What to Expect the Day of Your Keratin Treatment at SMOOTHED
If you’re getting ready for your first keratin treatment at SMOOTHED, you might be wondering: What’s the appointment process like? Here’s exactly what to expect the day of your treatment, step by step!
Before You Arrive
We ask that you come in with your hair air dried, with no product and no heat styling.
This helps us see your natural texture clearly, which is crucial for customizing your treatment to your specific hair type and needs.
Consultation
Your appointment will start with a thorough consultation.
We’ll talk about:
- Your hair goals
- Where your frizz lives
- What pain points you’re hoping to fix
- How you typically wear and style your hair
Based on your needs, we’ll recommend the best keratin brand and formula for your hair. Then we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect during the treatment.
The Treatment Process
Once your consult is complete, we’ll get started. Here’s how it usually goes:
- Thorough Shampoo — We begin by cleansing your hair to remove any buildup and prep your strands for treatment.
- Product Application — We apply the keratin solution carefully to your hair.
- Processing Time — The product will sit on your hair for 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the brand and your hair’s needs.
- Rinse — After processing, we rinse the treatment back out.
- Blow-Dry — We fully blow-dry your hair.
- Flat Iron Activation — We use a flat iron to seal the treatment into your hair, activating the smoothing benefits.
Aftercare (Spoiler: It’s Easy!)
Unlike traditional treatments that require long waiting periods, our formaldehyde-free keratin treatments are fully activated when you leave the salon.
You can:
- Wash your hair immediately if you choose (although many clients love their smooth results so much, they wait a few days!)
- Style as normal with no downtime
- Get back to your regular life without restrictions
How Long Will It Take?
Most treatments take between 2 to 2.5 hours.
If you have very thick, long, or textured hair, you might expect a little longer appointment — but we’ll let you know what to expect during your consultation!
At SMOOTHED, we’re here to make your keratin experience seamless, comfortable, and customized just for you.
Ready to start your smoothment? Book your appointment here!
How to Prep for Your Keratin Treatment Appointment
One of the most common questions we get at SMOOTHED is:
“How should I show up to my appointment?”
And we love that you ask—because the way you arrive can make a huge difference in the quality of your treatment.
Here’s exactly how to prep your hair for the best keratin results possible:
Come With Clean, Air-Dried, Natural Hair
The best way to show up is with hair that is:
- Freshly washed
- Air-dried
- Free of product
- Not heat-styled
We know that can feel vulnerable (hello, frizz!), but this is key to getting a customized treatment. When you come in with straightened or blow-dried hair, we can’t accurately see your natural curl, wave, frizz pattern, or texture. And we need to see your hair in its raw state to choose the right keratin product and technique for you.
Why This Matters:
- Product Selection: The way your hair looks and feels naturally helps us choose which formula is best for you.
- Application Technique: We customize how we apply the treatment based on your real hair pattern—not how it looks when styled.
- Treatment Depth: The cleaner the surface of your hair, the deeper the keratin can penetrate. Dirty or heavily product-coated hair creates a barrier, and that means you may not get the best possible results.
We always say: keratin works best when it’s working on the inside of the outside of your hair. Clean, product-free hair allows it to do just that.
What If You Don’t Feel Comfortable Wearing It Down?
Totally fine.
If you’re not comfortable walking in with your hair down, a simple ponytail or loose bun is okay—just skip the styling tools and the product. We can still see your natural texture once it’s out.
Summary: How to Arrive for Your Appointment
-
Do:
- Wash your hair the day or night before
- Let it air-dry naturally
- Avoid using any product
- Skip the heat tools
-
Don’t:
- Come in with blow-dried or flat-ironed hair
- Load up on leave-ins, oils, or stylers
- Show up with dirty or days-old hair (clean is key!)
We know this might be different from how you normally show up to the salon, but trust us—it makes all the difference. Let us see your hair in all its natural glory, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Have questions about prepping your hair?
Call or text us at (619) 674-4061, or book online at smoothedsalon.com. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
You’re booked. Now what?
Don’t worry. We’re going to hold your hand through absolutely everything. We know you have a lot of questions, and maybe a few nerves too. Guiding you every step of the way is what makes SMOOTHED different.
Your prep guide for your specific hair type is on its way by email and text.
Start with a quick hello
Our founder made this video for exactly where you are right now: booked, excited, and wondering what comes next.
Here’s your prep guide
A few things to know before your appointment. Tap anything that applies to you.
How to arrive
We choose your treatment by looking at your natural texture, so the less you do beforehand, the better.
- Wash the night before or morning of, and let it air-dry
- Skip styling products and heat tools
- Detangle fully and take out any extensions
- A loose ponytail or bun is totally fine
Type 3 and 4 hair: please don’t detangle without conditioner. Detangle fully with conditioner, and a light leave-in conditioner is fine to use. Just skip anything that styles your curls, like gels, creams or mousse, and keep handling your curls to a minimum.
How long your appointment takes
Please plan for three to four hours. Your treatment includes processing time, when your hair needs to be left alone and you may wait a little. Bring a book, a laptop or headphones and get comfortable.
Where to park
Street parking on 30th is tricky. Drive past us and look on Myrtle, where there’s almost always a spot. This quick video shows you where.
If you colour your hair
Colour and keratin work best in the right order: lighter before your keratin, darker after it. This video walks you through the timing.
Need to reschedule?
No problem. Use the link in any of your Vagaro emails, or tap below and log in to find your appointment. Book your new date first, then cancel the old one, so you don’t lose your spot on the schedule.
Traveling in?
We’d love to help you plan. We’ve put together where to stay, how to get here, and how to time your first wash around your trip home.
Get ready for your first wash
Your first wash is when you really get to see your results, so it helps to have the right products waiting at home. Order now and they’ll be there when you need them.
We’ve put together kits for every hair type, all sulfate-free and made to help your treatment last.