Nanoplastia is one of the most searched hair treatments in India right now. Salons advertise it as a gentler, "chemical-free" way to get smooth, frizz-free hair, and the prices quoted for it vary wildly. If you are trying to decide between nanoplastia and the classic smoothening + keratin combo, this guide explains how each one works, how long the results last, what they cost in Delhi, and which one suits which kind of hair.
At Coolcut Salon, most of our customers choose L'Oréal smoothening with Protek keratin, and "should I get nanoplastia instead?" is a question we hear every week. So here is our honest answer.
What is nanoplastia?
Nanoplastia is a hair-straightening and conditioning treatment. Brands describe it as a blend of amino acids, plant oils and mild organic acids that is applied to the lengths, left to work, then sealed with a flat iron. The idea is that the formula fills gaps in a damaged hair shaft and relaxes the frizz, leaving hair straighter, softer and shinier.
A few things worth knowing before you book:
- Formulas vary from brand to brand. "Nanoplastia" is a marketing name, not a single regulated product. Two salons can use very different products under the same name.
- "Chemical-free" is not literally true. Every product that changes the shape of hair is a chemical. Many nanoplastia products are sold as formaldehyde-free, which is a real plus, but ask the salon which product they use and read its label.
- Results are usually softer than smoothening. Very curly or very thick hair often comes out less straight than people expect.
What is smoothening + keratin?
Hair smoothening uses a smoothening cream that gently relaxes the bonds that give hair its wave and frizz. The stylist rinses it out, blow-dries and irons the hair into shape, then applies a neutraliser that fixes the new, straighter shape. At Coolcut we use L'Oréal smoothening.
A keratin treatment is then applied on top. Keratin is the protein hair is made of; the treatment coats and seals the hair shaft, which puts back softness and shine and protects hair that has just had a chemical service. We use Protek keratin. Doing both together is what we call the 2-in-1 combo.
The smoothening changes the hair permanently: the treated lengths stay smooth until they grow out or are cut off. The keratin layer is semi-permanent and slowly washes away over a few months.
At Coolcut: L'Oréal smoothening + Protek keratin 2-in-1 is ₹2,000 for women and ₹1,500 for men. Smoothening alone is ₹1,500 for women; keratin alone is ₹1,500.
Prices at Rohini Sector 13, Rohini Sector 9, Vikaspuri and Munirka. Paschim Vihar prices may differ, please call the branch.
Nanoplastia vs smoothening + keratin, side by side
| Nanoplastia | Smoothening + keratin | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Conditioning formula sealed in with heat | Smoothening cream reshapes the hair; keratin then seals and conditions it |
| How straight | Softer, more natural; less change on very curly hair | Noticeably straighter and sleeker, even on thick or wavy hair |
| How long it lasts | Typically a few months, depending on the product and your hair | Treated lengths stay smooth until they grow out; keratin shine lasts a few months |
| Regrowth | Blends in as the effect fades | New growth at the roots is your natural texture; a root touch-up keeps it even |
| Typical Delhi price | Often ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 or more, depending on salon and length | ₹2,000 for women, ₹1,500 for men at Coolcut |
How long does each one last?
This is where the two are really different. Smoothening changes the structure of the hair it touches, so those lengths will not go back to being frizzy. What you see after a few months is new growth at the roots in your natural texture. Most of our customers come back for a smoothening on the regrowth every five to eight months, depending on how fast their hair grows and how much frizz they have.
Nanoplastia, like keratin on its own, gradually washes out. How long it lasts depends heavily on the product, how often you wash, and whether you use a sulphate-free shampoo. Expect the effect to soften over a few months.
Which one should you choose?
Smoothening + keratin is usually the better choice if:
- Your hair is thick, wavy or very frizzy and you want it clearly straighter.
- You want results that do not wash out, so you only think about it twice a year.
- You want a smart price. The combo costs a fraction of what many salons charge for nanoplastia.
A conditioning treatment like nanoplastia or keratin alone may suit you if:
- Your hair is already fairly straight and you mainly want less frizz and more shine.
- You want to keep some natural movement and are happy for the effect to fade.
- Your hair is very damaged or heavily bleached, where a stylist may advise against any reshaping service for now.
If frizz and dryness are your only complaints, a keratin treatment on its own (₹1,500 for women, ₹1,000 for men) gives you that soft, shiny, manageable feel without reshaping your hair.
Aftercare for both
- Do not wash your hair for three days after the treatment, and avoid tying it tightly or tucking it behind your ears.
- Use a sulphate-free shampoo and a conditioner every wash. Sulphates strip keratin faster.
- Oil the lengths lightly once a week, and book a hair spa every four to six weeks to keep the hair soft.
- Wait at least two weeks before colouring, so the hair has time to settle.
Our full guide to smoothening aftercare goes through this step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Is nanoplastia better than keratin?
Not automatically. Both coat and condition the hair; neither reshapes it the way smoothening does. The result depends far more on the specific product and the stylist than on the name of the treatment.
Is smoothening safe for my hair?
Done by a trained stylist with branded products and followed by keratin and good aftercare, smoothening is a well-established treatment. Our stylists are trained by L'Oréal and check your hair before they start.
Can I do smoothening on coloured or mehndi hair?
Coloured hair usually can be smoothened, with care. Mehndi (henna) can stop the smoothening cream from working evenly; read our guide on mehndi and smoothening before you book.
Can men get smoothening + keratin?
Yes. Men's prices are lower because the hair is usually shorter: the combo is ₹1,500 for men.
Not sure which treatment your hair needs? Walk in to any Coolcut branch and our stylists will look at your hair and tell you honestly, before you spend anything.
