19 Safe At-Home Keratin Treatments for Frizz-Free Hair

Yes, going to the salon every three to six months for a keratin treatment (opens in new tab) may cut your styling time in half, and will certainly leave you with smooth, shiny, and manageable strands. But it's a very time-consuming and expensive hair treatment: A one-time keratin treatment at the salon can cost up to $300 or more, and you're looking to spend anywhere from two to six hours sitting in a salon chair, depending on the thickness and length of your hair. An at-home keratin treatment, meanwhile, boasts the smoothing properties of a professional treatment—minus the harsh chemicals typically found in salon keratin services, such as formaldehyde.

Can I do a keratin treatment at home?

Yes. As the appetite for efficacious at-home treatments grows, so too does the technology rise to meet that challenge. Which is all to say that even five years ago, at-home keratin treatments weren't common (or that great). And quite simply: Now they are. Keratin has become a mainstay in a range of great hair products, from creams and serums to masks and sprays. But experts warn to do your research before settling on one that you want to use at home. Some treatments even require you to use additional hot tools for best results.

“Not every keratin treatment is the same,” says Dr. Penny James, salon trichologist. “For example, some do not require you to use a flat iron, others do. If you want frizz-free hair for a few months, you will need to use a “keratin” treatment that requires a flat iron.”

How is a keratin treatment at home different?

It's important to note that an at-home keratin treatment will not last as long as an in-salon treatment, but it will get the job done without putting a strain on your wallet. Always follow instructions to the letter, and apply products in a well-ventilated area. Once you're done, you can finally get back to the finer things in life instead of wrestling with your hair every morning. 

 How do keratin treatments work?

 When discussing exactly how keratin treatments make our hair so smooth, it’s important to break down what our hair is comprised of. “Our hair is a complex group of fibers and 95 percent of our hair is protein,” says James. “There are normally three layers in a hair shaft. The middle is the medulla, then the bulk of the hair is the cortex then the outer layer is called the cuticle. The cuticle is what takes the most amount of abuse. Frizzy hair is often caused by broken, flared cuticles.” 

According to Dr. James,:“Keratin treatments used to get rid of frizz have a small percent of formaldehyde—this is glue .Once applied to the hair shaft, you need to seal the product onto the cuticle. To glue, the cuticle shut. The only way to glue the cuticle together is by using a flat iron at a temperature of 450.” 

What should you do before an at-home keratin treatment?

Just as important as the treatment itself is what you do before it even begins. “The pre-treatment will be shampooing your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and getting the hair shaft prepped for the treatment,” says Dr. James. 

What should you do after an at-home keratin treatment?

After you finish your at-home treatment, there are a few key things to avoid, like getting your hair wet or direct sun exposure. “Even keratin treatments that claim you can wash your hair immediately benefit from waiting at least 24 hours” Says Alexandra Efstratiou, a New York-based stylist. “It just gives the hair and product time to settle in together.” 

How can you maintain the results of a keratin treatment?

Just like keeping a new dye job looking fresh, Efstratiou says that “the longevity of a keratin is primarily based on your frequency of washing so the less often you can do the better.” Another little-known fact about keratin treatments is that their longevity can actually be affected by your hair color. “Keratins are compatible with hair color and bleach, but most keratins fade color so you’ll want to do your keratin then wait at least two weeks before coloring,” says Efstratiou. 

Better yet, stylists also recommend using hair styling products that have keratin in them to keep your treatment looking fresh. “I like to recommend using keratin-infused products on days you do wash and style your hair,” says Alon Shalom, owner of Alon Shalom Salon in West Hollywood, California. “Extra doses of keratin help to refresh the treatment results.”

Keep reading to shop the best at-home keratin treatments on the market for 2022. Hint: Some of these come recommended by the stylists that use them the most.