Brazilian hair straightening

Brazilian Keratin Treatment (also called escova progressiva, keratin straightening or BKT) is a method of temporarily straightening hair by sealing the hair with a liquid keratin and formaldehyde solution with a flat iron.

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a long-term blow dry for hair that lasts about three months. Pioneered in Brazil, the Brazilian Keratin Treatment is said to be able to be performed on all types of chemically treated hair (bleached, hi-lights, coloured, permed, relaxed or previously straightened). It is used on frizzy, damaged, unhealthy, dull and mistreated hair.

The system is said to eliminate any frizz, unruly curls and waves without making it too flat like other treatments such as the Japanese Yuko System. The technique of the application is similar to the Yuko System in the way that the straightening irons are used to close the product into the hair cuticle, but it is not as strong and there aren't the problems with re-growth as the treatment gradually washes out over time.

Treatments last around 10–12 weeks and repeating the treatment every few months will allow re-treatment of the new growth. This system does not guarantee completely straight hair.

The treatment however does not allow one to wash the hair for at least 72 hours, pick it up with any hair clip, pony tail or locate the hair behind the ears. If one drop of water gets on the hair, the hair must be straightened immediately with a flat iron.

External links

• Hayt, Elizabeth: "Curls, Split! Ringlets, Be Gone!", The New York Times, July 19, 2007