A Brazilian keratin treatment at ZARA starts from £100. A smoothing solution is applied to your hair, dried in and sealed with a flat iron, so frizz is calmer, the hair looks glossier and blow drying takes less time. It softens and smooths rather than turning curls dead straight.
The final price depends on the length and thickness of your hair, since longer and fuller hair needs more product and more time in the chair. Send a photo on WhatsApp if you would like a price before you book.
What does a keratin treatment do?
Hair that frizzes in damp weather, puffs up after washing or takes a long time to dry is usually hair with a raised, uneven surface. A keratin treatment coats each strand and seals it with heat, so the surface lies flatter and reflects more light.
Most people notice three things: less frizz, a smoother, shinier finish and a shorter blow dry. Wavy and curly hair usually keeps some movement, just looser and more controlled. If you want poker straight hair, say so when you book, as a relaxer works differently and may suit that goal better.
Who is it for?
Keratin smoothing suits most hair types that frizz or feel coarse:
- thick hair that takes a long time to dry
- wavy or curly hair you would like to tame without losing all its movement
- coloured or highlighted hair that has become dry and fluffy
- hair that reacts badly to humidity, rain or a hot commute
Fine, flat hair can feel heavier afterwards, so if your hair has very little volume, talk it through with us first.
Who should wait or check first?
Smoothing products can give off fumes when they are heated. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have asthma, or have a sensitive, broken or irritated scalp, mention it when you book so you can decide whether to go ahead now or wait.
Very damaged or recently bleached hair may need a break first. If you are planning colour as well, ask which order to do them in, since colouring soon after smoothing can shorten how long the smooth finish lasts.
What happens at the appointment?
Your hair is washed to remove styling products and build-up, then the smoothing solution is worked through in sections. It is blow dried in, then sealed with a flat iron, section by section. That sealing step is what locks the finish in and takes the most time.
Allow a long appointment, especially for long or thick hair. Bring something to read, and let us know if you have to be somewhere afterwards so we can plan the timing.
Keratin, relaxer or a blow dry: which to choose?
The three give smooth hair in different ways. A blow dry, from £15, smooths your hair until the next wash, with no lasting change. A keratin treatment, from £100, coats the hair so it stays calmer and easier to style for weeks, then fades. A relaxer, from £30 on the roots or from £55 for the full head, chemically changes the curl pattern of the hair it touches, so that hair stays straighter until it grows out.
If you like your natural texture most of the time and just want less frizz and faster styling, keratin is usually the middle ground.
Aftercare: making it last
How you look after your hair in the first days matters. Products differ, so your stylist will tell you how long to wait before washing, tying your hair back or tucking it behind your ears.
- Use a sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner, as harsher shampoos strip the treatment faster
- Avoid swimming in chlorinated or salt water soon after
- Sleep on a smooth pillowcase and avoid tight bands or clips while the finish settles
- Wash less often if you can, since every wash wears it down a little
The effect fades gradually as you wash your hair, so there is no sudden change back. Many people repeat it every few months.
Pairing it with a cut or colour
A fresh cut before smoothing helps the finish sit well, as split ends are smoothed along with the rest. A women's cut starts from £15. If you are colouring, it is worth booking the colour first, then the keratin treatment, rather than the other way round. Our hair salon page lists every price.
Keratin treatment: your questions answered
How much is a keratin treatment?
From £100. Longer or thicker hair costs more because it needs more product and time. Send a photo on WhatsApp for a guide price.
Will it make my hair completely straight?
Not usually. It smooths frizz and loosens waves, but curly hair normally keeps some shape. A relaxer is the option for permanently straightening the hair's texture.
Is it the same as a Brazilian blowout?
The names are often used for the same kind of service: a smoothing solution sealed into the hair with heat. Brands differ in their formulas, so ask which product is used if you have a preference.
How long does a keratin treatment last?
It fades gradually with washing. Sulphate-free products and fewer washes help it last longer, and many people come back every few months.
Can I wash my hair straight after?
Most products ask you to wait a little before the first wash. Your stylist will tell you the exact wait for the product used on your hair.
Is keratin smoothing safe for coloured hair?
Coloured and highlighted hair is one of the most common reasons people book it. Very damaged or freshly bleached hair may need time to recover first, so mention any recent colour when you book.
Can I have it if I am pregnant?
Tell us when you book. Smoothing products can release fumes when heated, so many people choose to wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
