Let’s Put This To Rest - Are Keratin Treatments Really Cheating On Being Natural

Natural hair is such a vague term that it sometimes causes unnecessary debates between Naturalistas in the natural hair community.

For some, natural hair means the freedom to wear one’s hair in a variety of hairstyles without the need for a relaxer. Whereas for others, it means only using natural products and only wearing their hair in its naturally kinky* curly state.

This means no hair colors, heat, synthetically produced hair products, weaves or any hair extensions* for that matter. It also means wearing one’s natural hair in its kinky* curly state 100% of the time, or close to it.

So what if you miss having straight hair and want to straighten your natural hair for a few weeks? Would you still be considered a Natural if you decide to alter your natural hair texture? Would you be living a double life by crossing to the other side for a short while?

An extreme Natural who has a strict definition of what natural hair should look like will think altering one’s hair texture using a longer-term hair straightening treatment such as the Keratin hair treatment to be cheating on one’s natural hair journey.

Whereas, a more liberal, “everything goes” Natural won’t think of this as cheating on your natural hair journey. When asked why not, she might respond by saying that “Life is short, why not live on the edge once in a while?” Or, “Relax, live a little!” Or, “It’s just hair!, it will grow back!” Or, “I am not my hair, what’s the big deal?”. To each his (or in this case, HER) own right?

What is a keratin treatment?

A keratin treatment is a temporary curly hair straightening system that keeps the hair straight for up to 4 months. Since the hair is mainly made up of keratin (a protein structure), this treatment forms a thick layer on the hair, filling up cracks and imperfections on the cuticles.

Women who have done the keratin treatment often notice a healthier, shinier and smoother hair with minimal split ends. They also notice reduced frizz and fly-aways. Though the treatment can last several weeks, it does wash off overtime, leaving your hair in its bouncy curly state.

A word of caution on Keratin treatments

Since this treatment requires an excessive amount of manipulation and alteration of the hair’s curl pattern and chemical structure, it’s advised that anyone with colored hair, damaged or highly porous hair should refrain from using this system or to proceed with great caution.

My thoughts on the keratin treatment

The keratin treatment requires the use of heat to seal the treatment on the cuticle layer, so that the keratin proteins can fill in any gaps and holes on the cuticles that were created as a result of natural weathering due to manipulation. The end result of the chemical reaction is a glossy hair which feels smoother and stronger.

However, if one isn’t careful, this high heat can actually cause a lot of damage, making the keratin treatment to be an expensive treatment which might end up costing you your hair, not to talk of the money you paid to get the treatment done and all the effort that you spent on your hair prior to the treatment.

So, even though the initial results of the keratin treatment can seem miraculous and wonderful, many women have experienced a looser curl pattern and damaged hair as a result of the frequent use of heat.  This is because the 400 degree temperature can end up frying and damaging the hair overtime.

Other Ways to Straighten Your Natural Hair

If you’re not into the excessively high heat (up to 400 degrees) that’s required for a keratin treatment or the toxic smell of the treatment during application, then you might be better off exploring other pleasant methods.

What about the fact that the active ingredient in Brazilian keratin treatment is formaldehyde? I mean, we already know that our hair is a dead matter, but do we need to put a chemical that is used to embalm cadavers on our hair?

If you think that your hair doesn’t need to be embalmed, then I’d like to recommend straightening your hair via other methods such as African threading, roller sets, or doing a blow out.

So is the Keratin treatment considered cheating on being Natural?

It depends on the side of the natural hair fence that you’re on. If you happen to be on the extreme end, then, keratin treatments are a big NO NO. However, if you’re more liberal in your journey, then keratin treatments would be a fun experiment to try.

While it’s great to have a unique hair texture that can shrink to up to ¼ of its true length, hold curls and elaborate hairstyles, with minimal tools and holding spray or hair gel, I think it’s great to have a hair texture that can go from curly to straight and then back to curly.

So, remember that if done properly, keratin treatments will not permanently straighten your hair, and you won’t really be cheating on being Natural.