The main goal of keratin treatment is to achieve straight, shiny hair. However, your hair may feel sticky if a certain treatment backfires due to the wrong application technique or poor-quality keratin solution. Poor aftercare may cause your hair to be sticky, e.g., applying too much oil after keratin treatment.
Even with proper application technique, high-quality products, and aftercare, your hair may look oily, limp, and sticky a few days after the keratin treatment. Depending on your hair texture and type, the keratin treatment can take longer to absorb the treatment, resulting in a sticky look.
So, what should you do if your hair feels sticky after a keratin treatment?
Highlights
- Keratin treatment aims to achieve straight, shiny hair, though it can make hair feel sticky if the application technique is wrong or a low-quality keratin solution is used.
- Hair may look oily, limp, and sticky after a few days of treatment. It can be caused by a soft keratin coating that looks like an oily residue on the hair.
- Allow 2-4 days for the keratin treatment to set in. The stickiness should disappear as the treatment soaks into the hair strands.
- Wash your hair in the first week but avoid using sulfate shampoos. Because sulfate shampoos strip off the keratin from the hair, leaving your scalp and hair dry.
- Do not wash your hair too frequently. Use a clarifying shampoo suitable for keratin-treated hair, and avoid silicone conditioners.
- Don’t use any heat-styling tools for the first two weeks. Also, don’t apply oil to the hair during this period.
- Sleep in a silk bonnet or on silk bedding to prevent hair from clumping up and becoming sticky.
What Should I Do If My Hair Feels Sticky After Keratin Treatment?
Don’t stress about it. Allow 2-4 days for the keratin treatment to set in.
The stickiness is caused by a soft keratin coating that looks like an oily residue on the hair. Over time, as the keratin treatment fully soaks into the hair strands, your hair should look better. If it does not, it is likely that you are not following the right post-care measures.
How to Deal With Sticky Hair After a Keratin Treatment
Wash Your Hair in the First Week
Typically, it is recommended not to wash your hair in the first two to three days to allow the keratin treatment to set. However, washing your hair after the first 2-4 days can prevent stickiness if you have curly hair with low porosity.
Also, there may be sebum buildup at the root of the hair, and shampoo gets rid of it and freshen up the hair.
Avoid sulfate shampoos as they strip off the keratin from the hair and leave your scalp and strands dry. Instead, use a clarifying shampoo suitable for keratin-treated hair.
Do Not Wash Your Hair Too Frequently
Although washing your hair regularly can be beneficial for preventing sebum buildup after a keratin treatment, you do not want to do it too frequently. It strips the hair of essential oils and moisture, stimulating the scalp to produce more sebum.
Therefore, do not wash your hair obsessively to get rid of the sticky feel. Do not wash the hair daily; one to two times per week is sufficient. Use a dry shampoo between wash cycles if need be.
Avoid Conditioners Containing Silicone
Conditioning your hair after a wash cycle is beneficial for keeping the hair strands, roots, and scalp hydrated. However, conditioners that contain silicone are heavy, do not rinse off easily, and may build up on the hair, making it greasy. Use a hydrating, sulfate-free, and silicone-free conditioner.
Keep Your Hair Heat-Free for the First Two Weeks
The keratin treatment entails high heat with a flat iron to seal the keratin protein into your hair and achieve straight and smooth hair. As long as it is done properly, you do not have to expose your hair to heat again in the first two weeks. The heat will melt the keratin residue on the hair, making it greasy.
If you must use heat on your hair after shampooing and conditioning, use a strong heat protectant that is safe for keratin-treated hair to protect the strands and help seal the keratin treatment further. Alternatively, use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to prevent direct heat on the hair.
Do Not Apply Oil to the Hair in the First 15 Days
Oils such as coconut, castor, and olive oil are heavy and make your hair greasy. Besides, applying heavy oil to your hair in the first few weeks is futile. The thick keratin coating on the hair strands makes it difficult for the oil to penetrate.
The greasiness caused by the oil also necessitates washing your hair regularly. Therefore, avoid applying oil in the first two weeks after a keratin treatment unless it is a light anti-frizz oil.
Sleep in a Silk Bonnet or on Silk Bedding
Silk helps to keep your hair frizz-free and smooth. Unlike cotton, it does not absorb moisture from the hair or cause friction. Even if your hair is greasy, silk does not cause it to become sticky and clumped up. Furthermore, silk is hypoallergenic and regulates temperature.
So, What to Do If Hair Feels Sticky After A Keratin Treatment?
If your hair feels sticky after a keratin treatment, wait three to four days for the treatment to set in. If the stickiness does not clear, wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and then follow with a silicone-free shampoo. Wash the hair one to two times per week only to avoid stripping the hair of vital oils.
Limit exposure to heat, and do not apply oil on the hair for the first two weeks. Sleep in a silk bonnet or on satin beddings to prevent the hair from clumping up. Finally, observe the recommended post-keratin treatment hair care measures.