Cost comparison
At home vs salon keratin treatment.
The products are identical. The results are comparable. The price is not. A salon charges £200–£350 to apply the same QIQI Hair Controller you can buy for £119 and apply yourself. Here is the full comparison.
The cost difference.
| At Home (QIQI) | Salon | |
|---|---|---|
| Per treatment | ~£40 (3+ treatments per £119 pouch) | £200–£350 |
| Annual cost (3 treatments) | £119 (one pouch) | £600–£1,050 |
| Annual saving | £481–£931 saved | — |
| Product used | QIQI Hair Controller (your formula) | Same QIQI Hair Controller (or equivalent) |
| Results duration | Up to 5 months | Up to 5 months (same product) |
| Application time | 2–3 hours | 2–3 hours + travel time |
| Convenience | Do it whenever you want, at home | Book appointment, travel, wait |
| Support | Step-by-step guide + email support | Professional application |
Same product. Same chemistry.
When a salon charges £300 for a keratin treatment, you are not paying for a different or better product. You are paying for the stylist's time, the salon chair, and overhead costs. The QIQI Hair Controller formula applied in a Mayfair salon is chemically identical to the one you can buy on Nero Hair for £119.
The application process is straightforward: wash hair, apply product, process under heat, seal with a flat iron. Our step-by-step guide walks you through exactly how to do it. The technique is learnable — most people achieve salon-comparable results on their first attempt.
When a salon might be worth it.
A salon is worth considering if: your hair is very long (waist-length or longer) and hard to section and flat-iron yourself, you have never styled your own hair with a flat iron before, or you prefer to have someone else do the work entirely.
For everyone else — including people who regularly blow-dry and flat-iron their own hair — home application is straightforward, saves hundreds of pounds per year, and produces results that are indistinguishable from salon application.
At home vs salon — FAQ
Is at-home keratin treatment as good as salon?
The products are identical. QIQI Hair Controller is the same formula whether applied in a salon or at home. The results depend on technique — applying evenly, using the correct temperature, and following the guide. Most people achieve salon-comparable results on their first home application.
How much does a salon keratin treatment cost in the UK?
Salon keratin treatments in the UK typically cost £150–£350 per session, depending on hair length and the salon. Central London salons charge at the higher end. The treatment needs repeating every 3–5 months, making the annual cost £400–£1,400.
How much does at-home keratin treatment cost?
One QIQI Hair Controller pouch costs £119 and contains enough product for 3 or more applications. That works out to approximately £40 per treatment. The annual cost is £96–£160 versus £400–£1,400 at a salon.
What do I need to do a keratin treatment at home?
You need the QIQI Hair Controller (your formula), sulfate-free shampoo, a hairdryer, and a flat iron that reaches 180–230°C. Optionally: a heated cap (included in the DIY Kit), sectioning clips, and gloves. No specialist equipment or ventilation required — the formula is formaldehyde-free.
Can I mess up a keratin treatment at home?
The most common mistakes are: using too much product (less is more), not sectioning properly, and using the wrong flat iron temperature. None of these cause permanent damage — they just reduce the quality of the result. Follow the step-by-step guide and you will avoid all of them.
How long does it take to do at home?
About 2–3 hours for a full application including processing time. This is comparable to a salon appointment — the difference is you are at home and not paying £200+ for someone else to apply the same product.
Same results. Save £200+.
QIQI Hair Controller. Professional results at home. Free UK delivery over £80.