So, you’re dreaming of smooth, frizz-free hair that defies the unpredictable weather in Melbourne, Australia. A keratin treatment sounds like the perfect solution, but there’s one practical question on your mind: just how long will you be sitting in that salon chair?
1) The Short Answer: What to Expect on Average
For a standard, full keratin hair treatment in Melbourne, you should plan to be at the salon for approximately 2 to 4 hours.
However, this is just a general guideline. The exact duration can vary significantly, from as little as 90 minutes for a quick express service to over 5 hours for very long, thick hair or specialised treatments.
2) What Happens During Keratin Treatment?
The hours spent in the salon are filled with a meticulous, multi-step process. Each stage is crucial for achieving those long-lasting, silky-smooth results. Here’s a typical timeline of what’s happening while you relax with a magazine and a coffee.
- The Consultation (15 minutes): Your appointment will begin with a chat with your stylist. They will assess your hair’s type, length, thickness, and condition to determine the best treatment approach and give you a more accurate time estimate.
- The Preparatory Wash (15-20 minutes): The process starts with a thorough wash using a clarifying shampoo. This isn’t just a quick rinse; its purpose is to remove any product buildup and open up the hair’s cuticles, creating a clean slate for the keratin formula to penetrate effectively.
- Application & Processing (60-90 minutes): Once your hair is washed and completely dried, the stylist will meticulously apply the keratin solution, working section by section to ensure every strand is coated. The formula is then left to process and absorb into the hair shaft. This “sitting” time can range from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the product and your hair’s density.
- The Sealing Stage (60-120+ minutes): This is the most time-consuming and critical part of the service. Your stylist will first blow-dry your hair completely. Then, using a high-heat flat iron, they will carefully straighten your hair in small sections. This heat-sealing process is what locks the keratin into the hair’s cuticle, creating the durable, smooth finish.
3) Key Factors That Determine Your Time in the Chair
Not all keratin appointments are created equal. Several factors will determine whether your treatment is on the shorter or longer end of the scale.
Hair Length and Thickness
This is the number one variable. Longer and thicker hair requires significantly more product and, more importantly, much more time for the stylist to apply the solution and meticulously flat-iron every section. Salons in Melbourne often schedule appointments in blocks based on hair length (short, medium, long), with longer hair appointments lasting an hour or more than shorter ones.
Hair Type and Condition
Very curly, coarse, or porous hair may need a longer processing time or more detailed flat-ironing to achieve the desired smoothness, extending the overall appointment duration.
The Type of Keratin Treatment
The specific service you choose has a major impact on the time commitment.
- Full or Classic Treatments: Services like a traditional Brazilian Blowout or a Cezanne Classic treatment are the most intensive and take the longest. In Melbourne salons, these typically range from 2.5 to 4 hours.
- Express Treatments: If you’re short on time, an Express Keratin service is a fantastic, faster alternative. These treatments are designed to be quicker, usually taking around 90 minutes to 2 hours from start to finish.
- Nanoplasty and Other Straightening Systems: Treatments like Nanoplasty, which offer intense straightening, can also be lengthy, often requiring 3 to 5 hours in the salon.
4) A Snapshot of Melbourne Salon Timings
A look at booking times across various Melbourne salons gives a clear picture of what to expect:
- Express Keratin: Appointments are often listed for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- BHAVE Keratin (Short Hair): Typically scheduled for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Pure Brazilian Keratin: Can range from 2 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours.
- BHAVE Keratin (Long Hair): Often blocked out for 4 hours.
- Cezanne Classic Treatment: Can take up to 4 hours.
- Full Keratin Smoothing: Some salons book a wide window of 3 to 5.5 hours to accommodate very long or thick hair.
5) Conclusion
While a few hours at the salon may seem like a lot, the real benefit is the time you get back every single day. One of the most celebrated advantages of a keratin treatment is the drastic reduction in daily styling time.
Many people find their hair-drying time is cut by half, and they can often let their hair air-dry with minimal frizz, freeing them from the daily ritual of blow-drying and flat-ironing.
Ultimately, the best way to get a precise time estimate is to book a consultation with a professional Melbourne stylist. They can assess your hair in person and tell you exactly how long you should set aside to achieve the smooth, manageable hair you’re looking for.
Want to know how much a keratin hair treatment costs in Melbourne? Read our ultimate price guide!
