Are chemical Hair Treatments worth the risk when you have safer alternatives?

If you have curly, frizzy hair, the first thing your stylist will tell you at the salon is that you should try keratin treatment. Keratin is frequently lauded as a "magical fix" by hair professionals for individuals seeking frizz-free, smooth, straight hair. The most important question, as it usually is, is if it is safe? Are chemical hair treatments worth the risk when you have safer alternatives?

At a certain time in our lives, we all covet smooth, frizz-free hair. And every time you see your fav celeb or model sporting a beautiful straight hairdo on Instagram or in fashion publications, you want to try it out for yourself. Yeah?

Straight hair clearly has the advantage above the other hair types. This is due to how readily it can be controlled and styled. Chemical Hair Treatments such as keratin and smoothening aid in this process, but they come at a price.

Chemical Hair Treatments have both merits and drawbacks. Conversely, ayurvedic approaches provide the same outcome while avoiding the risks of chemical treatments. But first, let's take a closer look at each of these procedures.

Keratin Treatment

For a long time, keratin hair treatment has been a weasel word. Keratin has replaced rebonding as the preferred treatment in hair salons. It's said to be the ideal treatment for dry, frizzy hair that's vulnerable to hair loss and breaking. 

Keratin is a protein found in our hair that occurs naturally, with 91% of our hair made up of it. The quantity of keratin in the hair diminishes with time as a result of hairstyle, chemical agents, and aging. Our hair becomes dry, coarse, and lacks natural sheen and gloss as a result. 

Keratin hair treatments have become popular as a solution to this problem. The treatment coats your hair in a coating of protein (keratin), strengthening it and making it more manageable.

While Keratin Treatment can be your go-to alternative, another question that arises commonly among individuals is whether or not it is safe for your hair? As it is a chemical treatment, it’s not 100% safe. The hair is treated with a formaldehyde-releasing mixture. While this chemical keeps hair from scrunching, it is toxic in excessive concentrations.

Merits and Demerits of Keratin Treatment

Merits:

• Ends up leaving hair incredibly smooth and pliable.
• Leaves the hair glossier and fuller.
• Makes the hair less frizzy and manageable.
• Significantly reduces the amount of time spent on blow-drying or styling hair.

Demerits:

• Formaldehyde is commonly used in keratin smoothing treatments, which can cause nausea, skin discomfort, and eye irritation.
• It's a costly procedure.
• Post-treatment care necessitates extra work and the usage of specific products, which are typically costly.
• Chemical Hair Treatments disrupt hair follicles and have a negative impact on hair growth in the longer - term. Damaged follicles can cause hair thinning and loss.
• These hair treatments can make the hair prone to breakage and damage.
• The hair roots sprout out in their original texture, which means that the new hair will be wavy/curly on top and straighter on the bottom, resulting in an asymmetrical look.

Ayurvedic Remedies: A safer alternative to chemical hair treatments

If you've tried and tested even the most costly hair products and still aren't getting the results you want, consider using ayurvedic remedies which are considered a safer alternative to chemical hair treatments. Ayurveda can enable you to regain your hair's health. 

Damage caused to your hair, by the harmful chemicals, can make them frizzy, dry, and soulless. This is where Ayurveda comes to your rescue that cures dryness and feeds the hair from the inside out to heal it. Try using the products which contain the following ayurvedic herbs which will help regain the luster back to the lifeless hair:

• Fenugreek: This miraculous herb, also known as an ayurvedic elixir, nourishes and strengthens hair follicles while also curing sensitive scalp conditions. Methi seeds are high in folic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and Vitamin C, which makes them one of the most effective herbal treatments. Furthermore, this ayurvedic herb is strong in protein and nicotinic acid, both of which are known to help with hair loss and dandruff, as well as a variety of scalp problems like hair dryness, and hair thinning.
• Aloevera: Aloe Vera cleans the hair shaft well, eliminating excess sebum (oil) and residue from other hair treatments. Aloe Vera is gentle and helps to maintain the quality of your hair. Using Aloe Vera to obtain healthier, shinier, and silkier hair is a great idea. Aloe Vera contains vitamins A, C, and E, all of which aid in cell turnover, which promotes healthy cell development and glossy hair. It not only hydrates your hair but also clogs the cuticles and protects the natural oils in your scalp, which is great for frizzy hair.
• Shankhpushpi Oil: Shankhpushpi's Rasayana (rejuvenating) function prevents premature greying, reduces hair loss, and stimulates hair growth. It is also known to improve the overall hair texture thereby promoting healthy hair growth.
• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities, as well as the ability to restore the skin barrier. It reduces inflammation and increases the "good" bacteria in your skin, which helps to heal dandruff. It also has an SPF of 8, giving it a good natural low-SPF UV protection for hair. It also reinforces the hair cuticle, which helps protect it from environmental pollutants, and has an SPF of 8. Its cuticle-smoothing properties make it an excellent anti-frizz product. The main fat source of coconut oil, lauric acid, imparts shine and smooth texture to the hair.
• Bhringraj: Bhringraj is a fabled plant that is sometimes referred to as "the herb king." It promotes hair development by stimulating blood circulation in the hair follicles and relieves dryness by penetrating deeply into the scalp. It's high in iron, magnesium, and vitamins E and D, which help to relieve the itching and greasiness that dandruff causes. Bhringraj is a herbal medicine that might help repair lost hair by stimulating dormant hair follicles. This ayurvedic herb is well-known for its hair-softening and-strengthening properties.

While chemical hair treatments provide you long-lasting benefits, they can harm your hair. If you want to increase the health of your hair without inflicting suffering, try utilizing ayurvedic herbs in the form of hair oil, shampoo, conditioner, and other products.

We recommend using Manestream’s Fenurestore Damaged Hair Repair Kit which is loaded up with powerful ayurvedic herbs like Fenugreek, Aloevera, Green Tea, Neem, Bhringraj, Coconut Oil, Shankhpushpi Oil, and many more. This kit is a delight for your dry, dull, and damaged hair that will naturally nourish and moisturize your hair, all while correcting any damage caused by chemical treatments.