Smoothologie 101
Everything you need to know.All in one place.
Whether you’re preparing for your first appointment, looking for aftercare advice, or simply curious about how keratin works — every answer we give in the salon lives here.
Nine chapters, meant to be read in order — or skip to whichever one you came for. If you’d rather search than scroll, the search at the very bottom of this page covers every answer here.
Booking it correctly
This is first because it’s the only thing on this page that decides whether your appointment can happen at all. Everything else affects how good your result is.
What you select when you book is what we reserve. Book the wrong hair type or the wrong thickness and there isn’t enough time in the chair to finish safely — which means rescheduling, not rushing.
Turn promotional messages on in Vagaro
When you set up your booking account, enter your phone number and email correctly, and make sure promotional messages are switched on.
That sounds like marketing. It isn’t. It’s the channel your preparation instructions travel through before your appointment, your aftercare afterward, and your Google Meet link if you book a virtual consult.
If that setting is off, you don’t get any of it. You’ll still receive your booking confirmation, so it looks like everything is working, and you’ll arrive without the instructions everyone else had.
If you’ve booked with us before and never received anything beyond a confirmation, that setting is why. Check it now rather than the night before.
Every appointment time is Pacific
Our booking calendar shows California time and does not convert to yours. If it says 2:00 PM, that’s 2:00 PM in San Diego, wherever you are.
A 2:00 PM appointment here is 3:00 PM in Denver, 4:00 PM in Chicago, 5:00 PM in New York and 10:00 PM in the UK. Work yours out before you pick a slot.
Reading it as your own time means arriving hours late for a chair that’s already been given away. This catches out-of-state clients more than anything else on this page.
Watch for two texts before your appointment
We don’t really send emails. We text. Before your appointment you’ll get two text messages from us, and neither of them is your booking confirmation — that’s separate and automatic.
These two are written for you. They carry your preparation instructions and links you need to open. Open them, and click the links.
People who skip them arrive unprepared for something we could have told them a week earlier.
Select your real hair type and thickness
Booking asks two things about your hair: your curl pattern, and how thick it is. Both change how much time we set aside. Neither changes what you pay.
Guessing low is the most common booking mistake we see, and it’s the one that ends in a reschedule.
If you’re between two curl categories, pick the tighter one. If you’re between two thicknesses, pick thick. Extra time we don’t need is better than time we don’t have.
Add your haircut at booking, not on the day
A haircut is $50 with any Smoothologist and adds about fifteen minutes. Select it when you book so the time gets reserved.
We don’t offer standalone haircuts. Most clients prefer trimming after smoothing anyway, since the finished length and movement are much easier to judge once the treatment is done.
Don’t assume it can be added once your appointment has started. If the time isn’t on the schedule, it isn’t there to use.
Use the notes field — we read them
The booking notes are where you tell us things that change your appointment. If you’d rather your photos weren’t used on social media, say so there and they stay internal.
Same for scheduling requests, chemical history you want us to know in advance, or anything you’d find easier to write down than say in the chair.
Booking if you wear hijab
Here are the facts, so you can decide what works for you.
We have five Smoothologists. One of them, J, is male. J works nine to five, five days a week.
If you’d prefer to be treated with no men in the building, you’ll need an appointment outside those hours. Taylor, one of our Senior Smoothologists, works early mornings — she’s the only other Smoothologist outside nine to five. Request one of her early slots and add a note asking for the earliest possible time, so you can be finished before J arrives. We’ll do our best.
We photograph every client to track progress across appointments. Note at booking that you don’t want your photos used on social media, and they stay internal.
Read the privacy answer in Chapter Two before you book — we’d rather you know exactly what the space is like than find out mid-appointment.
Can I book by text, phone or DM?
No. All booking is online, 24/7, through Vagaro — you choose your Smoothologist, appointment type and date.
Our waitlist runs into the hundreds. Texting back and forth with that many people doesn’t work, and it’s how details get missed. We also can’t squeeze anyone in; the salon is fully booked, at capacity.
You’ll need a Vagaro account with correct contact details, and there’s a short form to complete in the app. Booking can’t be completed without it.
Before your appointment
A little preparation goes a long way. These cover how to arrive, what to avoid, and what the day actually looks like.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Watch
Preparing correctly helps your appointment run smoothly and gives your Smoothologist the best starting point.
- Arrive with clean, dry, fully detangled hair wherever possible.
- Complete workouts and heavy sweating before your appointment.
- Remove every extension and all remaining residue.
- Avoid heavy oils, gels, creams, dry shampoo and styling buildup.
- Reserve enough time so you’re not rushing through your service.
Don’t worry about memorizing any of this. We text preparation instructions specific to your hair type before your appointment.
Should my hair be clean?
Yes. Clean hair lets us see your natural texture, evaluate your starting point, and apply the treatment without working through buildup.
Our shampoo that day is thorough but gentle — we’re not digging into the scalp with nails, because we’re working with a chemical. So a genuinely clean scalp matters.
- Wash before arriving unless your stylist says otherwise.
- Avoid oils, edge control, dry shampoo, gels and heavy leave-ins.
- Air-dry where you can so we see your natural pattern.
- A small amount of regular conditioner is fine while detangling.
The best treatments go onto the cleanest hair we can get. If you’re prone to buildup, take care of it before you come.
Does my hair need to be fully detangled?
Yes. Please arrive with your hair thoroughly detangled from ends to roots. Excessive tangling reduces the time available for your actual smoothing service.
- Detangle in the shower the night before or the morning of.
- Start at the ends and work upward rather than pulling from the roots.
- Type 3–4 clients may use a little conditioner while detangling.
- Remove shed hair, knots, braiding residue and matting beforehand.
Traveling in? Detangling at the appointment may not be an option on a tight schedule, so pre-detangle at home before you travel. For the journey, wear a loose braid or twist rather than anything with strong tension.
Can I arrive with extensions?
Watch
No. We don’t perform keratin treatments over extensions of any kind, or over adhesive, residue, thread or buildup left behind after removal.
- Remove tape-ins, K-tips, I-tips, fusion, wefts, sew-ins, beaded rows, microlinks, clip-ins and halos.
- Remove box braids, protective additions, thread, beads and bonds.
- Make sure every trace of adhesive and residue is gone.
- Recently removed extensions leave trapped shedding behind — that needs clearing too.
If you arrive with extensions or residue still in, we won’t be able to perform your treatment, and we can’t use your reserved time for removal.
If a comb won’t run cleanly from roots to ends, the hair isn’t ready. Don’t assume removal is complete just because the visible hair is out.
What should I wear?
Watch
Something comfortable that you wouldn’t be devastated to stain. We work carefully, but smoothing formulas may be tinted and accidental transfer is always possible.
- Skip expensive, delicate, white or sentimental clothing.
- Choose a top that allows easy access around your neckline.
- Dress for an appointment that may last several hours.
- Bring a layer if you tend to get cold sitting still.
Save your favorite outfit for after your appointment, not during it.
What should I bring with me?
Not much, but a few things make a longer appointment more comfortable.
- Phone charger, headphones, laptop or tablet. We have Wi-Fi; outlet placement varies, so bring your own cables.
- Water and a simple, low-mess snack. Arrive fed — it’s a long sit.
- Inspiration photos that clearly show your goals.
- A list of previous chemical or smoothing services, if relevant.
Leave unnecessary valuables at home. Necklaces, earrings and hair accessories come off when we ask, and you’ll be looking after them.
How private is the space?
We want to be completely straight with you about this, because it matters more to some clients than others.
SMOOTHED is open to the public and it’s an open space. Two large garage doors, two big mirrored stations. We can’t offer a genuinely private or VIP appointment right now.
What we can do: seat you on the far side of the station, out of view from the street and the rest of the room. What we can’t promise is complete coverage the whole time — walking to the shampoo bowl and to the processing area are unavoidable.
We’d rather tell you now than have you find out mid-appointment. A truly private option is something we want to offer, and it’s one of the reasons we’re working toward a larger space.
Can I work during my appointment?
Yes. Plenty of clients bring a laptop and work through parts of their appointment.
There’ll be stretches where you can answer emails, read or take a quiet virtual meeting. There’ll also be times your Smoothologist needs your attention, your head at a particular angle, or access around your chair.
It’s a shared space — headphones for calls, music and video. Avoid anything needing uninterrupted privacy or full control of your camera angle.
Where do I park?
Watch
We’re on 30th — but 30th is rarely where you’ll find a spot. Drive right past us, circle the block, and look on Myrtle. There’s almost always something open.
- Myrtle is your best bet, and it’s usually wide open.
- 29th is the backup if Myrtle is full.
- Don’t circle 30th itself — go past the salon and loop around.
Give yourself ten or fifteen extra minutes so you’re not walking in rushed.
What are your hours?
On average the salon is open 7am to 7pm, Monday through Saturday.
Each Smoothologist sets their own hours, though, so what you see when you go to book is their availability rather than the salon’s.
The booking calendar is the real answer. If a time is showing, it’s bookable.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Watch
Plan for three to four hours. Part consultation, part treatment, entirely about your hair.
- Consultation — your hair history, your goals, what’s realistic. If Kaylie is in house she steps into almost every one.
- Before photos, then a thorough but gentle shampoo.
- Application in sections, then 45 to 75 minutes of processing. That’s your downtime.
- Rinse, blow dry and flat iron — the longest part of the day.
- Optional haircut, then aftercare instructions to take home.
Your Smoothologist works with another guest during your processing window, which is how we keep appointments available and prices where they are. So there may be points where you’re waiting. It’s built into the day.
Will I leave with a perfect silk press?
Everyone leaves with fairly smooth hair. But if you’re keeping your curl, you may not get a perfect silk press — and that’s deliberate.
You might leave with ends that still feel textured. That doesn’t mean the treatment didn’t work. It means it did exactly what we wanted, and your curls will be there when you wash.
If you need very smooth hair for an event, get treated well beforehand, wash once, then book a professional blowout.
Understanding keratin
Knowing what a keratin treatment can — and can’t — do is one of the best ways to set realistic expectations.
What exactly is a keratin treatment?
Keratin is a protein — the one your hair is mostly built out of. Roughly nine-tenths of every strand is keratin, bundled together like the fibers inside a rope.
Living wears it down. Heat, color, sun, hard water, even the friction of a brush pulls a little out and leaves a gap. Enough gaps and you get frizz, roughness, dullness, ends that snap instead of bend.
A keratin treatment puts that protein back. A solution is worked through clean hair, then sealed into the strand with heat. It’s a temporary smoothing service, not a permanent straightener.
Flat is what you’re feeling when hair is smooth, and what you’re seeing when it shines.
Is this a relaxer?
No. A relaxer or a Japanese straightener permanently breaks the bonds that give your hair its pattern, and there’s no undoing that.
A keratin treatment leaves those bonds alone. It fills and coats the strand instead — which is the whole reason your curl can come through it.
Keratin gradually washes away. Relaxers don’t. That difference is the entire point.
Is this the same as a Brazilian Blowout?
Watch
No. The difference is molecule size, and it changes what the treatment actually does.
A Brazilian uses a larger molecule and works mostly by coating the outside of the hair. Keratin uses a smaller one that penetrates more deeply into the strand.
Clients who switch tell us the same three things: they kept more of their curl, their hair didn’t dry out the way it used to, and they could still get it just as smooth — but it felt far more moisturized over time.
That difference shows up most in people who had repeated Brazilians before switching.
Do your treatments contain formaldehyde?
No. We use Keratin Revolution, a formaldehyde-free system. We used to work with formaldehyde-based formulas and moved away from them on purpose, because we could get the results we wanted without them.
- Every smoothing service we offer uses Keratin Revolution.
- We made the switch by choice, not because we were forced to.
- Our space is open air, so you’re not sitting in a chemical haze for three hours.
- Tell us before you book if you’ve ever reacted badly to a smoothing treatment elsewhere.
Ask us what’s going on your hair any time — we’ll hand you the bottle. Formaldehyde-free doesn’t mean fragrance-free, though.
Why is keratin the only thing you do?
Watch
Because doing one thing properly beats doing everything adequately. Every stylist here works the same system on the same kind of hair every day, which is how the results stay consistent.
We don’t provide color, highlights, extension installation or maintenance, relaxers, or permanent straightening.
We see more textured hair in a week than most salons see in a month. Specializing is what lets us customize instead of guessing.
Do you recommend any other salon?
No — and we’re not affiliated with any other salon.
SMOOTHED is the only salon doing what we do at this level. If your goal is to keep your curl intact and keep coming back over time, we don’t suggest going elsewhere for keratin.
We know that’s frustrating if you’re not local. We’re growing as fast as we responsibly can, with the aim of being nationwide.
How long does a keratin treatment last?
Longevity varies with your hair, your routine, your shampoo, and how often you wash.
- Sulfate-free shampoo helps extend it.
- Swimming, saltwater, chlorine, heavy sweating and frequent washing shorten it.
- Results gradually soften rather than stopping abruptly.
Any estimate is an estimate, not a guarantee. A treatment fading sooner than expected doesn’t automatically mean anything went wrong.
Can I get keratin treatments too often?
Watch
No. Keratin smooths the outside of the hair rather than permanently restructuring it, so repeat treatments don’t accumulate as damage the way repeated bleach or relaxers can.
Most of our clients settle into a rhythm of three or four a year.
Damage from other services still matters, and we’ll tell you if we see it.
Will my hair still have volume?
Less frizz usually means less volume, but that doesn’t mean your hair will become flat. Frizz creates volume, and smoothing reduces puffiness. Blow-drying still creates fullness.
Some clients feel their ponytail is smaller afterward. Because frizz, expansion and shrinkage have been reduced, the hair occupies less physical space. That isn’t hair loss.
Actual shedding, scalp pain or bald patches should be looked at by a medical professional, not by us.
Can keratin repair damaged hair?
Keratin improves the appearance and feel of damaged hair — smoother cuticle, less daily friction, easier styling — but it doesn’t permanently repair structural damage.
It won’t reverse existing breakage, reattach split ends, or restore hair that has already lost structural integrity.
Existing damage can become more visible once frizz and volume are reduced. That’s the damage showing, not the treatment causing it.
Why does everyone get different results?
Every head of hair is different. Your previous chemical history, density, porosity, curl pattern, condition and goals all influence your final result.
No stylist can guarantee your hair will air-dry straight, become completely frizz-free, retain every curl, or match a photograph.
Comparing your result to a friend’s isn’t always helpful. You have different hair.
Will my hair air-dry straight?
Not necessarily, and that’s normal. A keratin treatment makes hair easier to style, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for styling.
The glass-like result you see right after a salon appointment has been professionally blow-dried and flat-ironed. After washing at home, your natural wave, curl or texture may return.
If you want a straight finish, expect to blow-dry or flat-iron after washing — just far less than you used to.
Chemical services
Your hair’s chemical history plays a huge role in how we customize your treatment. Getting the order right protects your hair and gets the most from every service.
Can I color my hair before or after keratin?
Watch
In most cases yes — the timing depends on the service.
Keratin can lighten, pull or shift artificial color and sometimes expose extra warmth. So most clients prefer keratin first, then refresh color afterward with everything freshly corrected.
- Darker color, glosses, toners and gray coverage can generally be done after your first wash.
- Root touch-ups are typically fine after that first wash too.
- Ask before booking both if you’re combining several services.
If your color is currently perfect for an event, think about whether you’re comfortable with keratin possibly shifting its tone before you book.
Can I bleach or highlight before or after keratin?
Watch
Highlights are best done before keratin, allowing roughly two to four weeks in between. Freshly bleached hair is vulnerable, and that recovery time protects its condition.
We don’t recommend highlighting straight after keratin either — bleach breaks the treatment down and significantly shortens how long you enjoy it.
Fresh bleach and fresh keratin shouldn’t be stacked closely together. Give the hair time in between.
Will keratin change my hair color?
It can. The combination of cleansing, product chemistry, processing and heat sealing may lift, fade, warm, brighten, dull or otherwise shift your tone.
Toner can fade from blonde or silver hair. Brassiness can become more visible. Red or copper tones can appear in darker hair. Fashion shades fade, and different sections can shift differently.
Color movement is a known possibility of this service and isn’t automatically a mistake or a reason for a complimentary redo.
Can I get keratin after a relaxer or chemical straightener?
Yes, of course. We just have to be careful.
Working over relaxed or previously straightened hair is safe, and in most cases you’re still a candidate. There’s no waiting period and nothing to grow out first.
What we need is your history — the product name, the date, and anything you remember about how your hair responded. Previously straightened lengths can behave very differently from untreated new growth in the same appointment.
A free virtual consult is worth booking first if your history is complex or you’re transitioning away from permanent straightening.
Can I get another keratin if I’ve had one before?
Absolutely. Many of our clients come to us for ongoing maintenance. We’ll customize based on what’s already on your hair.
We do need to know what it was — Brazilian Blowout, Cezanne, Keratherapy, Keratin Complex, Peter Coppola, Enzymotherapy, at-home kits, anything. Different products change the hair in different ways.
Maintenance treatments often become easier over time, because we already know how your hair responds.
What if my hair has had multiple chemical services?
That’s very common, and we consider every part of your history when designing your treatment.
Bleached, over-processed, fragile or heat-damaged hair may need a more conservative treatment — lower heat, fewer iron passes, reduced processing, modified product strength.
That protects your hair, but it may mean less smoothing, a shorter-lasting result, and more texture after the first wash.
A conservative result isn’t a service error. It’s us choosing the health of your hair over the drama of the result.
What if I’m unsure what’s already on my hair?
That’s okay. Plenty of clients aren’t sure. We’ll ask questions, evaluate your hair, and make recommendations based on what we see.
Previous chemical services can stay in the hair even when you believe they washed out, which is why we ask about anything done at home or abroad as well.
If you don’t know what was used, tell us everything you do remember. Complete honesty about your history is what lets us make safe decisions for the hair in the chair.
I have alopecia, psoriasis or a scalp condition. Can you treat me?
Yes. We work on all hair types and all scalp types — tension alopecia, other forms of alopecia, psoriasis and similar conditions included.
Please consult your physician before you come in. Even doing our best to keep product off the scalp, some of it can reach the skin, and it could cause a reaction in an affected area. That’s a conversation for your doctor, not for us.
Once you’ve got the go-ahead, tell your Smoothologist at your consultation so they can work around it.
Formaldehyde-free doesn’t mean reaction-free. Disclose allergies, sensitivities, asthma, skin conditions and medications so we can plan properly. A patch test can be arranged in advance.
Should I use Olaplex, K18 or other bond repair?
Bond-repair products are useful for hair that’s recently been bleached or chemically compromised, but they aren’t automatically necessary for every keratin client.
Keratin already deposits strengthening protein. Layering strong protein and bond repair on top when your hair doesn’t need it can leave it stiff, dry, coated and harder to work with.
More strengthening product isn’t better. Moisture, protein, bond repair and keratin need balancing against what your hair needs right now.
Timing your treatment
When you book can matter as much as what you book. These are the things we wish every first-time client knew before picking a date.
Should I get my treatment before a vacation?
If it’s your first keratin treatment, give yourself some room before an important trip.
Most first experiences are wonderful, but every head of hair responds differently. Booking ahead gives you time to complete your first wash and learn how your hair behaves before you leave town.
Book at least a couple of weeks before major travel. Later treatments feel far more predictable, because by then we both know how your hair responds.
How far before my wedding should I book?
A few weeks before, so your hair has settled and you’re comfortable with your routine before the big day.
If this is your first treatment and your wedding, photoshoot, reunion or graduation is days away, there may not be time to complete a first wash and learn how your hair responds.
We’d rather build a long relationship with you than encourage a risk before something that can’t be repeated.
If the event is less than two weeks out and you’ve never been treated here, waiting until afterward usually offers more peace of mind.
Can my hair smell after the first wash?
Some clients notice a temporary sulfur-like scent once their hair gets wet after a treatment. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but we’d rather you know it’s possible before booking.
When it happens it’s most noticeable while hair is wet — washing, swimming, rain, humidity, heavy sweating — and it typically fades over subsequent washes.
It may be influenced by medications, supplements, mineral buildup, water quality, previous chemical services or individual hair chemistry.
Since we can’t predict who’ll experience it, a first treatment may not be what you want immediately before a wedding or photoshoot.
Should I schedule around swimming or workouts?
Yes. Salt, chlorine, frequent washing and heavy sweating all shorten the life of a treatment.
If you already know you’ll be in a pool or the ocean for days, training for a race, or doing hot yoga right after your appointment, book the treatment afterward instead.
Your treatment needs to stay on for at least 24 hours and can stay up to seven days. Choose a date that lets you avoid heavy sweating for the first 48.
How often should I come in?
It depends on your hair, and your Smoothologist is on that journey with you. They’ll make a suggestion based on where you started and what you want your hair to do.
There’s no right answer and no wrong answer. Most clients book when styling starts taking longer or frizz creeps back in.
Our happiest clients come in three or four times a year. If you wear your hair straight all the time, three to four months is the cadence we recommend — see Chapter Six.
What if I have multiple events coming up?
No problem. Tell us what’s on your calendar during your consultation and we’ll help you build the best timing for your treatment and any other hair services.
The goal isn’t to fit a treatment onto your calendar. It’s to pick a date that gives you the easiest possible introduction.
Why this page exists
Informed clients have the best experiences
Over a decade of doing this, the thing Kaylie noticed most was how many clients simply didn’t know what to expect — and how unsettling that was.
So we wrote all of it down. Every answer we give in the salon lives on this page, and nothing here is a sales pitch dressed as advice. Where the honest answer is “wait,” or “that’s not what this does,” that’s what it says.
We’d rather hold your hand than hand you a mirror and wave.
Hair types
Your natural texture, density, porosity and hair history all influence how your treatment is customized. Here’s what different hair responds like.
Will this work on my hair type?
Yes. We customize every treatment around your individual hair rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why the consultation matters so much.
No two clients receive the exact same service, and returning clients often don’t get the same treatment twice. That’s the customization, not inconsistency.
Will I lose my curl pattern?
Some relaxation of your natural pattern is always possible. How much depends on your curl pattern, hair history, goals, and the treatment strength we choose together.
Looser waves and curls generally relax more visibly than tighter coils. Tighter textures often keep more of their curl while becoming softer, less frizzy and far easier to detangle.
One honest note. We work hard to get stretch where we want it and not where we don’t, but it’s still common to come out without a perfectly uniform curl pattern. Curls also stretch at first and come back up over the following weeks.
Maximum smoothing and maximum curl retention are opposing goals. Your consultation is where we find the balance that’s right for you.
What if I have Type 1 or Type 2 hair?
Straighter hair often sees the greatest reduction in frizz — and also the greatest reduction in natural wave. We’ll talk about how much wave you want to preserve.
- Humidity resistance improves dramatically.
- Your styling routine gets much easier.
- Customization helps preserve movement where possible.
Looser textures lose more wave. If your wave is the thing you love, say so at the consultation and we’ll work more conservatively.
What if I have Type 3 curls?
Type 3 curls often become far easier to detangle, easier to style, and significantly less affected by humidity, while still keeping their natural pattern — unless there’s previous curl damage.
Curl retention depends on your customization and your starting point. Both get discussed before we begin.
What if I have Type 4 coils?
Our treatments are fully customizable for coily hair. Many clients choose smoothing that reduces frizz and styling time while keeping as much of their natural pattern as possible.
For 4C, who you book comes down to what you want. If you want maximum smoothing and aren’t trying to hold onto your curl, an Established Smoothologist will do that well. If keeping your curl matters to you, we strongly suggest a Senior or Kaylie.
Curl patterns are the last texture a Smoothologist trains on here, so our Senior and Master Smoothologists are the only ones who have worked on 4C.
Wash-and-go routines often become dramatically easier. That’s usually the thing clients notice first.
I wear my hair straight all the time. Is this for me?
Yes, and it’s one of the biggest differences we make — but there’s an honest tradeoff first.
There’s no version of wearing your hair straight continuously that doesn’t stretch your curl pattern over time. Heat does that on its own, and adding keratin can exaggerate it.
What you get in exchange is dramatically less heat, less often, for less time, and far less revert — which is where the length retention comes from. After a few treatments many of our straight naturals can skip the press entirely and get there with a blow dry alone.
We recommend straight naturals come in every three to four months. Read the straight naturals page — it’s written for exactly this.
Is keratin good for gray hair?
It’s amazing on gray hair.
Most of what people dislike about their grays isn’t the color — it’s the texture. Gray hair tends to be wiry and brittle at the same time, and keratin smooths exactly that. It adds a lot of shine, too.
You won’t see many gray-haired clients on our TikTok, but that’s because those clients generally don’t want to be filmed. We work on gray hair all the time.
Will keratin help with thinning hair?
It won’t make your hair thicker, and it won’t make it thinner either. What it does is stop a lot of the damage.
If your hair is already fine and you’re also breaking it off with heat and detangling, that breakage is doing more to your fullness than anything else. Keratin makes hair easier to detangle and cuts how much heat you need.
It helps thinning hair by protecting what you have, not by adding anything to it.
Will my curls come back?
Yes. Keratin treatments gradually wash out over time, letting your natural texture return as the treatment fades.
That said, repeated treatments, cumulative heat, prior damage and additional chemical services can all contribute to longer-lasting texture change.
By choosing a keratin service you’re accepting that some degree of change to your natural pattern is a real possibility. We’d rather say that plainly than let it surprise you.
Can I still wear my hair naturally?
Absolutely. Plenty of clients keep wearing their natural texture after treatment. The goal is to make your hair easier to style, not to take away your options.
Some clients come to us specifically for the flexibility — natural one week, smooth the next.
Have Your Curls and Smooth Them Too™ means keeping your options open — not promising your pattern stays completely unchanged.
I wear hijab. Is keratin worth it for me?
Often yes — and for reasons that have nothing to do with how your hair looks in public.
Hair spends a lot of hours wrapped, pinned, tucked and pressed flat. That’s friction at the hairline and nape, tension wherever it’s tied, and very little airflow. The most common things we hear are breakage where the scarf sits, ends that tangle without ever being out, and hair that takes forever to dry.
Keratin makes your hair smoother, less prone to tangling, faster to dry and far less work to manage — which means less pulling, less detangling, less heat and less daily handling.
Plenty of our hijabi clients tell us the point wasn’t looking different. It was spending fifteen minutes a day on their hair instead of an hour. Booking and the first few days are covered in Chapters One and Nine.
How do I know what level of smoothing is right for me?
That’s exactly what your consultation is for. We’ll talk through your goals, lifestyle, styling routine and expectations before deciding how much smoothing is right for your hair.
You don’t need to arrive with the answers. Most clients know what’s frustrating them without knowing which result fits their life.
You can arrive knowing only what you want to make easier. The consultation defines the rest.
Pricing and booking
Every first-time appointment is one flat rate, based only on the Smoothologist you choose.
How much does a keratin treatment cost?
One flat rate, based only on the experience level of the Smoothologist you book. Not your curl pattern, your thickness, your length, or how much product your hair takes.
- Smoothologist in Training — $350, bookable once
- Established Smoothologist — from $500, 500+ treatments
- Senior Smoothologist — $650, 2,000+ treatments
- Master Smoothologist, Kaylie — $1,200, limited availability
Children’s keratin is priced separately. Optional haircut with any Smoothologist: $50.
See the full pricing page. After your first visit your Smoothologist gives you a personalized maintenance quote based on what your hair actually needed.
What is your benchmark price?
$500. That’s the lowest price we do a treatment at — a starting price, not an average and not a promotion — and it’s where the majority of our team books.
The $350 training rate is the one exception that sits below it, and it comes with its own terms.
We do our best to keep at least one Smoothologist at the training rate at all times, but it won’t always be available.
What are the training rate terms?
The training rate is a separate tier, not a rung on the regular ladder, and it’s bookable once. After that you’re priced at that Smoothologist’s current level.
- Appointments take longer, and more time is scheduled for them.
- The Smoothologist is genuinely brand new, even though supervised.
- Results may not match our social media, which is Senior and Kaylie’s work.
- Available for Type 1 and 2 hair only.
There are no redos or corrections on training appointments. The $150 off the benchmark is the accommodation.
How much is children’s keratin?
Children’s keratin is its own appointment, priced on its own because it’s the most advanced work we do. There’s no curl pattern to select — extra time is built into every children’s appointment regardless of texture.
$750 with a Senior Smoothologist, or $1,200 with Kaylie. Those are the only two options — our Smoothologists in training don’t work on children.
$750 usually holds for the second and third treatments. After the third, hair typically arrives much more manageable, and from there your Smoothologist may have the option to move to $650.
Read the children’s page — it explains why a shorter service costs more, and it has the booking links.
Does my curl pattern or my length change the price?
No. Your hair type helps us reserve the right amount of time, but your first-time investment depends only on which Smoothologist you book.
Length and density affect what you pay only through time, never as a separate charge.
Book your correct hair type anyway. Booking the wrong one can mean rescheduling, because there isn’t enough time to finish safely.
Could my appointment cost more than the rate listed?
Our average appointment runs three hours. There is no overtime charge unless yours passes four hours, billed at $50 per additional fifteen minutes.
About 95% of our clients pay the rate listed, exactly as listed.
Wherever possible we’ll talk it through with you before going ahead. You shouldn’t be surprised at checkout.
How are future appointments priced?
After your first visit your Smoothologist knows exactly what your hair takes in time, product and customization, and gives you a maintenance quote before you leave.
Most returning guests stay very close to their original investment. Exceptionally long, dense or highly customized hair typically sees an adjustment of about $25 to $75 when the extra time or product is consistent. It can move down as well as up.
Your Smoothologist’s own rate also rises $50 with every further 500 treatments completed — so someone you found early stays with you as they get better.
Why do your Smoothologists have different prices?
Pricing reflects hands-on experience and the number of treatments each person has completed.
Smoothologists in Training offer a one-time introductory rate, supervised by Kaylie or a Senior. Established Smoothologists have completed more than 500 treatments. Senior Smoothologists have completed more than 2,000 and represent our highest team level.
Everyone here performs the same signature method. Price reflects the experience of the person doing it — never a different service.
What does this cost over a year?
Our happiest clients come in three to four times a year. Most are investing around $600 a visit, and in between they have hair that essentially takes care of itself.
The vast majority report the same three things: far less time spent on their hair, noticeably better length retention, and real savings on products that were never doing much anyway.
Do I need a consultation before I book?
No. Every treatment starts with a thorough consultation in the salon, so there’s nothing you need to do beforehand.
Our free virtual consult is a 15-minute call on Google Meet, there for people who are still on the fence or who have a complicated chemical history. If you already know you want to be smoothed, book — the sooner you book, the sooner you’re in.
It helps with the waitlist, too. When an opening comes up, people who’ve done a consult are the first we think of, because we already know what their hair needs and how much time to hold.
How does your waitlist work?
Watch
When an appointment cancels, Vagaro automatically texts the people waiting for that exact day and time. If you’re on the list for a Thursday afternoon and a Thursday afternoon opens up, you hear about it.
It isn’t a mass text to everyone. So if several days would work for you, add yourself to the list for every one of them.
Book the first future appointment that works, then join the waitlist for anything earlier. That way you have a date secured and you’re still in line.
Do you sell gift cards?
No, we don’t offer gift cards.
Policies and expectations
These protect your appointment time and let us give every client the attention they deserve.
What is your cancellation policy?
We reserve several hours specifically for your appointment, so late cancellations affect both your Smoothologist and other clients waiting.
We charge a rebooking fee, not a cancellation fee — it’s payable only if you want to book again.
- More than 48 hours’ notice — no fee.
- 48 to 24 hours — 50% of the appointment price before booking again.
- Less than 24 hours, or a no-show — 100% before booking again.
If you never return, nothing is owed. And book your new appointment before you cancel the old one — we’re booked out far enough that cancelling first can mean waiting three to four months.
Why don’t you require deposits?
We don’t believe in taking money from strangers who have never done business with us.
That said, we do have a strict rebooking fee if you choose to miss your appointment. Long appointments are difficult to replace on short notice.
What if I’m running late?
Tell us. That’s the whole ask.
Our policy is that arriving 20 or more minutes late may mean rescheduling at our rebooking rates, and depending on the day we may need to shorten your service.
But our clients travel to reach us, and we know a day doesn’t always run to plan. We’ve had people arrive hours after their time and we will always try to work them back into the day — especially if you’ve flown in.
What we need is communication when it happens, and patience if we can’t make it work. Everyone else on the schedule is on a clock too.
What if I’m unhappy with my results?
Tell us promptly. All dissatisfaction, redo, retreatment or adjustment requests must be submitted within 14 calendar days of your appointment.
Notifying us within 14 days guarantees that we’ll review an eligible concern — it doesn’t guarantee a redo. We may ask for photos, information about how you washed and styled, or an in-person assessment.
Please let us assess your hair before another salon performs corrective work.
Training, model and reduced-price educational appointments aren’t eligible for complimentary redos. That’s what the reduced price reflects.
Do you give refunds?
Completed services are generally nonrefundable. Services require substantial appointment time, professional labor, product and salon resources — once performed, the time and product can’t be recovered.
We don’t reimburse transportation, parking, lost wages, childcare, outside salon services, corrective color, products or medical expenses.
Nothing in this policy is intended to eliminate any non-waivable right provided by applicable law.
Can I bring someone with me?
To keep the space calm and comfortable for everyone, we generally ask clients to attend on their own unless it’s arranged in advance.
If someone’s driving you or traveling with you, there are excellent restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques nearby.
Will my appointment be photographed or filmed?
We film every client for our records — consultation notes, formula records, education and quality control. It’s how we track your progress across appointments.
If you’d rather we didn’t post yours publicly, note it when you book and we won’t. Your photos stay internal.
Booking with Kaylie means being filmed for social media. If you’d prefer not to be posted, please book with another Smoothologist.
Can children receive keratin treatments?
Watch
Yes. We love working with younger clients, and there’s usually a little one in a chair somewhere in the salon. Parent or guardian consent is required.
Children’s keratin is its own appointment, booked with a Senior Smoothologist or with Kaylie. Our Smoothologists in training don’t work on children.
The children’s page has the booking links and the full explanation.
Are your Smoothologists employees?
Each Smoothologist at SMOOTHED operates as an independent business owner. They independently manage their own scheduling, pricing, payments, client relationships, policies and records.
Unless otherwise stated, appointments are booked directly with the individual Smoothologist, who is responsible for the services they provide.
Why do I need to complete waivers?
Our waivers make sure you understand your treatment, your aftercare responsibilities, and any factors that may affect your results.
They keep expectations clear and protect both you and our team.
Please ask questions before signing if anything is unclear. That’s what we’re here for.
After your treatment
Your treatment doesn’t end when you leave the salon. Aftercare plays a major role in how long your results last.
When can I wash my hair?
Leave your treatment in for at least 24 hours and no longer than seven days, unless your stylist gives you different instructions.
Leaving it longer doesn’t give you a stronger result. Pick your wash day within that window based on your schedule.
When in doubt, wash it out. If your hair gets wet from sweating or swimming before you meant to, go ahead and wash rather than letting the treatment repeatedly dampen and dry.
I wear hijab. How do I handle the first few days?
This is worth planning for, so read it before you pick your appointment date.
Between your appointment and your first wash, the treatment is still on your hair and your hair is highly impressionable. Creases from tucking, dents from pinning and bends from a tight wrap can all set in.
The simplest solution is timing. Washing at the 24-hour mark is completely valid. Book a day where you can be home for the first 24 hours, wash the next day, and skip the problem entirely.
If you do need to cover during that window: keep it loose and flat, wear it straight down rather than tied or bunned, and avoid tight tucking at the hairline or nape. Silk or satin creates far less friction than cotton.
Tell your Smoothologist at consultation that you wear hijab. She’ll build your wash timing around it rather than handing you the standard instructions. After that first wash, none of this applies.
What products should I use?
Sulfates will scrub it right out. They’re little scrubbing bubbles, scrubbing is the entire job, and your keratin is what they’ll find first. Sulfate-free everything, from here on.
A moisturizing conditioner helps, and always use a heat protectant before heat styling.
Your full aftercare routine is Kaylie’s own method, and we share it with guests by pamphlet and text after your appointment.
Everything we use and recommend is in one place. Clarifying shampoos are the fastest way to strip a treatment — check the bottle.
Can I use heat after my treatment?
Before your first wash, avoid additional heat entirely. We sealed it with heat already.
After that, your routine depends on your hair type and goals. Type 1–2 often looks most polished with leave-in, heat protectant and some heat. Type 3–4 can air-dry, wash-and-go or diffuse.
Blow-dry or diffuse every other week. Heat activation is what reminds your hair it has keratin in it, and it’s easy now.
Can I work out or swim after my treatment?
Avoid heavy sweating until after your first wash where you can. Sweat contains salt, and the first 48 to 72 hours matter most.
After that, you can swim and live your life — you just need to understand the tradeoff. Chlorine, salt water, repeated soaking and sun all shorten the treatment. One swim won’t destroy it; regular exposure makes it fade faster.
Wetting your hair with clean water and applying leave-in before swimming helps it absorb less pool or ocean water.
Never let protecting a treatment stop you enjoying a vacation or a beach day. It just means choosing your life over maximum longevity, which is completely fine.
What should I expect after my first wash?
The first wash is where you start learning how your hair behaves outside the salon.
Most clients notice less frizz, faster drying, easier detangling and a routine that takes less effort. Your natural pattern may look softer, more elongated or less voluminous than before.
It won’t look exactly as it did leaving the salon — that finish included professional blow-drying and styling.
The first wash is the beginning of understanding your results, not a test you need to pass.
Why do you ask for a post-wash video?
About a week in, we’ll ask you to send a short video of your hair after you’ve washed it.
That’s the part most salons skip, and it’s a real reason our results are what they are. Seeing how your hair actually behaved at home is what tells your Smoothologist exactly what to adjust next time.
When will I actually see the benefit?
You’ll feel it in your routine straight away. You won’t see it in your hair for a few months — and that’s the part most people don’t expect.
The change in your actual hair comes from all those months of not fighting with it. Less heat, less pulling, less detangling, less daily handling. That adds up quietly.
Around the three-month mark, when you come back and we smooth you out again, is usually when it lands. Clients see the length retention, the density, and hair that’s less damaged than it was the first time they sat in our chair.
The first appointment is the easier routine. The third appointment is where you see what the easier routine did for your hair.
My hair feels oily faster now
Some clients temporarily feel their hair becomes oily more quickly. Smoother hair distributes scalp oils differently and may need an adjustment in washing routine.
This usually settles as you find the rhythm that works for your hair.
That’s everything
Ready when you are
If you’ve read this far, you already know more than most people do walking into their first appointment. Book when you’re ready — or start with a free virtual consult if you’d rather talk it through first.
Still wondering something we haven’t covered? Search every answer at the bottom of this page.