If you’ve treated your locks to a keratin treatment, you’ll want to give your hair top-quality aftercare. In this article, we will look at the best sulfate-free shampoos for keratin-treated hair and highlight why it is important to use a shampoo free from sulfates.
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What Is Keratin Treated Hair?
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin.
Not having enough keratin, can lead to hair becoming porous which results in frizzy, tangled hair.
A keratin treatment can help in filling in those pores by replacing lost keratin.
Keratin-treated hair is when hair goes through this salon treatment resulting in smoother, straighter hair.
Commonly known as a Brazilian blowout, this treatment also adds shine and reduces frizz.
In a traditional keratin treatment, bonds in the hair are broken and then resealed into a straighter position by working a solution containing formaldehyde derivative through the hair.
If hair has undergone a keratin treatment, the need to straighten or blow-dry on a regular basis is reduced.
Why Is It Important To Use Sulfate-Free Shampoo?
Many shampoos contain sulfates (or surfactants). Sulfates produce a foamy lather that helps remove dirt, oil, and build-up in the scalp.
Unfortunately, they can remove too much of the scalp’s natural oils.
This can cause hair to feel overly dry and brittle, which is especially harmful if you have had a chemical treatment on your hair, such as a keratin treatment.
These cleaning agents can also reduce the lifespan of your keratin treatment, by stripping it from the hair.
Sulfate-free shampoos replace these harsh surfactants with milder cleaning agents which can cleanse the hair and scalp effectively without stripping.
11 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo For Keratin Treated Hair
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the best sulfate-free shampoos currently available on the market.
1. L’Oreal Paris EverSleek Sulfate Free Keratin Caring Shampoo and Conditioner
Ever Sleek by L’Oreal is formulated for keratin-treated hair to care for essential proteins and keratin.
Blended with sunflower oil, this shampoo gently smooths and repairs with no ‘weigh down’.
The creamy formula improves the texture of keratin-treated hair. It contains gentle ingredients to remove build-up and impurities without stripping hair. Hair is left restored, sleek and manageable.
Why We Like It
Infused with rosemary and juniper for an aromatic scent
2. Damila Salt & Sulfate Free Shampoo & Conditioner
This salt and sulfate-free shampoo by Damila pledges to bring hair back to life. It prolongs your keratin treatment as it dials up the volume on shine.
Your hair will be nourished, moisturized, and gently cleansed.
Furthermore, this product pledges to combat frizz and dryness.
Why We Like It
Leaves hair silky smooth
3. Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Take back control of your hair’s health with Belisso shampoo. This keratin enriched product can help restore damaged hair.
With a blend of botanical ingredients, hair is lavishly nourished. It has Moroccan oil for shine and silk protein for added smoothness. Vitamin 5 and collagen give hair protection and strength.
Why We Like It
Never tested on animals
4. Moroccan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
This shampoo from the makers at LuxeOrganic promises to preserve your keratin treatment.
Using adaptogenic science, this product can help restore your locks to their naturally beautiful condition.
It cleanses keratin-treated hair, leaving it soft, healthy, and manageable.
Why We Like It
Paraben-free
5. BOTANIC HEARTH Biotin Shampoo
Blended with ginger oil, Botanic Hearth Biotin Shampoo is mild enough for daily use. Biotin and Vitamin E offer replenishment for dry locks, resulting in luxurious softness
With argan oil, moisture and shine are restored, as impurities are gently washed away.
Why We Like It
Rich in antioxidants
6. Keratin Complex Keratin Color Care Duo
Keratin complex shampoo is formulated to gently remove any impurities from your hair and scalp. As it cleanses, it hydrates and softens keratin-treated hair.
A 3-protein blend gives hair long-lasting smoothness and minimizes frizz and flyaways. It protects and increases the lifespan of your keratin treatment.
Why We Like It
Combats frizz in all hair types
7. Alfaparf Milano Keratin Therapy Lisse Design Maintenance Shampoo
This salon-quality product from Lisse Design preserves and prolongs the results of a keratin treatment. Using an innovative kera-collagen complex, it gently cleanses while leaving hair smooth and straight.
Enriched with keratin, collagen, and babassu oil, locks are left soft, glossy, and free from tangles.
Why We Like It
Leaves hair super easy to comb through
8. Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
This product promises ‘a new standard in moisturizing’. Its argan oil blend promotes moisture-rich healing for a dry, damaged scalp which in turn promotes healthy hair growth.
With a naturally high content of antioxidants, Vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, argan oil restores hair’s elasticity.
In addition, it replenishes overwrought damaged hair, leaving you with the volume and shine you deserve.
Why We Like It
Contains a blend of botanicals including jojoba oil, aloe extract, and chamomile essence
9. Keragen – Sulfate-free Brazilian Aftercare Smoothing Shampoo
This shampoo is designed to give long-lasting results to hair which has been treated with keratin.
With a blend of keratin, panthenol, collagen, Vitamins A, B, C, and E, and jojoba oil, this product leaves hair shiny and smooth for longer.
Why We Like It
Protects strands against breakage when using a flat iron
10. OUAI Fine Shampoo
This product could be the ‘pick me up’ your hair has been waiting for. It revitalizes hair with strengthening keratin, nourishing biotin, and moisturizing chia seed.
Has your hair become a little lifeless? OUAI can boost volume and bounce. It strengthens and thickens, breathing life back into your mane.
Why We Like It
Infused with a delightful rose fragrance with notes of Italian Lemon, Jojoba and White Musk
11. Silk18 Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
The makers at Maple Holistics bring us their proprietary blend of silk amino acids to replenish lost moisture to hair that has been damaged or undergone a keratin treatment.
Shea butter, jojoba oil, and argan oil work in harmony to nourish deeply and fight frizz.
Why We Like It
At Silk 18, manufacturing processes are powered by renewable energy
Benefits Of Keratin Treated Hair
There are several benefits to having your hair treated with keratin:
1. Frizz Management
The chemicals applied to your hair during a keratin treatment give your hair a more polished finish and help to manage or eliminate frizz and flyways.
Hair is left sleeker and easier to style. This might be of particular benefit if you live in a hot or humid climate.
2. Curl Protection
If you like to wear your hair straight regularly, and want to keep your curls protected, a keratin treatment could be the way to go.
This treatment strengthens hair, resulting in less breakage during styling.
Also, as you will not have to apply as much heat to achieve your desired style, this reduces heat damage to your precious tresses.
3. Time
With less heat needed to style your hair, you will gain time. Less time using a flat iron or blow-drying means more time for…whatever you want!
4. Strength
A keratin treatment ensures your hair is securely connected to your roots.
Firstly, it opens the bonds between the roots and hair follicles, then bonds the roots to your hair again with protein.
This can prevent your hair from being limp or falling out. It can even help boost the growth rate of your hair.
5. Protection
After a keratin treatment, your hair is in a better position to withstand environmental pollutants.
So, in the face of harsh, windy, or extremely dry weather conditions, your shine will remain intact.
It also prevents your hair from becoming dull or lackluster in the event of smog conditions, and other such toxins.
How Often To Wash Keratin Treated Hair
Try to avoid washing keratin-treated hair daily. This will prolong the lifespan of your keratin treatment.
However, everyone is different. Some of you will be able to get away with several days between washes.
Those of you with oiler hair may feel the need to wash every other day. In general, the advice is to wash hair 2-3 times maximum a week after you have had a keratin treatment.
Invest in a decent shower cap to keep the water out and protect your treated hair for when you are bathing or showering between hair wash days.
How Long Does A Keratin Treatment Last?
A keratin treatment will last for approximately 3-4 months. Although this depends on how often you wash your hair.
So, if you’ve fortified your locks with a protein treatment, you have plenty of options for a sulfate-free shampoo.
These will help protect your treatment and get the most out of it.
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