Keratin Treatment Support Thread

[Dak]

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

Thanks, Lucia! The tips are all here in this thread, LOL. Take your time, it takes me about 6 hours start to finish. Work somewhere with good ventilation or outside. The brands don't differ all that much, IMO, I used Softliss last time and got great results too. One thing that I want to get for next time is something to protect my thumb from the heat when I flat iron at high heat, didn't someone mention a thimble or something that's available? Hair gets hot! Good luck! Take pictures!

 

[girlyprincess23]

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)

Yes i did. I agree. That ws hair that was on its last legs anyways (i'm assuming)

 

[Natural Glow]

So I just got done putting my softliss in and I'm SO not sure if I did it right.erplexed I used almost 1/2 the bottle and it wasn't really wet like the chicks in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUY0AAopvE.

And the fumes...

Oh my we were tearing up so bad. I'm about to blow dry now hopefully it turns out well.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

I've been outside and my roots are waving up... I'll need to retouch this later. Sadly, I have no time to do so right at the moment.

 

[Dak]

So I just got done putting my softliss in and I'm SO not sure if I did it right.erplexed I used almost 1/2 the bottle and it wasn't really wet like the chicks in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUY0AAopvE.

And the fumes...

Oh my we were tearing up so bad. I'm about to blow dry now hopefully it turns out well.

Natural Glow, that happened to me too, I gave up on trying to comb it all through and the end, instead, I just combed through each section well as I did the application. It didn't stay wet on my hair either. You're doing fine!! Just move outside for the flat iron/blow dry part, for me, the fumes were worst then.

 

[Natural Glow]

Natural Glow, that happened to me too, I gave up on trying to comb it all through and the end, instead, I just combed through each section well as I did the application. It didn't stay wet on my hair either. You're doing fine!! Just move outside for the flat iron/blow dry part, for me, the fumes were worst then.

Thanks! I was like what i do wrong when some parts were already dry. I'm trying to blow dry now and unfortunately I don't have any plugs outside to plug anything up so I'm in my small bathroom so I just have the fan blowing every now and then I'm tearing up but it's not so bad.

I do feel like my hair is kind of sticky and stiff when trying to blow dry. And even after I flat ironed a few pieces it still feels coated. Is that normal?

 

[Dak]

Thanks! I was like what i do wrong when some parts were already dry. I'm trying to blow dry now and unfortunately I don't have any plugs outside to plug anything up so I'm in my small bathroom so I just have the fan blowing every now and then I'm tearing up but it's not so bad.

I do feel like my hair is kind of sticky and stiff when trying to blow dry. And even after I flat ironed a few pieces it still feels coated. Is that normal?

You're welcome!

As you flat iron the treatment into your hair it should start feeling smoother, not so tacky/sticky. You have to flat iron each section at least 3 or 4 times (at least for me) until it starts feeling right.

Once the tackiness changes, it will still feel coated, remember, you're going to rinse it all out again after an hour then put the mask on. Gives it a very heavy feeling.

Look for an extension cord & take a mirror outside, those fumes are no joke.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

So I just got done putting my softliss in and I'm SO not sure if I did it right.erplexed I used almost 1/2 the bottle and it wasn't really wet like the chicks in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUY0AAopvE.

And the fumes...

Oh my we were tearing up so bad. I'm about to blow dry now hopefully it turns out well.

Try not to use too much..just the lightest coating is all you need and your hair doesn't need to be sopping wet, just make sure your strands are covered but not overly coated.

 

[Natural Glow]

You're welcome!

As you flat iron the treatment into your hair it should start feeling smoother, not so tacky/sticky. You have to flat iron each section at least 3 or 4 times (at least for me) until it starts feeling right.

Once the tackiness changes, it will still feel coated, remember, you're going to rinse it all out again after an hour then put the mask on. Gives it a very heavy feeling.

Look for an extension cord & take a mirror outside, those fumes are no joke.

Try not to use too much..just the lightest coating is all you need and your hair doesn't need to be sopping wet, just make sure your strands are covered but not overly coated.

Thanks guys. I think i was using a bit too much in the back which is why it was feeling extra coated but in the front I started using less so I think it's gonna be okay

 

[*fabulosity*]

I use a fine tooth comb to apply mine.. that helps apply less.. when I used the brush.. I used way too much.. you can get rid of the tackiness without washing... by flat ironing it more. It will eventually meld into the strand..

I can't wait to see it NG!!!

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

I had to flatiron my hair all over again, especially at the roots. I sweat easily in my sclp and the weather out here is still pounding down. My hair is wrapped, but I'll probably flaitron again tonight... and tomorrow night... and wash Monday night

 

[Natural Glow]

OK so I'm finished. I didn't get done flat ironing my hair last night until like 8:00pm so I fell asleep with the softliss in my hair. I just put on a bonnet and hoped for the best. This morning it looked a hot mess it was frizzy and a little stiff. But after I rinsed and put in the mask it felt like silk. It didn't straighten too much. I rollerset it and it dried so fast. I only used a little Lacio Lacio to rollerset and it was so soft. Some parts were still wavy so I flat ironed them with a little Chi Silk Infusion and I was good to go. I'm gonna come back with some pics soon

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

Sorry I keep popping in this thread...

I have to flatiron the roots in some sections again (I sweat easily)... but in the sunlight, I see the shine... and after the second flatiron.. I'm getting some swang. It was so stiff the first day, but I think the more I flatiron the treatment the better it gets.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

Agreed. I used a little less than 2 ounces for my BKT on Tuesday night. A little goes a long way, especially if you brush the product on (color brush) and use a small toothed comb to distribute the product and dump the excess back into your container. Great tip from Sheba

http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/4th-bkt-done-all-on/

Try not to use too much..just the lightest coating is all you need and your hair doesn't need to be sopping wet, just make sure your strands are covered but not overly coated.

 

[yodie]

I experimented with BKT on a section of my hair for two months. I did the treatment twice. I liked it initially, but after monitoring my results, I don't think I'd do it again.

I wasn't too sure about posting my result because I don't want to turn anyone off from the treatment. My hair was already somewhat damaged before applying BKT. My hair also tends to be very dry.

Here's what I saw with my hair.

My BKT hair:
1. Washed well and my curl loosened.
2. Dried faster.

I initially did the treatment at 410 degrees. No frizz (that was great). After awhile I noticed that my strands appeared very thin and broke off/snapped in some places. My hair appeared weaker when wet and easily came out when combed. One of my strands actually peeled. A layer peeled off.

All that to say BKT probably didn't work that well for me because of the original condition of my hair. Just wanted to post my results.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

I experimented with BKT on a section of my hair for two months. I did the treatment twice. I liked it initially, but after monitoring my results, I don't think I'd do it again.

I wasn't too sure about posting my result because I don't want to turn anyone off from the treatment. My hair was already somewhat damaged before applying BKT. My hair also tends to be very dry.

Here's what I saw with my hair.

My BKT hair:
1. Washed well and my curl loosened.
2. Dried faster.

I initially did the treatment at 410 degrees. No frizz (that was great). After awhile I noticed that my strands appeared very thin and broke off/snapped in some places. My hair appeared weaker when wet and easily came out when combed. One of my strands actually peeled. A layer peeled off.

All that to say BKT probably didn't work that well for me because of the original condition of my hair. Just wanted to post my results.

Gosh! Yodie's coming out of the closet so will I!

I've done a small test area of the BKT for about a month and a half. I too had problems. I did a test section just on my bangs. I assumed I could always cut them if there's a problem w/o crying. The rest of my hair was braided back up, but I keep my bangs out. My hair was in as great condition as it can be with a thyroid illness. It is inherently drier since I was diagnosed with graves, given radioactive iodine, and started pills. So anyways I've always had to up my moisture levels to retain length. My theory is that BKT isn't necessarily bad. It just doesn't allow as much moisture in when washing and dcing which is why everyone says their products are sitting on their hair (or some people have eported). So I think that I ran into a problem because I NEED the moisture ALL of it because of my illness. Before I started heavily Dcing and finding moisturizing products, after being diagnosed with Graves, I had to buzz off my hair it was so brittle. So the dcing and super moisturizing products are a MUST for my hair.

That being said, the ends of my bangs snapped. Not all of them, but some here and there so that it wasn't a straight across bang and that's how I noticed. I realize hair grows out differently, but this was obviously breakage and I had to trim my bangs an inch to even them out. And NO I didn't have split ends there that had to naturally fall off. I cut my bangs every month so that hair there is pretty much split free.


So anyways I will be giving it another chance only because again, I can always cut my bangs. This time I am co washing only, no shampoo. So that I can make sure not to strip out any moisture. I may have to change my regimen again (even though it was auto pilot before as it was really working for me) to see if I can counteract my problem. I figure with co washing and dc, I'll have even more moisture. I've used all natural products like shescentit avocado condish, though I did use the original creme of nature in the cream and green bottle but it has never been a prob before. I dc with the avocado condish combined with avocado oil and coconut oil under a soft hooded dryer on low for 30 minutes or if I don't want to do that I leave it in overnight.

So anyways my new plan is prepooing (for more moisture) with coconut oil (as it's moisturizing), and then cowashing, and then dcing. If it snaps this month, I'll know that even though BKT is a wonderful concept for some, it just isn't for me.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

Oh forgot to add pluses: Drying faster, that area comb glided through. No frizz.

 

[Dove56]

Dang! I'm kinda scurred now!

 

[Tafa01]

wow yodie and luckie...I am sorry this happened! fortunately you were experimenting so it is not a whole head disaster. I have done the treatment only once and so far I really love it. Some people have been doing it for a while and they had no problem at all...but I have seen someone else beside you too reporting the same effect as you had in a thread a while back.
Thanks for your report. I guess each will have to decide what they are willing to risk. It is like relaxers, etc....

I hope you hair recovers quickly.

 

[Mystic]

Your hair looks great Natural!! It is definitely growing fast - not at a snail pace as you may have though.

Agreed. I used a little less than 2 ounces for my BKT on Tuesday night. A little goes a long way, especially if you brush the product on (color brush) and use a small toothed comb to distribute the product and dump the excess back into your container. Great tip from Sheba

http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/4th-bkt-done-all-on/

 

[Mystic]

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us such an in depth review of your experience. Please keep us posted when you do your second treatment; hope it works out better the second time around.

Gosh! Yodie's coming out of the closet so will I!

I've done a small test area of the BKT for about a month and a half. I too had problems. I did a test section just on my bangs. I assumed I could always cut them if there's a problem w/o crying. The rest of my hair was braided back up, but I keep my bangs out. My hair was in as great condition as it can be with a thyroid illness. It is inherently drier since I was diagnosed with graves, given radioactive iodine, and started pills. So anyways I've always had to up my moisture levels to retain length. My theory is that BKT isn't necessarily bad. It just doesn't allow as much moisture in when washing and dcing which is why everyone says their products are sitting on their hair (or some people have eported). So I think that I ran into a problem because I NEED the moisture ALL of it because of my illness. Before I started heavily Dcing and finding moisturizing products, after being diagnosed with Graves, I had to buzz off my hair it was so brittle. So the dcing and super moisturizing products are a MUST for my hair.

That being said, the ends of my bangs snapped. Not all of them, but some here and there so that it wasn't a straight across bang and that's how I noticed. I realize hair grows out differently, but this was obviously breakage and I had to trim my bangs an inch to even them out. And NO I didn't have split ends there that had to naturally fall off. I cut my bangs every month so that hair there is pretty much split free.


So anyways I will be giving it another chance only because again, I can always cut my bangs. This time I am co washing only, no shampoo. So that I can make sure not to strip out any moisture. I may have to change my regimen again (even though it was auto pilot before as it was really working for me) to see if I can counteract my problem. I figure with co washing and dc, I'll have even more moisture. I've used all natural products like shescentit avocado condish, though I did use the original creme of nature in the cream and green bottle but it has never been a prob before. I dc with the avocado condish combined with avocado oil and coconut oil under a soft hooded dryer on low for 30 minutes or if I don't want to do that I leave it in overnight.

So anyways my new plan is prepooing (for more moisture) with coconut oil (as it's moisturizing), and then cowashing, and then dcing. If it snaps this month, I'll know that even though BKT is a wonderful concept for some, it just isn't for me.

 

[yodie]

Veejee, you don't have any reason to be scared. Sounds like you've been having great results so far. I wouldn't worry if I were you.

I admit that my hair is sensitive. It can't take much and prefers to be left alone.

My hair is okay. I realized that I needed thicker strands before I could ever BKT. So, I started using henna/indigo and my strands do appear thicker now. I stopped BKT at least a month ago, so henna had no effects on my BKT outcome. Like luckiestdestiny said, my hair NEEDS moisture. I too saw some breakage on the ends and then at the root (usually when I combed it while wet).

I've taken too many crazy chances with my hair. No more. I'll dc, steam, henna/indigo, prepoo and press and curl my hair until I find something that consistently works for my hair.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

Dang! I'm kinda scurred now!

Don't be. You seem to be having excellent results Veejee.

W/ Yodie she says she had some damage prior and was babying her hair back to health. With me my thyroid illness probably has something to do with it. I've known people with Graves who have hair so brittle they've chopped it all off and gave up long ago. I literally buzzed off all my hair almost bald and started over as a natural after the effect on my hair. I luckily found that I could offset it with tons of moisture and my hair began to quickly grow out again and regain health. Then the BKT thing has been introduced. So I just have to learn how to offset it too (a way to still get the moisture I need) or else I have to just realize the limitations of my hair if I want to get to my goals.

I've been following your success and I'm cheering for you and everyone else.

I just wanted to share incase someone else has an illness that may affect their hair, so that they can know that they should not just dive in. Maybe try a tiny test area first for a couple to a few months and see how that goes.

I think it's the same with those w/ tons of damage or really dry hair (anything more than the normal dryness associated with curlier kinkier hair types)...they should test an area first.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

wow yodie and luckie...I am sorry this happened! fortunately you were experimenting so it is not a whole head disaster. I have done the treatment only once and so far I really love it. Some people have been doing it for a while and they had no problem at all...but I have seen someone else beside you too reporting the same effect as you had in a thread a while back.
Thanks for your report. I guess each will have to decide what they are willing to risk. It is like relaxers, etc....

I hope you hair recovers quickly.

Yes. I'm sure it'll recover quickly, it's not that bad. I evened off the bangs. I knew I wasn't going to dive in, but I knew I had particular reasons. I was excited about BKT wasn't sure how my hair would react. So I was happy with my decision to just test a section.

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us such an in depth review of your experience. Please keep us posted when you do your second treatment; hope it works out better the second time around.

I will definitely do that!

 

[*fabulosity*]

Dang! I'm kinda scurred now!

I need to ask some more questions!! And then I might be slightly apprehensive...

LD and yodie what kind of BKT was it that you guys used??? Did it have formaldehyde?? Maybe I should just stick with the no formaldehyde..

But I am still doing my same regimen and my hair feels good.. but I am and have been watching closely on my mom's and my own hair. Besides the treatments 1x per month for me (every 6 weeks for Mama).. nothing else has changed.

 

[*fabulosity*]

Veejee, you don't have any reason to be scared. Sounds like you've been having great results so far. I wouldn't worry if I were you.

I admit that my hair is sensitive. It can't take much and prefers to be left alone.

My hair is okay. I realized that I needed thicker strands before I could ever BKT. So, I started using henna/indigo and my strands do appear thicker now. I stopped BKT at least a month ago, so henna had no effects on my BKT outcome. Like luckiestdestiny said, my hair NEEDS moisture. I too saw some breakage on the ends and then at the root (usually when I combed it while wet).

I've taken too many crazy chances with my hair. No more. I'll dc, steam, henna/indigo, prepoo and press and curl my hair until I find something that consistently works for my hair.

Just another thing I've noticed.. I don't think henna and BKT play well together... I always think henna dries hair out.. check out my post a couple back pages about my friend. I don't think when you have a BKT you need henna or vice versa. Maybe using them together is a no no ? Don't know... Just trying to figure something out for the results....

 

[Natural Glow]

Okay so I'm back with pictures. First of all I want to say that this process was SO much harder than I thought. After I blew it dry with the treatment in flat ironed it I was so tired so I just went to sleep and rinsed it out the next morning. So anyway on to the pics

Here is my hair blown dry with no product.

With the treatment on.

This is one section I blow dried and flatironed I did it in sections because my blow drying skills suck big time and it was easier that way.

This is an hour after flat ironing see how frizzy it is. I didn't go outside or anything so I don't know why it got frizzy like that.

The next morning i rinsed and applied the mask then I rollerset it with just LacioLacio. Then flat ironed any wavy parts with Chi Silk Infusion. Here is

the end result

Okay so that was a huge post sorry. I have more pics of the rollerset, pin curls, wet hair etc. in my LHCF if you wanna see them Album

 

[hothair]

Sorry I keep popping in this thread...

I have to flatiron the roots in some sections again (I sweat easily)... but in the sunlight, I see the shine... and after the second flatiron.. I'm getting some swang. It was so stiff the first day, but I think the more I flatiron the treatment the better it gets.

I think you should be careful flatironing a lot cause you CAN still get heat damage. My hair at the scalp too starts puffing up after the first day i just bun it up.

I experimented with BKT on a section of my hair for two months. I did the treatment twice. I liked it initially, but after monitoring my results, I don't think I'd do it again.
...

All that to say BKT probably didn't work that well for me because of the original condition of my hair. Just wanted to post my results.

No matter what's advertised I think this treatment works better when your hair is pretty healthy already (because of the amount of heat required) if not your hair will pretty much do what it would have done before hand if it was weak.

I personally (and on my sis) used it to make my hair more easily manageable and style easier (and it does that) but I'm not sure I would use it to correct hair damage.

***NOTE*** doing a DC (I used Aveda DR Treatment) before starting the process really helps put moisture into your strands

 

[yodie]

I never henna'd with BKT. I only started henna recently, about a month or a month and a half after my last BKT.

I used Global 2%.

 

[Dak]

Natural Glow, the pics aren't there?