We often change our appearance: we curl straight hair, straighten curls. We give our nails different shapes and colors. We do this for beauty, but what about health? Everyone knows that the secrets of makeup are endlessly explored. Drugstore shelves are brimming with styling and care products, and keratin is often among their ingredients. It's worth starting this journey by learning more about it.
The building block of our hair - keratin
The simplest way to say it is that it is the basic component of hair. More scientifically, keratin is a fibrillar protein, i.e. it forms fibers and is insoluble in water. It is characterized by high resistance to external physical and chemical factors, and in the body it occurs in nails, hair and epithelium in twenty different forms.
Our body produces creatine thanks to sulfur amino acids., which we obtain from food. They can be found in meat, fish, eggs, and legumes. It is also important for keratin synthesis appropriate level of biotin – another compound often associated with hair health. Other B vitamins are equally important. The body can also produce creatine from sulfur if the amino acid supply is insufficient. Sulfur, in turn, is supplied by garlic, onion, black radish, and radish. Appropriate level of keratin so it has a lot to do with what we eat.
What damages hair and weakens keratin?
The paradox of hair care is that the more we try to change its appearance, the more damage we often do. Extensive straightening, curling, and especially permanent waves may enhance hair's beauty, but unfortunately, they also affect its condition. The same applies to all the hair treatments we perform, even tying a bun too tightly or brushing it too vigorously.
Hair is indeed incredibly resilient (as anyone who has ever tried to tear a strand of hair in half in their hand will attest), but it does have its limits of sensitivity. When styling, we often focus solely on appearance, without worrying about the impact on the hair's structure. Therefore, it's worth adding a little bit of attention to hair health to your daily care routine.
To ensure healthy hair, you also need to limit exposure to sunlight, but also limit exposure to factors such as dust, cigarette smoke and polluted air.
Keratin deficiency - what causes it?
Keratin is found in both the cortex (shaft), which gives hair elasticity, and the cuticle (cuticle), where it contributes to its shiny appearance. Without it, hair becomes dull and more prone to falling out. We'll also quickly notice frizz caused by insufficient hydration.
Our nails are also a good indicator of our keratin levels.. Deprived of it, they become brittle, fragile and discolored, and more susceptible to infections.Finally, keratin, as a component of the skin epithelium, is essential to avoid symptoms such as keratosis, dryness or psoriasis.
It's important to remember that symptoms such as excessive hair loss can be related to serious underlying conditions. Therefore, if significant hair loss occurs, it's important to investigate the cause, which may or may not be solely related to hair.
Keratin hair straightening - how does it work?
This is probably one of the most popular keratin treatments. It's not the cheapest, but it's quickly gaining popularity. Originating in Brazil, where the goal was to tame unruly curly hair, it quickly spread worldwide, gaining a reputation as a hair treatment that also has conditioning benefits. Its operation is quite simple: under the influence of high temperature (230 degrees) keratin is pressed into the hair, which is supposed to fill in the gaps and give the hair shine and a silky glow.
There are, however, a few caveats. Firstly, in the case of severely damaged hair, such a treatment, if performed incorrectly, can do more harm than good – after all, high temperatures are not good for hair. Another thing to watch out for is the composition of the product your hairdresser uses. Some products used for this treatment contain formaldehyde, a highly toxic substance not only for the hair but also for the entire body. There are formulas that are free of this ingredient, but it's important to be sure which product you're using.
Keratin hair treatments are also criticized for their short-lived effects. Some users report that the silky effect fades over time and is apparently only visible shortly after the treatment. If proper daily care isn't implemented after such a treatment, the effects will disappear completely after just a month or two.
This type of treatment can also be performed at home; you'll need to purchase the right cosmetics and a powerful straightener. However, it's so invasive that it's best to leave it in the hands of trusted experts who perform it on a daily basis; otherwise, you could be contributing to damage to the hairstyle. The issue of price should not be a determining factor when choosing a method of such a treatment.
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Keratin in cosmetics - how to use it?
A good way to supplementing keratin deficiencies (as well as post-keratin hair straightening care) is to use appropriate cosmetic products. In such cosmetics, it is found as a hydrolyzate, i.e., a protein obtained from sheep's wool dissolved in water. Amino acids The sulfur contained in it easily binds to the proteins that contain hair, which improves their condition.
Cosmetics containing keratin are mostly conditioners and shampoos, but also some styling products such as hairsprays, bleaching liquids and permanents.Regardless of what preparation it is, keratin hydrolyzed, it affects the regeneration of damaged hair, It increases hair volume and, above all, improves its resistance to external factors. It will not only be shiny but also healthy!
When it comes to nail health, we also find nail polishes and conditioners containing keratin, while balms and body butters are useful for providing keratin to our skin. The use of specific products depends on the ingredients, but all have similar effects.
Keratin supplementation in tablets
Knowing that keratin is a protein that is the main building block of our hair, we also need to return to the nails and cuticles. They are also largely composed of keratin. Damage to the nail structure, dryness skin, just like dry and damaged hair, are symptoms of keratin deficiency. The best solution in this case (which will also help your hair!) is to supplement keratin in your diet. If you don't get enough of it in your diet, supplements can help. supplements.
There are many products available that contain keratin, often accompanied by collagen, zinc, and other ingredients that support skin health. It can be found in many forms: powder, liquid, or tablets. There is also a wide range of jelly beans containing it. ingredients that support the production of keratin in the body.
Is keratin a protein that needs care?
If it weren't for external conditions, frequent and intensive hair care, stress, and a few other factors, we'd probably say there's nothing to worry about. Ancient people didn't know about straighteners or curling irons, and therefore probably didn't consider what keratin was. Today, however, if we want to care for our hair's appearance, it's worth starting with caring for its health.
Using keratin in any form will help get rid of split ends, brittle nails, and skin problems. The role of this protein is important, and it's a good idea to take action and replenish keratin. before we embark on any drastic changes to our hairstyle or nails. They will certainly reward us.
