#5-Does Keratin really straighten hair?
Keratin
does not straighten the hair. Keratin is not a new found ingredient,
and has been available, along with all the other types of proteins, for
many years. There are plenty of excellent protein treatments out
there(Noiraude Pro, Nigelle DS, PPT heat polymerizing protein
treatments...) that build up the hair, but they've never had
straightening abilities. And if you overuse some proteins, the hair gets
crunchy and dry, and even cause breakage from the hair getting so
brittle. A good protein treatment lasts @ a month or two,and over time
can really protect the hair and keep it in optimal health. Now imagine
taking that protein treatment and adding a catalyst that would give
straightness..... now we're talking SP-S as we know them
today.
When it comes to the actual purpose of keratin in current SP-S formulas, it might very well add a strengthening or
fortifying component, just like a standard protein treatment. Removing
keratin from SP-S might take away the strengthening affect, and whatever
improved texture it might give to the hair over time. However, no
matter what, the keratin is not responsible for the actual straightening
effect.
Pretend that all SP-S formulas are like various brownie
recipes. You can add extra goodies to a basic brownie recipe(nuts,
frosting, marshmellows....), but it's not required. With SP-S the
various companies add their "flavor" to the basic working formula, but
they're all considered "SP-S" because the chemical reaction is basically
the same. They might add things for shine,
smell, weight, softness, etc. And some SP-S really do feel better in the
hair. Some do not interact with artificial color as much.....all based on the way they put the ingredients
together. They all tweak the amount of the various
working-ingredients(percentages of formalin, glycols....) to add longevity or stickability, or simply just to make it different than the next guy.
Below is a list of ingredients of a brand of SP-S we've tried:
water, keratin, propylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, cetrimonium
chloride, formaldehyde, amodimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane &
dimethicone, fragrance.
In general, the formalin and the Glycol-related-ingredient get together
to create plastic/polymer which temporarily fixes the hair's bonds in
place. Both the Formalin and Glycol have many chemical siblings that
product plastics and polymers, such as Nylon, Teflon, Permanently
Pressed Clothing, etc...Keratin is the 2nd ingredient from the top, but
it is NOT what straightens the hair. Water is the first ingredient,
and it does not straighten the hair either....Realize that hair itself
is made of keratin, and it does not straighten itself....
A quick Wikipedia search sums up the overall concept :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_press
Here is another interesting websight on plastics:
http://www.plasticsindustry.com/types-plastics-fmn.asp