My Keratin Hair Treatment Follow-Up: Washing, Results, and Hair Care After Treatment

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After my $40 keratin hair treatment in Cambodia, I returned to the salon for the follow-up hair wash and treatment. In this post, I'm sharing my experience after the first appointment, including how my hair felt, what the follow-up process involved, and whether I would recommend getting a low-cost keratin treatment.

The Hair Wash Appointment Experience

Thank goodness it was finally over.

By the end of my original keratin appointment, I was already feeling frustrated. It was the longest hair treatment I had ever experienced. I've had keratin treatments before for as little as $30, and those appointments were much shorter, so this one felt especially long and exhausting.

When I returned for the follow-up wash, the first thing I noticed was that my hair still didn't feel completely clean. It honestly felt like there was still product or chemical residue left behind.

The stylist then applied what I believe was a hair mask before using heat and steam to help it absorb. Afterward, my hair was washed again.

At that point, I started to understand why she hadn't double-washed my hair during the original appointment. Even so, my hair still didn't feel completely clean after everything was finished.

My Hair After the Keratin Treatment

At this stage, I'm still unsure about the results.

My biggest questions are whether my hair will actually become:

• Smooth

• Shiny

• Straighter

• Soft instead of stiff or overly processed

So far, I'm not completely convinced by the outcome.

At the same time, I also recognize that I paid a very affordable price, so I can't realistically expect premium salon results.

I wouldn't be disappointed if the treatment simply didn't last very long. My bigger concern would be if it caused excessive hair shedding or damage.

Time, Process, and Hair Health Concerns

The follow-up appointment lasted around two hours.

Much of that time was spent flat-ironing my hair again, which made me slightly concerned about heat damage. Repeated exposure to high heat isn't ideal, especially immediately after a chemical treatment.

Although I was relieved that the entire process was finally over, I couldn't help wondering whether so much heat styling was really necessary.

Would I Go Back?

The stylist recommended returning every month for maintenance treatments.

For now, I don't think I'll be doing that.

I'd rather see how my hair behaves over the next few weeks before deciding whether it's worth continuing.

Keratin Hair Care: What Shampoo I Use

Using the right shampoo is important after a keratin treatment.

Many stylists recommend using:

• Sulfate-free shampoo

• Sodium chloride-free shampoo

These products may help maintain smoother hair and extend the life of the treatment.

For my own hair, I use OGX shampoo, which is an affordable drugstore brand that has worked well enough for maintaining treated hair.

One-Week Update

After one week, my results honestly haven't been what I expected.

My hair is still wavy and slightly frizzy, and the treatment doesn't seem to have worked as well as I had hoped.

I contacted my hairstylist, and she told me that this rarely happens. I'm still not sure why my hair responded this way.

Another thing I noticed is that I can still smell the treatment chemicals even after a week.

I also still have to straighten my hair before going out. While the top layer of my hair is noticeably flatter and straighter, the underneath sections and the ends remain wavy.

I've seen many before-and-after photos from other people who had successful results, even at relatively affordable salons, so I don't fully understand why my experience was different.

While researching possible explanations, I found that uneven straightening and lingering frizz can sometimes happen when the product isn't applied evenly or isn't fully sealed into every section of the hair.

Of course, that's only one possible explanation, and I can't say for certain that's what happened in my case. However, based on my own experience, I still recommend choosing a reputable salon with experienced stylists, even if it costs a little more. Hair treatments are already considerably more affordable in Cambodia than they are in many other countries, so paying a bit extra may be worthwhile.

Final Thoughts

This wasn't my first keratin treatment, but it was definitely the longest and most intense one I've ever had.

At this point, I'm disappointed that my results haven't matched my expectations. The treatment was affordable, but it didn't leave me with the smooth, straight hair I was hoping for.

Looking back, I'd recommend investing a little more in a reputable salon rather than choosing the cheapest option available. A higher price doesn't always guarantee better results, but an experienced stylist and a quality product can make a significant difference.

This was simply my personal experience. Everyone's hair is different, and your results may vary depending on your hair type, the products used, and the skill of the stylist.