Womens Health

For damaged hair

Weapon of choice: KeraStraight (From R1 100 to R3 000, depending on the salon. Call 011 463 9912.)

A treatment that heals: It moisturises damaged hair for better manageability, no matter what your hair type. The name is deceiving though: this isn’t a straightening process – your head of curls won’t be transformed into super-straight lengths, but it will mean less time battling with your flat iron. Great news for black women: although the treatment won’t give you more control, it will make your hair softer. “KeraStraight is a softener and manageability tool that treats your hair and improves its condition,” says Shelene Shaer, hairstylist and co-owner of Tanaz Hair, Body and Nails.

The technique: Your hair is mainly made up of keratin – a protein packed full of amino acids. While this treatment doesn’t contain any chemical ingredients that’ll change your hair structurally (it’s formaldehyde-free!), it will help to soften keratin molecules so that they can realign when heat is applied – which means smoother hair for you! The process is lengthy (bank on a good couple of hours in the salon) because your locks will need to be double washed and then blow-dried to remove moisture. The treatment is then applied in sections from root to tip and allowed to sink in for up to 20 minutes, followed by blow-drying and flat ironing, section by section, so the product is locked into your hair. Another wash completes the process, and then your smoother, softer hair is blow-dried once more.