QIQI Smoothing Treatment: Why We Chose It Over Traditional Keratin
Let's clear something up right away: QIQI is not a keratin treatment. It gets compared to keratin constantly — and we understand why, because it solves the same problem. But the way it works, the results it delivers, and the experience of actually getting it done are fundamentally different. We've been using QIQI at HAIR ETC. STUDIO for a while now, and we chose it deliberately over traditional keratin systems. This post explains why.
The Problem with Traditional Keratin Treatments
Traditional keratin treatments work by coating the hair with a liquid keratin solution, then using a flat iron at high temperatures to seal it in. The result is smoother hair — temporarily. Most keratin treatments last 8 to 12 weeks before fading, and then you're back where you started.
But the bigger issue isn't longevity — it's what's in the bottle. Many keratin treatments contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals (like methylene glycol), which produce fumes during application. These fumes are irritating at best and genuinely harmful at worst, both for clients sitting in the chair and for stylists who breathe them in multiple times a week. Some products labelled "formaldehyde-free" still release formaldehyde at high temperatures. The industry has a transparency problem, and professionals know it.
There are also restrictions. After most keratin treatments, you can't wash your hair for 48 to 72 hours. You can't tie it up. You can't get it wet. You have to wait before colouring. For clients with busy lives, these restrictions are impractical. For a salon running 40+ appointments per week, they create scheduling headaches.
What QIQI Actually Is
QIQI is a multifaceted straightening and smoothing system that permanently changes the hair's texture by working with the disulfide bonds — the internal structural bonds that determine whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly. Unlike keratin treatments that coat the outside of the hair, QIQI reforms the bonds from the inside, giving them a new shape and sealing the cuticle layer.
Thin & Delicate
The key differences:
It's 100% formaldehyde-free. No formaldehyde, no formaldehyde-releasing agents, no harsh fumes. The formula is vegan and based on organic components. Our team can work with it all day without health concerns, and our clients can breathe comfortably during the appointment.
The results are permanent. Unlike keratin that fades after a few months, QIQI permanently changes the treated hair until it grows out and is cut off. There's no gradual reversion, no frizz creeping back at week 10. What's treated stays treated.
There's zero downtime. This is the one that surprises people most. After a QIQI treatment, you can wash your hair immediately. Tie it up. Go to the gym. Swim in the sea. There's no 72-hour waiting period, no sleeping with your hair perfectly straight on a silk pillowcase. Your life doesn't pause.
You can colour the same day. With most keratin treatments, colouring has to happen before the smoothing — and even then, there are risks. QIQI actually works alongside colour services. The treatment may lift your existing colour by 1–2 shades, so we typically recommend doing your colour appointment either on the same day (after the QIQI) or within a few days. The colour takes beautifully on QIQI-treated hair.
Wavy & Curly
What Happens During a QIQI Appointment at HAIR ETC.
Consultation (15 minutes, free). Every QIQI service starts here. We assess your hair type, texture, current condition, and what you actually want to achieve. Not everyone needs full straightening — some clients want frizz reduction while keeping their natural wave. QIQI is customisable, and the consultation is where we determine exactly what level of smoothing is right for you.
Application. QIQI is applied section by section and left to process. The formula can be on the hair for up to four hours without causing damage — it's that gentle. After processing, we use a straightening iron to set the new bond structure. This is where the permanent transformation happens.
Finish. Your hair is washed, finished, and you're done. No restrictions, no aftercare anxiety. Just smooth, healthy-looking hair that stays that way.
Total appointment time depends on hair length and density:
Men / short hair: approximately 1.5 hours
Face frame only: approximately 2.5 hours
Short to fine hair: approximately 3.5 hours
Medium hair: approximately 3.75 hours
Long or thick hair: approximately 4 hours
Thick & Coarse
Who Is QIQI Best For?
QIQI works on virtually all hair types — curly, wavy, coarse, fine, chemically treated, even previously bleached hair. But it's especially powerful for:
Clients who've been doing keratin treatments every few months and want something that actually lasts. QIQI ends the repeat cycle.
Anyone who lives in a humid climate — and yes, Nicosia summers absolutely count. The treatment is humidity-resistant, so your hair stays smooth regardless of what the weather is doing.
People with frizzy or unmanageable hair who don't want to lose all their texture. QIQI can be applied at different intensities. We can take you from a tight curl to a soft wave, or from a wave to straight — it's your choice.
Men dealing with coarse or unruly texture. Our men's QIQI service is one of our most popular — it's quick, transformative, and low-maintenance. The kind of result that makes morning routines disappear.
Clients who wear hair extensions. QIQI smooths your natural hair so it blends seamlessly with extensions, reducing frizz at the attachment points and extending the life of the extensions themselves.
QIQI vs Keratin: The Honest Comparison
| QIQI | Traditional Keratin | |
|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | 100% free | Often present or released at heat |
| Lasts | Permanent (until cut off) | 8–12 weeks (fades) |
| Downtime | None — wash and style immediately | 48–72 hours no washing or tying |
| Colour compatible | Same day | Wait 2+ weeks |
| Customisable | Frizz control → full straightening | Mostly one-level smoothing |
| Hair health | Repairs and strengthens | Coats — may mask damage |
| Safe for bleached hair | Yes | Often not recommended |
Pricing at HAIR ETC. STUDIO
QIQI is a premium service because it delivers a premium, permanent result. Pricing depends on your hair length and the stylist tier you book with:
QIQI | Men: from €70
QIQI | Face Frame: from €85
QIQI | Short / Fine Hair: from €200
QIQI | Medium Hair: from €230
QIQI | Long / Thick Hair: from €270
All packages include consultation, wash, and finish. When you factor in that traditional keratin needs to be repeated every 3 months (at €100–€150 per session), QIQI actually costs less over the course of a year — and the result is better.
A free consultation is always the first step.
Book a QIQI consultation at HAIR ETC. STUDIO →
Aftercare: What to Know
One of the best things about QIQI is how simple the aftercare is. Use a sulphate-free shampoo to maintain the result — and that's essentially it. No special routines, no expensive maintenance products, no lifestyle changes. The treatment does the heavy lifting so you don't have to.
As your hair grows, new roots will come through with your natural texture. How quickly you need a touch-up depends on your growth rate and how different your natural texture is from the treated hair. Most clients come back every 6 to 12 months for a root application.
Why We Chose QIQI
We didn't switch to QIQI because it's trendy. We switched because it aligns with how we think about hair care at HAIR ETC. — health first, results second, zero compromises on safety. Our team works 8-hour days, five or six days a week. We won't expose them to formaldehyde fumes. We won't offer our clients a treatment that makes them avoid water for three days. And we won't recommend something temporary when a permanent solution exists.
QIQI is that permanent solution. If you've been cycling through keratin treatments, or if you've been dealing with frizz and texture you can't control, book a consultation. Let us show you what the alternative looks like.
HAIR ETC. STUDIO is located at 17D Themistokli Dervi Street, Nicosia. We offer QIQI smoothing treatments across all stylist tiers. Book online via Fresha or call us at +357 99561581
Book A Smoothing Consultation
The best smoothing treatment doesn't come from picking the right product. It comes from picking the right stylist.
Our Smoothing Specialists
Not every stylist does smoothing properly. These five do.
Each brings a different approach and real experience with QIQI's formaldehyde-free technology. Pick the one that fits your hair, then book directly through their profile.
Aneta Dina Petsa. Color Expert. Toni & Guy trained. Technical precision across every smoothing and colour service.
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Charalambos Flouris. Senior Stylist. Meticulous, creative, and technically sharp. A calm, detail-driven approach to every smoothing service.
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Raphael Andreou. Salon Manager. Session stylist with editorial experience. KEVIN.MURPHY and NEUMA trained.
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Styliani Michael. Stylist & Colorist. Easy-going and welcoming. Someone who genuinely loves to connect and deliver great results.
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Fanouria Gaitanou. Style Specialist. Friendly, happy, and always smiling. Brings genuine care to every smoothing appointment.
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HAIR ETC. STUDIO
Nicosia, Cyprus
The Mediterranean's destination for smooth, frizz-free hair.
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