need to use oil on my hair for blowdrying. I am using Kerastase oils, but yesterday used Morrocan Oil for fine hair.

      Loreal the maker of the Kerastase line also makes Sufate free Shampoos and Conditioners on the cheap. Very Emollient and very nice products for the price. My favorite is the Smoothing shampoo and conditioner. They are very kind to fine hair and help keep it intact for blowdrying. I find I still have to take care of my hair with softening products but like the added smoothness following my blowdry. My hair just looks longer and fuller.

      There is a great book out, Curly Girl, on various ways of caring for wavy, curly hair. They also have a website and this website also supportys local salons that focus on the curly hair. I recently read that adding oil to shampoo helps soften the hair and add shine. One of the oils recomended is Coconut which I have been using on my skin. It is great and increases the lather in the shampoo! I still need the extra part of conditioning but this has been a boon.

      Reply

  27. Hi everyone,
    I got the cappola keratin blow out express done last Friday. I immediately fell in love with my new hair the day it was done. I have naturally wavy/curly/frizzy hair. The first day I washed it, it was ok. I blow dried it and it was kind of frizzy, but it only took about 15 mins to flat iron compared to the hour it used to take. I just washed it again yesterday and I’m so disappointed. It was a little less curly than natural but still frizzy. And this time it took a half hour to flat iron. Idk if it is because I got the express done and not the 6 month treatment? Even if so, it’s supposed to last 6 weeks. Anyone have any ideas? Also I absolutely hate the shampoo and conditioner. I have the cappola brand. It totally does not make my hair feel clean. It’s smells really good in the bottle but after you rinse it gone. My hair smells like nothing. I really miss using my old stuff, that’s the best part of a shower when your hair smells good. Does anyone know of any that keep your hair smelling nice? Or if I can use regular conditioner?

    Reply

    1. I haven’t heard of that particular one. Was it expensive? Either way, I would be irritated. I think, but am not sure, that you might be able to use any shampoo that doesn’t have sulfates and to a lesser degree sodium chloride. I ultimately went back to Japanese hair straightening – it’s the only way to get my thick hair straight!

      Reply

      1. Coppola Keratin Complex brand DOES have sodium chloride—which is why my salon stopped selling it (even for its customers who elect the Keratin Complex treatment over the Brazilian Blowout). Brazilian Blowout brand aftercare products are safe, though they don’t add keratin. Giovanni’s keratin line is salt, paraben and-sulfate free (even Whole Foods sells it). It’s a 10 is salt-and-sulfate-free but does have parabens (which won’t affect your keratin but might be endocrine disruptors).

        Reply

  28. About the sodium Chloride:
    I had the Brazilian treatment done at Tao Salon in London and they recommended me -and I bought- the original Moroccan oil shampoo BUT, reading posts like the one above I read that the one ingredient that has to be avoided is the sodium Chloride, WHICH IS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDED SHAMPOO.
    Should I return the product? La Jolla (writer of post) sais she s used this shampoo after the treatment… and I am so confused now.
    Please help!

    Reply

    1. I talked to a rep from MoroccanOil and she said it’s fine to use for Brazilian keratin, despite it having sodium chloride. I believe sodium chloride is drying which is why they say don’t use it. But maybe it’s because the shampoo itself is so moisturizing anyway with the argan oil that it cross cancels the sodium chloride. That’s the only thing I can think of. My stylist recommended it too.

      I know, it’s so confusing. I’d love input from others on this one too.

      Reply

      1. Hi!! Did you find a shampoo that works for you without sodium in it? If so, wondering what you’re using 🙂

        Thanks!
        Katie

        Reply

      2. A product’s rep is NOT necessarily going to tell you the truth about its ingredients (indeed, may just be parroting the corporate line). Here is the truth: sodium chloride—whether in shampoo, sea water, or even just your sweat—WILL dissolve the keratin from your treatment. Not much you can do about sweating, especially if you are postmenopausal or taking a cancer med to reduce the estrogen in your body—I put my hair up when I work out or sleep and crank up the ceiling fan and A/C—but keep your head out of saltwater and read the labels (good reading glasses or even a pocket magnifier are cheap these days).

        Moroccanoil Brand shampoo is NOT keratin-safe. But most conditioners are more forgiving: no sulfates because they don’t foam, and very few contain sodium chloride. Read labels!

        Reply

    2. How a stylist could recommend you use a shampoo containing sodium is beyond me. One thing the stylist could gain if you shampoo with sodium chloride (AKA SALT) is that your treatment wont last as long and you will be back for another treatment sooner than you would if you didn’t use shampoo with sodium in it. Right now I am using a shampoo called KeraGreen Keratin & Protein Shampoo. They also make a conditioner I use. This product can only be bought in salons. My salon ordered it special for me (since they didn’t carry it.) You can find a shampoo without salt in it. The salt will start to take away your treatment. Pretty expensive treatment to let go to waste. Hope that helps!!!!!

      Reply

  29. La Jolla Mom,
    What is the shampoo you use for flakes? I have the same problem–Brazilian done with flakes!
    Thanks 🙂

    Reply

    1. It was by EcostoreUSA and I went to their website to look for the name but it says they are totally sold out of hair care. I want to say it was something like Manuka (sp?) for flaky scalp. It wasn’t perfect, but pretty good. I have just been testing random shampoos from our local Sprouts market and haven’t fallen in love with any just yet!

      Reply

  30. Aloha from The Big Island of Hawai’i. My daughter is a hair stylist on another one of our Hawai’ian islands. It is SOooooooo expensive to fly over for her to do my hair (literally hundreds of dollars) that she sent me the keratin this time. The first time she flew over to do it for me. She sent me /STEFAN’S Professional Shampoo and Conditioner Kera Conditioner Salt and Sulfate free with Keratin. Each bottle cost $20. Even with her paying for the keratin for me it cost her $200 for two treatments. That is what it takes my hair to “WORK”!!! I too am mixed. But not black and white must be black and something else as my hair is nappy and frizzy. ( I was adopted).
    This is the first time I have done the treatment myself, it was hard to get the PULLING of the hair to get it REALLY super straight! Had my arms up as far as they could go.
    Also burned my head a few times with the flat iron. It’s harder when you are 57,
    With the B Keratin Treatment your hair DOES eventually revert just depends on how long for how nappy it really is naturally, I have no chemical straighteners on my hair. For me it only lasted 3 months. But those 3 months sure are NICE! I can actually comb my hair out without having to use straight olive oil on it AND get it wet. I really love having this blog site and have read every single one of the comments!
    Aloha Antoinette
    Mele Kalikimaka

    Reply

    1. Oh by the way I did not get ANY shine as so many of the ads claim you are supposed to get. No matter what product I use unless it is literally a WHOLE BIG BOTTLE of SILICON my hair just does not shine and is dull. So I was hoping that the B Keratin would help this but on me; not.

      Reply

      1. OH MY GOSH the shine from the Keratin is one of my favorite parts about the treatment! It makes my hair look like it did when I was a child 🙂 My salon uses Lasio Keratin treatment.

        Reply

  31. I have used the Organix brand from the drug store several times now and it comes out nice. I hate the straightening but it is worth it to me occasionally to have my hair take half the time to blow dry for several weeks. Organix at rite aid or walgreens has a whole line of brazilian keratin products including the sodium and sulfate free shampoo and conditioner.

    Reply

    1. Hate to tell you this, but Organix shampoo, even the “keratin” line, has sodium chloride. Took me 2 years (and a pair of strong reading glasses) to find out.

      Reply

  32. Hi,
    I’ve been getting the keratin treatment for years (previously I got japanese straightenings) and needing to use sulfate free shampoos is a MYTH; they want you to buy special products for your hair but actually sodium lauRETH sulfate (not sodium laryl sulfate) is a gentle and mild surfacant. UV exposure and frequency in shampoo are the biggest factors in extending the hair process. All you need is a gentle shampoo and conditioner and less frequent shampooing and it’s fine. Salon hair products are no different than the ones from a dug store for a third of the price.
    Paula Begoun (she is like the hair, skin, and makeup guru) gave me all of this information, she’s amazing! And no, I don’t work for her;) She basically breaks down all products by ingredients and tells you the real truth, not what is advertised.
    Here’s a link to a quick article she wrote about hair care:
    https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150426770354004

    Reply

    1. My stylist told me no sulfates, even told me not to go swimming in salt water. My salon does not even sell the shampoo my stylist recommend I use. So, I have to disagree with what you are saying when it comes to my stylist. Not speaking for all stylist or all salons for that matter 🙂

      Reply

  33. Aloha Katie:

    Thank you for telling me what brand your salon uses. I will ask my daughter what kind
    she sent me.
    Today is my 2nd day and I still have my keratin in. After reading all the posts I decided
    to flat iron again today since it had places that were not straight from sleeping on it.
    Even after I finished flat ironing it, it started to frizz and revert! Granted it still IS BETTER than what it was before but it is nothing like the results others get. I can see why in Brazil they use the kind with lots of Fermahaldyde as those people also have curly and coase hair like mine. I am going to wait the 4-5 days this time before washing it at all and see if it makes a difference. Thanks for writing me.
    Antoinette

    Reply

    1. My stylist told me to use my flat iron during the “waiting period” As I use the flat iron it is activating the keratin. So, it’s not a bad thing, it actually helps the product. So, don’t just use it once when you wake up. I use it a couple times a day….again, during the “waiting period” before I wash it out. The Lasio is supposed to stay in for two days. Four days is a lot. I was told the faster the product tells you to wash it out, most likely that means there is more formaldehyde in it. Mine lasted six months the last time I did it. I wonder if you should ask your daughter for a stronger Keratin product. One that washes out either the same day or the next. OK, so you have more formaldehyde in it, but what you are looking for is smooth, frizz free hair. You need a stronger product. IMO! Katie 🙂

      Reply

    2. OOPS, one thing I forgot to say is….I am also instructed to deep condition my hair with a keratin product once a week to keep the keratin working longer. I do that every other week. I use a product called ACAI Deep Conditioning Masque. It’s from BrazillianBlowout.Com on the back, but I buy it at a salon. I put it in my hair when it is dry, I put a plastic baggie over it, I use a hair dryer on HOT for a few mins to heat it up then I wrap my head in tinfoil. So, I look funny, but IT WORKS! 🙂 🙂

      Reply

    4. My first treatment in 2011 was fabulous and had no restrictions the first few days—it was the original BB with formaldehyde, and it held up for weeks (in fact, for awhile it was TOO straight & limp—I have baby-fine hair). Next time the salon switched to the formaldehyde-free Keratin Complex brand, and the next morning one lock kinked so I had to flatiron that section.

      Switched salons and had all kinds of restrictions the first 4 days. Switched salons again (stylist moved), and on the fifth day I woke up before the first shampoo (was on vacay in the Rockies and thought it wouldn’t get hot at night—WRONG) to find I’d sweated from my scalp & head and everything was kinky, so I had to flatiron before shampooing. My stylist reported everyone with the formaldehyde-free formula had the same complaint, so he switched back from Keratin Complex (whose shampoos have salt) to the original BB (retrofitted the place with powerful ventilation, had everyone wear eye protection and he wore a mask).

      So far so good—but be aware that if you are postmenopausal and/or on a breast-cancer drug that reduces your estrogen you will get night sweats no matter what—and sweat, being salty, will partly strip the keratin (it’s not the water in sweat, it’s the salt). So I use the ceiling fan all year and crank the A/C in the bedroom all summer. As to “no workouts,” that’s impractical if you must do strength training & cardio for health so I just have to time it right. After the first shampoo, I find the straightness lasts longer if I put my hair up with a single clamp-type clip for sleep—keeps it off my neck and I might have just one small wave to smooth out in the morning. I also shampoo only twice a week (don’t judge), using a shower cap the rest of the time. Also the Living Proof PerfectHairDay dry shampoo if my hair feels or looks oily. I never swim in salt water.

      I alternate between the It’s a 10 and the Giovanni lines (no sulfates, no sodium chloride), to keep my scalp from getting resistant and pumping out too much oil. (Giovanni is available cheaply in large pump bottles at Whole Foods). When I travel, I have found the travel size PerfectHairDay shampoo & conditioner to be safe. “Lather” brand shampoo (from some boutique hotels) is organic and sulfate-and-salt-free. Organix/OGX (even their keratin line), Pureology, and Moroccanoil brand shampoos are NOT keratin-safe (have sodium chloride) but their conditioners are okay. Other shampoos in hotels I take home to donate to shelters.

      Watch out for keratin overload—layering too many keratin-containing products can stiffen hair and cause breakage. I always carry a clip to put my hair up when riding in a car or cab with open windows, or if I’m outside and it gets very windy. Wind—>tangles—>breakage.

      The formaldehyde is dangerous to those who breathe it day in and day out, but if you’re getting only 3 or more treatments a year, you’ll be okay. And my salon does maybe 2 treatments a week.

      Reply

  34. My stylist also told me no sulfates and swimming etc. Doesn’t mean it’s true….but I’m getting my next treatment done tomorrow and will daringly use regular shampoo….I’ll let you know what happens! I researched this a lot and did ask my stylist who told me that she is required to tell clients not to use sulfate in shampoos when she buys the products. so….yeah

    Reply

  35. Aloha Shira, Heidi and Katie:

    Hey Thank you ALL for responding! Everytime I read a new blog I learn somthing new!
    And of course HELPFUL! I ran right into the bathroom and flat ironed it for the 2nd time now today. Well stands to reason that while the product is still in the hair to keep it as flat and staight as you can. Especially with what I am working with. My hair is so super super naturally curly, it will actually dread up in just 3 days if I don’t get it wet and comb it. So this product is SO great for me. I did get the Oprah site and read every comment there too! It was THE ONLY site out of oodles and oodles of ones I have read that had ANY negative comments. Hair fell out, Went bald etc. But hey you know how many people REALLY tell you the TRUTH about what they have done to their hair before and what kind of condition their hair is in when they do it? I think about the liability my daughter takes everytime she does someones hair. She has told me clients do lie about what they have done. She said usually she can always tell exactly what they have done in the past to their hair.
    Just think how NEAT this is to share infomation about this online. Years ago there was no such thing. Isn’t this just GREAT? I love watching the videos too on makeup artists and regular people doing the Saudia Arabian Eye Make Up. I don’t wear make up but it makes you want to have fun trying the stuff. There was one on mascara and people these days are using two or more different kinds of mascara at the same time to get these desired effects. So many things you can learn on the internet from real people. It is so neat. I just love this blog!
    I sat down and figured out exactly how long the keratin Tx worked for me the first time 2 months and 2 weeks.
    Heidi is the Organix brand the “REAL” Keratin Treatment? Or a watered down version?
    The one sold at Wallgreens?
    I love hearing from all of you and reading your commnets keep me posted.
    Also I did write my daughter to ask her the brand she uses. I’ll let you all know
    when I find out.
    Aloha Antoinette

    Reply

  36. Oh Shira Thank you too for this URL I am going to go check this lady out.
    Being an RN and having taken Chemistry I am pretty good at understanding the
    ingredients. It will be interesting to see what she has to say about things too.
    At my age and with Diabetes my eyes have a hard time reading the ingredients but I am going to try to see the laurel sulfate or laureth sulfate or what all the STEFAN’S Professional Shampoo and Conditioner Kera Conditioner Salt and Sulfate free with Keratin has in it. I will list the ingredients for everyone if you are interested.
    “”””Paula Begoun (she is like the hair, skin, and makeup guru) gave me all of this information, she’s amazing! And no, I don’t work for her;) She basically breaks down all products by ingredients and tells you the real truth, not what is advertised.
    Here’s a link to a quick article she wrote about hair care:
    https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150426770354004″””””””

    AND KATIE:
    Thanks for this info too! I am going to start doing that.
    am also instructed to deep condition my hair with a keratin product once a week to keep the keratin working longer. I do that every other week. I use a product called ACAI Deep Conditioning Masque. It’s from BrazillianBlowout.Com on the back, but I buy it at a salon. I put it in my hair when it is dry, I put a plastic baggie over it, I use a hair dryer on HOT for a few mins to heat it up then I wrap my head in tinfoil. So, I look funny, but IT WORKS!

    Reply

  37. I never thought about the salt water! I have a salt water pool (I chose a salt water pool so I could swim and not have green hair from chlorine). Dang. I love to swim and I hate those caps. I don’t think I can even get all of my hair in a cap (my hair is thick and down to about my hips). I have been using a shampoo with sodium laurel sulfate and I have noticed that my hair isn’t as healthy as it was after the treatment (I’ve had the treatment for about a month now), but still, it is absolutely healthier than it was. I still wake up everyday and look at my hair and notice how healthy it is! My hair was so fried and bleached and colored that it looked like straw when it hit the floor after being cut. Now it looks like one of those color swatches that you see in the hair color isles. When I first looked at my hair after I had the Brazilian Blowout Keratin Treatment done, I looked in the mirror and felt a piece of my hair and said, “That is not my hair! My hair doesn’t do that! What’s up with that?” It was just amazing! I will go get some laurel sulfate free shampoo today (I thought that what I was using was LS free but I didn’t read it with my glasses on). I am so happy that this product exists! Thank you to whom ever made it. Seriously THANK YOU!

    Reply

  38. I just had a Cappola Keratin Treatment…Please, do you know and can you tell me if I can use the Hydrate.Me by Kevin Murphy Shampoo and Conditioner to keep it up?

    Reply

  39. I googled the Hydrate Me by Kevin Murphy Shampoo and it has sulfate in it. Best to run out and get a sulfate free shampoo if you want your keratin to last. Coppola lasted about three weeks on me. Was not happy. Switched to Lasio Keratin Treatment and it last 4-6 months.

    Reply

  40. The only keratin treamtent follow-up shampoo that I know has no sulfates or any of those harsh chemicals is the Pro naturals Moroccan Argan oil shampoo. They also have a conditioner. I use them and they’re the best so far 🙂

    Reply

  41. Please do not get Brazilian Blowouts. They are dangerous for you because of the folmadehyde in it. One of the side effects which is not mentioned is that you can loose your hair. I had mine done 2.5 months ago and I am shedding hair everyday 200 plus hairs. The shedding started right away. I shed more than normal and starting to see bald patches on my sides. It is really sad to see your hair go down the drain everyday. Embrace your natural hair. Please read this website before attempting to get one to learn about other persons losing their hair:
    http://www.short-hair-style.com/reaction-to-keratin-hair-treatment.html#.UJlg2O1i54k

    Reply

  42. Well guess what ladies? My hair has and continues to fall out too. Almost nothing left. No length and bald spots too. I don’t know if it is from the keratin treatments? Or using the HCG injections to loose 60 lbs and all that fat that it took off too. Or if it is from the medicine I take or diabetes. What ever it is SAD and I am about ready to have to go the wig route.
    The Hair Vitamins DID work but it costs $50 a month and you have to take them ALL the time can’t stop them.
    Sign me Bummed Out too.

    Reply

    1. Hormones (and those drugs that reduce the estrogen in your body) can mess with your hair big time. HCG is the hormone that is stimulates the ovaries to make more estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex, Femara, Aromasin) keep your body from making estrogen (even w/o functioning ovaries, we still make hormones that aromatase converts to estrogen). Both hormonal and anti-hormonal treatments (as well as pregnancy & natural menopause!) mess with the normal growth-fallout-resting phase cycles of hair follicles. Using HCG for weight loss is frivolous and dangerous (it could even cause reproductive-system cancers) and there are other (albeit less dramatic) weight loss methods that are safer. Too-rapid weight loss also can cause estrogen-deprivation, because fat cells & adrenal glands make estrogen even without functioning ovaries. Using an aromatase inhibitor, however, is vital for postmenopausal estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer patients, and if your hair suffers so that you can SURVIVE, well, so be it. (It’s not as drastic as chemo, which actually kills hair follicles but if that’s necessary too, also “so be it”). As to anti-diabetic meds, they too influence hormones (either via fat loss or insulin function)—but diabetes left untreated will kill you.

      Your hair or your life? No contest.

      Reply

  43. Hi,
    I had recently got the BKT and my hair look great, all frizz free, curl free and no more puffy 🙂
    but i have dandruff 🙁
    Can anyone suggest me what shampoo, conditioner n serum should i use to keep my dandruff away along with lasting my Brazillian treatment.
    Also can I use natural Heena to condition and color my treated hair ????
    Please suggest.

    Reply

  44. Aloha All:

    Well here I am again. I did my first Keratin Tx (the real stuff from my daughter the licensed and working hair stylist). At first I too was very pleased. Even the 2nd time learned I had to get a blow dryer a step before using the flattener. Now my hair has all broken off and fallen out in a BIG way. The back middle is almost totally bald. It is just plain SAD. I should have known NOT to mess with my then long hair. But no I had to once again try stuff. So here I am not knowing if I will ever have my hair back. I am ready for a wig. Sad but true. Hope you guys hair grows fast and you don’t encounter these problems. I used the tx a total of 3 times. From Dec 2011 to now Dec 5th 2012. 1 year. Sorry I did now.
    Aloha

    Reply

  45. Hello !
    Thanks for all the tips ! 🙂
    I have a question, I hope you could help me. I’ve bought a shampoo for children certified “without sulfate” but when i’ve checked the notice, i read : sodium coceth suflate ! …
    Is this ingredient as bad as laureth sulfate for my brazilian keratin hair straitgtening ?
    Thanks a lot… !

    Sarah ( sorry for my poor english, i’m sure i’ve made too much mistakes… xD)

    Reply

  46. Thanks for sharing all these great tips on Keratin Treatment After Care. I’ve been reading this thread for the last hour and 1/2. Here is a good site that gives more info on the treatment maintenance
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/248304-how-to-care-for-keratin-protein-treated-hair

    Reply

  47. Hi there!Last July i did the Brazilian treatment and started using the Milkshake sulphate free shampoo which i found brilliant for my flaky scalp too!! Last month i decided to try out a different sulphate free shampoo and bought Goldwell which i found not good at all! My hair felt ever so dry and started getting a flaky scalp again 🙁 So i had to buy another Milkshake shampoo and ended throwing the Goldwell (new) one. Maybe you should try it out too…?? By the way, i found the Brazilian treatment amazing and lasted for more than 6months, in fact am doing it again next week 🙂 Good luck 😉

    Reply

    1. I can’t find the milkshake sulfate free shampoo. Where do you get it? Which product specifically for dry scalp?

      Reply

  50. I have wavy, damaged hair that is very puffy, frizzy, and dry. I also have A LOT of hair, which doesn’t help with the puffiness. I used the Shielo Hydrate Conditioner last night and it smells AMAZING. I also love love love how it is cruelty free and sulfate free.

    While my hair was drying, I put some of the Shielo Oil on my ends. I woke up this morning and saw a huge difference. My hair is definitely less puffy, shinier, and feels so so so soft.

    Reply

  51. I LOVE this stuff. I have extremely thick hair and live in Florida. Need I say more? This makes my hair incredibly soft and smooth after blow drying. I was very concerned about the formaldehyde, so I went ingredient by ingredient and looked it up on EWG.org's website. This masque has not one ingredient that showed up as dangerous.

    See more: http://besthairstraighteners.co/best-brazilian-blowout-treatment-products/

    Reply

  52. hello mam,
    I am from india..i had brazilian blowout smoothening therapy 2 weeks ago.. no doubt this treatment have been proved great for my hair..my hair is thin,oily and can easily be tangled..they suggested me to go for this therapy as other chemical treatment may worsen hairfall..i have been using all the rules after treatment like-no colour,no oiling,no uv exposures,using sulfate free shampoo (BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT PRODUCT ONLY) etc..) but the problem is i am still suffering from hair fall and tangled hair..do i need to go for some more therapies…plz help..

    Reply

  53. My scalp gets really dry this time of year and I’m getting lots of dandruff. Does anyone have any recommendations for a dandruff shampoo that won’t deactivate my Brazilian blowout treatment?

    Reply

  54. Hii…I have a normal hair just want to know is this Moroccan Brazilian keratin shampoo is good for my hair as I have lost of hair fall problem pls tell me

    Reply

  55. I dd brazailian my hair a month ago but now im using mark anthony sulfhate shampoo with thet argain oli is it ryt on to last my brazail

    Reply