Does Keratin Straighten Curly Hair? Let’s Clear That Up.
We hear this one all the time:
“I heard keratin straightens curls…”
And honestly? If that were true, we wouldn’t still be in business.
At SMOOTHED, we work with all textures—but curly clients make up a huge part of our community. If we were out here secretly straightening everyone’s hair, we would have been canceled years ago.
So let’s talk about what keratin actually does—and more importantly, what it doesn’t do.
Keratin Treatments Are Not Straightening Treatments
There are straightening treatments out there. You can find chemical relaxers and thermal straightening systems that permanently restructure the hair. We don’t offer those. Why? Because we don’t believe they’re good for the health or longevity of your hair.
Keratin is not one of those. It doesn’t break down your hair’s disulfide bonds—the bonds that control your curl pattern. Instead, keratin infuses your hair with protein, restores the pH balance, and smooths the cuticle by sealing it from the inside out.
What you get is:
Softer, more manageable curls
Way less frizz
A huge reduction in volume
Curls that are easier to style and maintain
But Will My Curls Be Looser?
Great question. The answer: possibly—but temporarily.
Depending on your hair type and how often you get keratin treatments, you may notice your curls become a little more stretched or elongated. This is especially noticeable in the first few weeks after a stronger treatment. But your curl pattern is still there—it’s just smoother and more defined.
Over time, with regular treatments, you might notice a more consistent looseness to your curls. But keratin does not permanently remove or erase your curl. And if your goal is to keep every bit of your bounce, we can always opt for a gentler formulation tailored to your needs.
We promise: we never guarantee straight hair and we definitely don’t try to give you straight hair.
We’re Smoothologists, Not Straightologists
At SMOOTHED, we’re not in the business of stripping you of your natural texture.
We’re here to help you manage it—so you can love it.
Most of the time, clients who come in wanting straight hair don’t actually want it bone straight—they just want manageable hair. Hair they can air dry without frizz. Hair that doesn’t puff up the minute they step outside. Hair that doesn’t take hours to style.
Keratin makes your hair easier to deal with as it is. It helps curly girls love their curls again, and that’s our mission.
The Bottom Line
Keratin is a frizz reducer and a volume reducer—not a curl remover.
Your curls won’t disappear. They’ll just get way easier to live with.
If you’re still unsure, give us a call at 619-674-4061 or visit us online at smoothedsalon.com. We’re happy to walk you through which treatment is best for your curl type and your lifestyle.