Keratin Treatment Support Thread

[Keen]

I have fine, feather weight cottony hair (when natural) BKT has given my hair strength and weight. My hair appears thicker even though I am relaxed I have no regrets.

My one caution for you, if your hair is currently dry or breaking, try to get it under control before you BKT. My protein / moisture balance was perfect when I did my first BKT and I keep it that way. Try a conditioner with ceramides in it, that makes my hair feel like silk and it makes it strong. Biolage has some conditioners with them in there. I highly recommend them. Also after you get the BKT you need to maintain your protein moisture balance. Its pretty easy after you get the BKT.

ETA: I have hand in hair disease today!

I'll have to google ceramides. I find that my hair loves some products and others are so so. I've had some sarlem 21 for ever and didn't really care for it. Well my BKT hair just love that stuff. Sarlem 21 + Chi Silk infusion + BKT = Hairgasm.

 

[lwilliams1922]

4% .. how were the fumes??

When I did my first application the fumes were enough to make me not want to do it again.

Then little by little I learned less is more and the fumes decreased A LOT.

I could still smell it but with the box fan it wasn't that bad.

 

[*fabulosity*]

When I did my first application the fumes were enough to make me not want to do it again.

Then little by little I learned less is more and the fumes decreased A LOT.

I could still smell it but with the box fan it wasn't that bad.

I am itching to try one that high. But I think I'm going to have to get a fume extractor because I make sure I get mine "SKRAIGHT" and I don't want to pass out in the house and they find me with the flat iron in my hand..

 

[naturalmanenyc]

A lot of Garneir products have ceramides

I have fine, feather weight cottony hair (when natural) BKT has given my hair strength and weight. My hair appears thicker even though I am relaxed I have no regrets.

My one caution for you, if your hair is currently dry or breaking, try to get it under control before you BKT. My protein / moisture balance was perfect when I did my first BKT and I keep it that way. Try a conditioner with ceramides in it, that makes my hair feel like silk and it makes it strong. Biolage has some conditioners with them in there. I highly recommend them. Also after you get the BKT you need to maintain your protein moisture balance. Its pretty easy after you get the BKT.

ETA: I have hand in hair disease today!

 

[Wanderland]

Random thought:
I know Softliss is supposed to be known for getting hair "straight" or at least straighter, but I'm not having that experience. I am about 2.5 treatments of Softliss in and I don't my any means have straight hair. I'm about 8 months post and my new growth is still very wavy. This is overall something that I'm happy with because I want to transition and wear my hair out and big, but it does not mimic a relaxer for me. Maybe a mild texturizer (that is way more moisturizing) but not a relaxer.

Just FYI for those wondering.

 

[beana]

I don't want to pass out in the house and they find me with the flat iron in my hand..

LMAO

I did my 2nd softliss treatment last week and the results were wonderful. I have about 1oz of the softliss left and i'm torn between repurchasing or moving on to the rejuvenol (16oz). The 1 hour set then rinse convenience of softliss is whats very attractive about their system. However, i think the "rinsing" step after the hair has been flat ironed is what helps let the softliss "set" in the hair in the days to follow.

I wonder if i used a traditional BKT (with a 3 or 4 day set period) left it overnight and then RINSED as opposed to WASHED, if my hair would still reap the benefits of the process?

 

[sheba1]

LMAO

I did my 2nd softliss treatment last week and the results were wonderful. I have about 1oz of the softliss left and i'm torn between repurchasing or moving on to the rejuvenol (16oz). The 1 hour set then rinse convenience of softliss is whats very attractive about their system. However, i think the "rinsing" step after the hair has been flat ironed is what helps let the softliss "set" in the hair in the days to follow.

I wonder if i used a traditional BKT (with a 3 or 4 day set period) left it overnight and then RINSED as opposed to WASHED, if my hair would still reap the benefits of the process?

This is what I do I do a cowash with a cheapie clarifying conditioner just 24 hours after treatment. I then cowash daily from there, shampooing once every couple of weeks.

Brittany treats her Global treatment somewhat like Softliss, rinsing her hair right after treatment.

 

[angenoir]

OK.... so as I said, I did my patch test last night. Been watching that section of hair like a hawk
So far so good. It feels stronger but one thing I have noticed is that the roots remain wavy... which I guess is ok. But the relaxed part is very very straight. A bit too straight... I will wash again today and se eif it waves up at least a bit.

 

[Muse]

Random thought:
I know Softliss is supposed to be known for getting hair "straight" or at least straighter, but I'm not having that experience. I am about 2.5 treatments of Softliss in and I don't my any means have straight hair. I'm about 8 months post and my new growth is still very wavy. This is overall something that I'm happy with because I want to transition and wear my hair out and big, but it does not mimic a relaxer for me. Maybe a mild texturizer (that is way more moisturizing) but not a relaxer.

Just FYI for those wondering.

I wonder if using one with formaldehyde will give you straighter results...

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Random thought:
I know Softliss is supposed to be known for getting hair "straight" or at least straighter, but I'm not having that experience. I am about 2.5 treatments of Softliss in and I don't my any means have straight hair. I'm about 8 months post and my new growth is still very wavy. This is overall something that I'm happy with because I want to transition and wear my hair out and big, but it does not mimic a relaxer for me. Maybe a mild texturizer (that is way more moisturizing) but not a relaxer.

Just FYI for those wondering.

I am in 100% agreement with the above!

 

[AtlantaJJ]

I wonder if using one with formaldehyde will give you straighter results...

I'm planning to test this theory soon. I'm going to do a Global 4% and note the difference. I'm 3 months post.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

I'll have to google ceramides. I find that my hair loves some products and others are so so. I've had some sarlem 21 for ever and didn't really care for it. Well my BKT hair just love that stuff. Sarlem 21 + Chi Silk infusion + BKT = Hairgasm.

BKT loves cones!!

 

[AtlantaJJ]

OK.... so as I said, I did my patch test last night. Been watching that section of hair like a hawk
So far so good. It feels stronger but one thing I have noticed is that the roots remain wavy... which I guess is ok. But the relaxed part is very very straight. A bit too straight... I will wash again today and se eif it waves up at least a bit.

This is what I am finding, the relaxed part is going to be sraight and the natural part is going to be wavy, curly. Your hair will be stronger over all and it will be easier to straighten your roots with a flat iron, using less heat but your textures will be different.

I'm shooting for a 6 month stretch but I don't know :scratchch

 

[AtlantaJJ]

i did the root touch up this morning with 4% global.

I pooed once with the global poo then once with the clarifying poo that came with the QOD Gold. I could tell my hair was clean but not really stripped as I expected.

I applied with a color brush about an inch of the roots. I then used a fine tooth comb to comb it to coat the strands. Any excess I just let go on to the length of my strands.

I think I used a tad bit over an ounce (It was too early for me to measure exactly though).

I then blew it dry using the tension method. I flat ironed the roots 1-2 inches 10 times and went the length of each piece once or twice.

I have to say the process was a lot easier than I anticipated. The BKT acts as a protectant so I didn't have to worry about over lap and I didn't apply much heat to the length of the hair that didn't need it.

I'm VERY happy with the process and I think I will do the roots once a month and the length every 2-3 months.

I am super glad to hear this!! This is going to be my next try...with the Global or the Softliss, I would love to try the Global. I am developing a theory and I just need to try it out ... I feel like a mad scientist!! :scratchch

 

[BKT STYLIST]

It is so nice to hear clients actual feeling about their experience both good and bad. I am a stylist in NC and have been doing the BKT (Brazilian Keratin Treatment) for about a year now and I am amazed about how many people here do not know about it. At least the ones that I run into. I think this forum is great because everyone comes out and discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Keep up all the good work.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

I'm performing the BKT with QOD gold... using a jilbere ano silver ceramic on 45 (50 is 450 degrees)... I blowdried prior to flatironing and the results so far are good...

THINGS I DIDN'T SEE OTHER PEOPLE MENTION BUT OTHERS MAY NEED TO NOTE/COMMENT ON:

- As I blowdried, my hair became rough and dry feeling. As soon as I flatironed, this instantly went away (yes I'm using 10 swipes~)

- With my hair, I have to use a denman or fine tooth comb to detangle...otherwise, I get hard, crisp tangled lines... and I might have been heavy handed but it's hard to comb through.

- I haven't trimmed my hair in over 1 year and I am seriously due... HOWEVER tiny little broken hairs are on the floor... I think this is already weak hair.... but I wanted to know if anyone else experienced this?

-( I'm watching TV online while I flat iron... back to work)

 

[Stepiphanie]

^^^ I definitely had to detangle my roots well w/ a fine tooth comb, or would get the lines too. I'm 5 mths post and my natural hair is very thick. As far as little piece, I also experienced that, as did some other ladies. I see it as the already damaged hair that needed a trim.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

Okay

The treatment is done... but my hair literally looks only slightly different from any other time I would flat iron it. I had to use the Mini Maxius to go over the edges and get close to the roots a few times, but my ends feel very dry. My hair also isn't "swinging".... it feels smooth... not necessarily silky... and like I'll have to touch it up over a few extra times (yes, with more heat) in order to make it sleek.

I'm guessing that I probably used too much QoD Gold... because detangling was difficult and the hair is dull. I went straight to bed and slept with my hair tied down with a scarf and the ends banded slightly together... it prevented a good deal of movement. This feels like it was a good flatiron with "a lot of product"... but where's my bling and shine?!?!?!?!

Oh yea... the only fumes I had from QoD was while I blowdried my hair. It smelled like bananas. The scent and fumes weren't bad either, my right eye just stung a little when I was blow drying the front right section of my hair.

 

[lwilliams1922]

How much product did you use?

I getter better swing and shine when I use less.

Okay

The treatment is done... but my hair literally looks only slightly different from any other time I would flat iron it. I had to use the Mini Maxius to go over the edges and get close to the roots a few times, but my ends feel very dry. My hair also isn't "swinging".... it feels smooth... not necessarily silky... and like I'll have to touch it up over a few extra times (yes, with more heat) in order to make it sleek.

I'm guessing that I probably used too much QoD Gold... because detangling was difficult and the hair is dull. I went straight to bed and slept with my hair tied down with a scarf and the ends banded slightly together... it prevented a good deal of movement. This feels like it was a good flatiron with "a lot of product"... but where's my bling and shine?!?!?!?!

Oh yea... the only fumes I had from QoD was while I blowdried my hair. It smelled like bananas. The scent and fumes weren't bad either, my right eye just stung a little when I was blow drying the front right section of my hair.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

How much product did you use?

I getter better swing and shine when I use less.

I ordered 2 oz and probably used almost half, if not a little more.
I was probably more heavy handed than I should have been .
When I wash my hair in a few days will it look better? Act better?

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Okay

The treatment is done... but my hair literally looks only slightly different from any other time I would flat iron it. I had to use the Mini Maxius to go over the edges and get close to the roots a few times, but my ends feel very dry. My hair also isn't "swinging".... it feels smooth... not necessarily silky... and like I'll have to touch it up over a few extra times (yes, with more heat) in order to make it sleek.

I'm guessing that I probably used too much QoD Gold... because detangling was difficult and the hair is dull. I went straight to bed and slept with my hair tied down with a scarf and the ends banded slightly together... it prevented a good deal of movement. This feels like it was a good flatiron with "a lot of product"... but where's my bling and shine?!?!?!?!

Oh yea... the only fumes I had from QoD was while I blowdried my hair. It smelled like bananas. The scent and fumes weren't bad either, my right eye just stung a little when I was blow drying the front right section of my hair.

QOD Gold is highly concentrated, I was told to use a very little bit(30% less than regular BKTS) or my hair would be dry and brittle. If I used the right amount it would be shinning and swinging.

I know PinkSkates had that swang. I haven't used my QOD Gold yet but I'm going to be exta careful about that when I do. When I did the OK Keratin, it was swinging and bouncing and I did not use much. When I applied I combed through several times removing any excess as I combed. I did the same with my Softliss and it came out great.

You also have to have a high quality full ceramic iron. I'm not sure about the kind you have but I have the Babyliss Titanium Nano ... and that's one of the recommended irons.

Not sure if any of this applies to your situation but I thought it would be a helpful reminder.

 

[Dak]

That doesn't seem like too much, LaurenDoll, your hair is shoulder length? You used the right amount of heat? I'm guessing you'll see the difference when you wash again.

 

[girlyprincess23]

Okay I have a few questions for the ladies that use Soft-liss. How long is it taking you guys to receive the product?

Also do you guys think if I use Clairol Luminize prior to the BKT it will make my hair bone straight? I don't want it to get too straight.

I just received mine. I ordered on the 24th and got it on the 27th!! Pretty good from Miami to DC.

 

[girlyprincess23]

Hey Bkt-Brainiacs, thanks for all the great updates and pics!! I will probably do my second bkt in two weeks using Softliss. I first used Softliss July 10th-ish...

But I have questions -

1)Is anyone experiencing breakage and/or shedding?

I have some short hairs when I comb and my hair has been shedding a little more than usual.

This happened to me also. I don't know wbout your hair but I had like 2-3 inches of ends damaged by a relaxer that were acting up forever. I think those were the frayed ends falling of, that would have fell of anyway. Also I don't know how long your hair is but I thought I was shedding more also but as I pulled out the individual strands to check if they were shed or breakage I noticed the longer your gets the more voluminous your shed bundle looks because the longer hair strand makes it "appear" as though there is more hair there when there really isn't. I mean technically there is but it's only because the hair strand is longer not more hair coming out of your scalp.

Now, I have been cowashing almost daily and wet bunning, but my hair does dry during the day, so it isn't wet 24/7...[My hair looks like it is beginning to revert, but it seemed to straighten really quickly today.]
I've been using Aphogee Keratin and other cons with protein/keratin, etc...staying away from anything with sodium - which requires me to read labels - which i abhor doing...

>Also, I have been using an mtg/mn mix on my scalp a few days a week -

I did this also and I think it caused my roots to revert more quickly. But I am not sure because I also used the wrong kind of shampoo the first 2 times and my roots were natural. I am just going to try very very hard to only get it on my scapl (BTW I was using MN/MT)

2)Do you think this could cause shedding?

3)Do you think a Formaldehyde version of BKT such as OK, Global, etc. would bring straighter and stronger hair than Softliss?

Update:
I went to the salon and had a blowout/f-iron and my hair looks longer, feels thicker and heavier, so that was the good thing. But my stylist ripped out so much of my hair it made me wince and shudder - that was the bad thing. I
should have done my hair myself, but I was just exhausted. *kicks self - twice*

Fab, Dahhhling,
I haven't been on the board lately, bcs I've been consumed with stuff --just consumed and I didn't have the nrg or time to read and/or post. But I'm here in Spirit, Bet.
~B*

 

[girlyprincess23]

Use any conditoner you like if your BKT is at "end of life" I'm using my Joico at that time. You will be replacing it soon so it won't matter!

But I think ORS pack is safe, I remember reading the ingredient lst.

LOL. Thanks!!

 

[girlyprincess23]

Silicon Mix is 1 of the greatest conditioners EVER!

Does the mineral oil bother anyone? I don't even know really what the hoodoo is about mineral oil and petroleum other than coating hairshafts or something but the since the hairshaft is already coated with BKT I don't know that it makes a difference?????

 

[sheba1]

Does the mineral oil bother anyone? I don't even know really what the hoodoo is about mineral oil and petroleum other than coating hairshafts or something but the since the hairshaft is already coated with BKT I don't know that it makes a difference?????

I tell you the mineral oil kept me from trying Silicon Mix for.. well, since I heard about it. But I kept hearing so many raves that I bought a big ole jug of it when I finally placed an order from roundbrushhair. I'm so glad I did! I love this stuff!? As long as they keep making it, they'll have a purchaser in me

Hey Lauryndoll, you know, I'll tell you... I don't care for my hair with bkt product in it. But just wait til your first wash then tell me if you ain't in . That's how it happens for me, anyway. Product in, flat iron... eh... so so. First wash back in love again! lol

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

That doesn't seem like too much, LaurenDoll, your hair is shoulder length? You used the right amount of heat? I'm guessing you'll see the difference when you wash again.

Yea it's a little below shoulder length... mostly aplish.... I'm hoping on that when I wash... but QOD is very concentrated like AJJ said.

QOD Gold is highly concentrated, I was told to use a very little bit(30% less than regular BKTS) or my hair would be dry and brittle. If I used the right amount it would be shinning and swinging.

I know PinkSkates had that swang. I haven't used my QOD Gold yet but I'm going to be exta careful about that when I do. When I did the OK Keratin, it was swinging and bouncing and I did not use much. When I applied I combed through several times removing any excess as I combed. I did the same with my Softliss and it came out great.

You also have to have a high quality full ceramic iron. I'm not sure about the kind you have but I have the Babyliss Titanium Nano ... and that's one of the recommended irons.

Not sure if any of this applies to your situation but I thought it would be a helpful reminder.

Yes, I was probably heavy handed. Oh, yea, I used athe jilbere nano silver ceramic... it heats to 450 degrees. I colored my hair and left the clarifying shampoo on longer than necessary. When I wash it hopefully it will be much better, and I plan on using less. But I like this brand, fumes and application were minimal and easy. Also, if I get the same result like this with other products, then I must be quite heavy handed... something I need to work on.

 

[Dak]

Yea it's a little below shoulder length... mostly aplish.... I'm hoping on that when I wash... but QOD is very concentrated like AJJ said.

[/COLOR]

The first time I did the BK treatment I used QOD, I only ordered 2 ounces. My hair is like a sponge and after the first section I realized that I better lighten up or I wouldn't have enough. I ended up using the entire two ounces and it turned out great, so I think one ounce would be perfect for your length.

I like what Sheba says about being in love, I wish they had discovered this about 20 years ago! It's still my hair, my curl pattern, but so much more manageable.

 

[Lucia]

The first time I did the BK treatment I used QOD, I only ordered 2 ounces. My hair is like a sponge and after the first section I realized that I better lighten up or I wouldn't have enough. I ended up using the entire two ounces and it turned out great, so I think one ounce would be perfect for your length.

I like what Sheba says about being in love, I wish they had discovered this about 20 years ago! It's still my hair, my curl pattern, but so much more manageable.

your hair looks great, are you a DIY BKT-er? Cause I need some DIY BKT tips. TIA