Hair guide · Colour & smoothing
Should You Get Keratin Before or After Hair Colour?
Colour first, then keratin. Already smooth? Wait about two weeks before you colour. Here is how to plan both on coloured, highlighted and bleached hair.
Quick answer
For the best colour result, colour your hair first, then have keratin. If the keratin comes first, wait about 2 weeks before colouring and tell your colourist. Keratin suits coloured, highlighted and bleached hair, adds shine that makes colour look richer and lasts up to 6 months. Very fragile bleached hair may need repair first.
Many women want both: fresh colour or highlights, and smooth, frizz-free hair that shows them off through Dubai’s humid months. The order you book them in matters for the colour result. The rule is simple, though, and keratin and colour work well together when you plan them.
This guide explains whether to have keratin before or after colour, whether you can do both on the same day, and what changes when your hair is highlighted, balayaged or bleached.
Keratin treatment before or after colour?
Colour first, keratin second. That is the advice our specialists give every client, and the same order applies to the Brazilian Blowout and to protein treatments. If you have already had your keratin, wait about two weeks before you colour, and tell your colourist that you have had a smoothing treatment.
Option 1: colour first, then keratin
This is the easiest order. Your colour is finished first. Then the keratin is applied section by section and sealed with a flat iron, which smooths the cuticle flat and adds the kind of shine that makes fresh colour look richer. You leave with new colour and smooth hair, and nothing else needs to happen to your hair while the keratin settles.
Option 2: keratin first, colour about two weeks later
Already smooth and now want colour? That is fine. Give the keratin about two weeks before your colour appointment. The first days after keratin matter: hair stays dry, loose and untied until the first wash, usually after 48 – 72 hours, and is then washed with a sulfate-free shampoo. Keeping a colour appointment out of that window lets the treatment settle. When you do colour, mention the keratin so your colourist knows what your hair has had.
At a glance
Colour and keratin timing for your situation
| Your situation | What to do | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| You want new colour and keratin | Colour first, then keratin | Keratin after your colour |
| You already have keratin and want colour | Let the keratin settle, then colour and tell your colourist | About 2 weeks after keratin |
| Highlighted, balayage or lightened hair | Keratin is suitable, sealed with a gentler flat-iron approach | Colour first, or about 2 weeks after |
| Bleached hair that snaps, or feels stretchy or gummy when wet | Repair first with Olaplex or protein, then smoothing | As your specialist advises |
| Brazilian Blowout instead of keratin | Same rule: colour first | Colour before, or 2 weeks after |
| Protein treatment | Same rule: colour first | Colour before, or about 2 weeks after |
| Colour top-ups while your keratin lasts | Colour as usual and mention the keratin | At least 2 weeks after your last keratin |
Keratin and hair colour on the same day
Can you have keratin and hair colour on the same day? Only in one order: colour first, keratin second. Keratin first and colour straight afterwards goes against the two-week gap, so it is never an order we suggest.
Whether both fit into one visit depends on your hair and your time. A full colour with Olaplex takes 2 – 3 hours and keratin 2 – 4 hours, so a same-day plan means a long appointment. Tell us when you book that you want both, and your specialist will check at the consultation whether your hair is ready for smoothing straight after colour. If it is bleached or already fragile, she may suggest repair first and smoothing at a later appointment.
Short of time? A Brazilian Blowout takes as little as 80 minutes and you can wash your hair the same day – but the colour rule is the same: colour before it, or wait 2 weeks after.
Coloured & highlighted hair
Keratin on coloured, dyed and highlighted hair
Yes, keratin is suitable for coloured, dyed, highlighted and balayage hair. It is popular with clients whose coloured hair looks dull or frizzy. Keratin smooths the cuticle and adds a mirror shine, so colour looks richer and highlights look polished rather than fuzzy.
Lightened hair is treated a little differently. Flat-iron temperature and passes are adapted to your hair type, and finer or lightened hair needs a gentler approach. That is why every appointment starts with a check of your hair’s condition and colour history.
- Your colour looks dull or frizzy between appointments
- Highlights or balayage feel rough, but the hair does not snap
- You want sleek hair that blow-dries quickly for up to 6 months
- You can plan your colour before the keratin, or about two weeks after
Bleached hair
Keratin on bleached hair: check first
Keratin can be done on bleached hair that is in reasonable condition. But bleach breaks bonds inside the hair, and hair that is heavily bleached, snaps when brushed, or feels stretchy or gummy when wet may not cope well with the heat of the flat iron.
In that case we recommend repair first: an Olaplex treatment for broken bonds, or a protein treatment for strength, then smoothing once the hair is ready. Our damaged hair treatment guide explains how to tell which kind of damage you have.
Not sure where your hair stands? Send a photo on WhatsApp before you book and a specialist will advise.
Compare
Which smoothing treatment for coloured hair?
All three can be done on coloured hair, with the same colour rule. The right one depends on what your coloured hair needs most.
| Keratin | Brazilian Blowout | Protein | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose it when coloured hair… | Is frizzy or dull and you want the sleekest finish | Needs smoothing but you want natural movement, or to wash the same day | Feels weak, dry or porous after colour |
| How long it lasts | Up to 6 months | Up to 12 weeks | 3 – 5 months |
| Appointment time | 2 – 4 hours | From 80 minutes | 2 – 3 hours |
| First wash | Usually after 48 – 72 hours | The same day | As your specialist advises |
| Colour timing | Before, or about 2 weeks after | Before, or 2 weeks after | Before, or about 2 weeks after |
| Price in Dubai | AED 420 – AED 895 | from AED 685 | from AED 475 |
| Treatment | Short hairAbove the shoulders | Medium hairShoulder length | Long hairBelow the shoulder blades | Very long hairWaist length and longer | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Hair Keratin Treatment2 – 4 hours | AED 420 | AED 575 | AED 740 | AED 895 | Book Now |
| Brazilian BlowoutFrom 80 minutes | from AED 685 | from AED 840 | from AED 1,200 | from AED 1,550 | Book Now |
| Protein Hair Treatment2 – 3 hours | from AED 475 | from AED 630 | from AED 840 | from AED 950 | Book Now |
| Full Hair Colour + Olaplex2 – 3 hours | AED 449 | AED 549 | AED 649 | – | Book Now |
All prices include VAT
Smoothing treatment for coloured hair: getting the colour right
If you colour with us, our Full Hair Colour + Olaplex (AED 449 – AED 649 by length) builds bond protection into the colour service, and the colour lasts 6 – 8 weeks. It is the natural first step before a smoothing treatment. The details are on our Olaplex page.
Because colour lasts weeks and keratin lasts months, you will usually colour again before your keratin fades. That is fine: book your colour at least two weeks after the keratin and mention it to your colourist each time.
Planning colour and keratin, step by step
Consultation or photo
Tell us about your colour history – highlights, balayage, bleach or home dye – and the result you want. You can send a photo on WhatsApp first.
Repair if needed
Heavily bleached or breaking hair has Olaplex or protein before any smoothing, as your specialist advises.
Colour
Have your colour, highlights or balayage done first.
Keratin
Then the smoothing treatment. Keep hair dry, loose and untied until the first wash, usually after 48 – 72 hours.
Sulfate-free care
Wash with a sulfate-free shampoo and protect your hair from chlorine and salt water. Sun is hard on coloured and highlighted hair too. The full routine is in our keratin aftercare guide.
Next colour
Colour lasts 6 – 8 weeks and keratin up to 6 months. Book your next colour at least two weeks after the keratin, and tell your colourist.
In short
Key takeaways
- Colour first, keratin second – the same order for Brazilian Blowout and protein.
- Already had keratin? Wait about 2 weeks before colouring and tell your colourist.
- Same day is only possible as colour then keratin, and only if your specialist says your hair can take it.
- Keratin suits coloured, highlighted and balayage hair; lightened hair gets a gentler flat-iron approach.
- Heavily bleached or breaking hair needs repair first with Olaplex or protein.
- Keratin: AED 420 – AED 895, up to 6 months. Full Hair Colour + Olaplex: AED 449 – AED 649.
Ready when you are
Book colour and keratin in the right order
Tell us your colour plans when you book and we will time your smoothing around them. Read more about our keratin treatment in Dubai, the Brazilian Blowout and protein treatment, or see the full price list. Bookings are in Dubai, and a specialist can also come to you.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get keratin before or after colouring my hair?
Colour your hair first and have the keratin after it. If you have already had keratin, wait about two weeks before colouring and tell your colourist that you have had a smoothing treatment.
Can I do keratin and hair colour on the same day?
Only in the order colour first, keratin second, and only if your specialist is happy that your hair can take both. Keratin first and colour straight after is not recommended, because colour should wait about two weeks after keratin.
How long after keratin can I dye my hair?
Wait about two weeks after your keratin treatment before you dye your hair. Tell your colourist that you have had a smoothing treatment.
Can I get keratin on bleached hair?
Yes, if the bleached hair is in reasonable condition. Hair that is heavily bleached, snaps when brushed or feels stretchy when wet may not cope well with the heat of the flat iron, so we recommend repair with Olaplex or a protein treatment first.
Is keratin good for highlighted hair?
Yes. Keratin suits highlighted and balayage hair: it smooths frizz and adds shine, so highlights look polished. Lightened hair is sealed with a gentler flat-iron approach, and colour should be done before the keratin or about two weeks after it.
Can I have a Brazilian Blowout on coloured hair?
Yes. The Brazilian Blowout can be done on coloured, highlighted and balayage hair. Colour before the treatment or wait 2 weeks after it.
Which smoothing treatment is best for coloured hair?
For frizzy or dull coloured hair, keratin gives the sleekest result for up to 6 months. A Brazilian Blowout keeps natural movement and lasts up to 12 weeks. If your coloured hair feels weak or porous, a protein treatment adds strength while it smooths, for 3 to 5 months.
How much do keratin and hair colour cost in Dubai?
Keratin costs AED 420 for short hair up to AED 895 for very long hair. Full Hair Colour + Olaplex is AED 449 for short, AED 549 for medium and AED 649 for long hair. Prices include VAT.
Ready for smooth, glossy hair?
Book in a minute online or send us a WhatsApp – our hair specialists will confirm your time.