Keratin treatmentDOWN · Brazilian blow dry · step by step

The keratin treatment, step by step

What happens in the chair, from the first look at your hair to the day you can wash it. In my chair it's called Straightment Demi.

My work, step by step

  1. Keratin smoothing, step 1 of 21, Compton, around 20091
  2. Keratin smoothing, step 2 of 21, Compton, around 20092
  3. Keratin smoothing, step 3 of 21, Compton, around 20093
  4. Keratin smoothing, step 4 of 21, Compton, around 20094
  5. Keratin smoothing, step 5 of 21, Compton, around 20095
  6. Keratin smoothing, step 6 of 21, Compton, around 20096
  7. Keratin smoothing, step 7 of 21, Compton, around 20097
  8. Keratin smoothing, step 8 of 21, Compton, around 20098
  9. Keratin smoothing, step 9 of 21, Compton, around 20099
  10. Keratin smoothing, step 10 of 21, Compton, around 200910
  11. Keratin smoothing, step 11 of 21, Compton, around 200911
  12. Keratin smoothing, step 12 of 21, Compton, around 200912
  13. Keratin smoothing, step 13 of 21, Compton, around 200913
  14. Keratin smoothing, step 14 of 21, Compton, around 200914
  15. Keratin smoothing, step 15 of 21, Compton, around 200915
  16. Keratin smoothing, step 16 of 21, Compton, around 200916
  17. Keratin smoothing, step 17 of 21, Compton, around 200917
  18. Keratin smoothing, step 18 of 21, Compton, around 200918
  19. Keratin smoothing, step 19 of 21, Compton, around 200919
  20. Keratin smoothing, step 20 of 21, Compton, around 200920
  21. Keratin smoothing, step 21 of 21, Compton, around 200921

Step by step created by Zoltan at Compton, around 2009.

  1. I read your hair first

    Pattern, frizz, condition and what has been on it before. That decides the product strength, how long it develops and how hot the iron goes. Hair that can't take it gets a no, or a not yet.

  2. A clarifying shampoo

    Usually twice, to clean the hair and bring it to the right pH so the treatment can get in.

  3. Sectioning

    Four quarters, like a root tint: temple to temple over the crown, and forehead to nape.

  4. The product goes on, section by section

    Fine sections from the nape up, starting a little away from the root. Every strand covered, nothing dripping.

  5. The excess comes off

    Too much product only burns off as smoke and smell under the dryer, so it's blotted and combed out.

  6. It develops

    Minutes, not hours: how long depends on your hair type.

  7. Blow-dried completely

    Away from the face, until the hair is completely dry.

  8. Ironed in fine sections

    This seals the smoothingDOWN in. The number of passes and the temperature are set for your hair, not for the clock.

  9. It settles

    The hair is left to settle: no tying it up, no getting it wet.

  10. Rinse and mask

    A thorough rinse, then a mask massaged in.

  11. Blow-dry and finish

    Smooth, airflow downwards, and a last pass of the iron where it needs it.

  12. When you can wash it

    I tell you before you leave, and it's in your thank-you email: the day you can shampoo from, in the morning.

Questions

Is a keratin treatment the same as a Brazilian blow dry?

Salons use both names for the same kind of smoothingDOWN. In my chair it's called Straightment Demi, and it's matched to your hair rather than one formula for everyone.

How long does it take?

It depends on your length and thickness – plan for a relaxed few hours.

How long does it last?

Six months or more. It fades gradually, with no line to grow out.

Does it smell or smoke?

It'll pong a bit and the iron might smoke. That's normal, and it's why the excess product comes off before the iron.

When can I wash my hair?

I tell you on the day: the number of days depends on your hair and the product. Your thank-you email has the date, with the weekday.

Will it make my hair poker straight?

No, and that's the point. About 60% of the curl goes and the frizz with it; your hair dries near-straight on its own.

See Straightment DemiDOWNWhat will mine cost?