Is Keratin Treatment Right for Menopausal Hair? Pros, Cons, and Tips

What Is a Keratin Treatment? Breaking Down the Basics

Let’s start with the basics. Keratin is a protein that is naturally present in hair, skin, and nails. It is the glue that makes the structure of hair.

Over time, aspects like heat styling, colouring, and hormone shifts (thanks to menopause) start to break down the keratin in your hair, making it porous, frizzy, and more breakage-prone. 

A keratin treatment is designed to replace the protein you lose. This is how it works: 

Application: Your stylist applies a liquid keratin formula to your hair in sections. 

1. Sealing: A flat iron is used to “bake” the formula into your hair at 400-450 F. 
2. Result: The keratin bonds with your cuticles and smoothens its surface. 

This treatment can last between 2 to 6 months, depending on your hair type and how well you follow the aftercare instructions (more on that later!). While this sounds like a dream for menopausal hair, it’s not a cure-all for everyone. Let’s explore why menopause is different. 

How Menopause Affects Hair: The Hormonal Rollercoaster Explained 

Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes and mood swings; it’s a hair revolution. During this time when estrogen and progesterone are at a low, your hair undergoes four key changes: 

A. Thinning Hair 

Estrogen is not just important for reproductive health; it is also a hair growth superhero. It elongates the anagen phase, also known as the active growth stage of hair, ensuring that the strands remain longer on the head.

During this phase, lower hair growth cycles cause hair strands to grow for a short period and shed for longer periods of time. This leads to thinner ponytail volumes and larger areas of the scalp along the part.

B. Dry Scalp

Due to the decrease of estrogen, oil production (sebum) decreases, which leads to the scalp no longer being able to retain this basic moisture. This causes hair to become like a plant without moisture, making it more susceptible to dryness, dullness, and brittleness.

C. Frizz

Lifted and dry cuticles reflect light in an uneven manner, which contributes to the frizzy halo phenomenon. It’s now your worst enemy.

D. Breakage

When hair shafts weaken, they become very prone to snapping, particularly at the crown and around the temples. Have you ever noticed shorter strands of hair around your face? Well, that is what you would call a breakage.

All of these factors make keratin treatment for thinning hair quite appealing. However, the pros and cons need to be analysed equally.

Advantages of Keratin Treatment for Menopausal Hair: The Happy Side

A. Better Hair Quality

Human hair during menopause can be dry and brittle. Picture a ball of knotted wool transforming into a flowing silk ribbon. Just like that, keratin fills the gaps in the hair shaft and makes it much smoother in texture.

B. Additional Shine and Smoothness

Calmness is a notable complaint of menopause. Keratin’s smoothing benefit enhances the light reflection, creating a haircut that looks as if it came straight out of the salon.

C. Provides Strength to Hair (for a Short Time)

For women who experience a lot of hair fall, the keratin coating acts as a shield by lessening friction during brushing and other external factors. To them, this may mean fewer strands in the shower drain.

D. Saving Time on Styling

Blow-drying fine, fluffy hair can be quite exhausting. It is like one is working part-time. After the procedure, many people have reported that their hair dries naturally during the day, reducing the time needed to flat iron and style the hair.

E. Multiple Options Available

There are multiple options to choose from. However, novelty ones are solely targeted at reducing the fizziness of hair. Some keratin treatments do not deliver the same precision. Thoroughly research the options for “express keratin”, which is softer and short-lasting, or “curly girl keratin”, which boosts curls and diminishes fizziness.

Disadvantages of Keratin Treatment for Menopausal Hair: The Nasty Side

A. Possible Harm

• Use of Chemicals: Many of these procedures use formaldehyde, a solvent that boils into gas once the procedure begins as the hair is being treated hotter. Continuous contact with the material may affect your eyes, throat, and scalp. The most serious consequence, however, is that over time, hair proteins start to break down, making the hair brittle.
• Heat Damage: That flat iron at 450°F? It will burn fragile menopausal hair which is already thin or chemically processed.

B. Temporary Results

The durations for which keratin treatments remain effective are not permanent. With the increase in hair growth, the level of smoothness decreases, which gives one a “root regrowth” type of appearance. 3–6 month’s subsequent treatments can put much strain on the health of the hair as well as the finances.

C. Cost

$200 + professional treatment is quite steep for something that isn’t a forever fix. It can get as steep as upwards of 500.

D. Product Sensitivity

Menopausal skin becomes much drier and more sensitive. Harsh elements included in keratin formulas can cause severe itching or even trigger some form of contact dermatitis.

E. Hair Weight

For people who already have fine hair, the addition of keratin causes the roots to become more flat, which makes the hair thinning more noticeable.

Some Tips For Menopausal Women Intending To Get Keratin Treatment

There are some essential tips that you can follow before going for keratin treatment. Hear from our client Natasha, who lives in the UK, on how the health experts at Nirva Health helped her.

“As my hair lost its fullness and depth, it became a source of tension as I approached menopause. I was already part of Nirva Health’s menopause programme. Not knowing how to resolve this problem, I contacted Nirva Health’s specialists. They listened to me and offered step-by-step assistance on how to prepare for a keratin treatment. Their advice of protective hydrating products and the right stylist was life-changing. 

My hair was ready for the treatment. I followed their advice and started with the treatment. My Hair is now so much more manageable and effortless to style. It’s sleek, shiny, and frizz-free, which is unbelievable. The change was astounding, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. I felt a renewed sense of self-assurance and satisfaction.”

Following are some easy tips you need to consider.

A. Use Non-Harmful Formaldehyde Keratin Treatment

These are formulated without formaldehyde and use glyoxylic acid instead, which is gentler and safer for sensitive scalps. The GK Hair Global Keratin and Cezanne Keratin Treatment are examples.

Users of such garments should check the bundles for gaps, rough edges, uneven surfaces, or missing stripes, which may signal malfunction.

B. Consult a Professional

Women going through midlife crises often shave their heads, which makes them look much younger. Search for someone who understands the intricacies of recognised ageing fine hair. Inquire:

• “Would you mind changing the heat setting based on how thick my hair is?”
• “Is there a less intensive option available for the treatment?”

C. Use Soft And Gentle Aftercare Routines

• Sulfate-free shampoos: These shampoos your hair without damaging keratin.
• Cool water rinses: Water that is hot will open the cuticle, which leads to faster keratin loss.
• Do not use salt water or chlorine. They are harmful and will lessen the effect of the treatment.

D. Wait Before Getting Additional Treatments

There should be a 3-6 month gap before sessions. Treatments done simultaneously can cause protein overload, which ultimately makes the hair rigid and like a straw.

E. Consider A Test Strand

You can ask your stylist to treat a small section first. Check for dryness or breakage after 1-2 weeks.

Alternatives to Keratin Treatments: Edifying and Nourishing Options

A. Conditioning Treatments

Deep conditioning with argan oil, coconut oil, or shea butter moisture-restoring masks should be done weekly. For added benefits, you can also add a bit of heat with a shower cap.

B. Supplements with collagen

Collagen peptides gained from powders or capsules boost keratin production and, in turn, strengthen the hair from within. They are most effectively taken when combined with biotin.

C. Massaging the scalp

Massage! Our hair follicles are stimulated by blood flow, so for five minutes each day, gently massaging the scalp with fingertips adds nutritional value. Try to use Ayurveda hair oils like Neelibringadi kera or rosemary oil to get the most benefits.

D. Products for the hair

With silicone-free ingredients such as keratin, marula oil, or hyaluronic acid, hair care products for frizzy hair shed the flyaways without the mass. Amazing!

E. Styles cuts

Bob or pixie cut styles, as well as feathering, remove the damaged ends while giving it volume to soften the thinning area around the face.

Wrapping It Up: Take the Step, Should You?

If your hair can deal with the chemicals and heat, a keratin treatment for menopausal hair can be game-changing, so look out for options that are formaldehyde-free. Aftercare is essential, so keep an eye on that. What if, though, your hair is damaged or thin? In that case, you might want to give gentler options a go, like collagen supplements or scalp care.

As a reminder, hair during menopause is best cared for with lots of moisture, time, and very little heat.

You can reach out to our health experts for a consultation. We can look at the condition of your scalp and suggest the best treatment, including lotions to enhance hair growth.

Let’s hope you can face the next steps of your hair journey with love and support.