Our comparison of keratin and straightening covers which one to choose. This is about what happens right before and immediately after either one, since the prep and the first few days of aftercare genuinely decide how long the result actually holds, more than most people expect going in.
Getting this wrong is the single most common reason someone books a treatment, is happy with it initially, and then finds it fading within weeks rather than the months it should last.
Before the appointment
- Do not wash hair the day of the appointment. Freshly washed hair strips natural oils that help protect the scalp during the chemical process. A day or two of natural oil on the scalp beforehand is actually the better state to arrive in.
- Mention any recent colour treatment. Both keratin and straightening interact with recently coloured hair, and the beautician needs to know this beforehand to adjust the process rather than discovering it partway through.
- Come with hair fully dry and unstyled. This lets the beautician assess your natural texture accurately before starting, which affects how the treatment is applied.
The genuine do-not-wash window afterward
This is the single most important rule and the one most commonly broken. Hair should not be washed, tied up, tucked behind the ears, or clipped for a minimum of 72 hours after the treatment, longer if specifically advised for your hair. The treatment is still settling into the hair structure during this window, and washing or creating a crease with a clip or tie during this time can undo a meaningful part of the result before it has fully set.
The first wash, once the window is over
Use a sulphate-free shampoo specifically formulated for treated hair from the very first wash, not the shampoo you were using before. A regular sulphate shampoo strips the treatment noticeably faster than a formula built for it, undermining the investment from the first wash onward.
What genuinely extends the result
| Habit | Why it matters here specifically |
|---|---|
| Sulphate-free shampoo, every wash, not just the first | Consistently reduces how fast the treatment washes out |
| Avoiding tight ponytails or clips for the first week beyond the initial 72 hours | Reduces the chance of creasing the treated hair before it has fully stabilised |
| A clarifying wash every few weeks, per our hard water guide | Jaipur's hard water affects treated hair the same way it affects colour, and this slows that specific fade |
| Avoiding chlorinated water where possible | Chlorine reacts with the treatment chemically and speeds up fading more than plain water exposure does |
Booking with this in mind
Planning a keratin or straightening treatment? Plan the three days after it as carefully as the appointment itself, no wash, no tying up, and switch to a sulphate-free shampoo from the very first wash onward.
Common questions
How long should I wait to wash my hair after keratin or straightening?
A minimum of 72 hours, sometimes longer depending on your specific hair and the product used. This window lets the treatment fully settle into the hair structure before water or shampoo touches it.
Can I tie my hair up right after a keratin treatment?
No, not for at least the first 72 hours, and it is worth avoiding tight styles for a week beyond that too. A tie or clip can create a crease that becomes a lasting kink while the treatment is still setting.
Should I wash my hair before a keratin or straightening appointment?
No, avoid washing the day of the appointment. A day or two of natural oil on the scalp beforehand is actually the better condition to arrive in, since freshly washed hair strips protective natural oils.
What shampoo should I use after a keratin treatment?
A sulphate-free shampoo specifically formulated for treated hair, starting from the very first wash and continuing for the life of the treatment. A regular sulphate shampoo noticeably speeds up fading.
Book what this guide covers
Full price lists and details for the services discussed here.
