No, keratin does not stop hair growth. In fact, it can improve the appearance of hair growth.
How Keratin Affects Hair Growth
Keratin is a protein that's a fundamental building block of hair. While keratin treatments don't directly stimulate hair follicle growth to make hair grow faster, they significantly strengthen hair strands. This increased strength reduces breakage, leading to longer hair over time. Hair that breaks easily appears to grow slower because the ends are constantly snapping off. Therefore, by strengthening hair and preventing breakage, keratin treatments contribute to the perception of faster hair growth.
- Strengthens hair: Keratin fills in gaps and strengthens the hair shaft, making it more resilient to damage.
- Reduces breakage: Less breakage means longer, healthier-looking hair.
- Improves appearance: Healthier hair looks and feels better, which enhances overall hair growth perception.
However, it's crucial to note that some reported hair loss after keratin treatments might be due to the treatment itself, particularly if improperly applied or using harsh chemicals. This isn't keratin stopping growth, but rather damage causing hair to fall out. The hair will continue to grow back naturally from the root unless there is underlying hair loss issues.
Several sources support this: Gisou states that keratin "helps your hair grow longer and stronger." Healthline confirms that keratin strengthens hair, preventing breakage which makes hair appear to grow faster. Conversely, Quora mentions the possibility of hair loss as a side effect of improper treatment application. The Reddit discussion highlights that while the treatment straightens hair, natural hair growth continues unaffected.
