Keratin Treatment in Raleigh, NC
A keratin treatment at Sweet T Salon is a Keratin Complex smoothing service that reduces frizz and curl and makes your hair easier to style. A Keratin Treatment runs $365–$465+ at our salon on Departure Drive in North Raleigh, NC.
Keratin
What is a keratin treatment?
A keratin treatment at Sweet T is a Keratin Complex smoothing service that calms frizz and keeps humidity from puffing up your hair. Results last six weeks to five months, depending on the treatment.
Our keratin brand is Keratin Complex. Every smoothing treatment on this page is a Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy treatment, done in the salon by a professional stylist.
Keratin is a protein found naturally in hair, skin and nails. In your hair it works as an outer protective shield and an inner structural protein. It's the first thing your hair loses when it gets damaged by heat, chemicals or sun. Damaged hair turns dry and porous, so it soaks up moisture from the air. The cuticle swells and you get frizz.
Keratin Complex's signature keratin is comparable to the keratin in human hair. It helps condition, strengthen, revitalize and repair damage, and gives hair shine, elasticity and a more youthful, healthy look. A smoothing treatment puts keratin back into the hair and helps seal the cuticle against humidity. Afterward it's easier to get a flawless blowout at home. Your hair is more manageable and blow-drying goes faster. Daily styling takes a lot less time.
Pricing
How much does a keratin treatment cost?
A keratin treatment at Sweet T runs $365 to $465+, depending on the length and density of your hair.
- Keratin Treatment3 hr 30 min$365–$465+
- Keratin Express Treatment2 hr 30 minCall for pricing
- New Client Keratin Consultation30 min$25
New to Sweet T? Start with the New Client Keratin Consultation: $25, 30 minutes. Your Keratin Complex stylist will match the treatment to your hair type, your lifestyle and the result you want.
Options
Which keratin treatments do you offer?
We offer four Keratin Complex smoothing treatments at Sweet T. The main differences are how long results last and how soon you can wash.
Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment
Our signature smoothing treatment, with the longest-lasting results.
- Lasts up to five months
- Wait 72 hours before shampooing
Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment for Blonde Hair
Customized smoothing for blonde and fragile hair.
- Lasts up to five months
- Wait 72 hours before shampooing
Express Blow Out
Our express option. Smoother hair without the long wait.
- Lasts up to six weeks
- Wait at least 8 hours before shampooing (24 is better)
Advanced Glycolic Smoothing System
The newest treatment, with same-day styling and zero downtime.
- Lasts up to three months
- No waiting period
We have smoothing solutions for every hair type, matched to the result you want, your budget, how long you want it to last, the waiting period and your time in the salon. Ask your stylist about our Menu of Services, which offers customizable Keratin Complex treatments.
How long your results hold also depends on your lifestyle and your home care. Keratin Complex keratin-enhanced products, including sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free shampoo and conditioner, help them last.
Process
What happens during a keratin treatment?
Every Keratin Complex treatment at Sweet T follows four steps, from a clarifying shampoo to a flat iron finish. Steps can vary with the service.
The formulas and protocols differ between Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy treatments, but the basic smoothing process is the same.
Clarify
Your stylist washes your hair with a deep-clarifying shampoo. It strips residue and buildup from old products and lifts the overlapping layers of the cuticle so the treatment can soak in.
Apply
The smoothing treatment goes on and works into the cuticle. Hydrolyzed keratin strengthens keratin bonds from within, helps repair damage and smooths the hair shaft. Keratin and added conditioning agents nourish and strengthen your hair and bring back smoothness and shine.
Blow-dry
Your stylist blow-dries your hair. Heat starts to adjust the hair's shape.
Flat iron
A flat iron seals in the treatment for a smooth, silky, humidity-resistant finish.
Smoothing
Will keratin straighten my hair?
Keratin smoothing relaxes curl and frizz so your hair looks straighter. Your hair keeps its natural structure, so you can still wear it curly when you want.
Conventional straighteners and relaxers can break the protein bonds inside the hair so each strand reforms into a permanently straight shape. Keratin Complex smoothing doesn't break your hair's bonds. You get smoother, healthier-looking hair that you can style wavy or straight.
Keratin Complex's signature keratin works on all hair types. Smoothing Therapy treatments carry high concentrations of keratin that move through the hair structure and are sealed in the cortex to repair damage. Talk through your goals with your stylist so you know what to expect.
Curly hair
Is keratin good for curly hair?
Yes, if you want less frizz and a looser curl. Keratin Complex works on all hair types, and afterward you can still wear your hair curly, wavy or straight.
Smoothing Therapy treatments reduce the curl pattern in curly, wavy or unruly hair without permanently changing its structure. So expect some of your curl to relax. Curly hair is also easier to maintain after treatment, since keratin helps keep humidity out, and humidity is the main cause of frizz.
Carly, our Keratin Specialist, specializes in wavy hair and Keratin Complex smoothing treatments. Book the $25 New Client Keratin Consultation and tell your stylist how much curl you want to keep. If you want to keep every bit of your curl, see our curly hair solutions.
Aftercare
When can I wash my hair after keratin?
Your wait to wash after keratin at Sweet T runs from 72 hours down to the same day, depending on your treatment.
- Natural Keratin (and for Blonde Hair)
- Wait 72 hours
- Express Blow Out
- At least 8 hours
24 hours is better - Advanced Glycolic Smoothing System
- Wash and style the same day
Full treatment
Full keratin treatment aftercare
- Wait at least 72 hours (3 days) before you shampoo or wet your hair.
- If your hair gets wet during the waiting period, blow-dry and flat iron it on low heat as soon as you can.
- Style with a blow-dryer and brush during the 72 hours if you like.
- Put your hair in a shower cap when you bathe.
- Wear your hair down. Ponytails, clips, hair bands, bobby pins and tucking hair behind your ears can leave a lasting impression.
- Wear a silk scarf to pull your hair away from your face.
- Don't rest glasses on your head or use them to hold your hair back, and don't sweat during the 72 hours.
- Waiting longer than the minimum won't hurt your results.
- Keratin Complex Volumizing Dry Shampoo Lift Powder can absorb excess oil, remove odors and refresh your hair and scalp any time during the wait.
- Use the correct after care products, such as GK shampoo and conditioner or Keratin Complex Shampoo and Conditioner. They are sodium chloride free and won't strip keratin from your hair.
- When you swim, protect your hair from absorbing salt or chlorine. Wet it with clear water first, then apply a deep conditioner or a serum or oil.
Express
Keratin Express aftercare
- Wait at least 8 hours before you shampoo or wet your hair. We recommend waiting 24 hours.
- If your hair gets wet during the first 8 hours, blow-dry and flat iron it.
- Style with a blow-dryer and brush during the 8 hours if you like.
- Wear your hair down. Skip ponytails, hair clips, hair bands and bobby pins, which may leave a lasting impression.
- Don't place your hair behind your ears for long periods, and don't rest glasses on your head or use them to hold your hair back.
- Wear a silk scarf to pull your hair away from your face.
- After the 8 hour wait, use GK or Keratin Complex aftercare products every time you shampoo and condition. They are sodium chloride free and won't strip keratin from your hair.
Recommended hair care products (sodium chloride-free and sulfate-free) must be used to guarantee the best results.
The full list is on our keratin treatment do's and don'ts page.
Sleek and smooth
How do I get a sleek, smooth blowout at home?
Start with Keratin Complex shampoo and conditioner, then blow-dry with a large round brush and finish with a keratin serum and hairspray.
The side-swept part is a great way to bring sexy back to any style without the full commitment of snipping bangs. Here is our sweet step-by-step guide.
Wash
Shampoo and condition with your favorite Keratin Complex shampoo and conditioner. Towel dry your hair well.
Foam
Dispense 1 to 2 pumps of Scruples or Keratin Complex foam, emulsify it in your hands and work it through your hair.
Blow-dry
Blow-dry with the brush of your choice. Use a large round brush to direct your hair from one side of your face to the other, with the airflow aimed straight at the brush.
Finish
Add 1 to 2 drops of keratin serum for polish. For long-lasting hold, finish with a few quick bursts of keratin hairspray.
Stylists
Who does keratin at Sweet T?
Carly is our Keratin Specialist at Sweet T, and Suzi and Melinda do keratin treatments too.
- Carly, Stylist & Colorist and our Keratin Specialist. She does full and express keratin treatments and specializes in Keratin Complex smoothing and wavy hair. Styling since 2020.
- Suzi, Master Stylist & Master Colorist, GK Keratin Certified. Full and express keratin treatments. Styling since 1987.
- Melinda, Master Stylist & Colorist. Juvexin keratin taming. Styling since 2010.
FAQ
Keratin questions
How much is a keratin treatment at Sweet T Salon?
A Keratin Treatment at Sweet T Salon in Raleigh costs $365–$465+ and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The Keratin Express Treatment takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Call us for Express pricing.
How long does a keratin treatment last?
The Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment and the version for blonde hair last up to five months. The Advanced Glycolic Smoothing System lasts up to three months, and the Express Blow Out lasts up to six weeks. Your lifestyle and home care affect how long results hold.
How long do I have to wait to wash my hair after keratin?
Wait 72 hours after a Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment and at least 8 hours after an Express Blow Out (24 hours is recommended). There is no waiting period after the Advanced Glycolic Smoothing System.
What if my hair gets wet during the waiting period?
Blow-dry and flat iron it on low heat as soon as possible. After the Advanced Glycolic Smoothing System, getting wet won't affect your results.
What is the after care for a Keratin Express treatment?
Wait at least 8 hours before washing (24 is better), keep your hair down, and blow-dry and flat iron it if it gets wet. After that, use GK or Keratin Complex shampoo and conditioner every time you wash.
Can I use dry shampoo after keratin?
Yes. Keratin Complex Volumizing Dry Shampoo Lift Powder can be used any time during the waiting period to absorb oil and refresh your hair and scalp.
Which keratin treatment is right for me?
Sweet T offers smoothing options for every hair type, including one made for blonde and fragile hair. Start with a $25 New Client Keratin Consultation, and your stylist will recommend a treatment based on your lifestyle, hair type and the result you want.
Can I get a keratin treatment if I'm pregnant or nursing?
As with any chemical service, check with your physician before booking.
Does Keratin Complex test on animals?
No. Keratin Complex does not test its products or formulas on animals.
More answers on our keratin FAQs page.
Book
Book your keratin treatment
Book online through our booking page or call (919) 831-1100. Ask for a keratin consultation if you're not sure which treatment to pick.
Since 2000
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Sweet T Salon’s stylists are ready to customize your cut and color.