All three make hair straighter and smoother, but they work differently and commit you to
different things. Keratin coats. Smoothening relaxes. Rebonding restructures. The stronger the
service, the longer it lasts and the harder it is on your hair.
Keratin
A protein treatment sealed in with heat. It coats the hair shaft, cuts frizz and reduces drying
time dramatically. Hair still moves and holds a slight wave — it does not go poker straight.
Lasts: three to five months, fading gradually rather than growing out. That
matters — there is no harsh line at the roots.
Best for: frizz, humidity, and anyone who wants easier styling without a
permanent change.
Smoothening
A chemical relaxer that breaks and reforms the hair’s bonds. The result is softer and
noticeably straighter than keratin, but it is a permanent change to the hair that has been treated.
Lasts: five to seven months, but it grows out — you will see a visible
line where new hair starts. Plan for a touch-up or a growing-out phase.
Best for: wavy to moderately curly hair where keratin is not enough.
Rebonding
The strongest of the three. Bonds are broken, the hair is set straight, then bonds are reformed
in the new shape. The result is very straight, and permanent on treated hair.
Lasts: six to eight months before regrowth becomes obvious.
Best for: tight curls or very thick hair, where nothing milder will hold.
It is also the most damaging. If your hair is already coloured, bleached or previously chemically
treated, be honest with your stylist — stacking chemical services is how hair breaks.
How to choose
- Want less frizz, keep the movement → keratin
- Want visibly straighter, accept regrowth lines → smoothening
- Want poker straight and understand the trade-off → rebonding
- Hair already bleached or coloured → ask for a strand test first, whichever you pick
Ask which brand and product the salon uses, and how long the appointment is actually booked for.
All three take three to five hours; a salon quoting ninety minutes is cutting something.
Aftercare you are committing to
Every one of these needs sulphate-free shampoo afterwards, and usually a wait of two to three
days before the first wash. Factor that cost in — it is part of the price, not an optional extra.
Common questions
Is keratin the same as smoothening?
Which is least damaging?
Can I do these on coloured hair?
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