Keratin is a type of fibrous protein that is important for the health of hair, skin, nails, etc. It is naturally produced in our body and keeps hair strong and healthy, so keratin hair treatment is the top choice to restore hair health.
You don’t have to go to salons to get a keratin treatment. Instead, you can prepare your own homemade keratin treatment for a fraction of the cost of commercial products before delving into homemade keratin treatment options.
Understanding Keratin and Its Role in Hair Health
Keratin is a fibrous protein that plays a crucial role in the health of hair, nails, skin, and the lining of internal organs. It helps maintain hair structure and keeps hair shiny, healthy, and strong.
Keratin is the body’s outer layer and protects hair, skin, and nails. Eating foods rich in biotin, Vitamin C, Zinc, l-cysteine, and Vitamin A can help with keratin production.
With a drop in keratin levels, the body becomes more sensitive to damage, and healing is delayed. For this reason, it’s essential to keep the keratin levels up.
Also, since it plays a crucial role in healing, keratin treatment is the first choice to restore hair health. Keratin treatments might just be what you need if your hair is weak, lacks luster, gets tangled easily, is frizzy, etc.
Yes, a keratin treatment for your hair offers numerous benefits, including controlling frizz, making hair manageable, making hair stronger and softer, leaving you with shiny hair, and more.
Why Choose Homemade Keratin Treatments?
Keratin treatment may be the best action to restore damaged hair, improve hair texture, strengthen hair, etc. However, commercial keratin treatments cost a fortune.
You can restore your hair health and flaunt shiny hair with a homemade keratin treatment that’s a fraction of the cost you would otherwise pay for salon keratin treatment. Commercial keratin treatments work differently, and there are many steps involved.
For example, hair is treated using a formaldehyde cream before it’s blow-dried and straightened. A commercial keratin treatment can be applied to hair only after preparing hair like that.
This in itself is a cause for concern, as long-term formaldehyde exposure has been associated with cancer, and short-term exposure can cause breathing issues. While the processed hair is treated, the commercial keratins are artificial sources of keratin protein that replenish lost keratin.
This chemical-laden process has side effects, and the continued hair treatment – straightening and drying can leave it damaged – is a counterproductive result, especially for keratin treatment. On the other hand, homemade keratin treatment is much cheaper and a safer and healthier way to replenish lost keratin.
We will use natural ingredients that promote healthier hair and scalp besides replenishing keratin. In a way, it’s not only a keratin treatment but overall improves hair quality and gives you healthy hair and scalp.
Essential Ingredients for Homemade Keratin Treatments
You can consider many ingredients for your keratin treatment at home—yogurt, egg, banana, avocado, rice, hibiscus, blueberries, etc.
Rich in proteins, nothing replenishes lost keratin or protein as eggs, yogurt, bananas, rice, and other protein-rich ingredients do. Not just proteins, most ingredients are nutrient-rich. Hibiscus, rice, and blueberries are rich sources of amino acids, a key component in restoring natural keratin.
Homemade Keratin Treatment Recipes
1. Vegan Banana Pack
High in amino acids, bananas replenish lost protein naturally. Combined with other ingredients, you have an excellent diy keratin treatment that leaves you with soft and shiny hair.
Ingredients
- Banana – 1
- Olive Oil – 1 Tbsp.
- Aloe Vera – 1 Tbsp.
Instructions
- Add the banana to your blender along with aloe vera and run it for a few seconds till you get a fine paste.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the olive oil.
- Mix well to combine.
Usage
Divide your hair into small sections and cover each section with the hair mask as you go.
Apply the keratin hair mask from root to tips.
Cover your head with a shower cap.
Let it sit for an hour before washing it off.
Notes
You can use this mask once a week for the best results.
You can also add avocado to this hair mask.
2. Rice Pack
Rice is rich in amino acids and other nutrients, which help replenish lost keratin and make a comprehensive keratin treatment for your hair when combined with other ingredients.
Ingredients
- Cooked Rice – 2 – 4 Tbsps.
- Egg White – 1
- Coconut Milk – 2 Tbsps.
- Olive Oil – 1 Tbsp.
Instructions
- Add the rice to a mixing bowl and mash well. Alternatively, you can run it in your blender to a smooth paste.
- Add all the other ingredients and mix well – olive oil, coconut milk, and egg white.
- Done.
Usage
Apply the prepared hair mask from root to tips.
Let it sit for an hour.
Rinse off with normal water and shampoo and condition as usual.
Air dry and style as usual.
Notes
You can use this hair mask once a week for best results.
You can add more or less coconut milk according to your preferred consistency.
You can use coconut oil instead of olive oil.
3. Yogurt Hair Mask
We combine two protein powerhouses, egg, and yogurt, for a natural keratin boost.
Ingredients
- Yogurt – 6 Tsps.
- Egg – 1
- Cream – 1 Tbsp.
Instructions
- To a mixing bowl, add the egg and whisk.
- Add in the other ingredients while continuing to whisk.
- Whisk till thoroughly combined.
Usage
Divide your hair into small sections and apply the hair mask from root to tips, covering each section as you go.
Let the hair mask sit for 45 minutes before washing off.
Air dry and style as usual.
Notes
You can use this pack once a week for the best results.
You can add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil for aroma.
4. Vegan Flax Mask
This is a vegan option for those who prefer vegan solutions. We already use flax seed gel as an alternative to commercial hair gel and reap the benefits of flax seeds.
Flax seeds can be used for a DIY keratin treatment since they are nutritious and give you strong, silky, and soft hair.
Ingredients
- Flax Seeds – 1 Tbsp
- Fenugreek Seeds Powder – 1 Tbsp.
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the flax seeds and fenugreek seeds powder.
- Add in 2 or 3 spoons of water and soak the mixture overnight.
- Run the soaked ingredients in your blender for a few seconds till you get a fine paste.
- Done.
Usage
Divide your hair into small sections and apply the mask from roots to tips.
Cover your head with a shower cap and 30 – 40 minutes before shampooing.
You can use a mild shampoo to wash and condition your hair.
Notes
You can use this hair mask once a week for best results.
You can also add Aloe Vera Gel to the recipe.
Add cornstarch, mashed cooked rice, or even rice water.
Application Tips for Effective Results
- The recommended frequency for keratin treatments is once a week unless specified otherwise in the recipe.
- Applying a hair mask can be daunting. But dividing hair into smaller sections and applying a hair mask for each section makes the job much easier.
- So, divide your hair into smaller sections and clip each section.
- Apply the hair mask you’ve prepared for your keratin treatment, from root to tips, making sure to cover everything through.
- Clip back the section once done and proceed to the next section.
- Repeat the process till you’ve covered all areas and remove the clips.
- Cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit for the specified duration before washing off.
- Let your hair air dry and style it as usual for best results.
Safety and Precautions
Always do a patch test before preparing your hair and scalp. This way, you can test for any sensitivities or allergic reactions.
Never use any ingredients you’re allergic or sensitive to. Either replace it with equivalents or skip the recipe and check something more suitable.
Too many keratin treatments can leave your hair brittle. So stick to the suggested frequency and don’t let it sit longer than required.
Conclusion
With increased awareness and ease of buying ingredients, homemade keratin treatments are a reality. Now, you can not only do it for an affordable cost at home, but it’s also a healthier choice.
Try these recipes and see how they work out for you. Don’t have time for DIYing? We have covered you with a range of premium vegan hair care cosmetics from Vitamins Revive.
Check out their online store to learn more about their offers and products. As always, let us know how you liked the recipes and how they turned out.
Do tweak the recipes to suit your tastes and requirements better. Enjoy the DIY journey with fun experiments and try different variations to keep the enthusiasm going.
i cant wait to try this at home. thank you so much for sharing