The Short Answer
Most keratin treatments should be repeated every 3 to 5 months or roughly 2 to 4 times per year. The exact timing depends on the specific treatment you get, your hair type, and how well you maintain it between appointments.
The general rule: wait at least 12 weeks between treatments. Going more often than that doesn’t give your hair enough time to recover and can lead to over-processing, dryness, and long-term damage.
At Numi Hair Salon in Scarsdale, our stylists will recommend a personalized schedule based on your hair’s type, condition, and the specific smoothing treatment you choose. We’d rather you come in less often with healthy hair than more often with damaged hair.
How Often by Treatment Type
Different treatments last different lengths of time, which directly affects how often you need to rebook:
| Treatment | How Long It Lasts | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Blowout | 3–4 months | Every 3–4 months (3–4x/year) |
| Lasio Keratin | 3–5 months | Every 4–5 months (2–3x/year) |
| Keratin Complex | 3–5 months | Every 4–5 months (2–3x/year) |
| Magic Sleek | 3–6 months | Every 4–6 months (2–3x/year) |
| Keratin Express | 4–6 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks (6–8x/year) |
The Keratin Express Treatment is an exception; it’s a lighter formula that fades faster, so more frequent touch-ups are safe and expected. For all other treatments, 12 weeks minimum between appointments is the guideline.
How Often by Hair Type
Your hair type also affects how quickly the treatment fades, and therefore how often you’ll need to come back:
Thick, coarse hair: Holds the treatment the longest. You may only need 2–3 treatments per year with a traditional keratin or Lasio.
Wavy hair: Great retention. Every 3–4 months is typical, especially with a Brazilian Blowout.
Curly hair (Type 3A–3C): Fades faster due to higher porosity. Expect to rebook every 3 months for a Brazilian Blowout, or every 4–5 months for a stronger treatment. Read our full guide on keratin treatment for curly hair.
Tight curls and coils (Type 4): May need treatment every 3 months as tight curls revert sooner. A Lasio Keratin or Magic Sleek will give you the longest stretch between appointments.
Fine hair: Fades faster because thinner strands lose the keratin coating more easily with washing. Every 3 months is typical, but aftercare matters more for fine hair than any other type.
Color-treated hair: Duration is similar to your base hair type, but use extra caution with frequency. Adding Olaplex or K18 between treatments helps keep color-treated hair strong enough for repeat keratin sessions.
Signs It’s Time for a Touch-Up
Don’t just follow a calendar, listen to your hair. Here are the signals that your treatment is wearing off:
Frizz is returning. This is usually the first sign. You’ll notice it around the hairline first, then throughout.
Styling takes longer. If your morning routine is creeping back up to pre-treatment levels, the keratin is fading.
Humidity is winning again. If you step outside on a humid day and your hair immediately reacts, the protective layer is gone.
Your hair feels rougher. When the keratin coating wears off, the cuticle opens back up. Your hair may feel coarser or less silky to the touch.
You’re reaching for the flat iron again. If you’re heat styling more often to get the same result the treatment gave you naturally, it’s time to rebook.
When you notice these signs, book your refresh — don’t wait until the treatment is completely gone. Touching up a treatment that still has some life in it is easier, faster, and more cost-effective than starting from scratch.
Book your keratin touch-up at Numi Hair →
What Happens If You Get Keratin Treatments Too Often
This is important. More isn’t better when it comes to keratin treatments. Over-treating can cause:
Protein overload. Hair needs a balance of protein and moisture. Too much keratin without enough conditioning in between can make hair stiff, brittle, and prone to snapping.
Cumulative heat damage. Every keratin treatment involves a flat iron at 380–450°F. Repeating this too frequently without recovery time weakens the hair shaft.
Loss of natural texture. Getting keratin treatments back-to-back for years without breaks can gradually alter your curl pattern. This is especially relevant for curly-haired clients.
Thinning and breakage. The combined effect of repeated chemicals and heat can thin hair over time, especially if it’s already fine or damaged.
The fix: Stick to the recommended frequency for your treatment type (see table above), and add bond-building treatments like Olaplex ($25+) or K18 ($20) between appointments to keep your hair healthy. For more on this topic, read our guide on whether a Brazilian Blowout can damage your hair.
How to Extend Time Between Treatments
The longer your treatment lasts, the fewer appointments you need per year, which saves you money and gives your hair more recovery time. Here’s how to stretch your results:
Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. This is the #1 way to extend any keratin treatment. Sulfates strip the coating aggressively. We recommend Kerastase, Olaplex, or Oribe, all available at Numi Hair.
Wash every 2–3 days, not daily. Every wash removes a thin layer of the treatment. Dry shampoo between washes keeps your hair fresh without stripping.
Avoid chlorine and salt water. Both accelerate fading. If you swim, wet your hair with clean water first and apply leave-in conditioner as a barrier.
Minimize heat styling. The treatment already does the heavy lifting; let it. Less flat ironing and blow-drying means the keratin coating stays intact longer.
Use a silk or satin pillowcase. Cotton creates friction that roughs up the sealed cuticle. Silk preserves the smoothness.
Add deep conditioning treatments monthly. Keeping your hair moisturized helps the keratin coating stay balanced and prevents the brittleness that comes from protein overload.
Don’t skip Olaplex or K18 between appointments. These bond-building treatments repair and strengthen your hair, keeping it healthy enough to hold the keratin treatment longer.
Should You Take Breaks Between Keratin Treatments?
Yes, we recommend it.
After 3–4 consecutive keratin treatments (roughly a year), consider giving your hair a break for one cycle. That means skipping one treatment and going 5–6 months without keratin. During the break:
- Focus on deep conditioning and moisture treatments
- Use Olaplex or K18 to repair any accumulated damage
- Let your natural texture come back fully
- Assess your hair’s health before booking the next treatment
This isn’t a hard rule; some clients with healthy, thick hair go years without breaks with no issues. But for fine, color-treated, or curly hair, periodic breaks help maintain long-term hair health.
Your Numi stylist will monitor your hair’s condition at every appointment and let you know if a break would benefit you.
Keratin Treatment Schedule: What a Typical Year Looks Like
Here’s what an annual treatment plan might look like for a typical client getting Brazilian Blowouts at Numi:
January: Brazilian Blowout ($350+) + Olaplex add-on ($25+)
April: Brazilian Blowout refresh ($350+)
May: Olaplex or K18 standalone treatment ($20–25) — mid-year strengthening
July: Brazilian Blowout ($350+) — right before peak humidity season
October: Brazilian Blowout refresh ($350+) + Olaplex add-on ($25+)
Total: 4 treatments/year at roughly $1,400–$1,500, including add-ons. That averages to about $115–$125/month for consistently smooth, frizz-free hair.
For clients using Lasio Keratin or Magic Sleek (which lasts longer), the schedule is 2–3 treatments per year at a lower annual cost.
Book your first appointment or schedule your next refresh →
Why Choose Numi Hair
993+ Google Reviews at 4.9 Stars. Our clients rate us as the best salon in Westchester — and trust us with their keratin treatments year-round.
Named a Top 100 Salon in the U.S. National recognition for quality, service, and results.
Multiple Best of Westchester Awards. Our team earns top honors from Westchester Magazine year after year.
Every Smoothing System Available. Brazilian Blowout, Lasio Keratin, Keratin Complex, Magic Sleek — we match the treatment to your hair and recommend the right frequency for your specific situation.
Premium Aftercare. Olaplex, Kerastase, and Oribe available in-salon so your results last as long as possible between appointments.
Ready to Book?
Whether you’re due for a refresh or scheduling your first keratin treatment, our team will create a personalized treatment plan that keeps your hair healthy and smooth year-round.
Book your keratin treatment at Numi Hair →
Or call us at 914-574-6402 to schedule your consultation.
FAQ
How often should I get a Brazilian Blowout?
Every 3–4 months is the sweet spot for most clients. That gives you consistent results without over-processing. Some clients with thick hair stretch it to 5 months. For timing details by hair type, read our guide on how long a Brazilian Blowout lasts.
Can I get a keratin treatment every 2 months?
We don’t recommend it for full keratin treatments, that’s too frequent and can lead to protein overload and damage. The exception is the Keratin Express Treatment, which uses a lighter formula and can safely be repeated every 6–8 weeks.
How do I know which keratin treatment schedule is right for me?
Your stylist at Numi will assess your hair’s type, condition, porosity, and treatment history to recommend the right frequency. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer; it depends on your specific hair. Book a consultation, and we’ll create a plan.
Is it bad to get keratin treatments for years?
Not necessarily — as long as you space them properly, use professional aftercare products, and add bond-building treatments like Olaplex between appointments. We do recommend periodic breaks (skipping one cycle after every 3–4 treatments) for fine or color-treated hair.
How often should I get a keratin treatment on curly hair?
It depends on the treatment. A Brazilian Blowout on curly hair lasts 2–3 months, so every 3 months is typical. A Lasio Keratin or Magic Sleek lasts longer on curly hair (3–6 months), so you can go 4–5 months between appointments.
What should I do between keratin treatments?
Use sulfate-free products from Kerastase, Olaplex, or Oribe. Wash every 2–3 days. Minimize heat styling. Add an Olaplex or K18 treatment mid-cycle to keep your hair strong. And schedule your refresh before the treatment fades completely.
Numi Hair Salon is located at 69 Harney Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. We serve clients from across Westchester County, including Scarsdale, White Plains, Eastchester, Bronxville, Yonkers, and Hartsdale. Book your appointment today →
