Every curly girl who hates frizzy hair spends way too much time googling Brazilian blowout vs Keratin. Many salons will list the treatments interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing. They don’t: one actually coats your hair while the other rebuilds it, and both factors reflect in the price and processing time. Curly hair, color-treated hair, and fine hair all react differently to the formulas, too. Let’s break down what really sets them apart.
What Is Brazilian Blowout?
A Brazilian Blowout is a smoothing treatment made up of amino acids and proteins that coat each strand of hair. It minimizes frizz, promotes shine, and softens curls while maintaining your hair’s natural texture.
The main difference between Brazilian blowout and keratin is that Brazilian blowout doesn’t permanently alter the hair’s structure. Some stylists may mislead you by advertising it as a Brazilian hair straightening treatment, but the results are more “smoother” than straight.
The blowout formula bonds to the outside of your hair rather than soaking into each strand. You’ll notice the finish is more forgiving as your hair maintains some natural movement, notably straight, and that’s why those with curls or loose waves typically opt for this over a keratin treatment.
What Is a Keratin Treatment?
A keratin treatment works by penetrating the hair shaft with keratin protein to rebuild strength from within the hair. It also smooths down the cuticle to add shine and leave hair straighter than a Brazilian Blowout will. Keratin is a structural protein your body naturally produces and contains in your hair, skin, and nails.
Keratin treatments from GK Hair contain Juvexin, which is a blend of non-hydrolyzed keratin proteins that penetrate into the hair's cortex and coat the cuticle rather than just sitting on top of it. Most hydrolyzed formulas, like what is covered in our beginner's keratin treatment guide, just sit on top of the hair rather than bonding with it.
In our testing, formulation team members found that this dual action is what allows the results to last, and which helps explain why many of the benefits of a keratin treatment, such as smoother texture and reduced frizz in humidity, become noticeable after the first wash.
Is a Brazilian Blowout the Same as a Keratin Treatment?
No, while there are people who call these services the same, a Brazilian Blowout is not a keratin treatment. A Brazilian Blowout cleanses the strand and applies an amino acid and protein formula, while a keratin treatment is a strand of keratin protein that attaches itself to the strand. So, is a Brazilian blowout a keratin treatment? Not quite. They're similar, but expressed differently.
The main difference between Brazilian blowout and keratin treatment options lies in ingredients, depth of penetration into the hair, and all the other factors that affect the longevity, wash day rules, and cost differences you'll see below.
Brazilian Blowout vs Keratin Treatment: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how Brazilian Blowout vs keratin treatment stacks up side by side, from process to price.
Which Lasts Longer: Brazilian Blowout or Keratin?
The duration of keratin treatments is usually longer than a Brazilian blowout. With aftercare, a Brazilian Blowout can last for approximately 10-12 weeks, while a professional keratin treatment can last up to 3-5 months.
Our formaldehyde-free formula is labeled for up to 5 months of wear, but the results depend on hair texture and thickness. However, washing too often, heat styling, and sun exposure reduce the lifespan of both treatments, meaning the difference between treatments becomes less if you're rough on your hair between sessions.
Which Treatment Is Better for Your Hair Type?
Curly and coily hair types will benefit from keratin treatments, as they will help to loosen tight curls while not sweeping them away, while color-treated hair will be treated with either keratin or coily to help the color stay in. For fine hair, a lighter Brazilian Blowout formula that won't weigh strands down works best. Typically, a keratin treatment is needed for coarse, frizzy hair.
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Curly or coily hair: Brazilian blowout for curly hair is gentler in softening the pattern, which may be preferred by some curly customers and not by others.
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Wavy hair: Both treatments are effective, but a Brazilian Blowout will preserve more of the natural wave and bounce in the hair.
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Fine or thin hair: A lighter Brazilian blowout formula will not weigh the hair down, which is a concern that some fine-haired clients have when using heavier Brazilian Blowout formulas.
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Color-treated hair: Both services are safe; however, most stylists recommend coloring first, treating second, in order to preserve the color.
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Coarse and very frizzy hair: In this case, a keratin treatment is likely to be the right choice as it can penetrate the hair strand and lasts longer when exposed to humidity.
Pros and Cons of Each Treatment
Comparing Brazilian blowout pros and cons to keratin treatment pros and cons often comes down to time commitment, hair goals, and personal feelings on ingredients.
The Pros and Cons of Brazilian Blowouts
If you're looking for pure convenience, Brazilian Blowouts come out on top. Hair can be washed immediately following the appointment; it takes less time overall in the salon chair, and the style still allows for movement instead of going completely straight. The downfall is in longevity: while keratin tends to last around three to four months, Brazilian Blowout results typically last around 10-12 weeks.
Also drawing concern from the FDA and OSHA are some original formulations of Brazilian blowout treatments, which release dangerous levels of formaldehyde when heated. Take note of these warnings and ask your salon about the products they use before you schedule an appointment.
The Pros and Cons of Keratin Treatments
Keratin treatments are more durable, help strengthen your hair from the inside out, and typically hold up over time (and in more humid climates) better than a Brazilian blowout.
Keratin risks becoming dried out or brittle are eliminated from our formaldehyde-free keratin option by replacing methylene glycol (the ingredient most treatments get flagged for containing formaldehyde) with a Juvexin protein bond that will not off-gas during the heating process.
Time is the tradeoff here: most keratin treatments require a full salon visit that can run you several hours, and traditional formulas require 72 hours before getting your hair wet.
According to Healthline, keratin treatments can also cause dryness or scalp irritation if the formula you use isn't right for your hair type.
How Much Do the Treatments Cost?
Brazilian Blowouts cost between $200 and $400 per treatment; keratin treatments range from $200 to $600 based on the length of hair and salon. Keratin is less expensive monthly since you can wear it longer, and so, when comparing the cost of each treatment, you’ll realize that it tends to increase more in humid climates with higher demand. The keratin express treatment comparison shows that it cuts the time in the chair in half, but they only last about half as long.
Our full-strength keratin treatment, The Best Hair Treatment, is applied in-salon after two initial cleansing washes with our Clarifying shampoo. It is processed for 40-60 minutes (depending on the thickness of your hair) and then sealed with a flat iron. It’s best for all hair types, particularly for thick, curly, or color-treated hair that needs long-lasting frizz control without formaldehyde. You do not have to wait to wash your hair after you get this service.
Stylist's Corner
Section hair less than 1/2 inch thick when performing a smoothing treatment. The bigger the section, the harder it is to saturate evenly, and uneven saturation is the number one cause of treatments fading in spots rather than all at once.
Which Treatment Should You Choose?
Go with a Brazilian Blowout if you prefer shorter visits, same-day washing, and a softer style. Opt for a keratin treatment if you don't wash your hair often and want long-lasting smoothness. If you're wondering is keratin or Brazilian blowout better for damaged hair or color-treated hair, most hairstylists recommend keratin since its rebuilding formula contains protein.
If you prefer to avoid keratin from animal sources altogether, our The Best Coco Hair Treatment uses Vegan Juvexin made with pea protein and quinoa instead. It's best for vegan clients and those with color-treated hair or chemically processed hair who still want to try a formaldehyde-free smoothing treatment. The application is the same as our standard formula, and the results last 3-5 months.
Because we're salon tested in over 75 countries using the same Juvexin ingredients, you can visit the product page to view a full list of ingredients. This helps in weighing damage risk before you book. Results will vary depending on hair type, so browse the before and after results of keratin treatment for examples of what to expect for different hair textures.
Can You Get A Keratin Treatment And Brazilian Blowout?
Yes, you can get both a keratin treatment and a Brazilian Blowout, but not back-to-back. Allow at least two or three weeks between the two services. You'll want to wait until the Brazilian Blowout has time to set. Otherwise, you risk overloading your hair with protein, which will leave it feeling dry, stiff, and prone to breakage.
FAQs
Is a Brazilian blowout safer than a keratin treatment?
No, Brazilian Blowout isn't necessarily safer than a keratin treatment; it's about the formula. Formaldehyde-free keratin treatments are typically the safer option, as certain Brazilian Blowout products have been known to give off a certain amount of formaldehyde gas when heated and have a history of warnings from the FDA and OSHA. When booking a salon, make sure their formula doesn't have formaldehyde in it.
Which treatment is better for frizz and smoothing?
For hair that requires the most treatment and is the most frizzy, it is better to use a keratin treatment, as it works within the hair shaft and not just on the surface of the hair. The Brazilian blowout can tame frizz, but with a milder, natural appearance. Keratin's stronger smoothing effect can last longer between salon visits for individuals with very coarse or humidity-sensitive hair.
What is a keratin blowout?
This isn't an additional service; that phrase is a salon term for a regular keratin treatment. Used in most salons in conjunction with a keratin treatment or a Brazilian keratin treatment. The treatment continues to do hair smoothing internally, and usually takes 3-5 months, depending on the care that is provided after the application.
Are there Brazilian blowout alternatives?
Yes, keratin treatments are the most popular Brazilian Blowout alternatives, as are smoothing lines that do not contain formaldehyde and at-home keratin treatments. The Best Hair Treatment is also a good smoothing product, but without the formaldehyde concerns of some Brazilian blowout formulations. Deep conditioning treatments are less chemical and are an alternative for milder frizz.
How long should you wait before washing your hair after either treatment?
The time for washing varies with the type of formula. With conventional keratin treatments, patients wait 72 hours for the results, while our formulas don't require any waiting period whatsoever. Brazilian Blowouts usually give an option for washing immediately or within a couple of hours. Check time with a stylist; it will differ depending on the brand and the condition of the hair.
What Hair Treatment is the Winner?
The Brazilian Blowout vs keratin treatment dilemma can be summed up as the length of time versus wait time. Keratin is the winner in terms of staying power and strength building, and Brazilian Blowout wins for speed. GK Hair's formaldehyde-free keratin products are the better choice for anyone looking for smooth hair for months, for most people. Shop our Hair Treatments collection and discover the one that fits your hair type and objectives.
Price and where do I get it in South Africa?
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