Keratin Treatment for Port Salerno Clients

Port Salerno is about 30 minutes north of us if you take US-1 south to Tequesta. Most clients leave the fishing village area near Manatee Pocket, head south on US-1, cross into Hobe Sound, then continue past Jupiter Island and into Tequesta. The drive is one of the prettier ones we see, especially on a weekday morning when traffic is light and the bridges aren't backed up. Port Salerno clients book keratin treatments year-round, but bookings spike in May and June before summer humidity peaks.

Why Port Salerno Clients Make the Drive

Keratin and Brazilian smoothing treatments are the same family of services, but they aren't identical. Both treatments use a keratin protein blend and heat to bond the protein into the hair shaft. The result is smoother, frizz-resistant hair that air-dries faster and styles in half the time. The differences are in formulation: some products use formaldehyde-releasing agents, others are formaldehyde-free, and some use newer protein chains that work better on certain hair types.

We use a formaldehyde-free system that we've tested across coarse, fine, color-treated, and curly hair. The reason matters for Port Salerno: salt air sits in your hair every day if you live near Manatee Pocket or work the docks. Salt and humidity are the two biggest frizz triggers. A keratin treatment doesn't change your hair texture permanently. It coats and bonds, then slowly washes out over three to five months. For coastal clients, that's the right tradeoff.

Alicia Vermeulen runs most of our keratin appointments. She trained with multiple smoothing systems and switched to our current formula because it holds longer in humid climates without the chemical smell of older formaldehyde-based brands.

What We Offer

Full keratin smoothing treatment, Brazilian-style smoothing, express keratin (for fine hair or first-time clients who want a lighter version), keratin paired with color or balayage, and keratin paired with cut services. We also do bond-building treatments alongside keratin for clients with damaged or over-processed hair. Full menu on the services page and a focused keratin page for Tequesta-area clients.

The Keratin Appointment Step by Step

The full appointment runs about three hours. We start with a clarifying shampoo to strip product buildup. Then we apply the keratin solution from root to tip, comb it through, and let it process. After the process timer, we blow-dry the hair completely and use a flat iron to seal the protein into the cuticle. You leave the salon with sleek, glassy hair.

Aftercare is the part most people skip. For 72 hours after the treatment: no ponytails, no clips, no headbands, no braids, no washing. Sleep on a silk pillowcase. Don't tuck your hair behind your ears. Anything that creates a kink in the first three days will set into the hair until your next wash. After 72 hours, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo and you're set.

The treatment lasts three to five months depending on how often you wash, what shampoo you use, and how often you swim in pools or salt water. Sulfate shampoos and chlorine both speed up the wash-out. Most Port Salerno clients book the next treatment around month four.

Pricing & Stylist Levels

Keratin smoothing starts at $450. Express keratin runs lower. Pricing varies by hair length and density, but the consultation quote is always exact. Cut pricing tiers run New Talent at $75, Stylist at $95, Senior Stylist at $135, Master Stylist at $185, Artistic Director at $250. Color services price separately. Full menu and pricing on the services page. Meet the team on the team page.

Getting Here from Port Salerno

From the Manatee Pocket area, head south on Salerno Road or Cove Road to US-1. Take US-1 south through Hobe Sound. Continue past Bridge Road and the Jupiter Island turnoff. Cross into Tequesta and turn left at Tequesta Drive. We are at 365 Tequesta Drive on the right side, in the small plaza near the Old Dixie Highway intersection. The whole drive is about 30 minutes outside of season. Free parking right at the door. If you're coming from the western edge of Port Salerno, taking I-95 south to Indiantown Road can sometimes be faster during peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the formula safe? I've heard about formaldehyde issues.

Yes. Our system is formaldehyde-free. Older Brazilian smoothing formulas in the 2000s used formaldehyde-releasing chemicals that caused respiratory irritation. The newer protein-based systems we use don't have that issue and don't release fumes during processing.

Can I get keratin and color at the same appointment?

We can do both, but in a specific order. Color always goes first. We wait two weeks before applying keratin so the color has time to set. Plan two separate appointments.

How long after a keratin can I work out, swim, or wash my hair?

Wait 72 hours minimum before any of that. After three days, you're free to wash, work out, and swim. Use a sulfate-free shampoo to extend the treatment. Rinse with fresh water immediately after pool or salt water exposure.

Book Your Appointment

Book online or call (561) 339-3548. Want to ask about your hair type before booking? Hit the contact page or browse the FAQ.