How does Mutaly's hair care quiz work?

Mutaly's quiz has 5 sections covering hair type, scalp condition, hair characteristics (porosity, density, thickness), current condition, and treatments. The algorithm analyzes your moisture, lipid, and protein balance to generate a personalized care routine with specific product type recommendations.

What is hair porosity and why does it matter?

Hair porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles and resists moisture. High porosity hair (often from damage) absorbs quickly but loses moisture fast. Knowing your porosity helps choose the right products — low porosity needs lightweight products and heat to open cuticles, while high porosity benefits from heavier oils and butters to seal moisture in.

What is the moisture-protein balance in hair?

Healthy hair needs a balance of moisture (water, humectants) and protein (keratin, amino acids). Too much moisture makes hair limp, mushy, and overly stretchy. Too much protein makes it stiff, brittle, and prone to snapping. Mutaly detects imbalances and adjusts care recommendations to restore equilibrium.

Is the Mutaly hair quiz free?

Yes, the hair care quiz and your personalized hair profile are completely free. Product recommendations, INCI ingredient analyzer, and the hair diary are available with a premium subscription.

What languages does Mutaly support?

Mutaly is available in 7 languages: English, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

Are the recommended hair products safe?

All recommended products are screened against EU cosmetics regulations. Products containing ingredients banned in the EU — such as Lilial, Lyral, MI/MCI in leave-on products, Glyoxal, and formaldehyde releasers — are excluded from all recommendations.

Keratin Treatment: What It Is, Risks, and Alternatives

Keratin treatments smooth frizz but can involve formaldehyde. Here's the truth about how they work and safer options.

What it actually is

"Keratin treatment" covers several salon services that smooth frizz and extend blowouts. Most use a liquid formula applied to hair, then sealed with heat (230°C+) from a flat iron.

They don't add keratin in a meaningful way. They smooth and sometimes weakly straighten through:

A cross-linking agent (often formaldehyde or glyoxylic acid)
Heat sealing
Protein and conditioning ingredients

The formaldehyde issue

The original "Brazilian blowout" formulas used formaldehyde. Under heat, formaldehyde releases into the air — linked to respiratory issues, cancer (classified Group 1 carcinogen by WHO). Some products still contain formaldehyde-releasers despite labeling as "formaldehyde-free":

Methylene glycol (releases formaldehyde at high temperature)
DMDM Hydantoin
Quaternium-15

Rule: If it requires high heat to "set," it likely contains a releaser.

Safer alternatives

Glyoxylic acid treatments

A newer chemistry that cross-links without formaldehyde. Less dramatic result, but significantly safer. Lasts 2–3 months.

Amino acid treatments

Smooth using amino acids instead of crosslinkers. Gentlest. Short-lasting (2–6 weeks). Look for "tanino," "botox," or amino acid-based labels.

Bond-builders (at-home)

Olaplex, K18, and similar rebuild broken bonds without smoothing. Won't straighten but dramatically improves damaged-hair feel.

Who should avoid keratin

Pregnant or breastfeeding women (formaldehyde is teratogenic)
Anyone with asthma or respiratory issues
Chemically damaged hair (bleach, relaxers)
People with sensitive scalp
Salons without proper ventilation

How to ask your stylist

"What's the exact formula name?"
"Is this formaldehyde-free or formaldehyde-releaser-free?"
"What's the iron temperature?"
"Is the salon ventilated during application?"

If the stylist can't answer all four, don't do it.

After-care for keratin

No washing for 72 hours
Sulfate-free, sodium-chloride-free shampoo only
No ponytails or clips that crease hair for 3 days
No swimming in chlorine for 1 week
Expect 2–3 months of smoothness, gradually fading

Damage risk

Keratin treatments that use formaldehyde routinely can cause:

Cumulative protein damage (ironic)
Scalp irritation
Hair thinning at hairline
Allergic reactions developing over time

Your hair may feel great after. It's often worse in 6 months.

The realistic alternative

If frizz is your main problem:

Fix moisture-protein balance first (most "frizz" is imbalance)
Use humectants + sealing products correctly for your climate
Try a botox-style or amino-acid treatment before keratin
Consider whether the frizz is actually just damage from previous treatments

What Mutaly suggests

The Mutaly quiz flags chemically treated hair and routes you to bond-building and moisture-repair routines before any further chemical treatment.