How To Stop Hair Loss After Keratin Treatment

Dealing with poofy, unruly hair is a huge hassle. It makes you look unkempt on days you want to glam it up. Hair in this state can also deal a blow to your self-esteem.

So it’s no surprise that keratin treatments are super tempting. They take your hair from frizz city to smooth, shiny, and silky straight.

It’s a dream for ladies who try to traverse through life with an untamed mane because it solves so many problems in a single treatment.

But there’s a harsh reality that comes with keratin treatments because of the resulting hair damage, thanks to harsh chemicals and high heat levels. There’s dryness, scalp sensitivity, and even hair loss.

It’s upsetting and anxiety-inducing to even think about going from thick, full locks to fragile, lifeless strands that pull out easily just because of a keratin treatment.

If you’re wondering how to stop hair loss after a keratin treatment, there are a handful of things you can do.

Why Am I Losing Hair After My Keratin Treatment?

I know what you’re thinking – keratin treatments are supposed to be a thing of magic.

It’s the type of treatment you book in your favorite salon when you want that blown-out supermodel hairstyle as you strut down the street.

How can it possibly cause something as horrible as hair loss?

Keratin treatments are popular worldwide for their ability to smooth down the hair with proteins that repair and rebuild your hair, making it sleek and silky soft.

But sometimes, after getting this coveted treatment, you may notice too many clumps of hair on your bathroom floor or hairbrush.

That’s because no matter how glamorous keratin treatments are, they’re still done with the help of harsh chemicals.

 

Harsh Chemicals

Traditional keratin treatments require formaldehyde, known in hair care to be hazardous.

Because of the use of such a harsh chemical in the treatment, it’s possible to incur some degree of hair loss from damage and breakage.

Hair loss is common among women who get keratin treatments.

The process itself traumatizes the hair follicle, weakening it.

This causes your hair to fall out easier, so you may notice more strands falling even when you’re just running your hand through your hair.

 

Sensitive Scalp

You could be more susceptible to hair loss after keratin treatments if you have a sensitive scalp.

If you’re prone to chemical burns, you might want to stay away from keratin treatments that can damage your hair and hamper healthy growth.

That’s why your stylist mustn’t saturate your scalp with keratin as they do the treatment.

Let them know if your scalp is easily irritated, so they know to be careful when applying the solution.

 

High Heat

The process also uses high heat levels with a straightening iron, which can break down the proteins found naturally in your hair, damaging it to an extent.

The good news is that the damage and shedding from keratin treatments aren’t permanent.

In a few months, your hair can grow back – as baby hairs first and getting thicker and stronger over time.

 

How To Stop Hair Loss After Keratin Treatment

Even when you feel like waving a white flag when you experience disastrous hair loss after a keratin treatment, there’s always something you can do to stop it.

And no, you don’t have to chop all your hair off!

Here are some tactics you can consider to stop losing hair after a keratin treatment:

 

Massage your scalp with a strengthening hair growth oil

Give yourself a scalp massage now and then to work a high-quality oil into your scalp.

Choose an oil that has hair-growing properties, like castor oil or coconut oil.

You can even incorporate essential oils to level up your scalp massage.

Rosemary oil is known to aid in hair growth, so it’s an awesome idea to use a few drops of it in your carrier oil of choice.

You can also opt for peppermint, tea tree, and lavender oils to purify your hair follicles and calm the senses simultaneously.

Massaging with your fingertips can also promote healthy blood circulation in your scalp.

This encourages healthy hair growth, allowing you to get back the strands you’ve already lost.

 

Use a gentle, nourishing shampoo and conditioner

Throw away that bottle of sulfate shampoo in your shower.

You don’t need it anymore.

Your keratin-treated hair only needs gentle shampoos, ones without harsh cleaning agents that will strip all the keratin off and leave your hair feeling dry and rough.

Find a gently formulated shampoo that doesn’t contain any sulfates.

Sulfate shampoos can aggravate your hair loss situation by rendering your hair fragile and brittle, making it prone to breakage.

You should carve out time for deep conditioners at least once a week.

Using intensive hair masks on the weekend helps revitalize your hair and replenish it of the hydration it needs to stay resilient against hair loss.

It’s also a terrific way to maintain the silkiness of your hair.

 

Don’t brush your hair while it’s wet

Another pointer on how to stop hair loss after a keratin treatment is to avoid brushing your hair when it’s wet.

Your hair is at its most weak and fragile when it’s wet, so it’s easier to accidentally pull out hair strands when you’re fresh out of the shower.

Because of that, try not to brush your hair when it’s still soaking wet.

If you have to detangle knots from your tresses, use a moisturizing leave-in and your fingertips to make it easier and minimize hair-pulling.

You can also use a wide-tooth comb for this.

 

Keep your hair moisturized

Dry hair is often brittle and can break easily, leading to hair loss.

Hydration is the key to healthy, shiny hair.

Make it a point to keep your locks moisturized with nourishing products so they can stay strong and healthy.

Look for rich, moisturizing ingredients in your hair products, from shampoos and conditioners to finishing serums and styling gels.

Keep your eyes peeled for shea butter, aloe vera, argan oil, and other hydrating botanicals.

Use an intensive deep conditioner every week to keep your hair plump and bouncy, not straw-like, brittle, and easy to pull out.

You can use a store-bought hair mask or even create a concoction with superfoods in your kitchen!

 

Stop tugging at your hair

Keeping your hair in tight high ponytails, pulling with hair straighteners, and rubbing your tresses dry with a harsh towel after taking a shower are things that can snag and tug at your hair.

This results in pulling more strands out of your scalp.

This rule is especially important if you have a sensitive scalp.

If you tug st your hair, you could pull some out from the root, causing more unnecessary stress to your scalp.

Instead, let your hair down, drop the flat iron, and air dry your locks.

There’s no such thing as being too gentle on your hair, especially when you’re facing hair loss.

 

Drink lots of water

While it’s crucial to moisturize your hair, it’s equally important to stay hydrated on the inside, too.

Make it your goal to drink eight glasses of water a day.

A part of the hair shaft is made of water, so your body must have enough of it to keep your hair plump and hydrated.

It’s a way of ensuring your hair is healthy and won’t be so prone to breakage.

 

Eat foods rich in protein and iron

Your hair itself is made of protein, so it’s important that you ingest enough of it to keep your locks strong and full.

An amino acid called “lysine” is present in many proteins, and it’s crucial for healthy hair growth.

Add more meats, eggs, cheeses, and nuts to your diet to have enough protein in your body.

They’ll keep your body healthy and lean, and your hair long and full.

On the other hand, iron deficiency is linked with hair loss, so you shouldn’t slack on having enough of it in your system either.

Iron-rich foods include spinach, beans, red meats, liver, beetroot, and dates.

 

Take supplements for biotin and vitamin E

These vitamins are essential for keeping your hair healthy and thick, which prevents it from breaking.

Biotin is a form of vitamin B.

B vitamins are known to oxygenate the scalp and hair follicles, which means your hair can get the appropriate nutrients from all over your body to grow healthy and strong.

Meanwhile, vitamin E is a fantastic antioxidant that protects your hair from free radical damage and oxidative stress from the sun and harsh weather.

It also helps prevent shedding by keeping your hair strong and elastic.

When you keep your hair safe from these, hair loss doesn’t stand a chance.

 

Quit going to the salon for a bit

Let your hair rest for a while after getting your keratin treatment.

Skip out on your usual coloring sessions and highlight touch-ups, as any form of chemical treatment can cause additional stress on your scalp and hair.

This can make matters worse by making your hair even more brittle, putting you at risk of even more severe hair loss.

Instead, wear your hair as it is and let it cool down for a bit to restore its health.

 

De-stress and stay calm

Another cause for hair loss after a keratin treatment is telogen effluvium.

This is temporary, allergy-like shedding after a stressful event that could have caused some trauma to your hair and scalp.

Anxiety and worry can worsen any hair loss you’re experiencing, so try your best to destress and meditate now and then with yoga or relaxing music, especially if you live a hectic lifestyle.

Manage your stress levels, and you’ll have a good chance of preventing hair loss after your treatment.

 

Extra Pointers For Keratin Treatment Aftercare

A simple, no-brainer way to ensure your scalp and hair will be healthy after your keratin treatment is to practice proper aftercare.

If you maintain your sleek hair properly without exposing it to additional stress, you have a good chance of stopping hair loss in its tracks.

 

Don’t wash your hair immediately

The first rule is not to wash your hair right after your treatment.

Don’t hop in the shower, swim in a pool, or even sweat profusely.

Wetting your hair (especially with a harsh shampoo) can strip off the keratin sealed into the hair strands, effectively washing away your treatment.

Wait a few days before your first hair wash day.

Opt for a protein-rich shampoo and conditioner, preferably one designed specifically for keratin-treated tresses.

This helps extend the longevity of your treatment and leaves your strands strong, healthy, and breakage-free.

 

Keep off hair accessories

Another rule to go by is swearing off hair accessories for a while.

Aside from it tugging at your hair, clips and ponytails can leave dents and marks on your mane, leaving a weird texture and shape.

 

Get a satin/silk pillowcase

And the last rule for maintaining your sleek, chic, lovely hair is by switching your cotton pillowcase out with a silk or satin one.

Your hair will glide onto silk, as opposed to being snagged by cotton.

This prevents tangling and unwanted pulling on your locks, keeping them strong and frizz-free.

 

While these tips don’t directly prevent hair loss and thinning, they’re a great way to ensure your hair is in great shape after a keratin treatment.

And the right kind of care begets healthy locks that won’t just fall or break.

 

Conclusion

When caring for your hair after a keratin treatment, you definitely can’t slack.

If you do, you’re susceptible to hair loss, and no one wants that.

Remember your reasons for getting a keratin treatment in the first place – you wanted sleek, smooth, healthy hair.

But if you’re going through hair loss and don’t do anything to stop it, then your entire treatment will be rendered useless.

If you’ve been stressed over how to stop hair loss after keratin treatment, I hope the tips we’ve shared on this post will be of great help.

The good thing is that you don’t need to splurge on ultra-expensive products and serums to reverse hair loss.

All you need to do is commit to a simple, nourishing hair routine and lifestyle.

If you care for your hair and body from the inside out, you’ll be blessed with healthy hair growth and less hair loss over time.

Stick to the rules enumerated above, and you’ll get to flaunt shiny, frizz-free hair that’s still thick, full, and fab!