2026 price guide
Keratin treatment cost USA.
Salons charge $200–$500 per session. You need it every 3–5 months. That is $800–$2,000 a year on keratin treatments alone. The same product costs around $168 a bottle and gives you 3+ treatments at home — roughly $56 each.
What salons charge
Salon keratin treatment prices in 2026.
A professional keratin treatment at a US salon costs between $200 and $500 per session. The price depends on the salon's location, the stylist's experience, your hair length and thickness, and which product they use.
NYC and LA salons sit at the top of the range — $300–$500 is standard in Manhattan or Beverly Hills. In smaller cities and suburban areas, prices drop to $200–$350. Budget salons may advertise from $150, 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–$500 per visit, that is $800–$2,000 per year — before you factor in the sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner you need to maintain the results.
NYC / LA salon
$300–$500
Smaller cities
$200–$350
Annual cost (salon)
$800–$2,000
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 salons worldwide. You buy it directly and apply it yourself. One 150g bottle covers shoulder-length hair 3+ times. Ships from the USA with free shipping over $175. The math is straightforward.
Hair Controller
~$168
150g bottle — 3+ treatments
~$56/treatment
Starter Kit
~$232
Controller + travel aftercare
~$77/treatment
DIY Treatment Kit
~$220
Controller + heated cap + tools
~$73/treatment
Full System
~$245
Controller + full-size aftercare + masque
~$82/treatment
Prices shown in USD are approximate conversions. Product card prices on our shop are listed in GBP (£) — the exact USD amount is shown at checkout based on the current exchange rate.
Side by side
Salon vs at-home: cost comparison.
| Salon (US) | At home (QIQI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per treatment | $200–$500 | ~$56 |
| Annual cost (3 treatments) | $600–$1,500 | ~$168 |
| Annual cost (4 treatments) | $800–$2,000 | $168–$310 |
| Aftercare products included | Rarely — sold separately | In kits from ~$232 |
| Consultation fee | $0–$75 | 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 US 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. USD prices are approximate.
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 $40–$100 surcharge for thick or very long hair. At home, you simply use more product from the bottle.
Formula type
Specialist formulas for afro-textured, color-treated, or bleached hair sometimes cost more at a salon. QIQI Hair Controller is the same price regardless of formula.
Salon location
NYC, LA, and Miami salons charge 30–60% more than salons in smaller 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 standardized, so the product does most of the work. A first-time home user following the guide gets the same chemical result.
Aftercare products
Sulfate-free shampoo is not optional — it is what makes the treatment last. Salons often sell aftercare separately ($40–$100). Nero Hair bundles include matched aftercare from ~$232.
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 $25–$75 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 sulfate-free aftercare. Most salons sell this separately — $20–$35 for shampoo, $20–$35 for conditioner, $25–$40 for a masque. That is an extra $40–$100 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 $40–$100. Some salons only reveal this at the consultation.
Ships from USA — free US shipping over $175
QIQI Hair Controller — from ~$168.
Around $168 for 150g. Three or more treatments per bottle on shoulder-length hair. That is roughly $56 per treatment — versus $200–$500 at a US salon for the same product. Formaldehyde-free. Three formulas matched to different hair types.
£129 · 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 →
£129 · 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 →
£129 · 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. Sulfates strip keratin treatments. Switch to a sulfate-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 ~$168 per bottle (3 treatments), you are looking at roughly $168 per 15 months of smooth, frizz-free hair. Compare that to $600–$1,500+ 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 keratin treatment cost in the US?
A professional salon keratin treatment in the US costs between $200 and $500 per session, depending on the salon, your hair length, and the product used. NYC and LA salons tend to sit at the higher end — $300–$500. In smaller cities and suburbs, expect $200–$350. These prices do not usually include the aftercare products you need to maintain the results.
How much does keratin treatment cost in NYC?
In New York City, keratin treatments typically cost $300–$500 per session at a reputable salon. Some high-end Manhattan salons charge over $500 for long or thick hair. The treatment itself is the same product you can buy for home use — the difference is labor and salon overhead.
Is it cheaper to do keratin treatment at home?
Significantly cheaper. A QIQI Hair Controller costs around $168 (ships from the USA) for 150g, which gives you 3+ treatments — roughly $56 per treatment. A single salon session using the same product costs $200–$500. Over a year (2–3 treatments), you save $400–$1,400+ by doing it at home.
How much is QIQI Hair Controller?
A single QIQI Hair Controller is £129 for 150g (approximately $168 USD), which covers 3+ treatments on shoulder-length hair. The Starter Kit is approximately $232. The Full System is approximately $245. The DIY Treatment Kit is approximately $220. All ship from the USA with free shipping over $175.
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 labor 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 sulfate-free aftercare. With proper aftercare, QIQI Hair Controller results last up to 5 months. Without sulfate-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 $150. 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 is formaldehyde-free and used by professional salons worldwide.
What hidden costs come with a salon keratin treatment?
Many salons charge separately for a consultation ($25–$75), a clarifying pre-wash ($20–$40), and aftercare products ($40–$100 for sulfate-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.
Do you ship to the US?
Yes. All orders ship from the USA. Free US shipping on orders over $175. Most orders arrive within 3–5 business days.
Free US shipping over $175
$56 per treatment. Same product. Same result.
QIQI Hair Controller. Around $168 per bottle. Three treatments. The same formaldehyde-free product your salon charges $200–$500 to apply. Ships from the USA.