Hair Extension

A keratin hair treatment is a process that helps straighten and smooth frizzy or damaged hair.

Keratin is a protein that the body produces naturally. It helps give structure and strength to the hair, skin, and nails.

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Hair fibers consist of three main regions:

 

1/Medulla: This is located in the core of the hair fiber and can only be seen in larger or thicker hairs.

2/Cortex: This is the main component of hair. It contains proteins and provides mechanical support.

3/Cuticle: This thin protective outer layer consists of keratinized cells that overlap like scales.

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Within the cortex, keratin forms a long helical chain with the help of chemical bonds, such as ionic bonding, disulfide bonding, and hydrogen bonding.

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Also, weaker forces of attraction between molecules, which experts call van der Waals forces, can help maintain the a-helical keratin structure. Groups of these helical strands form filaments, which are the bulk of the cortex. The chemicals in keratin hair treatments target the keratin strands and alter their form.

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During a keratin hair treatment, a stylist applies a keratin-based product to the hair and then uses a flat iron to seal it in.

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Depending on hair thickness or length, as the chemicals diffuse into the hair, they alter the cross-linking of the keratin strands. The combination of chemicals, blow-drying, and flat ironing accelerates the cross-linking and turns curly or wavy hair straight.