keratin

5 synonyms for keratin, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A tough, fibrous protein that forms the main structural material of hair, nails and the outer layer of skin, and of horns, hooves and feathers in animals. Its strands pack together tightly, which is what makes these tissues hard and water-resistant.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

fibrous protein structural protein ceratin keratin treatment Brazilian blowout

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A tough, fibrous protein that forms the main structural material of hair, nails and the outer layer of skin, and of horns, hooves and feathers in animals. Its strands pack together tightly, which is what makes these tissues hard and water-resistant.

“Nails are made largely of keratin.”

fibrous protein structural protein ceratin

2. noun informal

A hair treatment named after this protein, in which a product is applied and sealed with heat to make hair smoother and straighter for a period of weeks.

“She booked a keratin at the salon before the wedding.”

keratin treatment Brazilian blowout

How to use keratin

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

keratin treatment hydrolysed keratin keratin protein keratin-rich

Everyday in cosmetics and hairdressing; also standard biological vocabulary. The adjective is keratinous.

Etymology

From Greek keras, meaning horn, plus the chemical suffix -in.

Full origin of keratin →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between keratin and collagen?

Both are structural proteins, but they sit in different places and do different jobs. Keratin forms hair, nails and the outer skin layer; collagen forms the connective framework in the deeper layers of skin and in tendons, bones and cartilage.

Does keratin in a shampoo become part of the hair?

No. Hair keratin is built inside the follicle by living cells; the visible shaft is not alive and cannot incorporate new protein. Keratin listed on a product label refers to protein fragments that coat the hair surface.

What is a keratin treatment?

It is a salon service in which a solution is applied to hair and sealed in with a flat iron, leaving the hair smoother and less prone to frizz for several weeks. The name refers to the protein, though formulations vary widely between salons and brands.

Nearby words

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