How to Reverse A Keratin Treatment Without Damaging Your Hair
Written by Shehnaz Shirazi
Updated on
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Let me show you how to reverse a keratin treatment without any messy DIY, and without damaging your hair.
The trick is simple:
- Exfoliate
- And Moisturize
Follow these 2 rules, you’ll be able to wash out and completely remove your keratin treatment on the same day.
Without any side effects.
So take a deep breath, relax, and let’s get to it.
Keratin treatments can sometimes be a hit and miss.
I’ve had times when I followed all the instruction to the T but still ended up with disappointing results.
Shit happens. We’ve all been there.
A hair color fail, an over-bleaching, or a keratin treatment that didn’t live up to all its hype.
I know all about it.
But luckily, I always find a cool hack to save the day.
And today, I am going to show you 6 of them.
That’s right!
6 easy ways to reverse or wash out a keratin hair treatment instantly!
You don’t have to make an emergency appointment to your hair salon, and it won’t cost you a fortune either.
So here goes …
Note:
While all the methods below are natural and completely safe, before you attempt any of them, I recommend you do a patch test and check how your hair behaves.
Method 1: Yogurt and Sea Salt Hair Mask
What you’ll need:
Mix the salt and the yogurt thoroughly and let the mixture sit for a few minutes.
Now follow these instructions:
- Rinse your hair first with lukewarm water
- Gently apply the mixture to your hair
- Massage it evenly throughout
- Keep the mixture in your hair for 45 minutes
- Put a towel on your shoulder to prevent it dripping on your clothes
- After 45 minutes, wash your hair thoroughly
- Pat dry your hair gently with the microfiber towel
- Let your hair air dry
Be as gentle as you can, and do not use a blow dryer.
Let me explain why and how it works …
Salt (Sodium Chloride) is a gritty substance which exfoliates. Therefore, the sea salt in this recipe strips the keratin layer from your hair, which is still malleable for 3 days after your treatment.
To prevent your hair from drying out, yogurt buffers the exfoliating drying effect with its moisturizing properties to make sure your hair doesn’t end up brittle and fragile.
Yogurt gives your hair lubrication to sustain the sea salt scrubbing effect.
After 1 application, you’ll notice the keratin treatment has faded. If not, repeat the next day.
However, I won’t recommend you do this more than 3 times.
Method 2: Sea Salt Spray and Coconut Oil Hair Mask
What you’ll need:
Optional: Hair Steamer
Like the first method, this recipe uses sea salt but in a more convenient way.
Just spritz your hair evenly with the sea salt spray and massage gently throughout.
You should feel the keratin in your hair wearing out and dissolving in your hands.
Support the hydration of your hair with a warm coconut oil hair mask. I recommend sitting under a hair steamer for 15 minutes to allow the coconut oil to infuse into your hair.
Since coconut oil is slightly alkaline, it helps open the cuticles to loosen the keratin layers so that they can melt away.
Method 3: Use A Bentonite Clay Hair Mask
Product I recommend: Bentonite Clay Hair Mask
A Bentonite Clay hair mask works as a deep cleansing treatment.
Essentially it flexes the hair cuticles to remove the layers of keratin just like it would remove buildup and toxins from the hair.
Method 4: Use A Clarifying Shampoo
Products I recommend:
This is the easiest of all solutions that don’t require any DIY.
You just buy one of the most intense deep cleansing shampoos and wash your hair for 2 consecutive days until the keratin treatment wears off.
But please note:
Since a clarifying shampoo works at a slightly higher pH than the hair, you need to rebalance your hair to restore its hydration level.
Use a low pH conditioner or shampoo right after you clarify to smooth down the hair cuticles and lower the pH of your hair.
Method 5: Use A Sodium Chloride and Sulfate-Based Shampoo
It’s the only time I will say it:
Use a shampoo with Sulfates.
Do the exact opposite of what you’d be doing if you had to take care of your keratin treated hair.
I.e. Use a shampoo with Sulfates and Sodium Chloride.
Yes, it strips keratin, and that’s what you need it to do.
The product I recommend: Organix Shampoo
You may also combine this shampoo with method 1 above to remove keratin from your hair faster.
Method 6: Take A Dip In The Sea or Swimming Pool
Fancy getting a tan while getting rid of your misery?
Then take a dip in the swimming pool or head to the beach.
Saltwater or chlorinated water is not suitable for those who want to maintain keratin-treated hair because it literally dissolves keratin.
Just make sure you pump moisture back as chlorinated water will dehydrate your hair.
Washing Out A Keratin Treatment Is Easier Than You Think
The trick to wash out and reverse a keratin treatment is to do it gently without harming your strands.
Make sure there is enough hydration to support your hair during the process.
If you’ve had a bad experience with your keratin treatment, chances are you probably won’t try it again.
I get it.
But the good news is, there are plenty of better alternative hair smoothing treatments out there.
Just make sure you do it in a professional hair salon next time to avoid any unexpected surprises.
About the Author
Shehnaz ShiraziShehnaz Shirazi has been writing in the beauty and cosmetics industry for over 8 years, sharing her expansive hair care and beauty knowledge. Shehnaz researches and tests new hair care trends and publishes her insights here.