Keratin express vs keratin treatment, which should you choose? What are the reviews, pros, and cons for each treatment? Find out here!
We are always on the lookout for hair treatments that can make our hair look healthy and shiny. The best part about such treatments is that it also saves a lot of styling and grooming time.
One of the most popular treatments for smoothing your hair is the keratin treatment. But do you know that there are two types of keratin treatments that you can get?
Although the results are almost similar for both treatments, it varies based on price, duration, and other factors. In this article, we take an in-depth look into these popular treatments so you can choose the right one for you.
Keratin Express Vs Keratin Treatment
Factors | Keratin express | Keratin treatment |
Cost | $100 | $300+ |
Application Time | 35 minutes | 2- 3 hours |
Lasts up to | 6 weeks | 4 months |
Washing time | After 8 hours | After 72 hours |
Aftercare | Easy | Requires more effort |
Frizz | Eliminates frizz | Eliminates frizz |
Smoothing | smoothing | smoothing |
Straightening | Does not straighten hair | Can straighten hair |
Hair appearance | Makes hair shiny | Makes hair shiny |
Styling time | Cuts down styling time | Cuts down styling time |
Volume | More volume and curls | Less volume and curls |
Ease of use | Can do at home | Requires a stylist |
What is a keratin treatment?
The OG keratin treatment is also known as the Brazilian Keratin treatment and will give you some amazing results.
If you are struggling with frizzy or coarse hair, this treatment will be your holy grail.
The best part about this treatment is that it doesn’t make your hair look thin or flat. It maintains your hair volume while smoothing it.
This treatment is a great option for people with curly hair or those who struggle to maintain their hair in humid temperatures.
Pros and Cons of Keratin Treatment
Pros:
- Restores natural proteins in your hair
- Suitable for all hair types
- Hair becomes manageable
- Makes hair lustrous
- Removes frizz
- Quick styling
Cons:
- Intense application process
- Expensive
- Contains formaldehyde
- Might flatten your hair
What is a keratin express treatment?
If you don’t want to commit fully to keratin-treated hair, there is another alternative that you can try out. Keratin Express is suitable for people who are looking for short-term results.
If you want to keep small portions of your hair such as fringes or bangs in place, a keratin express would be a great choice.
This is also a very pocket-friendly option so if you want smooth hair on a tight budget, you should go for this. A keratin express is also relatively simpler to do and it takes hardly half an hour.
The best part is that you can easily do it from the comfort of your house without going to the salon. So that saves a ton of money and time.
If you already got a keratin treatment done on your hair and if you feel like the results are wearing off, the keratin express treatment will help in regaining the lost vitality of your hair.
Pros and Cons of Keratin Express Treatment
Pros:
- Repair uneven hair porosity
- Protects hair from humidity
- Reduces heat damage
- Seal split ends
- Makes your hair color look vibrant
- Makes the hair smooth and manageable
- Extends the life of your keratin treatment
- Pocket friendly
Cons:
- Short results
Best products for keratin express treatment
The best part about keratin express treatment is that it saves a ton of time and money. We can all agree that salon visits are expensive, especially when you go to get a hair treatment.
The keratin express treatment is a treatment that will give you salon-like results at home. You can simply do it yourself without any assistance. But it is important to understand the technique well and use the right product to do it correctly.
There are a lot of products available in the market that are used for keratin express treatments. We have selected some of the best products for your home keratin express treatments that will give you amazing results.
Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment
This is a cheaper alternative to a lot of keratin treatment products but it gives you amazing results.
Because of this, it is very commonly used in salons. I applied this to my hair and waited for one hour.
The results are exactly like the results you would get when you do a Brazilian keratin hair treatment but it only lasted around five weeks.
You also have to wait for about eight hours before washing or styling your hair after getting this treatment.
Of course, you will have to incorporate a shampoo and conditioner suitable for keratin-treated hair while using this.
Pros:
- Pocket friendly as it’s cheaper than other products
- Protects hair from humidity, preventing frizz
- Strengthens hair from the cuticle layer
- Easy to apply because of the thin consistency
- Flattens out your curls and coils instantly
- Mild smell unlike most other keratin treatments
- Can be applied to wet hair too
Cons:
- Short-lived results
Cezanne Express Keratin Smoothing treatment
This formaldehyde-free keratin express product gave me really good results. This keratin treatment straightened out my curls and made my hair smooth and shiny.
But one drawback of this product is that it has a strong unappealing smell that makes it difficult to use.
The smell lingered on for at least two days despite shampooing twice. This is also slightly on the expensive side but the results are definitely worth it. I did not face any negative reactions after using the product.
The formula includes aloe vera, botanical extracts, and micro keratin that nourishes your hair and makes it healthy.
A little goes a long way with this product so you can use the bottle for a long time.
Pros:
- Contains aloe vera and botanical extracts that nourish hair
- A little goes a long way so it’s good for long hair
- Smooth and shiny results instantly
- Long-lasting results
Cons:
- Unappealing smell
- Expensive compared to other keratin products
Peter Coppola a-Keratin treatment
If you want to give an instant upgrade to your chemically treated damaged hair, this product will be really useful.
I was surprised by the difference it made on my dry and brittle hair. If you have extremely curly or coily hair, this product might not straighten it out but it definitely makes your hair smooth and sleek to give you a blow-dried look.
It also reduces frizz drastically. These products give you long-lasting results which will stay perfect for up to three months if you maintain them properly.
The only drawback is that it comes in a small tube which gets over pretty fast if you have long hair. This product is free of harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, aldehyde, etc.
The formula is enriched with shea butter which moisturizes and nourishes your hair.
Pros:
- Results last up to three months
- Contains shea butter that nourishes hair
- Reduces frizz immediately
- Smoothens hair for a longer period of time, comparatively
- Protects hair from sun damage
Cons:
- Less product in a tube
Alfaparf Milano Extreme Therapy smoothing kit
This kit is slightly on the pricier side but it gives salon-quality results at home.
I also combined this treatment with the shampoo and conditioner from the range to get the best results. It is so much easier to dry and style my hair since it only takes a fraction of time.
When you purchase this kit, you don’t have to invest in other hair care products like shampoo or conditioner.
This kit is suitable for all types of hair and it comes with a deep cleansing shampoo and rehydrating mask which works really well on your hair. If you want your hair to look glossy and smooth, I would recommend this mask.
Pros:
- Easy to use as it’s a at-home keratin kit
- Salon quality results for the price tag
- Comes with shampoo and conditioner so your money is saved
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons:
- Might dry out your hair as it has a powerful formula
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of a keratin treatment?
There are so many varieties of keratin treatments available in the market. The most popular of them all, is, of course, the Brazilian keratin treatment.
The other types of keratin treatments such as soft keratin, japzilian keratin, keratin express, etc.
Here we are going to explore the two most in-demand keratin treatments which are the Brazilian keratin treatment and the keratin express treatment.
This will give you a better idea of the pros and cons of these treatments to help you make an informed hair decision.
Does Keratin Express Damage Your Hair?
The short answer is no, Keratin Express should not damage your hair. In fact, it is often touted as a gentler alternative to traditional keratin treatments.
The treatment works by infusing your hair with keratin protein, which helps to strengthen and repair damaged hair. The result is smoother, more manageable hair. However, it is important to note that any type of chemical treatment, including Keratin Express, can potentially cause damage if not applied correctly or if it is done too frequently.
It is essential to have your treatment done by a trained professional who can assess your hair’s needs and ensure that the treatment is applied properly. Additionally, it is important to follow post-treatment care instructions to maintain the health of your hair.
This may include using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, avoiding excessive heat styling, and limiting exposure to sun and chlorine. Overall, if done correctly and with proper maintenance, Keratin Express should not damage your hair. So, go ahead and enjoy that silky smooth hair without any worries!
Does Keratin Express Have Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a chemical that is commonly used in traditional keratin treatments to help bond the keratin protein to the hair. However, it is also a known carcinogen and can be harmful to both the stylist applying the product and the client receiving the treatment.
The good news is that Keratin Express does not contain formaldehyde. Instead, it utilizes a different chemical called glyoxylic acid that helps to smooth the hair and lock in the keratin protein.
Not only is this safer for both the stylist and client, but it also produces similar results to traditional keratin treatments.
With its use of glyoxylic acid instead of formaldehyde, you can enjoy the benefits of a keratin treatment without compromising your health.
Why Is My Hair Still Frizzy After Keratin Treatment?
If your hair is still frizzy after a keratin treatment, it could be because you got a Keratin Express treatment instead of a traditional one.
While Keratin Express is a quick fix, it may not provide the long-lasting results that traditional keratin treatments offer. Another reason your hair may still be frizzy is because of insufficient product application, or not leaving the product on long enough.
It’s essential to follow the instructions carefully and ensure that the product is evenly distributed throughout your hair. Lastly, it could be that your hair is damaged or naturally prone to frizz, and no keratin treatment can completely eliminate frizz.
Should you go for a keratin treatment or keratin express treatment?
Both the keratin treatment and the keratin express treatment come with their own set of pros and cons.
You have to determine what you are looking for in hair treatment and your budget before finalizing either of these. Both of these treatments might also not work on all hair types.
If you have fine hair, I would suggest you go for a keratin express treatment rather than a keratin treatment.
If you have stubborn curly hair, a full-fledged keratin treatment would work best.
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
Also Read:
Side Effects of Keratin Treatment
Best Sulphate Free Shampoo For Keratin Treated Hair
What Is Amino Acid Treatment For Natural Hair
To Summarize