Reaction To Keratin Treatment - Eyes Wide Shut
Thanks to everyone who posted. After reading, I feel an obligation to share my story for those who are considering this procedure. I am biracial (Asian and African-American) with thick, curly hair. The hairstylist told me I was a perfect candidate for this all-natural keratin treatment that would leave my hair frizz-free, shiny and healthier than before. He said it was formaldehyde-free and would improve the condition of my hair.
After waiting 4 days during the curing process (my eyes did burn throughout the application and heat and now I know why) I washed and flat ironed my hair and felt so-so about the results. I went back to the stylist to have my hair cut and after he flat-ironed it with high heat, I was able to see a noticeable smoothness and silkiness.
I religiously used the SunPure products (sulfate free) he sold me to extend the life (14 - 16 weeks) of the keratin treatment. The first few washes, I lost an incredible amount of hair, but I am used to seeing a lot of hair in my comb in the shower. My hair is so thick that it doesn't normally bother me. But this amount was excessive - a full handful of hair from the root.
My hair was very tangled and stiff when wet but I thought that maybe it was supposed to be like that because of the new products. I was told that when I wanted to wear my hair curly, it would have a nice wavy frizz-free texture instead of the almost spiral curls I naturally have. Not so - when I let my hair air-dry, it was hard and crunchy.
When I wore it straight, my shed hair would coat the floor when I brushed it after flat-ironing. My husband was aghast at the amount of hair on the bathroom floor everyday.
In retrospect, after reading these stories, I know why my eyes burned, why my scalp continues to be tender and why I am able to see my scalp now in the front where I used to not be able to.
What I don't know is:
(1) why I trusted a stylist who I never used before to put a product on my hair that I didn't know much about;
(2) why I paid an extra $100 because my hair is so thick and halfway down my back;
(3) why I was online looking at Ulta's keratin special and thinking about doing it again.
So thank you to all that have shared their stories and hopefully mine has helped someone else.
I will NOT be doing the keratin treatment again - the benefits did not outweigh the negative side effects. I am on my way now to the store to get biotin, l-lysine, Nioxin and Nexxus.
I am not telling anyone reading this not to get it, but just know what you are getting into before you do and be prepared that you may not get the results you were told. Be willing to deal with the possible side effects of this CHEMICAL treatment. Your stylist may or may not tell you. After all, they may be caring for your hair, but they are still sales people. Ask LOTS of questions. I wish I had.
I wish I had read these comments before I did it.
Good luck!
I have an appointment for this Saturday that i had made 6 weeks ago, to have this done after the hairstylist at Ulta had told me about it, I was so excited and have been since. I am also mixed with Asian and African American and have long thick black hair, Yes it is curly with SLIGHT frizz to it, yes I have to blow dry it and flat iron it to make it look silky and straight, the point is that at least I have the power to do this with the tools and product. 
All these comments are really disappointing to me, a professional hairstylist. I have been doing keratin hair treatments for ages now on many clients. I have had extensive training in the product and the more of these comments i read the more i think you guys have been unfortunate enough to go to an inexperienced or undertrained stylist. 
I?m surprised to see so many negative comments on this hair treatment. It worked absolute wonders for my hair and I complete the process twice per year, by myself at home. 
C-Style - You wrote: "Also, some people worry about the formaldehyde in the product ? but what they don?t realize is that we are exposed to formaldehyde all day, every day."
I am a black American with coarse hair. I was told about the keratin treatment by my hairdresser, who is Dominican. She told me that as soon as two weeks after my relaxer, I could get the treatment done. I live in Orlando, Florida and exercise regularly, having more manageable hair would be ideal. 
I was looking into doing the Brazilian Blowout - supposedly hyde free and can be washed right away.
I have an afro texture hair (4B)and i usually go to my hair stylist just to blow dry and flat iron my hair,1 or 2 time a year. 
So do you think it matters that if you tried WEN and didnt get hair loss or reaction, that you are less likely to have a bad reaction to the BKT?
