At-home guide
Keratin treatment at home.
The same product your hairdresser uses. £115 a bottle. Three treatments per bottle. That is £38 per treatment — versus £180–£340 at a salon. Same result.
The science — briefly
What a keratin treatment actually does.
Frizz happens because the hair shaft is porous. Humidity gets in, hydrogen bonds shift, and the cuticle swells outward. Keratin treatments work at a deeper level — they soften and temporarily restructure the disulfide bonds that determine the hair's shape. Heat seals the treatment into the cortex.
The result is a hair shaft that is smoother, less porous, and physically resistant to humidity. Not a coating sitting on top of the hair — a structural change that lasts until the treated hair grows out or the treatment is washed away.
QIQI Hair Controller is formaldehyde-free. It uses a cysteine-based formula that gives the same structural result without the chemical risk of older treatments. It is what most UK salons have switched to.
Salon cost
£180–£340
At-home cost
~£38
Results last
Up to 5 months
Treatments per bottle
3+
Three formulas
Who is it for?
Any hair type that is frizzy, difficult to manage, or takes too long to style. There are three formulas matched to different hair types — the chemistry is slightly different for thick, resistant hair versus fine or colour-treated hair.
£115 · 150g
Hair Controller — Thick & Coarse
Permanently tames thick, coarse, and afro-textured hair. Softens disulfide bonds under heat to deliver lasting control — from voluminous and defined to fully straight. Results last up to 5 months.
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£115 · 150g
Hair Controller — Wavy & Curly
Permanently reduces frizz and enhances natural pattern definition — or delivers a smooth, controlled finish. Designed specifically for wavy and curly hair. Formaldehyde-free. Lasts up to 5 months.
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£115 · 150g
Hair Controller — Thin & Delicate
Gentle permanent smoothing for fine, colour-treated, or delicate hair. Eliminates frizz and reduces volume without over-processing. Safe for bleached and highlighted hair.
Shop now →Not sure which formula? Take the 60-second hair quiz →
Before you start
What you need.
QIQI Hair Controller (your formula)
One 150g bottle covers shoulder-length hair 3+ times. Choose the formula matched to your hair type.
Hair dryer
Standard hair dryer. You need to fully dry the hair before application and again after processing.
Flat iron (230°C)
The iron seals the treatment into the hair shaft. It needs to reach 230°C. Most professional irons do — check yours.
Sectioning clips
Work in sections. Clips keep hair divided so you can apply evenly from root to tip.
Mixing bowl and brush
Gives you more precise application than fingers. Not essential but makes the process easier.
Sulphate-free shampoo for aftercare
Essential. Sulphates strip keratin. Use a sulphate-free shampoo from the first wash and your results last 4–5 months instead of 4–6 weeks.
Shortcut
The DIY Treatment Kit includes everything except the flat iron.
Hair Controller (your formula), heated cap, mixing bowl, brush, and gloves — bundled together. Costs less than buying the components separately.
See the kits →The process
Step-by-step overview.
01
Wash and dry
Shampoo twice — no conditioner. Towel-dry to about 80%, then blow-dry completely. The hair needs to be fully dry before you apply the treatment. Damp hair will dilute it.
02
Apply and process
Section hair into 4 quadrants. Apply Hair Controller from 0.5cm off the scalp through to the ends in 1cm sections. Process under heat for 30–90 minutes depending on your hair type. The heat works the formula into the hair cortex.
03
Seal and leave
Blow-dry again until fully smooth. Flat-iron at 230°C in 1cm sections, 5–10 passes each. The iron is what locks the treatment in. Leave for 72 hours — no water, clips, or ponytails. Then wash with sulphate-free shampoo.
The part people get wrong
Aftercare is not optional.
Sulphates are surfactants — they are very good at stripping things from the hair, including keratin treatments. If you wash with a regular shampoo after a keratin treatment, you are actively removing the treatment every time you shower.
A sulphate-free shampoo makes the treatment last 4–5 months. A regular shampoo drops that to 4–6 weeks. It is the single biggest variable in how long your results last.
QIQI Smooth Service Shampoo is formulated to work with keratin treatments. It cleans without stripping. Use it from the first wash after the 72-hour wait period.
Common questions
Keratin treatment at home — FAQ
Can I really do a keratin treatment at home?
Yes. QIQI Hair Controller is designed to be applied at home. You need a hair dryer, a flat iron, and the guide. The process takes 2–3 hours. Most people get results identical to a salon treatment on the first attempt.
What equipment do I need?
A hair dryer, a flat iron (230°C capability), sectioning clips, and a mixing bowl and brush if you want precise application. A heated cap makes the processing step easier but is not essential — you can use a standard dryer with a diffuser attachment.
How long does it take?
Allow 2–3 hours for the full process: two shampoo washes, blow-dry, application, processing time (30–90 minutes depending on hair type), a second blow-dry, and flat-ironing. Then 72 hours before washing. Plan it for a day you have free.
How long do the results last?
Up to 5 months. The single biggest variable is your shampoo. Sulphates strip keratin treatments fast. Use a sulphate-free shampoo from day one — results will last the full 4–5 months instead of fading in 4–6 weeks.
Which formula is right for my hair?
Thick & Coarse is for afro, very frizzy, or resistant hair. Wavy & Curly is for naturally wavy or curly hair that you want smoother or more defined. Thin & Delicate is for fine, colour-treated, or bleached hair. Not sure — the quiz on the site takes about 60 seconds.
Is it safe to use at home?
QIQI Hair Controller is formaldehyde-free. It is the same product used in professional salon settings. Read the application guide before you start, perform a strand test, and do not apply within 4 weeks of bleaching. Follow the instructions and it is safe.
How much does a home keratin treatment cost vs a salon?
A QIQI Hair Controller is £115 for 150g, which gives you 3+ treatments — roughly £38 per treatment. UK salons charge £180–£340 for the same treatment using the same product. The saving over 12 months is substantial.
Dispatched next working day
£38 per treatment. Salon results.
One bottle. Three treatments. Free UK delivery over £80. The same product your hairdresser charges £180–£340 to apply.