2026 price guide
Keratin treatment cost UK.
Salons charge £150–£400 per session. You need it every 3–5 months. That is £600–£1,600 a year on keratin treatments alone. The same product costs £119 a bottle and gives you 3+ treatments at home — roughly £40 each.
What salons charge
Salon keratin treatment prices in 2026.
A professional keratin treatment at a UK salon costs between £150 and £400 per session. The price depends on the salon's location, the stylist's experience, your hair length and thickness, and which product they use.
London salons sit at the top of the range — £250–£400 is standard in central London. Outside the capital, prices drop to £150–£300. Budget salons may advertise from £100, but check which product they use — very cheap treatments sometimes use formulas containing formaldehyde.
Most keratin treatments need repeating every 3–5 months. At £200–£400 per visit, that is £600–£1,600 per year — before you factor in the sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner you need to maintain the results.
London salon
£250–£400
Outside London
£150–£300
Annual cost (salon)
£600–£1,600
Sessions per year
2–4
The at-home alternative
How much does keratin treatment cost at home?
QIQI Hair Controller is the same professional-grade product used in UK salons. You buy it directly and apply it yourself. One 150g bottle covers shoulder-length hair 3+ times. The maths is straightforward.
Hair Controller
£119
150g bottle — 3+ treatments
~£40/treatment
Starter Kit
£159
Controller + travel aftercare
~£53/treatment
DIY Treatment Kit
£169
Controller + heated cap + tools
~£56/treatment
Full System
£215
Controller + full-size aftercare + masque
~£72/treatment
Nanokeratin System treatments are also available from £115 for the entry-level Resmooth Smoother (150ml) up to £279 for the Refortify Smoother (320ml) formulated for afro and textured hair. See all Nanokeratin treatments →
Side by side
Salon vs at-home: cost comparison.
| Salon | At home (QIQI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per treatment | £150–£400 | ~£40 |
| Annual cost (3 treatments) | £450–£1,200 | £119 |
| Annual cost (4 treatments) | £600–£1,600 | £119–£238 |
| Aftercare products included | Rarely — sold separately | In kits from £159 |
| Consultation fee | £0–£50 | Free quiz on site |
| Product used | Varies — ask your salon | QIQI Hair Controller |
| Formaldehyde-free | Check with salon | Yes — always |
| Time per session | 2–3 hours + travel | 2–3 hours at home |
| Results duration | 3–5 months | 3–5 months |
Salon prices based on UK averages in 2026. QIQI costs based on a single 150g bottle yielding 3+ treatments on shoulder-length hair. Longer or thicker hair may use more product per application.
Why prices vary
What affects keratin treatment cost.
Hair length
Short hair uses less product and takes less time to apply. Long hair (past the shoulders) can double the product needed — and salons charge accordingly. Most salon prices are quoted for "medium length" hair.
Hair thickness and density
Thick, dense, or coarse hair requires more product per section and longer processing time. Salons often add a £30–£80 surcharge for thick or very long hair. At home, you simply use more product from the bottle.
Formula type
Specialist formulas for afro-textured, colour-treated, or bleached hair sometimes cost more at a salon. QIQI Hair Controller is £119 regardless of formula. Nanokeratin specialist treatments range from £129–£279 depending on the formula.
Salon location
Central London salons charge 30–60% more than salons in other UK cities. Rent and overheads drive the difference — not the product or the skill required.
Stylist experience
Senior stylists and salon owners often charge more. The treatment process is standardised, so the product does most of the work. A first-time home user following the guide gets the same chemical result.
Aftercare products
Sulphate-free shampoo is not optional — it is what makes the treatment last. Salons often sell aftercare separately (£30–£80). Nero Hair bundles include matched aftercare from £159.
Not sure which product?
Take the 60-second hair quiz.
Answer a few questions about your hair type, texture, and goals. The quiz recommends the right QIQI formula and tells you exactly what it will cost — no surprises, no consultation fees.
Take the quiz →What they do not tell you
Hidden costs of salon keratin treatments.
01
Consultation fees
Some salons charge £20–£50 for an initial consultation before the treatment. This is separate from the treatment price. They assess your hair type and recommend a product — something our free online quiz does in 60 seconds.
02
Aftercare products
The treatment only lasts if you use sulphate-free aftercare. Most salons sell this separately — £15–£25 for shampoo, £15–£25 for conditioner, £20–£30 for a masque. That is an extra £30–£80 on top of the treatment price, every few months.
03
Length and thickness surcharges
The advertised price is almost always for short to medium-length hair. If your hair is past your shoulders, thick, or very dense, expect a surcharge of £30–£80. Some salons only reveal this at the consultation.
Three formulas — one price
QIQI Hair Controller — £119.
£119 for 150g. Three or more treatments per bottle on shoulder-length hair. That is roughly £40 per treatment — versus £150–£400 at a salon for the same product. Formaldehyde-free. Three formulas matched to different hair types.
£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 →
£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 →
£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 →Not sure which formula? Take the 60-second hair quiz →
Get your money's worth
How to make your treatment last longer.
The cost per month drops dramatically if you extend how long each treatment lasts. The single biggest variable is your shampoo. Sulphates strip keratin treatments. Switch to a sulphate-free shampoo from day one and your results last the full 4–5 months instead of fading in 4–6 weeks.
At 5 months per treatment and £119 per bottle (3 treatments), you are looking at roughly £119 per 15 months of smooth, frizz-free hair. Compare that to £450–£1,200+ per year at a salon.
Other factors that extend treatment life: washing less frequently (2–3 times per week instead of daily), avoiding chlorinated pools without a swim cap, and using a heat protectant when styling. Read our full guide on how long keratin treatment lasts for the complete breakdown.
Common questions
Keratin treatment cost — FAQ
How much does a keratin treatment cost in the UK?
A professional salon keratin treatment in the UK costs between £150 and £400 per session, depending on the salon, your hair length, and the product used. London prices tend to sit at the higher end — £250–£400. Outside London, expect £150–£300. These prices do not usually include the aftercare products you need to maintain the results.
How much does a keratin treatment cost in London?
In London, keratin treatments typically cost £250–£400 per session at a reputable salon. Some high-end Mayfair or Knightsbridge salons charge over £400 for long or thick hair. The treatment itself is the same product you can buy for home use — the difference is labour and salon overhead.
Is it cheaper to do a keratin treatment at home?
Significantly cheaper. A QIQI Hair Controller costs £119 for 150g, which gives you 3+ treatments — roughly £40 per treatment. A single salon session using the same product costs £150–£400. Over a year (2–3 treatments), you save £300–£1,000+ by doing it at home.
How much is QIQI Hair Controller?
A single QIQI Hair Controller is £119 for 150g, which covers 3+ treatments on shoulder-length hair. The Starter Kit (Controller + travel aftercare) is £159. The Full System (Controller + full-size aftercare + masque) is £215. The DIY Treatment Kit (Controller + heated cap + tools) is £169.
Why do salon keratin treatments cost so much?
Salon pricing reflects 2–3 hours of a stylist's time, chair rental, salon overheads (rent, insurance, utilities), and a markup on the product itself. The product cost to the salon is a fraction of what you pay. The rest is labour and operating costs. The treatment process is not technically difficult — which is why at-home application works so well.
How often do you need a keratin treatment?
Every 3–5 months, depending on your hair type, how often you wash, and whether you use sulphate-free aftercare. With proper aftercare, QIQI Hair Controller results last up to 5 months. Without sulphate-free shampoo, results fade in 4–6 weeks — which makes the treatment far more expensive per month.
Are cheap keratin treatments worth it?
Be cautious of salon treatments under £100. Very cheap treatments often use lower-quality formulas, some of which contain formaldehyde or aldehydes that release it when heated. Always ask what product the salon uses and check it is formaldehyde-free. QIQI Hair Controller and Nanokeratin System are both formaldehyde-free and used by professional UK salons.
What hidden costs come with a salon keratin treatment?
Many salons charge separately for a consultation (£20–£50), a clarifying pre-wash (£15–£30), and aftercare products (£30–£80 for sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner). Some also charge a surcharge for long or thick hair. The advertised price is often the starting price for short to medium-length hair only.
Free UK delivery over £80
£40 per treatment. Same product. Same result.
QIQI Hair Controller. £119 per bottle. Three treatments. The same formaldehyde-free product your salon charges £150–£400 to apply. Dispatched next working day.