Balayage
Hand-painted, sun-kissed dimension. From $300, ~3 hours. Color first, keratin 7–10 days later.
See balayage →
Hair Care · West 3rd Street, LA
Keratin Treatment in Los Angeles
A keratin treatment at MUA Salon starts at $250 and takes about 2 hours, including the clarifying wash, treatment application, processing, and finishing flat-iron seal. Performed by trained stylists at our studio at 8336 West 3rd Street in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, our formaldehyde-free keratin smooths frizz, relaxes curl pattern, and cuts blow-dry time roughly in half for 3 to 4 months.
Overview
What a keratin treatment actually is
A keratin treatment is a smoothing protein service. The stylist coats clean hair with a keratin-based formula, lets it process, and seals it in with a flat iron. The treatment fills in cuticle gaps, relaxes the curl pattern, and gives hair a smoother, shinier surface. Unlike chemical relaxers, keratin doesn't permanently straighten — the natural texture returns gradually as the treatment fades.
At MUA Salon, every keratin treatment includes a one-on-one consultation, a clarifying wash to open the cuticle, formula selection based on hair type, the treatment application, processing, and a finishing flat-iron seal. We use formaldehyde-free formulas — both for safety and so clients are comfortable breathing the room while we work.
For category-wide pricing in context, see our full service menu. For services beyond hair care, see permanent makeup and bridal.
Candidacy
Who keratin is for
Keratin treatments are for clients who want shorter blow-dry time, less frizz, and smoother, shinier hair — without the commitment of a chemical relaxer. They're especially flattering on humid-day hair, on color-treated hair that's grown rougher with lightening, and on anyone whose morning routine has gotten longer than they want.
Best hair type: wavy to curly hair benefits the most. Tight curls become loose, manageable waves; wavy hair becomes nearly straight; straight hair becomes shinier and faster to dry. Coily and 4C-textured clients should book a consultation first — we'll talk through whether keratin is the right call or whether a different smoothing service fits better.
We don't recommend keratin for: pregnant or breastfeeding clients (precautionary, even with formaldehyde-free formulas), clients with a recently shaved scalp or active scalp irritation, or anyone who wants permanent straightening — that's a chemical relaxer, not keratin.
Price & duration
- Price
- From $250 (formaldehyde-free)
- Duration
- ~2 hours, single session
- Includes
- Clarifying wash · treatment · flat-iron seal · finishing blow-dry
- Lasts
- 3–4 months on average
- Wait before first wash
- 48–72 hours
- Aftercare
- Sulfate-free, sodium-free shampoo + conditioner
- Pre-care
- Arrive with clean, freshly washed hair if possible
The process
What a keratin appointment looks like
- Consultation (5–10 min). We talk through your hair type, goal, and the formula that fits — softer or stronger smoothing.
- Clarifying wash (10–15 min). Two clarifying shampoo passes open the cuticle and remove product buildup so the keratin penetrates evenly.
- Towel-dry & section (5 min). Hair is towel-dried and sectioned for application.
- Treatment application (20–30 min). The keratin formula is brushed through every section, root to tip, in thin slices for even coverage.
- Process (20–30 min). We let the treatment penetrate. No heat at this stage.
- Blow-dry (15–20 min). Hair is blown smooth on medium heat — never high.
- Flat-iron seal (30–45 min). Each section is passed through a 410°F flat iron 5–7 times to seal the treatment into the cuticle.
- Finish (5 min). We send you home with the aftercare card and a sulfate-free shampoo recommendation.
Plan for roughly 2 hours start to finish. Important: for the first 72 hours, hair must stay perfectly straight and dry. No washing, no clipping back, no ear-tucking, no ponytail, no sweaty workouts.
Aftercare
How to make a keratin treatment last
First 72 hours
- No washing, no water, no rain on hair.
- No tucking behind the ears, no clips, no hair ties, no headbands.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase if possible.
- No sweating heavily — skip the workout class.
First 2 weeks
- Wait 72 hours before the first wash.
- Use a sulfate-free, sodium-free shampoo + conditioner.
- No swimming pools (chlorine), no saltwater.
- Heat protectant before any iron.
Daily routine
- Sulfate-free, sodium-free shampoo, max 3x per week.
- Air-dry when possible; flat-iron sparingly.
- UV spray for long days outdoors.
- Deep conditioning once a week.
Maintenance
- Month 3–4: refresh treatment when frizz starts returning.
- Pair with balayage for color-and-smooth in one trip — but always color first, keratin 7–10 days later.
- Brazilian blowout is the lighter alternative — wash same day, lasts ~12 weeks.
Compare
Keratin vs. Brazilian blowout vs. hair botox
Three smoothing services are commonly confused. Here's how they compare in plain language.
- Keratin treatment ($250+, ~2 hr): strongest smoothing. Wait 72 hours before first wash. Lasts 3–4 months.
- Brazilian blowout ($200+, ~3 hr): lighter formula, wash the same day. Lasts up to 12 weeks. Best for clients who want softer-touch smoothing without the 72-hour rule.
- Hair botox ($150+, ~2 hr): a deep-conditioning protein treatment that doesn't relax curl pattern but adds shine and reduces frizz for 4–6 weeks. The lightest option.
Many clients trial a Brazilian blowout first, then graduate to keratin once they're sure they want stronger smoothing. We'll talk you through which fits your hair type and lifestyle during the consultation.
FAQ
Keratin, asked & answered
How much does a keratin treatment cost at MUA Salon?
Keratin treatments start at $250. Final price depends on hair length, density, and which formula best fits your hair. The base price covers the prep wash, treatment, processing, and finishing flat-iron seal.
How long does a keratin treatment last?
3 to 4 months. Hair stays smoother, frizz stays at bay, and blow-dry time drops. Wash frequency, water hardness, and saltwater exposure affect longevity.
How long does the appointment take?
About 2 hours for average-length hair. Add 30 minutes for very long or thick hair. Plan to arrive with clean, freshly washed hair — we'll do a clarifying wash on top of that.
What's the difference between keratin and a Brazilian blowout?
Both are smoothing protein treatments. A traditional keratin requires 48–72 hours of no washing, no clipping, no tying back — and lasts 3–4 months. A Brazilian blowout uses a slightly different formula, can be washed the same day, and lasts up to 12 weeks. We offer both.
Will a keratin treatment straighten my curls?
It relaxes curl pattern and reduces frizz, but doesn't permanently straighten. Tight curls become looser waves; wavy hair becomes nearly straight; straight hair becomes shinier. The original curl pattern returns as the treatment fades.
Can I color my hair after keratin?
Yes — but timing matters. Get color first, then keratin 7–10 days later. The other order (keratin first) can cause uneven color absorption. We can sequence balayage and keratin in the same trip if you book ahead.
Are keratin treatments safe?
We use formaldehyde-free formulas at MUA Salon and avoid old-school keratin that releases formaldehyde during the flat-iron seal. Pregnant and breastfeeding clients should still skip the service as a precaution.
How should I wash my hair after?
Wait 48–72 hours before the first wash. Then use a sulfate-free, sodium-free shampoo and conditioner. Avoid pools (chlorine pulls treatment out) and saltwater for the first 2 weeks. Heat protectant before any iron. See the general FAQ for booking and policy specifics.
Related
Pair keratin with
Permanent makeup
Brows or lip blush to round out the look. From $500.
Explore PMU →Bridal styling
Smooth, sleek hair for the wedding day. Time keratin 4–8 weeks before.
Bridal planning →
Recommended aftercare
We use and sell Davines.
MUA Salon is an authorized Davines retailer in Los Angeles. We use Davines — the Italian B-Corp certified sustainable luxury brand from Parma — on every client, and stock the consumer line for at-home aftercare. Buy Davines OI, NaturalTech, MoMo, LOVE, Heart of Glass, and More Inside Styling at the studio.
Browse Davines products →Ready to skip the blow-dry?
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