Is The Brazilian Blowout Better Than Keratin For Frizz-Free Hair?

From coloring sessions to daily heat styling, your hair gets put through the wringer in order to achieve your desired aesthetic. But when stubborn frizz or chronically dull strands get in the way of shampoo commercial-worthy softness and bounce, it’s time to turn to a professional solution. But should you get a Brazilian blowout or a keratin treatment? Both salon services smooth hair, but they’re not one and the same.

Whether you want to go straight or enhance your curls, both of the customizable treatments eliminates frizz and infuses shine by way of their respective bonding technology that actually improves the overall condition of your hair. However, that’s where the similarities end. One of the biggest factors to consider when deciding between the two services is downtime. While the Brazilian blowout delivers instant results without the need to tweak your regular routine, the keratin treatment requires you to wait three days to wash your hair post-treatment.

Whichever option you choose, expect to pay a hefty price. Both services average around $300 nationwide (though the cost will depend on how much hair you have). However, it’ll be worth the investment because these treatments will help you cut down on heat-styling time.

If you’re still riddled with trepidation, fear not. TZR tapped experts to further explain why the Brazilian blowout and keratin treatment are worth the investment, and most importantly, how to decide between the two.

Brazilian Blowout Vs. Keratin Treatment

When comparing a Brazilian blowout vs. keratin, the difference comes down to the active ingredients. The Brazilian blowout uses amino acids — which are much smaller molecules — allowing the treatment to be rinsed out the same day. On the other hand, keratin must crystallize over 72 hours. With a Brazilian blowout, you don't have to worry about “over-keratinizing” the hair, which ultimately can cause breakage. Plus, you’ll have to be careful for about three days after a keratin treatment — no clipping the hair back, no ponytails, no washing — or you might dent it. With a Brazilian blowout, you’re good to resume your normal hair routine right away.

Both treatments are safe for color-treated hair and will leave it feeling healthy and shiny, but one of the major differences in the two treatments is the amount of formaldehyde used. “The Brazilian blowout has much higher formaldehyde, about 12%,” says Nunzio Saviano, a New York City-based hairstylist and salon founder. “Most of the keratin treatments on the market today have very low formaldehyde, Lasio has 0.02%, and some have 0 formaldehyde, such as Cezanne and Magic Sleek.” Formaldehyde is an irritant, however, so some people will experience watery eyes or worst case scenario, a burning throat. “It’s without a doubt a health risk,” notes Saviano. So if you’re allergic, sensitive to the ingredient, or just want to play it safe, it’s best to opt for a low-formaldahyde alternative like those mentioned by Saviano or another non-toxic hair treatment.

Another notable difference between a keratin treatment and a Brazilian blowout is what a client might use them for. While both are smoothing and frizz-eliminating, Brazilian blowouts cannot fix damaged hair in the way that keratin treatments can. “If your frizz is stemming from damage, then your treatment would need to be one that focuses on healing the cuticle of your hair, as opposed to someone who has healthy hair and wants to smooth or loosen curls,” Vickie Vidov, a New York City-based celebrity hair stylist and founder of Vidov West Salon, tells TZR. It will be up to your stylist to assess your needs and goals to choose the right treatment for you.

Who Is A Candidate For A Brazilian Blowout Or Keratin Treatment?

Brazilian blowout is great for all hair types and complements color-treated hair well for a post-color treatment because it’s nurturing and seals the cuticle. “Anyone who wants smoother hair, or anyone who needs serious repair to their hair [is a candidate for a Brazilian blowout],” explains Vidov. You will need to wait two weeks after a treatment to do color, however, so the color can make its way into the cuticle. It’s also an option for someone who wants volume on top of frizz control because you can use a flat iron to add lift at the root.

All hair types and those with color-treated hair can get a keratin treatment, too, but it’s best to wait two weeks post-dye session before getting the service.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

For both Brazilian blowouts and keratin treatments, the process is pretty similar. “What changes is the client’s need,” Saviano tells TZR. “Some people don’t mind having a little more frizz if it means having more body left in the hair, in other words 80% less frizz equals to 80% less body, or 50% less frizz equals 50% less body.”

At either type of appointment, you’ll start off with a consultation to discuss your needs and expectations with the stylist so they can determine the best treatment for you. “Then the process begins,” says stylist and salon owner Kate Gavin. “We clarify your hair to remove any buildup. This helps the solution work better and faster, then lightly towel dry it, and get to work.” For both treatments, the solution will be applied to the entire head, avoiding the scalp, then combed through from root to ends in small sections.

Unlike a keratin treatment, the Brazilian blowout has no processing time, so it will be blow-dried into the hair with a round brush immediately instead of after five to 30 minutes. Then, your stylist will flat iron your hair to lock in the product. “After the flat iron work is done,” Gavin tells TZR, “both keratin treatments (excluding semi-permanent keratin treatments) and Brazilian blowout have to be rinsed out, but not shampooed. From there, your hair will need to be dried and styled again.”

The amount of time you have to sit in the salon chair (and the dollars you spend) will depend on the hair you’re working with. “The thickness and the length of the hair determines the cost — it can take anywhere from an hour and a half for short hair and up to three hours with longer, thicker hair,” notes Saviano. “The longer the service, the more expensive the cost.”

Post-Treatment Care & Maintenance

Once you exit the salon with your shiny, sleek new strands, how long will the results last? “These treatments last about three months,” offers Vidov, given you take care of your hair properly and aren’t swimming in salt water and washing your hair every single day. “You need to use a safe sulfate-free shampoo, each treatment comes with their own recommended shampoo. The growth looks different depending on the natural curl and frizz,” she adds. While the treatments eventually wash out, Vidov points out that the hair shouldn’t go back to exactly the level of frizz there was before since the treatments “heal the hair strands.”