We all want smooth, shiny and healthy-looking hair, but the road to achieving it isn’t always easy. If you’ve been bleaching or colouring your hair for years or using hot styling tools regularly, your hair might be in need of some extra care.
Healthy hair is a lifelong journey, and while there are plenty of at-home hair treatments you could try to help nourish, strengthen and rejuvenate your hair, nothing compares to booking in to see a hair professional. Salon quality treatments are much more effective than store-bought products. Stylists have access to equipment and formulas that aren’t sold in stores, so you can be sure your hair is being treated with high-quality formulas.
Your stylist will also assess your hair’s unique needs before applying a treatment. You won’t be able to achieve this kind of precision at home. You’ll leave the salon knowing your hair got the attention it needed, leaving it softer, shinier and stronger.
Let’s dive into some of the top salon treatments for dry, damaged and frizzy hair. It’s time to take care of your hair from root to tip.
10 Essential Salon Hair Treatments
Keratin Treatment
Made up of the same structure naturally found in our hair, nails and skin, a keratin treatment infuses hair with protective proteins. Keratin helps hair become super smooth and shiny, while also protecting it from breakage and preventing frizz. Essentially, Keratin fills-in porous spots in your hair caused by keratin loss. Since overly-porous hair is what causes frizz, tangles and breakage, a keratin treatment is a great restorative and protective treatment.
A keratin treatment can be applied to hair in two different ways, so it’s important to know the difference between the two methods. The first one includes applying a basic keratin smoothing treatment which penetrates into the cortex of your hair resulting in shiny, silky hair for about six months.
Next, the popular Brazilian Blowout method releases a formaldehyde-based solution which coats hair shafts. Once it’s rinsed out, your stylist will blow-dry and straighten your hair. This method lasts about 3 months. If you have thin hair, talk to your stylist to see if this treatment is right for you.
Scalp Treatment
If your scalp is dry or itchy, an in-salon scalp treatment might be the trick you need. It’s relaxing, and can drastically help your scalp produce the right amount of oil necessary to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy. A scalp treatment will also help improve hair growth. Whether your scalp is overly oily or dry and flaky, a scalp treatment is an excellent step in the right direction towards healthy hair. Who is it ideal for? Everyone can benefit from a scalp treatment. It will exfoliate your scalp and remove any buildup. We all have buildup that needs to be exfoliated away from time to time.
Hot Oil Treatment
If you’re looking for instant shine, ask your stylist about a hot oil treatment. It will seal your hair cuticles and leave your hair looking fresh and feeling silky smooth and nourished.The treatment is left on for about 12-20 minutes before being rinsed out. Hot oil works magic on dry or damaged hair, and is especially effective on dry and coloured hair.
Moisture Treatment
Reverse dry, thirsty hair with a professional moisture treatment. This top-notch service deep-conditions hair while also fixing dullness and split ends. It’s massaged into hair and can easily be added to a blowout appointment. Olaplex is a high-quality and commonly used professional moisture treatment brand. This treatment works best on over processed, heat damaged and coloured hair.
Detox Treatment
This type of treatment is designed to remove buildup on hair shafts as a result of using too much product, chemicals or exposure to chlorine. It clarifies the hair shaft, and improves the overall appearance and health of the hair and scalp. Bonus, this treatment can also stimulate hair growth.
We all have some sort of buildup on our hair, so it’s a good idea to periodically cleanse it. A detox treatment will also add volume and shine. If you love using dry shampoo, hairspray and other types of styling products or skipping shampoo days, you likely have some buildup.
Relaxing Treatment
Relaxing hair treatments were designed to combat frizz and unruly curls. They make hair sleek, and the treatment can last for several months. This is a customizable treatment; it can reduce frizz, make hair sleek or help control you hair’s softness and movement.
Typically, relaxing treatments are recommended for textured hair. Whether your hair is curly or wavy, a relaxing treatment will drastically reduce dryness and frizz. Pro Tip: Even though this treatment can last for several months, it’s important to be carefully when it comes to reapplication. If it’s done too often, it can leave your tresses overly dry, lacklustre and lifeless.
Toning Treatment
Toning treatments are semi-permanent and meant to correct hair colour. If your blonde hair has gone yellow, or your brunette hair looks a little brassy, a toning treatment can definitely be a lifesaver. Once your initial hair colour has been applied, or a few weeks after your colour appointment, ask your stylist for a tone.
Toners are usually applied at the wash sink, but can also easily be applied in the chair. They are meant to be left on hair for about 15-20 minutes, then thoroughly washed out. Pro Tip: Toners can extend the life of your hair colour, prevent fading, and correct many colours or at-home colour mistakes.
Important: Never try to apply a toner at home since lightened hair tends to instantly absorb the toner. Book an in-salon toner appointment instead and skip at-home hair disasters.
Gloss Treatment
If instant shine is what you’re after, book yourself in for a gloss treatment. It will last for several weeks, and will smooth your hair shafts and add a gorgeous sheen. It’s typically applied at the wash sink, and can be done both on coloured hair, or on virgin hair. It’s meant to boost your hair’s shine and radiance. A gloss treatment is like a top coat for your hair. If you colour your hair, ask your stylist to add a gloss after each colour appointment.
Olaplex Treatment
Olaplex is a common go-to for colourists. It is formulated to protect hair from chemical damage while also keeping hair strong and healthy. Inevitably, hair gets damaged and weakened due to being coloured, and Olaplex protects the integrity of hair.
Olaplex is a bonder, meaning it prevents further damage and repairs hair bonds. It helps keep hair strong from the inside out. It can be mixed with highlighting products to make it less damaging, or it can be used on its own as a strengthening treatment.
An Olaplex treatment repairs damage caused by chemicals or heat, and it works great on all hair types. Other benefits include: stronger hair, repair from bleaching or coloring, less breakage, and the stimulation of hair growth. Note: Olaplex was designed to be used my trained hair professionals only; the ones you can find in stores are not the same ones your stylist uses at the salon.
Japanese Hair Straightening
Sometimes referred to as Thermal Reconditioning, Japanese hair straightening is similar to a Keratin treatment except it permanently straightens hair. It penetrates hair cuticles, permanently changing each hair strand’s inner bond. Keep in mind that once hair begins to grow back, it will revert back to its original natural texture.
Will Hair Grow Quicker as a Result of Salon Hair Treatments?
Yes, if your hair is well-maintained and healthy, it will tend to grow more quickly. Split ends, weak and over-processed hair will not grow beautifully. If you spend time, effort and money purchasing beautiful clothing and shoes, there is no reason for your hair to be neglected.Â
If you’d like to promote hair growth, regular trims and hair repairing salon treatments will drastically help. Regular trims might seem counterintuitive, but if you think about it, it’s completely logical. In the end, if you really want your hair to grow long and strong, it’s best to prevent split ends by avoiding or limiting hot styling tools. You’ll need less hair trimmed off at each appointment, meaning you’ll reach your desired length much quicker.
Avoid Extremely Damaged Hair
We totally understand. There are so many hair colour and style possibilities that you can’t wait to try. Permed hair, straight and sleek, pink hair, balayage – the possibilities are endless! Before trying out the newest trends or experimenting with your latest hair adventure, consider the long-term health of your hair.
Over-processing or over-lightening your hair will cause long-term damage, so use extreme caution and always consult an experienced stylist.
Invest in Salon Hair Treatments
Hair is delicate. Over time, normal wear and tear means it becomes damaged and weakened. Whether you’ve never dyed your hair or you’re constantly switching up your colour, you’ll need to regularly maintain your hair. There are so many amazing salon treatments available, you just have to do some research and book an appointment with your stylists. They’ll help you determine which treatment is best for your hair and lifestyle.
Remember, not all hair damage is irreversible. A good trim coupled with regular salon treatments can work wonders. If you’re not sure which treatments are best for you, let your stylist guide you. Easily find a salon near you by visiting Beautster.com