Chameleon Fridays » BKT

Brazilian Keratin Straightening – One of the Best Hair Straightening Treatments Around

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:09:57 +0000

Brazilian Keratin Straightening is a long term blow drying system that lasts about 10 weeks. It is designed for people who have curly or frizzy hair and doesn’t use any chemical treatments; in fact it will help to repair your hair!
Brazilian Keratin Straightening is safe for use on coloured hair and the reason that it will help to repair your hair is due to the fact that the main component is keratin protein, which is found in the hair. The effects of Brazilian Keratin Straightening will generally wash out in two to three months depending on how porous your hair was before the treatment took place.
As with all treatments that you have done on your hair you should visit your salon before hand for a consultant appointment with your stylist to discuss everything that is going to be carried out on your hair. The reason that this is so important is to ensure that the treatment you have done to your hair won’t damage it. Even though with the Brazilian Keratin Straightening it can pretty much be performed on any type of hair I would still recommend that you book an appointment with your stylist to discuss it before hand so that you can go over everything that will happen on the day as well as everything that you can and can’t do to your hair once you have had the treatment performed. This way you are fully aware of any implications that may affect your hair and will ensure that you don’t do anything to your hair that could damage the Brazilian Keratin Straightening treatment.
When you arrive at the salon on the day of your appointment you will remain in there for around two hours while the process is being performed, which isn’t bad at all considering that most of us spend about an hour just having a cut and blow dry. Once the treatment has been performed your stylist will more than likely go over the procedure for caring for your hair again.
Unlike other straightening treatments, such as the Japanese straightening treatment, the Brazilian Keratin Straightening is cheaper and you can have it done on treated, coloured and damaged hair; basically the more damaged your hair is the longer the straightening effect will last.
The Brazilian Keratin Straightening process can be broken down into the following:
Your hair is shampooed but no conditioner is used as the product itself consists of keratin
The hair is segregated into four neat sections
The solution is applied at the scalp and then combed well so that the solution spreads throughout the hair
After one section has been done, the hair is clipped and the next section is started When the product has been applied to every part of your head, blow-dry your hair, beginning from the nape
The last step consists of flat ironing the four subsections properly
The produce that is used on your hair contains what is known as Keratin, which will crystallise and coat the hair shaft, sealing in shine and keeping out moisture/frizz. It makes damaged hair look healthy again.
After the process, you cannot wash your hair for four days. Also, you should not use any product (particularly shampoo) with sodium Chloride, as that will eat through the coating provided by the Keratin. If your hair does become wet during these four days it is essential that you blow dry it straight away.
Once applied the chemical sits on the cuticle, not penetrating into the cortex which allows the keratin to work at its best and condition, moisturise and reconstruct your hair, leaving it looking shiny, soft and more manageable.

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment – For People Who Want Perfectly Straight Hair

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:07:18 +0000

Are you one of the many unfortunate people who suffer from unruly curls? Does it feel like frizz is slowly overtaking your life? If so you are not alone, you are one of the many people who struggle daily to get straight and smooth hair but in most cases this often becomes an impossible task; well not anymore!
Thanks to the latest straightening system you too can have beautiful, straight and frizz free locks with the help of the Brazilian Keratin Treatment. This treatment is unlike any other straightening system, one of the reasons for this is the fact that this system doesn’t use any harsh chemicals on your hair; instead it uses keratin, which is a type of protein high in sulphur and the amino acid cystine, making it tough, elastic and insoluble. This keratin is so effective when it comes to straightening your hair due to the fact that your hair is made up of 88% keratin. So how does the Brazilian Keratin Treatment work?
We already know one thing, which is that Keratin is tough. The strong qualities found within it help to improve the hair both inside and out. The keratin gently blends with the hair on your head. It brings to hair what it was lacking to begin with and what it has lost over the years. So whether your hair is dull, dry or damaged as well as being frizzy or curly you can help to tame it with the Brazilian Keratin Treatment. The smaller keratin molecules penetrate the hair cortex improving and repairing the quality of the hair from the inside. The added strength, elasticity and moisture result in the smooth, soft, shiny and straightened effect. The larger molecules coat the hair cuticle and take the damage such as UV rays and smoke from your hair on the outside, while further damage to the hair shaft is prevented.
There are so many benefits to having the Brazilian Keratin Treatment done on your hair; you really are doing your hair a favour and the more times you have the Brazilian Keratin Treatment performed on your hair, the better the condition of your hair will be. There are however certain things that you can and can’t do for the first four days after having the Brazilian Keratin Treatment done. The aspects that you can’t do are as follows:
Do not wash your hair.
Do not tie your hair into a ponytail.
Don’t use hair clips.
Don’t pull your hair behind your ears.
Do not exercise or causing sweating
Don’t use hair bands.
Do not use your glasses to hold your hair back
Aspects that you SHOULD do for the first four days after having the Brazilian Keratin Treatment performed is as follows:
Use a shampoo without Sodium-Chloride (Sulfate-Free) on your hair at all times
Do wear a silk scarf to pull your hair away from your face
Do use hair dryer or flat iron (in case hair gets wet during the first four days)
After these four days are over you will be free to do what you want with your hair but it is highly important that you do follow these basic rules during these crucial first few days.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a Revolution in Hair Straightening

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:07:16 +0000

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a new and exciting way in which you can have your hair straightened. It has become one of the latest hair trends among many celebrities and now available in certain salons within the UK.
The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is different to the many hair straightening treatments that are currently available; it is cheaper, takes less time to have done, can be performed on any hair type and most importantly it actually helps to improve damaged hair, in fact the more damaged your hair is the more that the Brazilian Keratin Treatment will help it. The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is not meant to be permanent; it is a temporary method of hair straightening that does need re-doing about every three months in order to keep your hair straightened. After about three months your hair will loose its straightness but it will stay in a good condition and every time you have the treatment re-done it will improve the condition of your hair further.
The treatment blends in with the natural growth of your hair and unlike other forms of hair straightening it doesn’t use strong chemicals to open and close the hair cuticles; this is because the main ingredient within the Brazilian Keratin Treatment is keratin. This is a natural substance which is what about 88% of your hair is made from. The results mean that your hair is soft, shiny and straight.
As with all treatments that you have performed on your hair there are certain things that you can and can’t do to your hair once the treatment has been performed. Below is a list of the things that you shouldn’t do after having the Brazilian Keratin Treatment performed on your hair:
Do not wash your hair
Do not tie your hair into a ponytail
Don’t use hair clips
Don’t pull your hair behind your ears
Do not exercise
Don’t use hair bands
Do not use your glasses to hold your hair back
Do not use sprays, gel or mousses
The reasons that you can’t do the above to your hair after having the Brazilian Keratin Treatment performed is due to the fact that the keratin produces a coating over the hair and the above aspects would all break this coating causing the treatment to fail.
So what’s so good about this keratin? Well it has strong protective qualities that improve the hair both on the inside and the outside. It is virtually a liquid form of hair and brings back the strength and quality that your hair has been lacking. Keratin is a type of protein that is tough, elastic and insoluble. It is what skin, hair and nails are made of.
If your hair has seen better days and you are desperately looking for something that will bring the life, strength and durability back into it then Brazilian Keratin treatment is exactly what you need. So get in touch with your stylist today and book your consultation for it!

Brazilian Keratin Treatment – Known in Short as BKT

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:02:41 +0000

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is the perfect solution for people with curly, frizzy or unruly hair. It is a temporary solution that will last on your hair between two and three months. The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is the latest trend sweeping the nation and is now available at a salon near you.
The Brazilian Keratin Treatment helps to improve the quality and durability of your hair, which is pretty much unheard of as most hair straightening treatments can often be damaging to your hair or won’t have any affect on the condition of it, where as the Brazilian Keratin Treatment will improve your hair every time that you have it done. As it is a temporary solution to your situation the effect that the Brazilian Keratin Treatment has on you’re hair will start to fade when you’re two/three months are coming to an end; however you will notice a difference in the condition of your hair at the end of these months and your hair will continue to improve every time that you have the treatment done.
Before you start having any treatment done involving the Brazilian Keratin Treatment you should have a consultancy with your stylist in order to learn all about the process that is involved in the Brazilian Keratin Treatment.
The main element of the Brazilian Keratin Treatment is something known as Keratin, which penetrates into the cortex of the hair as a way of adding strength, moisture and elasticity to the hair. The cost of the Brazilian Keratin Treatment depends on the length and thickness of your hair.
The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is replenishing and helps to recondition and protect your hair from damages that occur through heat and water. The treatment will bring back natural shine to the hair. It penetrates the hair repairing internal damage and coats the hair preventing further damage.
When you re-visit the salon to have the Brazilian Keratin Treatment done you will have the treatment done on the whole of your hair and you are safe to have the treatment done before three months if you want too. If you are hoping to get your hair cut around the time of your treatment then it is recommended that you have it cut after you have had the treatment done. This way you are trimming the dead ends leaving your hair perfectly straight.
Once you have had the treatment done there are certain things that need to be done such as you can’t use any hair-spray, gel, mousse or any other hair products on your hair for four days after the treatment has been applied. The four days following your treatment are essential and you have to be extremely careful with how you treat your hair otherwise the treatment may have been for nothing. Due to this it is a good idea to not have any events planned during the four days after your treatment.
The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is the perfect solution for hair that is unruly or curly; however if you are planning on getting it done make sure that you go to an experienced salon and always talk to a stylist before having any work undertaken.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment 411

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:33:25 +0000

Wildly popular in all the blogs and a hot topic in those social networking forums I love to hangout in, everyone seems to be thinking about getting a Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT). Wait! I type. Before you call your stylist to book your salon appointment, make sure you have all the info you need to make your choice. Silky hair is good, but with a Brazilian Keratin Treatment you might be getting more than you planned.

What you and your stylist may not know is that the active ingredient in these BKT “wonder” treatments is formaldehyde, which is a dangerous chemical, especially if you breathe it in. Hence the protective equipment – face masks, gloves, ventilation fans – as a safety precaution when giving or getting a treatment. Is straight hair worth wearing a gas mask? Now THAT’S something to consider.

According to Allure Magazine (we love them!) “some of the most popular BKT treatments contain at least ten times more formaldehyde than the .2 percent considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. The FDA doesn’t currently regulate cosmetics, but they are investigating the safety of escova progressiva treatments.” Now, I’m no expert, and I have considered a BKT when I originally heard about them, but ten times more formaldehyde really sounds like a bad idea. Very bad. There’s no way that’s good for you.

The best, or I should say worst part about the Allure Magazine expose? I’ll loosely paraphrase here, but the gist is: “Keratin has nothing to do with straightening. Nada. There is nothing in Keratin that will change the structure of the hair, it’s the formaldehyde that makes the treatment work. Keratin is window dressing and provides a good marketing story.” Sounds like a sham to me. And really, who wants that kind of toxic treatment?

I’ll opt for my own straightening treatment – a super smoothing shampoo and conditioner combo, followed by a silky straightening lotion, a great flat iron and a strong thermal protectant. And maybe a trip to Brazil!

Shelley Nicoletti, StyleBell Beauty Editor

Brazilian Keratin Treatment – Video

chameleonfridays — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:00:22 +0000

This video, by Global Keratin, shows the BKT treatment being applied. The video is aimed at hair dressers, rather than clients, but its a good introduction into the subject

Brazilian Keratin Treatment – FAQs

chameleonfridays — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:05:58 +0000

This article tries to answer as many of the most common questions about Brazilian Keratin Treatment as possible. The links below will take you to the most relevant section to your quesiton. But first, the most common issue:

What Shampoo should I use?

A Good Shampoo for Brazillian Keratin Users

The best shampoo to use must be a sodium chloride (salt) free shampoo and, ideally, suplhate free. Most of the shampoos in the market contain sodium chloride. Eluence produce a shampoo at £20.

It is the Sodium Chloride which is bad for the BKT treatment as it washes it out quicker, which is why swimming in the sea a lot of sweating too much can also be a problem for BKT users. Swimming in a pool is problematic if there is a high chlorine content.

General Questions

What is Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

What happens during a Brazilian Hair Straightening Treatment?

How long does BKT last?

What does hair look like after is has been treated?

How much does BKT Cost?

Can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment at home?

I have very curly hair will Keratin Treatment give me straight hair?

What is X-Tenso and Yuko?

Which is best BKT or Yuko/ X-Tenso?

How to treat your hair after BKT

Does it matter if I get my hair wet after keratin treatment?

Can I go swimming after BKT?

How soon should I wash my hair after BKT?

Do I have to wait 3 days before wetting my hair after keratin treatment?

What shampoo should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

What conditioner should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

What to do after Keratin Treatment?

What not to do after Keratin treatment?

Health Questions about BKT

Is Brazilian Keratin Dangerous?

What Chemicals are in BKT?

Are there problems with Keratin getting into your eyes?

Brazilian Keratin Treatment and Sodium Chloride, what is the issue?

Keratin Treatment and formaldehyde, what is the all the debate about?

Does your hair fall out after BKT?

Are there any problems associated with using Keratin?

How many times can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

Can keratin treatment be done again before it washes out?

Can I get my curls back after having my hair straightened?

What is Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

o Brazilian Keratin Treatment has numerous names including:

• Keratin straightening

• Brazilian blow out

• BKT

• BKST

• Brazilian Keratin hair straightening

• Escova progressiva (the Brazilian name)

• “the permanent blow dry”.

It is a treatment that is designed to give hair that “just out of the salon, blow dried look”.

In brief it works by applying a product, Keratin to the hair and then sealing that product to the hair. The net result is that hair is normally straighter (as if it had been blow dried straight).

For more details see here and a video here.

• If a person has the BKT treatment the net result is that they will generally have straighter, more shiny, more “healthy looking” hair.

What happens during a Brazilian Hair Straightening Treatment?

* During a treatment the hair is first washed, with a clarifying shampoo, to open up the cuticles. Then the treatment is applied, which contains the Keratin. Then heat is applied through straightening irons. The heat seals the Keratin into the hair and so removes the frizz.

How long does BKT last?

o Between two to four months. BKT is not permanent and is eventually washed out.

The more the hair is washed, the quicker the keratin will be washed out.

o If hair is washed one a week it may last 4 months, if its washed 3 or 4 times a week then it may last two months. For this reason three months is the most common average for the length of a keratin treatment.

What does hair look like after is has been treated?

o BKT normally makes the hair look shiny and more healthy. Surprisingly the hair can also feel softer. Keratin provides a lot of nutrients for the hair, hence it looks so good afterwards.

How much does BKT Cost?

o Its not a cheap treatment and costs vary, depending on the salon, from £200 to £500 per treatment.

Can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment at home?

o No. The procedure involves a very long and detailed hair straightening process using irons and driers. It takes over 2 hours, and this is not something somebody can “have ago at”.

DIY is not a good thing!

I have very curly hair will Keratin Treatment give me straight hair?

o Possibly not, it will depend on the exact hair type. If its incredibly tightly curled hair then you may end up with soft curls

What is X-Tenso and Yuko?

o These are both Japanese hair straightening products. They work by applying a chemical to the hair that stays on the hair for the rest of its life. The hair is permanently straight and will only return to its natural method as the hair grows.

Which is best BKT or Yuko/ X-Tenso?

o They are very different treatments and it depends what you want. The former allows for flexibility and a more natural look, the latter is a longer lasting treatment.

Does it matter if I get my hair wet after keratin treatment?

o Yes, initially. BKT is not permanent and comes out in the wash; the less the hair is washed the longer it lasts.

o For the first 3 to 4 days after Brazilian Keratin Treatment the hair should not be washed, and then it should only be washed with a sodium chloride free shampoo and conditioner

Will sea water damage my hair after BKT?

o No, but it should be avoided. Sea water, which is salt water (and salt is Sodium Chloride), washes the keratin out of the hair quicker than normal water.

For this reason swimming in sea water reduces the life span of a BKT treatment.

Can I go swimming after BKT?

• Brazilian Keratin Treatment is washed out more rapidly by sodium chloride and chlorine. Sodium chloride (salt) is in sea water and chlorine is in most swimming pools and spas. So if your going to swim, and want to keep the BKT effect for as long as possible try and cover your hair.

How soon should I wash my hair after BKT?

o About three to four days after the first treatment

Do I have to wait 3 days before wetting my hair after keratin treatment?

• Yes, a minimum of three days, possibly four, depending on your hair type.

What shampoo should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

It must be a sodium chloride free shampoo. Most of the shampoos in the market contain sodium chloride; Eluence produce one at £20.

However, the same product can be purchased for just £7 from this site. Even though the postage and packaging is expensive its still very cheap. If you can buy several you will get a very good bargain.

What conditioner should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

o The conditioner, like the shampoo, this needs to be sodium chloride free. As the sodium chloride washes out the keratin faster.

The conditioner can also be bought cheaply from this site.

What to do after Keratin Treatment?

* Do keep your hair dry

* Blows dry your hair after washing.

* Do wear a silk scarf to pull your hair away from your face.

* Do use a shampoo without Sodium-Chloride (Sulfate-Free) on your hair at all times.

What not to do after Keratin treatment?

* Don’t do any of the following for the first 3 or 4 days:

1. wash your hair

2. Tie your hair into a pony tail.

3. Use hair clips.

4. Do not place your hair behind your ears.

5. Do not exercise or sweat.

6. Do not use hair bands.

7. Do not use your glasses to hold your hair back.

8. Do not use sprays, gel or mousses.

Is Brazilian Keratin Dangerous?

o No. There are two types of BKT. BKT with formaldehyde (commonly referred to as just BKT without an reference to the formaldehyde ) and BKT without formaldehyde, commonly referred to as BKT formaldehyde free. Some people do not like the formaldehyde product, due to the nature formaldehyde – it is a potent chemical.

What Chemicals are in BKT?

o BKT contains ether, Keratin, and more often than not formaldehyde. Unless its specifically states its “formaldehyde free” then it will almost certain contain that.

Are there problems with Keratin getting into your eyes?

* During the treatment it is a possible that you could get the product in your eyes, much like there is with any bleach, shampoo, or conditioner. During the treatment its possible the fumes given off could go in to your eyes.

This is not problematic, any more than getting shampoo in your eye – merely wash it out.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment and Sodium Chloride, what is the issue?

o Sodium Chloride, which is salt, is found in both sea water and most shampoos. In its self it is harmless and will not damage the hair, however it does wash keratin off quicker than normal water, reducing the life span of a BKT treatment, therefore is should be avoided.

There are shampoos available that do not contain sodium chloride.

Keratin Treatment and formaldehyde, what is the all the debate about?

• BKT has been available in the UK for the past few years, famously used by Girls Aloud; it has been in the US for much longer.

The primary chemical in BKT is Keratin – which holds the hair. However, most BKT treatments also have formaldehyde in it.

• Formaldehyde is not a nice chemical, and has been linked to cancer. There are no known cases of death or even illness from its use in BKT, and the concentrations are so low, and the exposure so minimal it is unlikely to have an effect for the customer. The stylist, on the other hand, has regular exposure to the chemical, on a daily basis and for this reason some hair dressers simply will not work with it.

Does your hair fall out after BKT?

o No, not all

Are there any problems associated with using Keratin?

o No, none, other than you have to wait for several days before washing it. The hair actually looks and feels better after the treatment.

How many times can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

o As many times as you want, as it is not harmful for the hair

Can keratin treatment be done again before it washes out

* Yes, can easily be done every month (funds permitting), as BKT does not harm the hair.

Can I get my curls back after having my hair straightened?

o Yes. If you’re using BKT once it’s been washed out the hair will return to normal.

Brazillian Keratin Treatment – Resources

chameleonfridays — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:29:59 +0000

Keratin Treatment FAQs :Including information on; what shampoo, what conditioner, time scales, the effcts of swimming, chlorine, and sodium chloride.
Article on Brazilian Keratin Treatment
News video on Brazilian Hair Straightening

BKST: CBS News

chameleonfridays — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:59:14 +0000

CBS News Article on the “dangers” of BKST/Brazilian Keratin Straightening Treatment

Its an American news article, so it takes itself very seriously.

Tags: Brazilian+Hair+Straightening

Shampoo after Brazilian Keratin Treatment

chameleonfridays — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:23:46 +0000

After a BKT treatment you should use a sodium chloride and sulfate free shampoo.

Sulphate free shampoo

A recommended one is by Elucence, at around £20, pictured inset.

However, it can be purchased for just £7 from this site, the postage and packaging is expensive, so if you can buy several you will get a very good bargin.