If you had told me a year ago that I’d stop getting keratin treatments, I would’ve laughed—loudly. Hi, I’m Nageen Abbas—the creative voice behind Woke Vogue and Lifestyle Library at Vogue Vocal, where we say what others won’t. For 12 straight years, the ritual ruled my salon life. Frizz free mornings, glossy selfies and hair that swished like I owned a fan machine? Perfection. But one cross country move and absence of my trusted stylist changed everything. I pressed pause. My hair suddenly wasn’t breaking as much and I could feel texture returning. The curls that once disappeared under flat iron started to reappear, wild and free. At that moment, I realized something shocking—maybe my hair didn’t need keratin to look amazing. And trust me, it was the breakup I never knew I needed.
We’ve all heard the promises—keratin for hair equals instant sleekness, salon-level shine and fewer bad hair days. But here’s the tea: keratin works by breaking your hair’s natural bonds to rebuild them straighter. The result? Gorgeous, yes. But over time, those bonds weaken, leading to dryness and breakage.
You’ve probably searched, “Is keratin treatment good for hair or not?” The truth isn’t black and white. It depends on your hair type, frequency and aftercare. When we keep repeating the process, the “smooth” comes at the cost of strength. So, when my stylist wasn’t around and I skipped a session, my hair quietly thanked me. It looked softer, fuller and—dare I say—alive.
Let’s get real for a sec. Keratin is not just about shine—it’s chemical transformations. They break down disulfide bonds and restructure your strands to appear straighter. That’s how the magic happens. But every time we go back, those new bonds become weaker than before. You might wonder, “Does keratin treatment damage hair?”—and honestly, yes, if done too often or without expert care.
Over years of use, we start mistaking smoothness for health. That’s where I was stuck. Once I quit, I noticed fewer strands on my pillow and my natural volume returning. Turns out, letting your hair breathe might be the ultimate luxury treatment of all.
The million-dollar question: “What happens if I stop keratin treatment?” At first, it feels weird. Your hair loses that slick movie-star finish. But give it time. The natural texture begins to bounce back—stronger and healthier. In my case, it took months, not days. I started oiling regularly, using sulfate-free shampoos and staying away from extra chemicals.
Gradually, my hair learned to exist without its glossy crutch. And here’s the shocker: it looked better. It had shape, movement and shine that didn’t feel fake. The real secret? Consistency in gentle care. Because even the best hair smoothening permanent treatments can’t beat a nourished scalp and happy strands.
Most stylists say results last around six months. But have you ever asked, “What happens after 6 months of keratin treatment?” Well, the smoothness fades and your real hair peeks through again. For years, I treated that as a crisis—time to rebook! But this time, I didn’t. Instead, I watched my hair transition naturally.
What I saw was interesting: no dramatic frizz explosion, just softer waves. My natural texture wasn’t the villain I thought it was. It simply needed a break from constant heat and chemicals. So, yes, your post-keratin phase might just be the glow-up you didn’t know your hair needed.
Breaking up with keratin forced me to re-meet my natural hair. The kind that reacts to humidity, that needs a little TLC, that refuses to be tamed—and honestly, that’s what makes it beautiful. Instead of fighting it, I started feeding it with hydrating masks and leave-ins. I embraced air drying and stopped chasing perfection.
As Vogue Vocal would say, “It’s not about the trend—it’s about the truth.” And the truth is, your natural hair deserves to be seen, not straightened into submission. If you’re debating another cariten treatment for hair, maybe it’s time to let your strands speak. They might surprise you.
Here’s what I’ve learned: beauty doesn’t always come from control. Sometimes, it’s found in letting go. Keratin treatment isn’t the villain; it’s just not the hero for everyone. Keep your sleek strands if you adore them but treat them with proper care. But take a breather if you’re tired of cycle.
Your hair will repay you in strength, texture and authenticity. It’s like ending a long relationship—you’ll miss it but eventually, you’ll realize it wasn’t love, it was habit. So here’s to freedom, frizz and fearless choices. Because sometimes, breaking up with keratin isn’t a loss—it’s a glow up.
I vow to stay honest—always. Whether you’re Team Sleek or Team Natural, your hair deserves care, not chemicals. And if anyone asks why you ditched your keratin treatment, tell them the truth: your hair finally found itself.
The Fashion and Style enthusiast with a flair for drama and entertainment! A millennial on the lookout for the trending styles inspired by and believes in: “You can get anything in life if you have the right dress for it!” Adding a little magic through the power of words and not holding back on fashion and styling opinions! Let’s connect to stay on top of trend alerts and the who is who of Fashion world and get inspired to give your personality the styling oomph you’ve been craving for! Nageen Abbas at Vogue Vocal is the brains behind our Woke Vogue and Lifestyle Library!
