The Best Shampoo for Keratin Treated Hair

A Keratin treatment can leave your hair smooth and straight with a silky glow. However, aftercare is very important in order to retain that feel for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, many shampoos are quite harsh in the chemical department and can have negative effects on keratin treated hair. Knowing the right shampoo will keep that sleek feel for as long as possible. Here is everything you need to know about selecting a keratin shampoo.

Best Shampoo for Keratin Treated Hair Comparison Chart

Using the right shampoos will help to retain that keratin sleekness for as long as possible. By using naturally moisturizing shampoos, it will help to lock in the moisture and keep the keratin within the hair strands.

How to Choose a Shampoo After Keratin Treatment

The very first thing to consider is the proponents that your shampoos should not contain. You do not want any shampoos that contain sulfates. Sulfates are a sudsing agent that helps soaps and shampoos to foam up. The problem with sulfates is that they are harsh and they strip the hair. For those with colored hair, they’ll know that heavy sulfates can strip color; it works the same way for keratin. Sulfates strip keratin straight out of the hair, making it return to its natural state. Secondly, avoid any shampoos that have sodium products.

Sodium-based chemicals are used to thicken shampoos. The problem with sodium chemicals in shampoos is that they dissolve keratin, so it slopes away from the hair.

Be aware that some sodium and sulfate products have different names which can be confusing. For example, sodium lauryl sulfate is often referred to as diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or monoethanolamine. Many products will claim to be SLS-free or sulfate free when they actually contain this chemical under a different name.

Equally, many organic products contain salt. While it is a natural product, sodium chloride, more commonly known as regular salt, will dissolve the keratin straight out of the hair. Be aware of it even if the product is labeled as sulfate free.

When looking for shampoo, look for products that contain humectants such as collagen which helps to retain moisture in the hair. Equally, emollients such as mineral oils will also help to keep the hair moisturized. Both will help to lock in moisture and will complement the keratin.

Reviews of Shampoo for Keratin Treated Hair

When investing in shampoo for post-keratin treatment, it is important to find products that honestly list the right ingredients, to ensure that chemicals won’t break down the keratin from the hair. Here are some of the better shampoos for keratin treated hair.

Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

This shampoo and conditioner set is 100% free of sulfates, salt, parabens, phthalates, and drying alcohols. It is cruelty-free and features argan oil extracts. It features a UV absorber to help protect the hair from sun damage.

PROS

• It contains sulfates or salt so it will not dissolve or strip away the keratin.
• The UV protector helps to stop sun damage or drying from the sun, which helps to retain the silkiness of the keratin.
• It works well with thin hair without weighing the hair down.
• Argan oil is one of the best moisturizers for the hair and helps to provide an extra layer of protection and moisture retention.

CONS

• Some users have complained that it appears to take the shine away from keratin treated hair.
• Some customers have noted that it leaves a residue on the scalp that can leave it feeling itchy.

Salt & Sulfate Free Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner

This shampoo and conditioner set is free of salts and sulfates and helps to keep the hair smooth using botanical extracts such as aloe vera, silk proteins, olive oil, sunflower oil, and kiwi seed extract. It comes with a 100% No Risk Money Back Guarantee for unsatisfied customers and is designed for keratin treatments.

PROS

• This shampoo set holds both color and keratin treatments without stripping them away.
• It leaves the hair silky and shiny with no residue on the scalp.
• The company does its own Keratin Complex treatment and therefore understands how they work enough to make complementing products.
• Does not leave keratin treatment feeling sticky as many other non-salt and sulfate products do.

CONS

• The conditioner runs out faster than the shampoo and you can´t buy it separately.
• It has a light minty fragrance, but some don’t like the underlying smell that it leaves in the hair after rinsing.

Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Shampoo and Conditioner Set

This is a professional grade hair care kit that includes a shampoo, a conditioner, and a hair mask for repairing hair. It is infused with high-grade Moroccan argan oil and macadamia oil and designed to be safe for keratin treated hair and colored hair.

PROS

• It is both paraben and sulfate free.
• Argan and macadamia oil are two of the best oils for hair repair.
• It does not strip the hair of keratin treatment and leaves it feeling hydrated.
• It has a very appealing smell.

CONS

• This product is quite thick and doesn’t lather well so you will need to use a lot of it at any one time.
• It needs to be used a few times before you can see the results.

Natural Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set

This shampoo and conditioner set uses 100% pure premium-grade Moroccan argan oil. It is all-natural and organic.

PROS

• Argan oil puts essential nutrients and vitamins into the hair as well as acting as a UV protector to prevent hair from drying.
• Where keratin treatments can sometimes cause the hair to look flat, this product puts bounce back into the hair.
• It doesn’t weigh the hair down and doesn’t leave residue on the scalp.
• It has a very attractive scent.

CONS

• It can hurt the eyes badly if it gets into them.
• The conditioner is a little watery.

AlfaParf Lisse Design Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner

This shampoo/conditioner provides a keratin therapy, as it is full of keratin. It is free from paraben and formaldehyde and contains Begasse oil.

PROS

• The high level of keratin helps to retain the silkiness after the keratin treatment.
• Begasse oil helps to repair broken or brittle hair.
• It has a soft vanilla aroma.
• It has a great price for a keratin shampoo.

1. Don’t shampoo for 4 days - Leave the treatment nourishing the hair before you shampoo it. If you shampoo too early, it will strip the treatment out of the hair, no matter what shampoo you use.
2. Shampoo with cold water - By shampooing with cold water, you keep the cuticle of the hair strands sealed, which prevents the keratin from leaving the hair. When you use hot water, you open the hair, and the keratin leaves along with the moisture.
3. Use the right shampoo - While sulfate and salt-free shampoos can sometimes be a little more expensive, if you do not use a good shampoo you will find that the keratin treatment gets stripped away. It is a waste of money and will leave your hair feeling dry and frizzy.
4. No products after the first shampoo - After the first shampoo, try not to use any hair care products. The weight of the keratin proteins will hold your hair how you want it, whereas chemical products will damage the treatment. Use a flat iron and you’ll find the treatment lasts longer.

Conclusion

Using the right shampoo can save you from ruined keratin treatments. Unfortunately, you can’t trust all retailers and manufacturers to be completely honest about their products. Always read about the ingredients and the salts and sulfates. Ensure that you don’t trust in labels that read ‘keratin’ in the bottle, but don´t correspond to your expectations. Always do your research and ask your hair stylist for tips.