The Natureza Cosméticos Biotina treatment is typically available as a single-step product (the "Ativo" or Active component) or sometimes as a 2-step kit including a preparatory shampoo. The product is renowned for its blend of powerful active ingredients:
Biotin (Vitamin H): A key vitamin known for its role in hair health, promoting strength, elasticity, and supporting growth.
Coconut Oil: A highly moisturizing oil that penetrates the hair shaft, providing deep hydration, shine, and helping to prevent protein loss.
Argan Oil: Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, it nourishes, softens, and adds shine, while also protecting the hair.
D-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): Known for its moisturizing, conditioning, and strengthening properties, improving hair elasticity and overall health.
Other emollients and reconstructive agents: The formula also contains various hydrating and restorative ingredients that help to replenish lost nutrients and align the hair fiber.
This treatment is designed for all hair types, including thick, coarse, curly, wavy, and even Afro-type hair, aiming to deliver a natural-looking straight result with enhanced hair health. It's often highlighted for its comfort during application due to being formaldehyde-free.
Effects on Hair
The Natureza Cosméticos Biotina treatment offers a comprehensive range of beneficial effects on the hair:
Effective and Long-lasting Straightening: Provides a powerful smoothing effect, significantly reducing volume and completely eliminating frizz. Hair becomes incredibly straight, disciplined, and much easier to manage. It can be used for full straightening or to relax curls and waves, depending on the application technique.
Deep Hydration and Nourishment: The rich blend of oils (Coconut, Argan) and D-Panthenol deeply moisturizes and nourishes the hair, resulting in softer, silkier, and healthier-looking strands.
Strengthening and Reduced Breakage: Biotin and other reconstructive ingredients work to strengthen the hair fiber from within, significantly reducing breakage and promoting overall hair resilience. Users often report less hair fall.
Exceptional Shine and Softness: Hair gains a remarkable, radiant shine and becomes exceptionally soft and smooth to the touch, greatly enhancing its overall appearance.
Improved Manageability and Movement: The treatment makes hair much easier to comb, detangle, and style, reducing daily effort and allowing for natural movement.
Formaldehyde-Free Application: Being formaldehyde-free, it minimizes strong odors, eye irritation, and respiratory discomfort during the application process, leading to a more comfortable and safer experience for both the professional and the client.
Compatibility: It is compatible with various chemical treatments (like coloring and previous sealings/progressives with acid bases).
How to Use (Professional Application)
The Natureza Cosméticos Biotina is a professional-use product and requires specific techniques for optimal results and client safety. The exact steps can vary slightly between a single-step product and a 2-step kit, but here's a general guide:
If it's a 2-step kit (Shampoo + Active):
Preparation with Dilating Shampoo (Step 1):
Wash the hair 2 to 3 times with the Dilating Shampoo (Step 1) to ensure deep cleansing and to open the hair cuticles.
On the last wash, leave the shampoo on for a few minutes (e.g., 5 minutes) for better cuticle opening.
Rinse thoroughly after each wash.
Completely dry the hair (100%) with a blow dryer.
Application of Active Reducer (Step 2):
Divide the hair into fine, manageable sections.
Shake the Active Reducer (Step 2) bottle well.
Using a brush, apply the product evenly to thin sections of hair, from mid-lengths to ends.
Maintain a distance of about 1 cm from the scalp, avoiding direct contact with the skin.
Distribute the product uniformly through the strands using a fine-tooth comb, ensuring every strand is coated. Remove any excess product with the comb.
Processing Time:
Let the product act for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on hair thickness, resistance, and the desired level of straightening. For very resistant or Afro-type hair, a longer time might be necessary (up to 80 minutes).
Rinsing:
After the processing time, rinse the hair completely (100%) with water until all the product has been removed. Do not use shampoo at this stage. (Some variations, particularly for very resistant hair, might suggest a partial rinse of 50%, but 100% rinse is common for this product).
Drying and Flat Ironing:
Dry the hair completely (100%) with a blow dryer, using a professional brush to help align and pre-straighten the strands.
Divide the hair into very thin sections.
Flat iron each thin section 15 to 25 times, gliding the flat iron slowly and consistently from root to tip. The number of passes depends on hair resistance and the desired level of straightness.
The flat iron temperature is crucial and must be adjusted based on hair type:
For fine, fragile, or chemically treated hair: use lower temperatures (e.g., 190°C to 210°C / 374°F to 410°F).
For thicker, more resistant, or virgin hair: use higher temperatures (e.g., 220°C to 230°C / 428°F to 446°F).
Thorough and consistent flat ironing is essential to seal the product into the hair and activate the full straightening effect.
Finalization:
After the hair has cooled down (allow about 10-15 minutes), style it as desired.
If it's a single-step product ("Passo Único"):
The process is similar, but you would start directly with step 2 (Application of the Active). The initial shampooing might involve a regular clarifying shampoo if needed, but not necessarily a specific "dilating shampoo" from the kit. The rest of the steps (processing time, rinsing, drying, flat ironing, finalization) remain largely the same.
Important Precautions and Professional Tips:
Professional Use Only: This product is exclusively for professional use by trained hairdressers.
Strand Test and Patch Test: Always perform a strand test (to check compatibility and desired straightening results) and a patch test (for skin sensitivity) before full application. This is essential for client safety and optimal outcomes.
Avoid Scalp Contact: Do not apply the product directly to the scalp. Maintain the recommended distance from the roots to prevent irritation or oiliness.
Home Care: To prolong the effects of the treatment and maintain hair health, advise clients to use a quality, sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free home care line specifically designed for chemically straightened or treated hair.
Pregnancy/Lactation/Children: While formaldehyde-free, it's always advisable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children, to consult with a medical professional before undergoing any chemical hair treatment. The manufacturer explicitly recommends not applying to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or children.
Incompatibilities: Always exercise caution and perform a strand test on hair previously treated with Henna/Hennê or if the hair is severely compromised, elastic, or extremely damaged. Do not apply if the scalp is irritated or injured.
