Keratin: Definition, Benefits and Uses of Keratin for Hair

Keratin is a type of structural protein your body uses to grow your hair. It also is a key component in the epithelial cells throughout your skin and nails. The right amount of keratin helps your hair maintain maximum elasticity, volume, smoothness, and health. It also can help promote hair growth and mitigate hair loss.

Keratin is a building block for human hair growth. In addition, it pairs with collagen, elastin, and other proteins to help build out your body’s epidermis (skin). Keratin can help grow materials of very different textures in other species as well. For instance, beaks, antlers, and horns also derive from the protein.

There are two primary types of keratin: alpha-keratin and beta-keratin. Both types of keratin contain intermediate filaments featuring cysteine-connected disulfide bonds, but they differ in the specific amino acids they contain.

Additionally, alpha-keratin is fibrous and more common in human beings. It also breaks down into two broader categories (type I and type II keratin) comprising dozens of different iterations for the protein. Unlike alpha-keratin, beta-keratin grows in parallel lines, and it’s less common in human beings.

You can find serums, shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products containing plenty of keratin. People use these keratin supplements both for hair styling and for the general promotion of hair, skin, and nail health. Supplements of this variety can also help with the basic production of keratin in the human body. When products pair keratin with other hair supplements, like biotin, they can become even more effective.

People introduce keratin to their hair for a litany of different reasons. These are just three uses for both salon and at-home keratin treatments:

1. 1. Improving hair health: While improved hair texture is one of the main benefits of keratin, so is holistic hair health overall. Increased levels of keratin in your hair can help reduce breakage, stop hair loss in its tracks, and facilitate greater growth.
2. 2. Increasing glossiness: By introducing additional keratinocytes into your hair cuticles, you can make your hair more vibrant and shiny. Regardless of the type of hair color you have, keratin treatments can help your locks look their best.
3. 3. Reducing frizziness: Whether you opt for using a keratin-laced conditioner or a salon treatment, keratin serums will help you break down any frizzy hair strands. After you treat your hair, it will be far smoother than it was before.

You can take advantage of all sorts of keratin treatments to ensure you have healthy and smooth hair. Here are three types of treatments to consider:

1. 1. Brazilian blowout: In this popular Brazilian keratin treatment, keratin helps smooth out and shine up your hair. After your hair stylist blow-dries it, you can rinse your hair again much sooner than is customary with similar keratin treatments.
2. 2. Cezanne classic: This treatment will render your split ends a thing of the past. After blow-drying your hair, you’ll need to refrain from washing it for at least three days. This helps all the new keratin enter your hair follicles and begin to nourish them.
3. 3. Hair straightening: If you have a curly hair type, you can utilize a number of different keratin smoothing treatments to make your hair straight temporarily. There are also plenty of keratin-free hair straightening treatments.

Keratin treatments can cause problems, especially when you use them in excess. Consider these negative side effects of using keratin products:

• Discomfort during treatment: Although your hair stylist will do their utmost to keep you comfortable throughout the process, many keratin treatments include a lot of strong-smelling chemicals. These can lead to nosebleeds and difficulty breathing for some patients, and the residue from the treatment can remain for a long time afterward.
• Formaldehyde exposure: Many keratin products include high amounts of formaldehyde. Especially at high levels, this chemical can cause damage to your internal organs, increase your cancer risk, and encourage the development of diseases like keratosis. Opt for formaldehyde-free hair salon treatments when possible—there are a number of keratin products that refrain from using the chemical.
• Potential hair damage: While keratin promotes hair health in general, too much of it can cause an overload of the protein in your system. This might lead to damaged hair. Many treatments also require you or your hair stylist to use a flat iron at high heat. This can also lead to hairstyle issues if you utilize it too often.

Whether you want a no-makeup look or a dramatic face, makeup should enhance your natural beauty. With the MasterClass Annual Membership, get a crash course on all things beauty with renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown, including her tips for applying flawless foundation and mastering a smoky eye.