How to do a keratin treatment at home – step by step

A keratin treatment works perfectly well at home. We perform the treatment in our salons every week, and we sell the same professional Cocochoco products to those who would rather do it themselves. What decides the result is not skill but preparation: the right wash before, the right tools during, and the right aftercare afterward.

One thing matters before you start. The treatment does not straighten your hair. It tames frizz, adds shine and makes hair far easier to style, but your texture stays – if you have curly hair, the curls often come out smoother and better defined. If you want completely straight hair, a permanent straightening is the method, not keratin.

What you need

• Clarifying shampoo – the deep-cleansing shampoo that opens the hair before the treatment
• A keratin treatment from Cocochoco in the version that suits your hair
• A flat iron that holds an even heat, a hair dryer, a fine-tooth comb, sectioning clips and disposable gloves
• Sulfate-free shampoo and sulfate-free conditioner for the aftercare

If you want it all in one go, Standardpaketet – Keratinbehandling hemma holds the keratin treatment and Clarifying Shampoo, Kompletta paketet – Keratinbehandling hemma includes the aftercare too, and Eftervårdspaketet – Keratinbehandling hemma holds the products you need once the treatment is done.

Choosing the right one

We carry three Cocochoco versions, each suited to different hair types and needs.

• Original – the base version for dry, frizzy or unmanageable hair.
• Gold – for hair that looks dull and worn and needs extra care.
• Onyx – developed for dark and black hair.

If your hair is chemically treated, dry and mainly needs moisture, Cocochoco Hair Botox – Hårinpackning may suit you better. Read more about the difference in Keratin treatment or hair botox – what is the difference?

If you are unsure, we are happy to help you choose – call the salon and we will go through your hair together.

Step by step

1. Wash the hair twice with clarifying shampoo. This step cannot be skipped. The shampoo lifts out silicone, product residue and lime so the keratin can reach the hair shaft. Two washes is the recommendation.
2. Blow-dry the hair completely. Never apply to wet hair – the water dilutes the product.
3. Divide the hair into thin sections with clips and apply the treatment evenly with the comb, starting about a centimeter from the scalp and working out to the ends. Comb each section through so the product is spread evenly.
4. Leave it on for 20–30 minutes depending on hair type.
5. Blow-dry and flat-iron section by section. The heat is what locks the keratin into the hair shaft – this is where the result is made. Take thin sections and follow the temperature instructions on the bottle.
6. Wait 72 hours before washing your hair for the first time.

The first 72 hours

The treatment settles over the first three days. Avoid washing your hair, hard workouts and swimming, and leave out hair ties, clips and updos – they can leave marks that stay. Keep the hair straight and loose. Read more in The first 72 hours after your keratin treatment.

Aftercare – what decides how long it lasts

Switch to sulfate-free products right after the treatment. Sulfates and salts dissolve the keratin early and can halve how long the result lasts. Clarifying shampoo is not a daily shampoo but a preparation – using it regularly afterward washes out your own treatment.

Add a moisturizing mask to your weekly routine and use heat protection whenever you do style with heat. For extra shine as a finishing touch, try Cocochoco Diamond Drops – Hårserum 50 ml.

The result lasts about 3–6 months, depending on lifestyle, care and how closely you follow the aftercare advice. It washes out gradually, so there is no visible line as your hair grows.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the deep cleanse – the keratin then never bonds properly.
• Applying to damp hair.
• Sections that are too thick when ironing, so the heat never reaches through.
• Going back to regular shampoo afterward.
• Expecting poker-straight hair. That is not what the treatment does.

Would you rather we did it?

We perform keratin treatments in both Stockholm and Uppsala, and the consultation is free. The price depends on the length and thickness of your hair. Book a keratin treatment or read more about the treatment in our salons.