De-Kinking with Keratin

I must confess: Previous to my life-changing Keratin treatment at Shampoo Avenue B, I was unfamiliar with the glory that is Keratin. Now, I’m intrigued, and crave more…

Philip Pelusi, celebrity hairstylist and owner of New York City’s Tela salon (www.telanyc.com), was kind enough to answer a few questions on this miracle protein and its evolution to hair-star status.

The Keratin buzz - where did it come from? And is it really worth
all the hype?
Keratin is a protein that makes up a significant portion of our hair.

Though it has always been there, as people (industry professionals,
stylists and media) learn more about hair, styling tools, products and
treatments, the messages translate to the consumers.

Yes - it is definitely worth all the hype. It is an important protein
that our hair needs. The best protein found in products is human hair
protein, which we use in our product at Tela. Even better is when it is
used with other proteins such as soy and/or silk.

The way it works…Keratin is the smallest protein in its family. Silk
is slightly larger than that and soy even larger. The three work
together to create a layering effect. The Keratin filters through to
reach deep within the hair, with the silk strengthening the layer of
hair above that and the soy the layer above that, as well as protecting
it all.

What are your feelings on the keratin straightening? Is it truly
better than the Japanese, straightening, or other methods available out there?

Keratin is not a strengthening agent - it is simply added to
strengthening processes to help buffer the harshness of straightening
products. It replenishes protein to the hair, that which is extracted
from the straighten process. It helps keep it in better shape, but of
course straightening still damages hair.

To help keep hair healthy, I recommend a follow-up protein/conditioning
regime -home hair care. Additionally, protein salon treatments every so
often will also help. At Tela, we have treatments such as extreme and
replace. We use them on their own but also incorporate them in our
straightening process. They are both based on the principles of
protein. Extreme adds protein to help protect and strengthen the hair.
Then, after the straightening process, we use replace, which literally
adds protein back to hair, replacing some of what was extracted during
the process. We use thin product, applied as a mist through a spray
bottle - which allows for rapid penetration (only about 3 minutes).

If Keratin is a natural ‘building block” of hair, is there anything
we should be doing to keep it in there?

Styling products and tools extract keratin from our hair, however these
are things that are hard to avoid. To try and keep protein in your
hair, for everyday hair care, look for products with human hair keratin
in them - and if they have silk and/or soy and/or wheat protein in them,
even better. Additionally, visiting salons every so often for protein
treatments (Tela has many) help as well.

Thanks Philip!