I'm intrigued about this BKT.
Been searching the forum for some info on it but I can't really find anything.
All I've figured is that it makes your hair straight lol.
I was hoping some of you ladies could educate me?
What is it?
How does it work?
How long does it take to wear off?
any info is apprecaited
thanks in advanceee
Louisex3
BKT's have changed so much since 2009. I did my first treatment in April 2009. Back then you had to worry about fumes and formeldahyde, now, there are treatments that can straighten, smooth, tame frizz, elongate natural curls temporarily and prevent reversion in humidity without harmful chemicals. Aveda, Bumble and Bumble, Ojon and Redken all offer treatments. The types of treatments are as follows:
Formeldahyde - Some companies still make formulas with formeldahyde that range from 0.02% (QOD) - 4% (Global Keratin) I don't recommend these because God only knows what the long term effects are but they do produce dramatic results and can straighten 4b hair very well without the damage of a relaxer.
Cyestine - Doesn't rely on a "coating" to "seal" the keratin into the hair like formeldahyde. Keratin is comprised of many different proteins including Cyestine. Cystine, fills in the "holes" or damaged areas of the hair. Under the heat of a flatiron it gently and temporarily reshapes the bonds to create a smooth, humidity resistant texture. The cystine is gradually released from the strand over a period of about 3 months. I personally prefer this type of treatment over the others because I can retain my natural hair pattern (3b/c very small amount of 4a in the crown) and it does gradually wash out but my hair will not expand even in 99% humidity (holds up in Texas AND Florida) when I straighten (QOD Max Organiq, Chi Enviro Smoothing is offered in JC Penney, Arosci, Designer Essentials, Easy Keratin).
Vanillin - An aldehyde that release irritating fumes like Formalin and Formeldahyde. This treatment is usually marketed as "Formeldahyde Free" but the chemical behaves like formeldahyde but the results aren't as dramatic.
(Marc Anthony 30-Day Treatment, ION Smoothing in Sallys)
Sulfites - This is a very new approach to smoothing the hair. Bumble and Bumble, Aveda, Ojon and Silk Elements Kera Minerals use this ingredient to smooth hair. This product has a neutral p.h. and smells like an old school curly perm / jheri curl. This product "processes" the hair so you have to be mindful of how long it stays in the hair while doing the treatment. These treatments can cause allergic reactions in some individuals and this can alter hair color if you dye or bleach your hair. The jury is out on this one. I tested a patch of hair using Kera Minerals and it did fine; however, since my hair is bleached I will never use it allover.
Basically it depends on what you are looking for and what your expectations are for the product. Are you natural, are you relaxed, do you want straight hair, do you want curl and frizz reduction only, do you only want humidity blockage and reversion control. Are you naturally curly, do you want flexibility to go curly or straight? Are you 4a / b and you want to be a 3 something or completly straight? Is your hair colored treated, completely virgin, texlaxed, texturized, bleached?
I personally wouldn't recommend you use this if you are relaxed due to the amount of heat needed to infuse the keratin and seal the treatment.
My hair is medium textured, wavy in spots (and coarser) curly in some spots (and finer) but overall medium, very dense, and VERY, VERY strong so my hair can take the heat from the treatments and that's why I can get bone straight hair. My mom has extremely fine hair so the treatment, because of the heat, caused breakage for her. There are ALOT of variables. If you decide to pay someone to do the treatments, PLEASE find someone that's very knowledable and preferably someone that's used many different types of treatments. I've used so many on my head since 2009 and on family members and friends that I know which ones work well and which ones suck! Let me know if you have any questions!
HTH!