Sleek, smooth long hair by Rebecca Elliott, a stylist at Clark & Company Salon
A full balayage carries brightness through the whole head rather than the face-framing sections alone
A smoothing treatment is one of the few salon services that changes how your hair behaves for months rather than days. For the right hair it means less frizz and much shorter styling time. For the wrong hair, or the wrong formula, it is an expensive way to lose a texture you liked.
Below: what these treatments actually are, what Dallas salons charge right now, how long the results last, and what to ask about safety before you book.
Clark & Company Salon publishes this guide. We offer smoothing treatments, and our pricing appears below alongside other Dallas salons' published prices, taken from each salon's own website in October 2026.
Quick answer: keratin and smoothing treatments in Dallas
A keratin or smoothing treatment is a chemical service: a solution is applied to the hair and sealed in with heat, usually a flat iron. It reduces frizz and makes hair easier to style for weeks or months, depending on the formula. It is not the same as a blowout, which lasts only until your hair gets wet.
In Dallas, published prices for a full treatment run from about $200 to $400 and up, and express versions start at around $100 to $175. Smoothing treatments at Clark & Company start at $330, with pricing varying by stylist.
They suit frizzy, wavy or thick hair when you want to spend less time styling. If you want to keep your full curl pattern, ask before you book, because smoothing loosens curl.
Before any treatment, ask what formula the salon uses and whether it contains or releases formaldehyde when heated. The FDA advises checking for formaldehyde, formalin or methylene glycol on the label.
What a smoothing treatment is, and what it isn't
Five services get confused, partly because two of them share the word "blowout."
A blowout is a shampoo and styled blow-dry. Nothing chemical changes, and it lasts until your hair gets wet or humid.
A keratin or smoothing treatment is the category this guide is about. The FDA describes the process plainly: a smoothing solution "is usually applied to human hair followed by a heat treatment that seals the solution in." The result softens frizz and loosens texture for a period of weeks to months, then gradually washes out.
Brazilian Blowout is a brand of smoothing treatment. The name suggests a styling service, but it belongs in the smoothing category above.
Japanese straightening, also called thermal reconditioning, is a different process designed to straighten hair permanently. The treated hair stays straight, and the change only goes away as it grows out and is cut off.
A relaxer is a chemical straightener, traditionally used on tightly curled or coily hair, that permanently changes the hair's structure.
In short, a blowout lasts days, a smoothing treatment lasts weeks to months and fades, and Japanese straightening and relaxers are permanent on the hair they treat.
How a smoothing treatment works
The heat matters as much as the solution. In a review of hair cosmetics in the International Journal of Trichology, Maria Fernanda Reis Gavazzoni Dias explains that in formaldehyde-based treatments, water breaks the keratin's hydrogen bonds "as happens in a regular blow-dry," and the hair then holds its straighter shape because "the formaldehyde crosslinks the keratin filaments." That is also why formula matters: the chemistry that holds the result is the same chemistry the safety guidance is about.
Newer formulas use other ingredients to hold the result, and each brand describes its chemistry in its own way, which is why the safety questions further down are worth asking.
Who a smoothing treatment suits, and who should think twice
A smoothing treatment tends to suit you if:
- your hair frizzes easily, especially in humid weather;
- it takes a long time to blow-dry smooth, and you would like to cut that time down;
- your hair is wavy, thick or coarse and you want it calmer and easier to manage, not necessarily straight;
- you are comfortable with a recurring service, since the result wears off.
Think twice, or talk it through with a stylist first, if:
- you want to keep your curl pattern exactly as it is. Smoothing loosens curl. Some formulas can be applied to reduce frizz while keeping definition, so raise it before the appointment.
- you are sensitive to formaldehyde. The FDA's advice is direct: "If you are sensitive to formaldehyde, you should not use this type of product."
- you want something permanent. A smoothing treatment fades; Japanese straightening and relaxers do not.
If your curls are part of how you want to look, start with our guide to the best curly hair salons in Dallas. A good curl specialist can tell you whether smoothing would help your hair or work against it.
What a smoothing treatment costs in Dallas in 2026
These are published prices we could verify on each salon's own website in October 2026. Most are starting prices; length, thickness and the formula all move the final quote.
| Salon | Published price |
|---|---|
| Blo Blow Dry Bar, Preston Forest | Blowout + Express Keratin, $159 |
| Clark & Company Salon, Dragon Street | Smoothing treatments from $330, varying by stylist |
| Derek Sansone Hair, Fairmount Street | Brazilian Blowout, $400 and up; keratin, $400 and up |
| Freehand, Allen Street | Brazilian Blowout, $400 and up; keratin smoothing, $300 and up |
| Lemon Tree, North Dallas | Cezanne Keratin Express from $150; Cezanne Keratin Classic from $200 |
| Lure Salon, McKinney Avenue | Brazilian Blowout, $300 to $350; Brazilian Blowout Express, $150 to $175 |
| Rossi Park, Glass Street | Keratin, $300 and up; Brazilian Blowout, $300 and up |
| Salon D, Inwood Road | Keratin, from $250 |
| Tangerine Salon | Express Smoothing, $100 to $140 and up; Keratin Smoothing, $350 to $390 and up |
Two things explain most of the spread.
Express or full. Express treatments are shorter and cheaper and last weeks rather than months. Lure's Brazilian Blowout Express is priced at about half its full Brazilian Blowout, and Tangerine's Express Smoothing at well under half its Keratin Smoothing.
Length and density. More hair takes more product and more time. Salon D says its pricing "may vary depending on your hair length, thickness, and the type of keratin treatment," and that is the norm. If your hair is long or thick, expect to land above the starting figure.
How long it lasts, and when you can wash
How long a smoothing treatment lasts depends mostly on the formula, and the brands publish their own figures. Each is a brand claim, usually conditional on using the recommended aftercare, so treat it as a ceiling rather than a promise.
| Brand and treatment | How long the brand says it lasts | Washing, per the brand |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Blowout (Original and FREE) | Up to 12 weeks | "The minute you leave the salon you can immediately wash your hair" |
| Brazilian Blowout Express | Up to 4 weeks | Same as above |
| Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy | Up to 5 months | Not stated on the brand's treatment page; ask your stylist |
| Keratin Complex Express (KCEXPRESS) | Up to 6 weeks | "Hair can be shampooed just hours after treatment" |
| Lasio (One Day, Mocha Silk, Color Pro) | Up to 4 months | "Must be washed out within 24 hours," with washing at the salon recommended |
| Lasio Keratin Tropic | Up to 3 months | Same as above |
The washing rule is easy to miss. Some treatments have asked clients to wait days before washing; several current formulas, as the table shows, do not. Ask which rule applies to the product being used on you, and get the aftercare instructions before you leave.
Safety: formaldehyde, labels and what regulators say
Formaldehyde is the main issue. The FDA says many smoothing products "often contain formaldehyde, also known as formalin and methylene glycol," and that "when the solution is heated, the formaldehyde in the products is released into the air as a gas." At levels above 0.1 ppm, the FDA notes, some people experience eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing or nausea. Its consumer advice: if a product lists formaldehyde, formalin or methylene glycol, "it means the product contains formaldehyde or will release formaldehyde," and do not apply these products yourself at home.
"Formaldehyde-free" has not always meant what it says. In a 2011 Hazard Alert, OSHA reported that air tests found formaldehyde above its limits in salons using a smoothing solution labeled "formaldehyde free." OSHA's guidance for salons is that the best way to control exposure is to use products that do not list formaldehyde or its other names. Formulas have changed since 2011, and several brands now sell lines they describe as formulated without formaldehyde, so the label is the place to check.
A federal ban has been proposed but is not in effect. The FDA's proposed rule on formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in hair smoothing and straightening products was received for White House regulatory review on August 6, 2026, and as of October 2026 it was still pending. Until it is finalized, no federal ban applies.
Some "formaldehyde-free" alternatives have their own concern. Glyoxylic acid is used in some straighteners marketed as formaldehyde-free. In a January 2025 opinion, France's health and safety agency ANSES identified 46 cases of acute kidney injury after hair-straightening treatments worldwide, judged the role of glyoxylic acid in triggering it "highly probable," and reiterated its recommendation "not to use hair-straightening products containing glyoxylic acid" while a European assessment is completed. These cases are rare, but it is a reasonable ingredient to ask about.
Questions to ask before you book:
- Which brand and which formula will you use on my hair?
- Does it contain or release formaldehyde when heated, or does it contain glyoxylic acid?
- How is the area ventilated during the flat-iron step?
- When can I wash my hair, and what aftercare do you recommend?
Timing a treatment in Dallas
Humidity is a big part of why smoothing appeals in Dallas. National Weather Service figures for Dallas/Fort Worth put average dew points around 70°F from June through August, and that moisture is what makes frizz and undoes a blowout.
Because most treatments last from a few weeks to a few months, timing changes how much you get out of one. A treatment that lasts around three months, booked in late spring, covers most of the muggy season. Booked in November, much of its life falls in the drier months, when your hair may not need it as much.
If you color your hair, ask your stylist how they want to sequence color and smoothing, since both are chemical services. Our balayage guide covers the color side.
Smoothing curly and textured hair
Smoothing and curls can coexist, but they pull in different directions. A full treatment will loosen curl and wave. Some clients want exactly that; others regret it. Some brands say their formulas can be applied to reduce frizz while keeping curl definition; Brazilian Blowout, for example, describes its FREE treatment as customizable, saying you can "keep and define your curls" or "go for a sleek and smooth look."
Start by deciding whether you want your curls calmer or gone. If calmer, say so clearly at the consultation, and ask how the stylist will apply and finish the treatment to protect the curl. If you are not sure, a curl specialist is the better first appointment.
Smoothing treatments at Clark & Company
Smoothing treatments at Clark & Company start at $330, with pricing varying by stylist. We describe the service as "a customized smoothing service designed to reduce frizz, enhance shine, and improve manageability while maintaining natural movement. Perfect for clients who want smoother, easier-to-style hair."
We work with Keratin Complex, Brazilian Blowout, Puralux and Lasio. For keratin and Brazilian Blowout treatments, we recommend Rebecca Elliott, Laurel Rains and Mercedes.
Rebecca Elliott, one of the stylists we recommend for keratin and Brazilian Blowout treatments at Clark & Company Salon
The aim is smoother, more manageable hair that still moves. If you are deciding between a smoothing treatment and keeping your texture, talk it through with the stylist before you book; it is the quickest way to find out whether it suits your hair.
Cancellations are asked for at least 24 hours ahead; inside that, a fee of 50% of the service total may apply, and a no-show or same-day cancellation may be charged up to 100%. A valid card is required to hold the appointment.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a keratin treatment in Dallas?
Published prices for a full treatment in October 2026 run from about $200 to $400 and up: Lemon Tree's Cezanne Classic from $200, Salon D from $250, Rossi Park from $300, Lure $300 to $350 for a Brazilian Blowout, Clark & Company from $330, and Derek Sansone from $400. Express treatments start at around $100 to $175. Length and thickness raise the quote.
Is a Brazilian Blowout the same as a blowout?
No. A blowout is a shampoo and styled blow-dry that lasts until your hair gets wet. Brazilian Blowout is a brand of smoothing treatment, a chemical service sealed in with heat that lasts weeks to months.
What is the difference between keratin and Brazilian Blowout?
Keratin treatment is the general name for the smoothing category. Brazilian Blowout is one brand within it, alongside others such as Keratin Complex, Lasio and Cezanne. Brands differ in how long they say results last and when you can wash: Brazilian Blowout says you can wash immediately, Lasio says the treatment must be washed out within 24 hours, and Keratin Complex says its Express treatment can be shampooed hours afterward.
How long does a keratin treatment last?
It depends on the formula. Brand figures range from up to 4 weeks for express treatments to up to 5 months for Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy, and they usually assume the recommended aftercare.
Are keratin treatments safe?
The main concern is formaldehyde, which some smoothing products contain or release when heated. The FDA advises checking labels for formaldehyde, formalin or methylene glycol and not applying these products at home, and in 2011 OSHA found formaldehyde in salons using a product labeled "formaldehyde free." Ask your stylist which formula they use and how the salon is ventilated.
Will a keratin treatment make curly hair straight?
It loosens curl rather than removing it outright, and how much depends on the formula and how it is applied. If you want to keep your curl pattern, say so before the appointment.
Booking a smoothing treatment in Dallas
If you are booking with us, start with Rebecca Elliott, Laurel Rains or Mercedes.
Clark & Company Salon is at 1130 Dragon Street, Suite 170, in the Dallas Design District, open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm. If you are weighing other salons nearby, our guide to the Dallas Design District lists who offers what. You can book online or call (214) 242-9250.