Straight, Wavy & In-Between
Softer, smoother, shinier, healthier. And longer.
What keratin actually does for wavy, frizzy and in-between hair — including how much of your wave you should expect to lose.
What changes
We’re known for curls. We specialize in this too.
Type 1 and type 2 hair — wavy, frizzy, and the in-between textures that take real time, heat and effort to wear smooth or wear natural — responds extremely well to keratin.
Most clients leave with hair that is softer, smoother, shinier and far more manageable, with noticeably less frizz and less styling time. Many also see better length retention over the following months, simply because they’re using less heat and handling their hair less.
Frizz reduction
Minimizes the puffiness and frizz caused by humidity, dryness or breakage.
Easier mornings
Cuts styling time significantly, whether you blow-dry, air-dry or heat style.
Stronger strands
Rebuilds weakened areas by restoring lost keratin and helping prevent further breakage.
Softness and shine
Improves how your hair feels and looks without leaving it coated or stiff.
Am I going to lose my wave?
Some of it, yes — and we’d rather you hear that here than in the chair. Looser waves, finer hair and more delicate textures should expect a degree of wave reduction as part of smoothing. On finer hair especially, the pattern can end up significantly softer or close to straight. The stronger the smoothing result, the more wave relaxes. We’ll talk through exactly where you want to land before we start.
Results vary with texture, density, previous damage, heat styling habits and the overall health of your hair. There is no single version of this treatment.
A client journey
Jolee’s hair was growing. It just couldn’t hold on to it.
Jolee came to us frustrated that her hair wouldn’t grow. It was growing — it just couldn’t retain any length. Finer hair and a long history of frequent heat styling had her stuck in a cycle of breakage that undid every bit of progress.
She was also navigating personal health challenges at the time, which meant her hair needed a gentler, more supportive approach than a standard service would have given her.
Consistent, customized keratin treatments let her cut way back on heat, protect the integrity of her strands, and finally create conditions where her hair could thrive. Over time it became visibly thicker, longer and healthier.
Jolee isn’t the only one. One of our own smoothologists came to us as a client first — then went to beauty school specifically so she could come back and do this work herself.
Watch Jolee’s journey
Her hair, followed across multiple treatments
She changed careers over this
A client whose own results sent her to beauty school
Her results came from protection, less stress on the hair, and a long-term plan built around her — not from a quick fix.
The details
Everything else you might want to know
Keratin is a protein your hair already makes, and heat, chemistry, UV and washing deplete it over time. Our treatments put it back and seal the cuticle — using non-toxic formulas only, with no formaldehyde and no fumes.
How the treatment works, step by step
In-person consultation
Your stylist evaluates hair type, density, porosity and previous treatments to choose the right formula.
Preparation
Hair is thoroughly cleansed to strip buildup and open the cuticle for better absorption.
Application
The keratin solution goes on in sections, distributed root to ends according to what your hair needs where.
Processing and sealing
Controlled heat seals the keratin into the hair, reinforcing the structure and smoothing the cuticle.
Finish and aftercare
Your stylist sends you home with aftercare specific to your hair, not a generic handout.
Whether smoothing is a good fit for you
- Humidity or dryness gives you frizz you can’t get ahead of.
- You want your hair more manageable without giving up all of your volume.
- You reach for hot tools most days and would like your mornings back.
- Your hair is color-treated or chemically processed and needs structural support.
- You want softness, shine and durability without changing your hair’s identity.
How often you’ll come back
Smoothing works as routine care, as a seasonal reset, or as part of a longer plan for your hair. Depending on how yours responds, most clients are eligible to repeat treatments every three to five months.
Traveling in to see us
We still can’t believe this is our life, or that our clients fly in to see us. If you’re traveling in, we’re putting together a page with everything you’ll need.
Traveling to SMOOTHEDWhen you’re ready
Not sure keratin is right for your hair?
Send us photos of your hair as it is now. We’ll talk through your goals, your hair history and your concerns, and tell you honestly what smoothing would do for your texture — and what it wouldn’t.
We’ll tell you if it’s not for you. That’s the whole point of asking first.
SMOOTHED · San Diego Keratin Specialists