Why does my hair feel like straw after keratin treatment?

Author: Jewel Erdman  |  Last update: Monday, December 22, 2025

Formaldehyde Promotes Frizz Formaldehyde is a main ingredient that's found in keratin treatment solutions and this is the thing that breaks down the hair protein to give straighter hair. If your scalp and hair are super sensitive to formaldehyde, then it can lead to frizzy hair even after the treatment.

How do I rehydrate my hair after keratin treatment?

Effective Solutions and Treatments for Combating Dryness
  1. Hydrating Shampoos and Conditioners: ...
  2. Regular Deep Conditioning Treatments: ...
  3. Limit Heat Styling: ...
  4. Use Natural Oils: ...
  5. Protect Hair from Environmental Stressors: ...
  6. Maintain a Healthy Diet:

Can you repair hair that feels like straw?

The amount of time needed to repair dry and damaged hair depends on the extent of the damage it suffered. If the texture changes are small, you may simply need a few weeks of proper moisturising and conditioning. However, if the damage is severe, it can take several months to repair it, or it may even be irreversible.

Why does my hair feel hard after keratin treatment?

Hair is made primarily of keratin, but introducing synthetic keratin excessively disrupts the natural protein balance. This makes the hair feel stiff and dry, since the natural elasticity and moisture balance are compromised.

How to fix hair feels waxy after keratin treatment?

Solutions for Managing Greasiness in Keratin-Treated Hair
  1. Use a Sulfate-Free, Clarifying Shampoo (But Sparingly) ...
  2. Incorporate Dry Shampoo. ...
  3. Avoid Heavy, Oil-Based Products. ...
  4. Rinse Your Hair with Cold Water. ...
  5. Adjust Your Hair-Washing Routine. ...
  6. Try a Lightweight Leave-In Conditioner. ...
  7. Limit Heat Styling.

Beware of Keratin Treatments | Things to Know Before Getting a Keratin | Keratin on Curly Hair

How do I get my hair back to normal after keratin?

To care for your hair after a keratin treatment, use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, avoid washing your hair too frequently, and steer clear of hot water. Gentle handling and a shower filter can also help maintain the treatment's results.

How do I get the waxy feeling out of my hair?

Using a clarifying shampoo, maintaining a healthy scalp, and avoiding excessive product buildup can help to prevent waxy hair. Incorporating natural remedies like apple cider vinegar into your hair care routine can help to balance the pH of the hair and close the cuticle, leaving hair feeling softer and shinier.

How to fix damaged hair after keratin treatment?

So, How Do You Reverse Keratin Treatment Damage?
  1. Take a Break from Keratin Treatments. ...
  2. Wash with a Moisturizing Shampoo. ...
  3. Follow with a Deep Conditioner. ...
  4. Turn Down the Tap. ...
  5. Embrace Heatless Styling. ...
  6. Protect Brittle Ends of Hair with an Oil. ...
  7. Sleep with a Silk Pillowcase.

What if I don't like my keratin treatment?

When you don't like how the hair looks or feels, you want to reverse it. While it's possible to reverse a keratin treatment, you can't do it in one day. You also can't do it in one week. It will take you several weeks to completely reverse the keratin treatment.

Can keratin make your hair brittle?

Excessive Keratin

The excessive protein builds up an outer coating that dries up and rubs on the hairs, speeding up hair breakage. It's critical to carefully read the directions and utilize the recommended dosage while performing a keratin hair treatment at home.

Why does my hair feel like straw after getting it done?

Lay Low on Processing & Styling

Often, the biggest contributor to straw hair is chemical processing and heat styling. Now's the time to step away from the bleach, highlights, and hair dye. It's also a good time to press pause on hot tools and lean into the world of heat-free styling.

How do I hydrate my hair?

“Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera, which hydrate without leaving a greasy residue,” says Garshick. “Use a lightweight conditioner and avoid heavy oils or creams. A leave-in conditioner spray or a volumizing conditioner can also help add moisture without making hair flat.”

Can you use too much protein in your hair?

When you add an excessive amount of protein to your hair you're creating an intense barrier on your strands. Protein buildup like this can be a real problem as water and other moisturizing ingredients aren't able to penetrate the strand, leading to dry and dull hair that may feel limp and stiff.

How long does it take for hair to recover from keratin treatment?

Keratin treatments don't harm the hair in the same way as conventional hair and relaxing techniques do. After two to three months of treatment, the hair returns to its natural form.

Why is my hair so flat after keratin treatment?

Keratin Effects: While keratin treatments smooth the hair by sealing the cuticle, they can also weigh down fine or thin hair, potentially reducing volume. Balance Between Smoothness and Volume: Achieving the right balance involves selecting the right product and applying it in a way that minimizes volume loss.

Can I let my hair dry naturally after keratin treatment?

"Many of us have the misconception that Keratin Hair Treatment allows us to air-dry our hair naturally. And waking up with gorgeous-looking hair the next morning. But that's not true. Most Keratin Treatments require us to blow dry our hair in a downward motion while the hair is damp.

What are the negatives of keratin hair treatment?

The Downsides

While it can strengthen strands, keratin treatments can potentially cause other types of damage to your hair. Mensah explains that the process involves high heat and harsh chemicals which can lead to moisture loss and leave hair dry.

How to remove keratin bonds from hair?

Breaking Down Keratin Extensions
  1. Pull your hair together with a large clip or hair band. ...
  2. Untie a section of your hair starting at the nape of your neck. ...
  3. Crimp the bonds with pliers to loosen and break them. ...
  4. Rub oil on the keratin bonds. ...
  5. Heat the bonds with a hair dryer. ...
  6. Pull your natural hair away from the bond.

Why does my hair feel weird after keratin?

Going for keratin treatments sooner than four to six weeks after your initial treatment can allow the protein to build up a thick layer on your strands, making your hair feel sticky. Additionally, applying too much product can create a heavy keratin layer that's hard to wash off.

How to get rid of keratin plugs?

How can I treat keratin plugs?
  1. Gently exfoliate your skin. Scrub your skin gently using a washcloth, sponge or soft facial brush. ...
  2. Keep your skin hydrated. Moisturize regularly with a lotion or cream that's noncomedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores. ...
  3. Take care of your skin.

Does keratin dry out your hair?

However, we urge you to be careful if you decide to go for one. The high heat and strong chemicals used in keratin treatments risk making your hair dry, brittle and prone to breakage.

What is best for hair after keratin treatment?

One of the most popular options is keratin in hair treatment, which works wonders for smoothing frizz, improving texture, and restoring shine to damaged hair. For those seeking a deep hydration solution, hot oil treatment nourishes the scalp and hair, providing much-needed moisture and repairing dryness.

Why does my hair feel waxy after straightening?

Product Buildup Causes Greasy-Looking Hair

Some people find that their hair feels waxy after styling their hair, not just because of what products they used but because of how much they applied.

How do I remove buildup from my hair?

Regular shampoos are formulated to remove dirt and excess oil from your hair, but clarifying or anti-residue shampoos are specifically made to remove product buildup to help revive dull, flat hair. These shampoos are designed to exfoliate the scalp and provide a deeper clean than your everyday shampoo.

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