Make it last.
Keratin treatment aftercare.
A keratin treatment is only as good as the aftercare that follows. The wrong shampoo, too much heat, or washing too soon can cut your results in half. Follow these rules and use the right products to keep your hair smooth, frizz-free, and protected for months.
The essentials
The golden rules of keratin aftercare.
Your keratin treatment bonds to the hair cuticle over the first few days. During this period, anything that disrupts that bond — water, clips, sulphates, chlorine — can reduce how long your results last.
After the initial bonding period, ongoing maintenance is straightforward: use sulphate-free products, wash less frequently, and protect your hair from chlorine and salt water. These four rules alone can double the lifespan of your treatment.
Every product in the Nero Hair aftercare range — from QIQI to Nanokeratin — is specifically formulated for keratin-treated hair. No sulphates, no parabens, no sodium chloride.
Wait before washing
48–72 hrs
Shampoo type
Sulphate-free
Wash frequency
2–3x / week
No chlorine
2 weeks
Protect your investment
Aftercare products.
Sulphate-free shampoos, conditioners, masks, oils, and heat protection — everything you need to maintain your keratin treatment results. QIQI and Nanokeratin aftercare ranges formulated specifically for treated hair.
Qiqi Trial Trio
From £69 · Shampoo 75ml + Conditioner 75ml + Masque 75g
Smooth Service Shampoo
From £44 · 75ml / 300ml / 1000ml
Hydration Fixation Conditioner
From £45 · 300ml
Super Soaker Smoothing Masque
From £59 · 75g / 250g / 350g / 1kg
Bare Repair Oil
From £58 · 50ml
Porosity Play Spray
From £59 · 250ml
Volume Code Mist
From £46 · 180ml
All Out Blowout
From £50 · 180g
Refortify Shampoo — Afro Hair
From £32 · 320ml
Revive Shampoo — Natural Hair
From £28 · 320ml
Refine Shampoo — Colour-Treated Hair
From £28 · 320ml
Replenish Shampoo — Blonde & Bleached Hair
From £28 · 320ml
Refortify Mask — Afro Hair
From £35 · 250ml
Revive Mask — Natural Hair
From £32 · 250ml
Refine Mask — Colour-Treated Hair
From £32 · 250ml
Replenish Mask — Blonde & Bleached Hair
From £32 · 250ml
Revive Aftercare Bundle — Natural Hair
From £75 · Revive Shampoo 320ml + Mask 250ml + Insulator 100ml
Refortify Aftercare Bundle — Afro Hair
From £85 · Refortify Shampoo 320ml + Mask 250ml + Insulator 100ml
Refine Aftercare Bundle — Colour-Treated Hair
From £79 · Refine Shampoo 320ml + Mask 250ml + Insulator 100ml
Replenish Aftercare Bundle — Blonde & Bleached Hair
From £79 · Replenish Shampoo 320ml + Mask 250ml + Insulator 100ml
Your aftercare timeline
Week by week.
Week 1
Do not wash your hair for 48–72 hours after treatment
No clips, ponytails, or headbands — avoid anything that creates creases or bends in the hair
No swimming — chlorine and salt water will strip the treatment before it has bonded
Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and frizz
Avoid steam — saunas, steam rooms, and excessive humidity can interfere with bonding
Weeks 2–4
Introduce sulphate-free washing — use a keratin-safe shampoo and conditioner only
Wash 2–3 times per week maximum — the less you wash, the longer it lasts
Use lukewarm water — hot water opens the cuticle and can accelerate treatment fade
Apply a keratin mask weekly to maintain hydration and smoothness
Always use heat protection before blow-drying or straightening
Month 2+
Maintain with aftercare products — continue using sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner
Weekly deep-conditioning mask to keep hair nourished and extend smoothing results
Use a finishing oil on mid-lengths and ends for extra shine and frizz protection
Avoid chlorine and salt water or wear a swim cap to protect your treatment
Book your next treatment before results fully fade for seamless maintenance
QIQI treatments last up to 5 months. Nanokeratin treatments last 12–16 weeks. Proper aftercare extends both.
Common questions
Keratin aftercare — FAQ
How long should I wait before washing hair after keratin treatment?
Wait 48–72 hours after a QIQI treatment. With Nanokeratin, follow the specific instructions for your formula (typically 24–48 hours). This allows the treatment to fully bond.
What shampoo should I use after keratin treatment?
Use a sulphate-free shampoo. Sulphates strip the treatment. Nero Hair stocks Nanokeratin aftercare shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for treated hair.
Can I use normal conditioner after keratin treatment?
Standard conditioners with sulphates, parabens, or sodium chloride can shorten your treatment. Use a keratin-safe conditioner designed for chemically treated hair.
How often should I wash my hair after keratin treatment?
Wash 2–3 times per week maximum. Less washing means longer-lasting results. When you do wash, use lukewarm water (not hot).
Can I swim after keratin treatment?
Wait at least 2 weeks. Chlorine and salt water can strip the treatment. Wear a swim cap when possible.
Can I tie my hair up after keratin treatment?
Avoid tight ponytails, clips, or headbands for the first 72 hours. After that, loose styles are fine.
How do I make my keratin treatment last longer?
Use sulphate-free products, wash less often, avoid excessive heat styling, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and avoid chlorine/salt water.
Free UK delivery over £80
Protect your treatment. Extend your results.
Sulphate-free aftercare from QIQI and Nanokeratin. Formulated for keratin-treated hair. Dispatched next working day. UK delivery 1–3 working days.