Honest results. Every hair type.
Keratin treatment before and after.
What keratin treatment actually does to your hair — and what the results look like for every hair type. A realistic guide to what happens from day one through to month five.
The science
What keratin treatment actually does to your hair.
Every strand of hair is made up of overlapping cuticle scales — like tiles on a roof. When hair is healthy, these scales lie flat and reflect light evenly. When hair is damaged, frizzy, or dry, the cuticle lifts and the scales separate. This is what causes roughness, dullness, and frizz.
A keratin treatment works by depositing a layer of protein into and over the cuticle. It fills gaps in damaged hair, seals lifted cuticle scales back down, and creates a smooth, uniform surface. The result is hair that reflects light properly (shine), resists humidity (no frizz), and dries significantly faster.
The "before and after" difference comes down to this: rough, porous, frizz-prone hair transforms into smooth, sealed, manageable hair. The more damaged or textured your starting point, the more dramatic the visible change.
Cuticle
Sealed flat
Frizz
Eliminated
Shine
Increased
Drying time
Halved
Blowdry hold
Days longer
Humidity resistance
Yes
By hair type
What to expect — before and after by hair type.
Different hair types respond differently to keratin treatment. Here is what the before-and-after change realistically looks like for each.
Thick & coarse frizzy hair
Recommended: QIQI Hair Controller — Thick & Coarse
Before: Dense, wiry texture. High volume. Frizz in any humidity. Difficult to straighten with irons — reverts within hours. Takes 45+ minutes to blowdry. Rough to the touch.
After: Dramatically smoother and flatter. Volume reduced by up to 60%. Hair holds a blowdry for days without frizzing. Drying time drops to 15–20 minutes. Soft, silky feel. Results are permanent on treated hair — lasts until new growth comes in (3–5 months between touch-ups).
Wavy & curly hair
Recommended: QIQI Hair Controller — Wavy & Curly
Before: Inconsistent wave pattern. Frizzy halo around the crown. Curls lose definition in humidity. Tangles easily. Takes effort to style either curly or straight.
After: You choose the result — from relaxed, defined waves to fully straight. Frizz eliminated. Curls become uniform and glossy if you keep them, or hair stays poker-straight if you iron flat during application. Blowdrying becomes a 10-minute task. Permanent on treated hair.
Thin & fine frizzy hair
Recommended: QIQI Hair Controller — Thin & Delicate
Before: Flyaways and frizz despite fine texture. Hair looks puffy rather than voluminous. Flat irons cause damage over time. Lacks shine and movement. Static-prone.
After: Sleek, polished finish. Flyaways eliminated. Hair looks thicker and healthier because the cuticle is sealed. Natural movement and body preserved — not weighed down. Shine is the biggest visible change on fine hair. Gentle formula avoids over-processing.
Afro & textured hair
Recommended: Nanokeratin Refortify Smoother
Before: Tight coils, high shrinkage. Very dry and prone to breakage. Difficult to detangle. Takes hours to style. Moisture escapes quickly from the open cuticle.
After: Elongated curl pattern with significantly less shrinkage. Hair retains moisture for days longer. Detangling becomes easy. Natural texture softened but not erased — you keep your pattern with less frizz and more definition. Lasts 12–16 weeks and gradually washes out.
Colour-treated hair
Recommended: Nanokeratin Refine Smoother
Before: Colour has left hair dry and porous. Frizzy ends. Colour fades quickly because the cuticle is open. Dull finish despite recent colour service.
After: Colour looks more vibrant because the sealed cuticle traps pigment inside the hair shaft. Frizz eliminated. Glossy, reflective finish makes colour appear richer and more even. Treatment is specifically formulated to be safe on all colour services including toners and glosses. Lasts 12–16 weeks.
Bleached & blonde hair
Recommended: Nanokeratin Replenish Smoother
Before: Bleaching has left hair brittle, snappy, and straw-like. High porosity means it absorbs water instantly but dries rough. Lacks elasticity. Frizzy, dull, and difficult to style without heat damage.
After: Hair regains elasticity and bounce. Feels stronger and more resilient. Porosity normalised — hair no longer soaks up water and dries rough. Shine restored. The treatment rebuilds structure from inside the cortex, so hair looks and feels healthier rather than just coated. Lasts 12–16 weeks.
Day by day
Timeline of results — what happens and when.
Keratin treatment results are not instant. Here is the realistic timeline of what your hair will look and feel like from application day through to the end of the treatment cycle.
Day 1
Application day
Hair looks sleek and shiny immediately after flat-ironing. Do not wash, tie up, tuck behind ears, or wet the hair. The treatment is still bonding to the cuticle. With QIQI, avoid washing for 72 hours. With Nanokeratin, follow the specific formula instructions.
Days 1–3
Settling period
Hair may feel slightly stiff or coated. This is completely normal — the treatment is curing. You might notice a faint product smell. Do not panic. Everything loosens and softens dramatically after the first wash.
Week 1
First wash — full results visible
After your first shampoo (sulfate-free only), the real results appear. Hair is soft, bouncy, frizz-free, and dramatically easier to manage. Drying time noticeably shorter. This is when most people see the full before-and-after difference.
Month 1–3
Peak smoothness
This is the treatment at its best. Hair is at maximum smoothness, shine, and manageability. Blowdries last for days. You can skip heat styling entirely and still have smooth, presentable hair. Humidity has no effect.
Month 3–5 (QIQI)
Regrowth appears
QIQI results are permanent on treated hair — they do not wash out. What happens is new growth comes in at your natural texture. You will notice a difference between the smooth treated lengths and the natural regrowth at the roots. Most people touch up every 3–5 months.
Month 3–4 (Nanokeratin)
Gradual softening
Nanokeratin results are temporary and wash out gradually over 12–16 weeks. You will notice frizz slowly returning and the smoothing effect softening. This is a gentle fade rather than a sudden stop — your hair transitions back to its natural state without a harsh grow-out line.
Shop treatments
Find the right treatment for your hair.
Every formula targets a specific hair type. Choose the one matched to your texture and chemical history for the best before-and-after results.
From £119 · 150g
Hair Controller — Thick & Coarse
Formaldehyde-free permanent smoothing treatment for thick, coarse, and afro-textured hair. Softens disulfide bonds under heat for lasting frizz control — from defined curls to fully straight. QIQI Hair Controller results last up to 5 months.
Shop now →
From £119 · 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.
Shop now →
From £119 · 150g
Hair Controller — Thin & Delicate
Formaldehyde-free permanent smoothing for fine, colour-treated, or delicate hair. Eliminates frizz and reduces volume without over-processing. QIQI Hair Controller safe for bleached and highlighted hair. Results last up to 5 months.
Shop now →
From £279 · 320ml / 1L
Refortify Smoother — Afro & Textured Hair
Professional smoothing treatment specifically formulated for afro and tightly textured hair. Formaldehyde-free and aldehyde-free. Results last 12–16 weeks. Strengthens hair, locks in moisture, and enhances natural shine without compromising texture integrity.
Shop now →
From £279 · 320ml / 1L
Revive Smoother — Natural Hair
Enzyme-based smoothing treatment for natural, straight, wavy, and unprocessed hair. Zero formaldehyde or aldehyde. Promotes bond reformation for frizz-free, manageable results lasting 12–16 weeks. Leaves hair smooth, shiny, and easy to style.
Shop now →
From £279 · 320ml / 1L
Refine Smoother — Colour-Treated Hair
Specially formulated for colour-treated and chemically processed hair. Safe on all colour services including toners and glosses. Formaldehyde and aldehyde free. Smooths and strengthens without compromising colour vibrancy or tone.
Shop now →
From £279 · 320ml / 1L
Replenish Smoother — Blonde & Bleached Hair
Designed for the unique needs of blonde and bleached hair. Repairs damage caused by lightening services while smoothing and strengthening from within. Formaldehyde-free. Restores elasticity and shine to over-processed hair.
Shop now →
From £129 · 150ml / 500ml
Resmooth Hair Smoother
Versatile smoothing treatment for all hair types with frizzy or unruly hair. Controls frizz, adds intense shine, and reduces styling time by up to 60%. Professional grade and formaldehyde-free. Suitable for all ethnicities and hair textures.
Shop now →
From £129 · 150ml / 500ml
Retexture Hair Smoother
Advanced texture-control treatment for all hair types. Smooths, restructures, and strengthens hair from the inside out. Zero harsh chemicals or aldehydes. Delivers lasting smoothness with improved manageability and natural movement.
Shop now →
From £139 · 150ml / 500ml
Rexten Hair Safeguard — Extensions
Protective smoothing treatment specifically safe for use on hair extensions and natural hair. Seals and smooths while protecting extension bonds from heat and humidity. Formaldehyde-free. Compatible with all extension types.
Shop now →
From £209 · 500ml
Wella Smooth Filler Treatment
Wella Professionals Smooth Filler instantly fills gaps in the hair fibre to reduce frizz and deliver smooth, glossy results in just one step. No heat or processing required. Suitable for all hair types.
Shop now →Not sure which formula? Take the 60-second quiz for a personalised recommendation →
Common questions
Keratin treatment before and after — FAQ
What does keratin treatment look like before and after?
Before treatment, hair is typically frizzy, rough to the touch, and difficult to manage — especially in humidity. After treatment, hair lies smoother, reflects more light (giving it a glossy, healthy appearance), feels silky, and holds a blowdry with minimal effort. The degree of change depends on your starting texture and the formula used.
How long until you see full results from keratin treatment?
You will notice a difference immediately after application, but full results become visible around 5–7 days after treatment — once the initial settling period is complete and you have washed your hair for the first time. Peak smoothness is typically reached within 2–4 weeks.
Does keratin treatment make hair look different?
Yes. Hair looks noticeably shinier, smoother, and healthier. Frizz is either eliminated or dramatically reduced. Drying time drops significantly. The hair surface appears more uniform because the treatment fills gaps in the cuticle layer. People often comment that treated hair looks professionally blow-dried even when air-dried.
Will keratin treatment straighten curly hair completely?
It depends on the formula and your technique. QIQI Hair Controller can deliver anything from relaxed curls to fully straight results — you control the outcome with how you flat-iron during application. Nanokeratin System smooths and reduces frizz but preserves more natural movement. Neither treatment will make hair pin-straight unless you specifically iron it that way during application.
How dramatic are the results of keratin treatment?
The more frizzy and unruly your hair is before treatment, the more dramatic the transformation. Someone with severely frizzy, coarse hair will see a bigger visual difference than someone with mildly wavy hair. Thick, coarse, and afro-textured hair types tend to show the most striking before-and-after contrast.
Can you still have some curl after keratin treatment?
Yes. With QIQI Hair Controller, you decide the level of straightening during application — you can smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz while keeping your natural wave or curl pattern. With Nanokeratin System, the treatment is designed to smooth and control rather than fully straighten, so natural movement is preserved by default.
Free UK delivery over £80
See the difference for yourself.
Professional keratin treatments matched to your hair type. Formaldehyde-free. Dispatched within 1–2 working days.