“Vanity is my favorite sin”, so said Al Pacino in the movie, The Devil’s Advocate. Most of us have beauty rituals that we accomplish on a daily basis. Many of us go through regular treatments to improve our appearances. Human beings are wired to respond positively to beauty and because of that people, since time immemorial, went to great lengths to achieve it. Women are particularly the ones who are judged by their looks. Women’s hair, one of the most important determinants of beauty aside from facial symmetry, has the power to change one’s perception of a person. One may get an impression of a woman in question simply by describing her hair. People use descriptive terms like mousy brown, glossy black, naturally blonde or titian haired and one would get a picture of the person being discussed. Consequently, different methods have been developed to maximize the potential of one’s hair. Today, people can get different treatments to improve hair and one of which is keratin hair treatment.
Defining Keratin Hair Treatments
Lots of people are constantly in pursuit of the best procedure to improve their hair’s appearance. What is keratin hair treatment and how can it make one’s hair beautiful? This is often the first question that needs to be answered before one decides to undergo the process. Keratin hair treatment is a semi-permanent, hair-smoothing, curl-softening professional chemical treatment. It is also referred to as Brazilian hair treatment. It often involves the use of a chemical such as formaldehyde to create a long lasting smoothing effect. The treatment also uses conditioners as well as keratin, which is a protein component of human hair. This concoction, applied accordingly, promises straighter, shinier and healthier hair.
Knowing The Process
What is keratin treatment is a question that not only refers to the definition of the term but also the step by step process that one expects to go through. If you decide to get a keratin hair treatment, you should be prepared to follow the instructions provided by the salon that has done the procedure for you. Usually, the process begins with cleansing the hair with a clarifying shampoo and blow dry prior to the application of the treatment. The hair is then divided section by section onto each, the treatment is thoroughly applied. After this, the treatment is allowed some time to be absorbed in the hair strands. Then, the hair is blow dried for a second time. A flat iron is then used to seal the treatment in. You can expect either of two things after this. One is for you to have your newly treated hair rinsed blow dried a third time and you’re done until the next time. Another possible scenario is for you to be given instructions not to rinse hair, put it up in a ponytail, tuck it behind your ear or get it wet in any way until 72 hours after the treatment. The actual process usually takes two to four hours.
Why the Controversy Over Safety?
What is Brazilian keratin treatment and why is its safety being questioned? Hair treatments that influence the hair’s texture necessitate the inclusion of chemicals such as formaldehyde. More accurately, these treatments contain formalin, which when heated to a high of 450 degrees Fahrenheit converts in to formaldehyde. This chemical is on the Department of Health and Human Services’ “Reasonably Anticipated to Be Human Carcinogens” list, and has been linked to certain cancers like leukemia. However, Occupational Health and Safety Administration standards for safe formaldehyde levels are higher than those being used in standard hair keratin treatments especially when proper precautions and adequate ventilation are instituted. There are also keratin treatment products that do not contain formalin but will invariably contain other chemicals from the aldehydes group. If, however, you have a known allergy to aldehydes, this can pose a serious risk to health.
There are many reasons why people pursue their own beauty ideals. Lots of people and more can be added to their tribe if given the chance. Quite expectedly, this is manifested in the beauty industry’s multi billion dollar annual revenues. The pursuit of beauty, though, is universal and a practice seen not only in humans but also in other members of the animal kingdom. Vanity, then, is not an exclusive vice and it is one that is necessary in the perpetuation of the species. Safety and being happy with the results should always be considered when you decide before submitting for a treatment. In the end, these should always be the qualities you should ensure before getting your self dolled up.
