Coffee Keratin Treatment: What It Is and How It Differs from Classic Keratin

A coffee keratin treatment is a salon keratin smoothing whose formula adds coffee extract to keratin amino acids. In Canada, the best-known example was Honma Tokyo Coffee Premium. The service follows the classic keratin steps: deep cleansing, application and flat-iron sealing. Here is what changes, what stays the same and what to use now.

What does “coffee keratin” mean?

“Coffee keratin” is not a separate technique: it is a keratin treatment whose formula includes coffee. Honma Tokyo described Coffee Premium as a progressive keratin smoothing system built on keratin amino acids, with coffee glycolic extract, marine actives and wheat protein. According to the manufacturer, this mix reduces porosity, forms a flexible protective film and leaves the hair aligned, hydrated and shiny.

The brand made two versions:

• Coffee Premium, the classic keratin, which the manufacturer positions for natural, thick and resistant hair, including curly 3C and coily 4A–4C textures;
• Coffee Premium Collagen, a keratin with collagen for all hair types. It is the newer formula: it hydrates and smooths more, and in salons it sometimes gave even more shine. Its kit has three products: a dilator shampoo, a capillary regenerating gel and an intensive protein spray.

Not to be confused with Coffee Green, the brand’s green coffee formula: that one is a single-step nanoplastia, covered in our article on green coffee nanoplastia.

How the treatment is done

A coffee keratin is a three-step service. Here is the Coffee Premium protocol, which is a good model for most keratins:

1. Cleanse with the deep cleaning shampoo three times, leaving it 5–6 minutes each time, then rinse until the hair is completely free of residue.
2. Dry the hair fully, without a brush.
3. Apply the smoothing product evenly, 1 cm away from the roots, and leave it for 30–40 minutes (under a cap if possible).
4. Comb out the excess with a fine-tooth comb and dry the hair fully again.
5. Seal with the flat iron, working in sections no wider than 1 cm.
6. After about 15 minutes of cooling, rinse without shampoo and apply the finishing mask for 10 minutes. Another option: the client goes home with the product still in and does this shampoo-free rinse later.

Coffee keratin vs classic keratin

Both belong to the same family. As explained in our comparison of salon treatments, a keratin works mainly on the outer layer of the hair and gives the strongest straightening, around 90–100%; it usually lasts three to four months, and repeating it before the previous one has washed out gives a cumulative effect.

What changes with a coffee keratin is the formula around the keratin: coffee extract and complementary actives, plus collagen in the Collagen version. What does not change:

• it is a professional service, done by a trained stylist;
• the clarifying wash and the heat sealing are what make it work;
• the hair colour can shift slightly afterwards, as with any keratin, because of the product and the heat of the iron;
• products from different systems should not be mixed: follow one protocol from start to finish.

If the client mainly wants less frizz with soft movement rather than a sleek finish, a gentler bixyplastia may suit better; for strong straightening in a single step, see green coffee nanoplastia.

Results, duration and aftercare

Honma Tokyo promised smooth, very aligned hair and long-lasting results; retailers of Coffee Premium quoted three to four months. A few practical points from salon experience:

• for a silkier result, saturate each strand well with the product; it comes with practice;
• leave about one month between two treatments;
• at home, a shampoo without silicone and without salt protects the result, and colour should be done before the service or two weeks after (see our aftercare guide for keratin, botox and nanoplastia).

What to use now in Canada

Naturalook has stopped distributing Honma Tokyo in Canada. The closest equivalents it stocks:

• Instead of Coffee Premium: Felps Brazilian Nuts Keratin Duo: a keratin done in two steps (clarifying shampoo, then keratin thermal sealing) with medium-to-strong straightening. Its product card lists medium-curl, porous, frizzy and chemically treated hair (curl types 1–3C) and a longevity of 4–6 months.
• For very curly or coily hair (4A–4C): Natureza Cacau do Brasil, listed for dense, coarse, curly and resistant hair.
• Instead of Coffee Premium Collagen: Prohall Select One, a keratin-collagen treatment with hydrolysed collagen for all hair types, especially damaged, bleached or chemically treated hair.

All three are for licensed professionals, and code HONMA10 takes 10% off your first professional order. See every equivalent on our Honma Tokyo alternatives page.

Frequently asked questions

Is a coffee keratin different from a regular keratin treatment?

It is a keratin treatment and follows the same steps: clarifying wash, application, flat-iron sealing. The difference is in the formula, which adds coffee extract and other actives to the keratin amino acids.

Which hair is Coffee Premium made for?

The manufacturer positions Coffee Premium for natural, thick and resistant hair, including curly 3C and coily 4A–4C textures. The Collagen version is for all hair types and hydrates more.

How long does a coffee keratin last?

Retailers of Coffee Premium quoted three to four months, which is typical for a keratin. Washing habits and home care make a big difference.

Why can the hair colour change after the treatment?

This happens with any keratin brand: the product and the heat of the flat iron can slightly change the colour. Plan colour before the service or about two weeks after.

Can I still buy Honma Tokyo Coffee Premium in Canada?

Naturalook has stopped distributing Honma Tokyo in Canada. The closest equivalent is Felps Brazilian Nuts Keratin Duo (Prohall Select One instead of the Collagen version), sold to licensed professionals on naturalook.shop with 10% off a first professional order using code HONMA10.