Glamingo Blog

Living in Singapore means battling constant humidity—your hair likely goes from freshly styled to frizzy within hours. If you’ve got curly, wavy, or textured hair, or if you’ve bleached and damaged your locks, you know how exhausting the daily styling battle can be. Keratin treatments have become increasingly popular in Singapore as a practical solution that buys you months of low-maintenance, smooth hair without the commitment of permanent straightening.

But with so many salons offering keratin services at wildly different price points and using different formulations, it’s hard to know what you’re actually paying for. This guide breaks down everything you need to make an informed choice: what the treatment actually does, realistic pricing across Singapore, which salons deliver real results, and what to expect afterward.

What Is Keratin Treatment?

Your hair naturally contains a protective protein called keratin. This protein is responsible for keeping your strands strong, flexible, and shiny. When you subject your hair to heat styling, chemical treatments, or—in Singapore’s case—persistent humidity and heat, this natural protein degrades over time. The result is hair that becomes brittle, dull, and impossible to manage.

A keratin treatment works by coating your hair with extra keratin and locking it in place with heat. Think of it as adding a temporary protective layer to each strand—one that makes your hair resistant to frizz and humidity while making it easier to style. The treatment doesn’t permanently alter your hair structure like rebonding does; instead, this protective layer gradually washes away over time.

How long does it last? For most people in Singapore’s humid climate, you’ll see strong results for 3-4 months, with the treatment gradually fading after that. Some formulations claim to last 6 months, but real-world results depend heavily on how often you wash your hair and whether you swim or spend time in saltwater. It’s semi-permanent—temporary but with impressive longevity compared to regular conditioning treatments.

How Keratin Treatments Work: The Process

When you book a keratin treatment, expect to spend a full afternoon at the salon—usually 2-4 hours depending on your hair length. Here’s what actually happens:

By the end, your hair should feel noticeably smoother and look shinier, even before you leave the salon.

Keratin Treatment Cost in Singapore: What to Expect

Pricing varies significantly based on several factors:

Hair Length & Thickness Most Singapore salons use tiered pricing structures:

• Short hair: $150-$200
• Medium hair: $250-$320
• Long hair: $320-$400+
• Extra-long or very thick hair: Additional $20-$40 surcharge

Salon Location & Prestige Prime locations like Orchard Road, Marina Bay, and Raffles carry higher overhead costs, reflected in pricing that can reach $500+. Heartland neighborhoods and secondary shopping districts like Kallang Wave Mall often offer 15-25% lower prices with equally skilled stylists.

Stylist Experience Many salons implement tiered pricing based on stylist seniority:

• Junior stylists: $150-$250
• Senior stylists: $250-$350
• Leading/master stylists: $350-$450+

Overall Price Range Across Singapore, keratin treatments typically range from $138 to $650, with most mid-range salons landing between $250-$400. Budget-friendly options exist ($150-$200), but quality formulations and experienced technicians usually cost more.

Keratin Treatment Types: Understanding Your Options

Not all keratin treatments are created equal. Understanding the differences helps you choose what’s right for your hair and health priorities.

1. Formaldehyde-Based Keratin (Traditional Brazilian Blowout)

The original keratin treatments on the market all used formaldehyde as a bonding agent—it’s the chemical that makes the treatment so effective and long-lasting. When the keratin formula is heated during application, formaldehyde releases as a gas.

Pros: Strongest straightening effect, results last 4-6 months, creates sleek, polished hair that looks salon-perfect.

Cons: The formaldehyde fumes during application can cause eye irritation, headaches, or respiratory discomfort for both clients and especially stylists who do many treatments daily. Some people report sensitivity on their scalp. The smell can be quite strong.

Popular brands: Brazilian Blowout, Keratin Complex, KeraGreen

2. Formaldehyde-Free Keratin

These newer formulations use different bonding agents—usually plant-based proteins or synthetic alternatives—that don’t release toxic gases during application. They’re marketed as the “safer” option.

Pros: No chemical fume concerns during the treatment, safer for stylists doing multiple treatments daily, gentler on sensitive scalps, often gentler on already-damaged hair.

Cons: Not quite as dramatic straightening as formaldehyde versions, typically lasts 2-4 months instead of 4-6, and some customers report they need a bit more product applied since the formula is less potent.

Popular brands: Pure Brazilian CLEAR Solution, Mayraki Organic, KERARGANIC

Best choice for: People with chemical sensitivities, those who get treatments frequently (every 2-3 months), salons that care about staff health, health-conscious clients.

3. Express/Smoothing Treatments

These are lighter-duty alternatives designed for people who don’t have 4 hours to spend at a salon. The products are less concentrated, and the application process is faster (usually 60-90 minutes total).

Pros: Quick turnaround time, works as maintenance between full treatments, gives you softer and shinier hair without the dramatic straightening effect of a full keratin treatment.

Cons: Results fade faster (typically 6-8 weeks), the smoothing effect isn’t as dramatic, and you won’t get the major frizz reduction that a full treatment provides.

Popular brands: Express Blow Out Smoothing (EBO), various salon-specific express treatments

Best for: People with tight schedules, those doing maintenance between full keratin treatments, anyone wanting a subtle improvement in hair texture without total transformation.

Keratin Treatment Results: What You’ll Actually See

Days 1-2: Your hair is noticeably smoother, shinier, and easier to manage. The transformation is visible immediately.

Weeks 1-4: Peak results. Hair styling time drops dramatically (many people go from 20 minutes to 5 minutes). Frizz is tamed, curly hair becomes more manageable, and the shine is undeniable.

Weeks 4-12: Results gradually fade. Your hair still looks good but starts returning to its natural texture. Shine lingers longer than smoothness.

Month 6: Most people notice they need a touch-up. The keratin coating has mostly washed away.

What kills the treatment fastest: Frequent washing, hot water, chlorine pools, saltwater swims, and heavy heat styling. Keep these to a minimum if you want maximum results.

Best Keratin Treatment Salons in Singapore

Finding the right salon matters—quality application directly impacts your results. Here’s a breakdown across different budget tiers:

Premium ($300+)

Kimage Hair Salon (9 locations islandwide) Multiple outlets across Singapore. Keratin treatment $370 (short), $420 (mid), $470 (long), $500 (extra long). Known for consistent quality across all outlets and service guarantee—return within 10 days for complimentary redo if unsatisfied.

Be Salon (Millenia Walk, Wheelock Place) Highly experienced stylists with 10-25 years expertise. Two options: Regular Keratin Treatment (from $300) for strengthening weak hair, or Bespoke Keratin Care (from $350) for customized long-lasting anti-frizz results.

Picasso Hair Studio (Novena, Bugis) Offers two keratin options: Brazilian Blowout (from $280, more hydrating) or Tiboli Keratin Treatment (from $325, stronger straightening). Multiple locations with flexible options depending on your hair needs.

Salon.B (Nassim Road) Full Keratin Treatment usually priced at $580, with promotional discounts available. Offers wash and blow dry included with treatment.

Mid-Range ($280-$400)

Salon de Edmund Formaldehyde-free keratin (Mucota brand), $259-$319 (medium hair), scaling to $289-$359 for longer lengths. Award-winning frizz control treatment.

Sloane Salon Keratin treatments starting from $285. Popular choice balancing quality and affordability.

Full House Salon Goldwell Kerasilk treatment, $300-$400 depending on length. Multiple outlets in Tampines with stylists trained at Vidal Sassoon London. Strong reputation for taming flyaways and delivering natural-looking results.

Organic Way Salon Organic Keratin Silk Treatment, $298-$328+. Specializes in organic/non-toxic products—ideal if you prefer minimal chemical exposure.

Ivan The Hair People Keratin treatments $208-$400 range depending on hair type and treatment intensity. Emphasizes long-term hair health beyond just smoothing.

Number76 Multiple locations with experienced team and membership programs offering 30% birthday discounts and complimentary services. Formaldehyde-free options available.

Budget-Friendly ($150-$250)

NeXt Salon Express Keratin treatment, $150-$200 depending on hair length. Great entry point for first-time treatments.

Tanubhi Beauty Care Budget-accessible keratin at $200-$225 (large length). Offers comprehensive threading and beauty services alongside hair treatments.

Ready to Book Your Keratin Treatment?

Ready to stop fighting frizz? Here’s your quick action plan:

1. Choose your type – Formaldehyde-free or express treatment?
2. Set budget – $200-$350 gets you quality results in Singapore
3. Check reviews – Google Maps and Instagram for real feedback
4. Book smart – Tuesday-Thursday mornings = better availability and pricing
5. Ask about aftercare – Sulfate-free shampoo makes a huge difference

Pick a salon from the list above and book your transformation.

This guide is brought to you by Glamingo—Singapore’s AI-powered beauty and wellness marketplace. Soon, you’ll be able to discover, compare, and book these featured salons directly through Glamingo. Stay tuned.