Best Keratin Treatments to Revive Your Colored Hair Today (2024)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

Like an oasis for parched strands, keratin treatments can revive even the most damaged colored hair.

As you immerse your tresses in nourishing proteins and emollients, watch the frizz melt away to unveil glossy, vibrant locks.

Wave goodbye to lackluster shades and feel revived strands blossom with renewed brilliance.

We’ll explore the best keratin treatments to help your colored hair flourish with radiance and shine.

What is Keratin Treatment?

A keratin treatment is when you apply a special solution to your hair that coats it with keratin protein to help smooth, strengthen, and reduce frizz.

The treatment works by using a keratin-infused formula to penetrate the hair cuticle and fill in gaps in the cortex, making strands smoother, straighter, and less prone to breakage.

Keratin is a fibrous protein and a key structural component that makes up much of the hair strand already.

The most popular professional keratin treatments use a chemical called formaldehyde to bond the keratin to hair. These can be very effective at eliminating frizz and relaxing curls but also come with health risks if formaldehyde levels are too high, like skin and eye irritation, breathing difficulties and increased cancer risk.

More natural formulas substitute another chemical called glyoxylic acid to lock in the treatment, with fewer harsh fumes.

Results of keratin treatments typically last around 2-5 months depending on hair type. Some temporary side effects in the first few days include flat, lifeless hair. Over time, curl pattern can be permanently altered.

An at-home keratin treatment provides a very short-term smoothing effect for special occasions when you don’t want to commit to the chemical process of the salon service.

Is Keratin Treatment Safe for Colored Hair?

You’re probably wondering if keratin treatments are safe for colored hair. The good news is that keratin treatments are generally safe for color-treated hair when done correctly. The treatment can actually help maintain vivid hair color for longer by sealing the cuticle.

However, it’s essential to wait 2 weeks after coloring before getting a keratin treatment. This allows the hair dye to fully oxidize so the treatment doesn’t cause problems.

When getting a keratin treatment on colored hair, opt for formaldehyde-free formulas to avoid damage or reactions.

While safe for colored hair, keratin treatments do carry risks like irritation, damage, or hair loss if not properly applied. But when done correctly 2+ weeks post-coloring using a gentle, formaldehyde-free formula, keratin smoothing treatments can safely revive colored hair.

How Does Keratin Treatment Help Colored Hair?

As we’ve covered, keratin treatments can be safe for colored hair when done properly. But how exactly do these treatments benefit colored tresses? Keratin smooths and repairs damage, restoring your hair’s health.

• Extending color vibrancy – Keratin seals the cuticle to lock in color and shine.
• Taming frizz – It makes styling sleek, frizz-free looks easier.
• Reducing further damage – Coating each strand protects against breaking and split ends.
• Smoothing texture – Curls relax and become more defined with less frizz.
• Boosting manageability – Keratin makes combing and styling much easier.

With properly maintained treatments, you can keep your colorful mane strong, smooth, and beautiful for months after coloring.

Best Keratin Treatments for Colored Hair

When looking to revive colored hair, two top keratin treatments stand out.

Olaplex Bond Smoother strengthens and smooths for frizz-free hair.

Eva NYC Mane Magic Primer brings 10 benefits like heat protection and softening in one lightweight spray.

Investing in these keratin-infused formulas can help boost shine and cut styling time for your colored locks.

Olaplex Bond Smoother

View On Amazon
You’ll love how Olaplex Bond Smoother strengthens, smooths, and speeds up styling for frizz-free colored hair. This Olaplex hair perfector helps eliminate flyaways and frizz while moisturizing for up to 72 hours to leave hair looking shiny, healthy and smooth.

The lightweight formula with vegan ingredients makes blow drying easy and helps hair stay smooth and frizz-free. A little goes a long way – this compact 2 x 2 x 3.5 inch bottle will last months.

Eva NYC Mane Magic Primer

Another top keratin treatment pick for colored hair is Eva NYC’s Mane Magic Ten in One Primer, offering you multitasking benefits to strengthen hair and tame frizz in one lightweight, vegan formula.

Use as a leave-in treatment by spraying evenly from roots to ends, then style as usual.

With key ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein and illuminating pearls, this paraben- and sulfate-free primer strengthens hair, boosts shine, and helps prevent damage from styling.

What to Look for in a Keratin Treatment

When looking for the ideal keratin treatment, first check that it’s formaldehyde-free. While traditional formulas use this harsh chemical, advances in recent years allow for safer, gentler options. Seek out treatments specially formulated for color-treated hair. These nourish strands while sealing the cuticle for extra smoothness.

You’ll also want to ensure it’s sulfate-free. Sulfates, commonly found in shampoos, can strip hair of moisture over time.

For best results at home, choose an easy, no-heat option made for curly or damaged hair types. Longer-lasting formulas offer resiliency against future damage from styling. Ultimately, the right keratin treatment leaves all hair textures nourished, strong, and frizz-free with an ultra-sleek finish.

How to Apply a Keratin Treatment

To apply a keratin treatment, follow these steps for smooth and shiny colored hair:

• Wash and towel dry your hair first. Make sure hair is damp but not dripping wet before applying the treatment.
• Section your hair and use a tint brush to coat every strand, from roots to ends, with the keratin product. Don’t saturate hair, but make sure it’s thoroughly covered.
• Once hair is coated, use a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the product from roots to tips.
• Let the treatment sit for the instructed processing time, usually around 30 minutes. Occasionally smooth product through hair as it processes.

After it sits, blow dry hair with a paddle brush until completely dry. Then, seal in the treatment by flat ironing hair in 1-inch sections at a temperature no higher than 300 to 400°F. Set the iron to the temperature recommended on your specific keratin treatment packaging.

Caring for Hair After Keratin Treatment

After applying the keratin treatment, you’ll need to care for your colored hair properly to make the most of the smoothing effects and protect your color.

It’s crucial to wait 48-72 hours before washing, as this allows the treatment to fully penetrate the hair shaft.

When you do wash, use only sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner formulated for keratin-treated hair. This keeps the hair smooth and shiny while preventing fading. Apply conditioner from mid-shaft to ends, avoiding the roots.

Here’s a quick guide for post-keratin care:

Step	Timeframe	Purpose
Avoid washing	48-72 hours	Allows treatment to fully penetrate
Use sulfate-free shampoo	2-3 days	Keeps hair smooth; prevents fading
Apply conditioner to mid-shaft/ends	2-3 days	Hydrates hair; avoids roots
Repeat process	Every 2-3 days	Maintains results

Gently drying hair with a soft microfiber towel and using minimal heat styling will also help maximize results.

How Long Does Keratin Treatment Last?

You’ll typically see results from your keratin treatment for around 3-5 months, though how long it lasts depends on your individual hair type and how well you care for your hair after the initial treatment.

1. Hair type – Curly hair holds onto the treatment longer than straight hair. Fine hair shows results for a shorter time than thick hair.
2. Hair condition – Damaged and color-treated hair benefits the most and retains the effects longer. Healthy virgin hair may not need as much conditioning so the results fade faster.
3. Aftercare – Using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioning well extends the life of the treatment.
4. Reapplication – Getting touch-up keratin treatments every 2-4 months will maintain your hair’s smoothness and shine.

Over time, the results will gradually wear off depending on your hair’s specific needs.

Keratin Treatment Vs Other Hair Treatments

Several other hair smoothing options exist, but keratin treatments tend to be less harsh than chemical relaxers.

Treatment	Process	Results	Damage Risk
Keratin	Coats hair to reduce frizz and curl	Smoothes, shines, reduces frizz for 2-5 months	Low
Relaxer	Chemically alters hair structure	Straightens tightly curled hair for 2+ months	High
Olaplex	Repairs broken bonds within hair	Strengthens, repairs damage	None
Brazilian Blowout	Smoothes cuticle layer	Reduces frizz for 2-3 months	Moderate
Aphogee	Reconstructs hair with proteins	Repairs damage from chemical processes	Low

While keratin doesn’t permanently straighten hair like a relaxer, it yields a smoother, shinier style for a few washes without using damaging chemicals found in relaxers.

When to Avoid Keratin Treatments

Certain hair conditions indicate you shouldn’t get keratin treatments.

• Damaged hair: Keratin treatments require high heat to seal in the product. This can further damage already compromised hair.
• Fine hair: The extra protein can weigh fine hair down, leaving it limp and lifeless.
• Low porosity hair: Porous hair has a hard time absorbing moisture and protein, which this treatment provides.
• Long hair: Those with longer hair may find the upkeep tedious and damage-prone.
• Dark hair: If your hair is already straight, dark, and sleek, a keratin treatment likely won’t provide much benefit.

Focus on hair health before considering keratin treatments. While they can temporarily smooth frizz, they involve compromises. Analyze your hair type, texture, length, porosity and current damage to determine if a treatment aligns with your goals or may cause further harm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)