Smoothing Treatments 101: What you need to know.

If you've ever wished your hair was smoother, shinier, easier to manage, or less affected by humidity, you've probably considered a smoothing treatment. But not all smoothing services work the same way.

At The LAB, the two treatments we offer most often are Keratin Smoothing Treatments and Brazilian Blowouts. Both reduce frizz and improve manageability, but they achieve those results differently and are designed for different hair types and lifestyles.

What Is a Keratin Smoothing Treatment?

A keratin treatment works by replenishing keratin, the protein naturally found in your hair. Over time, heat styling, color services, and environmental stress can weaken the hair's natural structure, leading to frizz, dryness, and loss of manageability.

During the service, a keratin formula is applied and sealed into the hair using heat. The result is smoother, stronger, and more manageable hair that can last three to five months with proper care.

Keratin Treatment Benefits

• Significantly reduces frizz

• Improves softness and shine

• Helps strengthen damaged hair

• Reduces daily styling time

• Long-lasting results

Best For

• Coarse or thick hair

• Highly frizz-prone hair

• Chemically processed or damaged hair

• Clients seeking a more dramatic smoothing effect

  
  

Important Aftercare

Hair must remain dry and free from clips, ponytails, or tucking behind the ears for 48–72 hours after the service. Sulfate-free products are required to maintain results.

What Is a Brazilian Blowout?

A Brazilian Blowout smooths the hair by creating a protective layer around each strand. Rather than significantly altering your natural texture, it helps control frizz, boost shine, and make hair easier to style.

One of the biggest advantages of a Brazilian Blowout is flexibility. There is no waiting period after the service, and it is safe for most color-treated and highlighted hair.

Brazilian Blowout Benefits

• Dramatically reduces frizz

• Adds shine and softness

• Maintains natural texture and movement

• No downtime after service

• Faster, more flexible maintenance

  
  

Best For

• Color-treated or highlighted hair

• Mild to moderate frizz

• Clients who want smoother hair without losing their wave or curl pattern

• Busy schedules that require immediate washing or styling

Important Aftercare

You can wash, style, and tie back your hair immediately after your appointment. Sulfate-free products are recommended to help extend your results.

Keratin vs. Brazilian Blowout

Choose a Keratin Treatment if you:

• Want the longest-lasting results

• Have coarse, thick, or highly frizzy hair

• Need repair as well as smoothing

• Want a more dramatic reduction in volume and styling time

  
  

Choose a Brazilian Blowout if you:

• Have color-treated or highlighted hair

• Want smoother hair while maintaining natural texture

• Need zero downtime

• Prefer a lower-commitment smoothing option

	Keratin Smoothing	Brazilian Blowout
Pricing	From $200	From $275
Best For	Coarse, thick, damaged, or very frizzy hair	Color-treated, wavy, or mildly frizzy hair
Treatment Time	2.5 - 3 hours	2.5 - 3 hours
Duration of Results	3 - 5 months	10 - 12 weeks
Post-Treatment Downtime	48 - 72 hours	None
Straightening Effect	Moderate to significant	Mild to moderate
Safe for Color Treated Hair	With caution	Yes
Sulfate Free Products Required	Yes	Recommended

Still Not Sure?

Every head of hair is different. During a consultation, we'll evaluate your hair type, current condition, lifestyle, and goals to recommend the smoothing treatment that's right for you.