On the other hand, you can schedule yourself for a hair smoothening treatment, and watch in awe as your locks turn shiny, smooth and frizz-free. But making sure your hair remains sleek and healthy post-treatment is key. Your hair looks smoother when you get a keratin treatment, but the treatment alters the structure and texture of your strands, making a few extra steps crucial for keeping your hair in overall good shape. In this blog, we share the dos & don’ts, best practices & tips on how to maintain hair after smoothening for long-lasting gorgeous results.
Why is Hair Maintenance Important After Smoothening?
Hair smoothening treatments utilize a chemical process that works by changing the structure of the hair to make it smoother and easier to manage. The results are gorgeous, but these treatments can make your hair a bit more susceptible to damage. A lot of people do not take care of their hair with proper maintenance and that is the reason why their hair stays unhealthy, non-shiny and frizzy for long.
If you don’t take care after they’re smoothed, you may find your hair goes back to the way it was, frizzy, looking tacky or with breakage. The great part is, with the right care & products in hand, you can make your smoothening treatment last longer, and keep the bad hair days at bay.
Avoid Washing Your Hair Immediately
Once you have had your smoothening treatment, it is also very important for the chemicals to set in. Most hair specialists recommend that you should not wash your hair for at least 48 to 72 hours, after a keratin treatment. This helps the treatment fully adhere to your hair strands and gives you the results you really want. Don’t tie your hair up or expose it to humidity as much as you can during the wait.
Use Sulfate-Free Shampoos
After you’ve gotten through the waiting period, it’s time to begin washing your hair. But it’s still important to use sulfate-free shampoos. Sulfates can remove natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry and prone to frizz, damaging the effects of your smoothening treatment. Use a shampoo intended for chemically treated hair; they’re meant to be gentle and maintain the sleek.
Condition Regularly
Regular conditioning is important to keep you hair hydrated and nourished. Seek deep-conditioning treatments or leave-in conditioners that moisturize and help keep the smooth texture. Concentrate on moisturizing items that fill in the lost moisture and keep your hair smooth and manageable.
Applying a hair mask once a week can also help add extra nutrients. Use the mask when your hair is freshly washed, keeping it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it out. It helps avoid dryness and keeps your hair’s shine intact.
Limit Heat Styling
Smoothened hair is much easier to maintain and style, however overusing heat styling tools such as a flat iron, curling iron, and heat blow dryer can destroy and wear out the smoothened texture. “Cut down on heat styling if you can.” If you have to use any kind of styling tool, you should definitely use a heat protectant spray or serum before using it to protect your hair from damage.
For those who don’t usually blow-dry their hair, after you wash your hair, gently squeeze out the excess water with a towel and let your hair air-dry. This helps lessen friction, which helps your hair appear sleek and smooth.
Avoid Excessive Wetting or Tying
Avoid over-wetting post-smoothing, particularly if you live in a humid climate as this can take your hair back to its original texture. avoid any tight ponytails and buns on the first couple of days post the treatment. Ties press against your smoothed hair, and not the most pleasantly; you could consider that a factor in potential bad results.
Trim Regularly
While sleek hair is gorgeous, it is best to trim the split ends to maintain healthy hair. This will also help keep frizz and breakage at bay, keeping you looking sleek and healthy. Get a trim every 6-8 weeks to keep your ends healthy and your hair smooth.
Use a Silk or Satin Pillowcase
Cotton pillowcases create friction, which can induce frizz and breakage, but it’s even worse if your hair has been chemically treated. Changing your pillowcase to silk or satin can reduce friction, prevent hair damage and help to keep your hair sleek and shiny while you sleep. Their smooth surfaces enable your hair to glide over them, minimizing the excess tangling and frizz.
Protect Your Hair from the Sun
Your hair can also be damaged by harmful UV rays, just like your skin. Smoothened hair is very prone to drying when exposed to the sun, making it fragile and brittle. To keep your hair safe, wear a hat or use a leave-in conditioner with UV protection, she says. This will keep it smooth and also prevent it from drying in the sun.
Avoid Chemical Treatments Immediately After Smoothening
After getting a smoothening treatment, don’t have any other chemical treatment like colouring, perming or relaxing. Wait a couple of weeks and then get your chemical treatment done. These chemicals can make a reaction with the smoothening treatment and thus affect its outcomes. Take a break and let your hair adjust and recuperate before using other treatments.
Hydrate and Eat Well
It’s all about what you put inside your body for healthy hair. To keep your hair smooth and healthy, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet of vitamins and minerals. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and proteins can help keep your hair nourished, lustrous, and healthy.
Caring for hair post smoothening shouldn’t be complex but requires devotion. These are some simple steps to follow along with the right products to use to keep your hair smooth, shiny and frizz-free for a longer duration. With proper care — including sulfate-free shampoos, regular conditioning and heat and environmental protection — you will be able to maintain the smoothed hair’s wonderful appearance. Regular attention can help keep your silky hair feeling soft and beautiful for weeks, so every day can be a good hair day!
Tip: You should always also follow whatever aftercare is given to you at the salon, as these will provide best results.