
Signs that Your Hair Needs a Protein Treatment
- Your hair has lost its elasticity. One of the clear signs that your hair may need a little protein help is the loss of elasticity. ...
- Your hair is color-treated. Chances are that, if your hair has seen an excessive amount of hair dye, it could use a little more protein. ...
- Breakage and shedding. ...
- Your hair is limp and stringy. ...
- High porosity. ...
- Your Hair Has High Porosity. When your hair has high porosity, there are gaps and tears in the hair strand that allow too much water to be absorbed. ...
- Hair Has Lost Its Elasticity. ...
- Your Hair Is Stringy and Limp. ...
- Your Hair Feels Gummy or Sticky. ...
- You Recently Colored Your Hair.
How to tell if your hair needs a protein treatment?
Hair that is stringy, flat, or limp is a definite sign that your hair needs a protein treatment. Normally, hair should be pretty durable and full, so when it starts to droop, take notice. By adding protein back into the hair, you can revitalize your strands and get them to a healthier state. 4. Your Hair Feels Gummy Or Sticky
Why does my hair feel limp after protein treatment?
If your hair feels limp or weak, it may be a sign that your hair needs a protein treatment. Protein treatments boost the hair with a variety of nutrients and proteins to help reconstruct and strengthen hair strands.
What is a protein treatment and how does it work?
Let’s clarify what a protein treatment actually is. To put it simply, our hair is protein. A protein called keratin makes up the majority of a hair strand, keeping it healthy, strong and full of elasticity.
Should you get a protein treatment before or after a treatment?
These treatments are also great for those who are planning on coloring, lightening or chemically texturizing their hair. By receiving a protein treatment prior to chemically treating your strands, you are helping to strengthen the base of your hair and are essentially making it a healthier canvas for your color.

How do I know if my hair needs a protein treatment?
Take an inch of your hair and stretch it, if it doesn't stretch or breaks, feels dry and rough, it is brittle/damaged and needs moisture treatment. If the hair stretches far and does not return and/or breaks, feels mushy, gummy or cotton candy-like, your hair needs protein.
When should I use a protein treatment?
Hair that is stringy, flat, or limp is a definite sign that your hair needs a protein treatment. Normally, hair should be pretty durable and full, so when it starts to droop, take notice. By adding protein back into the hair, you can revitalize your strands and get them to a healthier state.
How do you know if your hair lacks protein?
If your hair easily snaps when stretched while wet or dry, then your hair is lacking protein. If your hair feels dense dry, won't curl and breaks often, then it lacks moisture. If your hair stretches easily and does not break often, then your hair is balanced.
Is a protein treatment necessary?
Yes! It's quite necessary, actually. Colored hair tends to become dry or brittle, so it needs extra protein to make it stronger. It's ideal to use protein treatments prior to coloring as well to keep your locks healthy.
Does my hair need moisture or protein?
All hair needs both protein and moisture to stay healthy and strong. In fact, protein and moisture can't work well without the other. You need a strong protein structure in order for water molecules to bind with your strands and to keep the water locked inside.
How do I know if my hair has protein overload?
Signs of Protein Overloadsnaps off when you extend a hair strand from one end to another.feels more dry, lifeless, and brittle than before.lacks shine and luster.is tangled and shedding heavily.texture is very straw-like and stiff.
How do I know if my hair is low or high porosity?
Another way to check your hair porosity is to drop hair that's been shed as a result of combing into a glass of water. If it floats, your hair is low porosity. If your hair sinks slowly, it has normal porosity, and if it sinks immediately, your hair is high porosity.
Do I need a protein treatment natural hair?
You can tell your hair needs a protein treatment if it feels weak, limp, and lifeless. Especially if it seems like products aren't working and no amount of moisture seems to make your hair look or feel good, it's time for a protein treatment. You also need a protein treatment if you have over-moisturized your hair.
How much does protein treatment cost?
The cost of this hair treatment depends on length, texture and thickness of the hair. It also varies on what brand and product will be used for the treatment at different salons. However, the usual cost of this ritual is INR 6,000 and above.
How do I know if my curly hair needs protein or moisture?
If your hair breaks or snaps when brushing or styling, it is not strong and needs protein. If your hair looks limp, matte and dry, it needs moisture. Keep reading to discover to understand what is really needed, why and how to bring your curls back into balance.
What is the difference between protein and keratin treatment?
Definition. A protein treatment is a conditioning treatment that adds proteins to your hair and helps to strengthen and repair it, while keratin treatment is a chemical procedure that straightens the hair, making it shiny and manageable.
Is Olaplex No 3 a protein treatment?
While some OLAPLEX products contain some protein, the amounts are minimal and not enough to be considered a protein treatment. Therefore, OLAPLEX is not a protein treatment. OLAPLEX works at a molecular level to rebuild the hair internally.
What is protein?
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin, and each strand of hair is approximately 91% keratin. Consequently, when your hair lacks protein it’s missing its DNA.
What does your hair look and feel like when you have enough protein?
Protein strengthens hair and makes it more structurally resilient to breakage and split ends. If there is no breakage, shedding or split ends, and your hair has sheen and feels strong there will be no need for a protein treatment.
How do you lose protein from your hair?
Color or chemical processes and poor maintenance can lead to a breakdown in the chains of amino acids these are the building blocks of protein. A lack of protein can lead to dry, brittle hair.
How do I know when I have enough protein in my hair?
If you are regularly applying protein through moisturizers and conditioners that have keratin as an ingredient, this may be adequate to maintain your protein levels without having to apply a concentrated deep protein treatment.
Can you apply too much protein?
Short answer: Yes, if you determine that protein is required and you treat your hair, assess how your hair feels and determine when it has strengthened and thus no longer requires protein. This may be after 1-3 treatments. It really is dependent on how weakened the hair is initially.
When do I need a protein?
Protein treatments should be applied as needed. If you are attaining protein through diet and you have keratin in your moisturizers, conditioners and shampoos and your hair is healthy there will be no need for specific protein treatments.
How does your hair feel now?
How your hair feels or looks will be an indicator of when a protein treatment is required.
How to tell if your hair needs protein?
Here are 5 signs that your hair is crying out for a protein treatment: Your hair has lost its elasticity. One of the clear signs that your hair may need a little protein help is the loss of elasticity. Try this little trick: take a small strand of your hair, and gently stretch it. If the strand doesn’t return to its natural state ...
What is protein treatment for hair?
A protein treatment for hair is a product loaded with a protein that hair can easily absorb, and it works to strengthen and repair the keratin. It can either be a treatment you purchase from a beauty store, or a homemade protein treatment.
How does protein hair treatment work?
A protein hair treatment will work to repair hair strands by attaching hydrolysed proteins to the hair cuticle and hardening the cuticle layer. Advertisement. If there are holes in the hair cuticle, protein treatment will patch up these gaps and place a barrier around the hair shaft to lessen future damage.
Why is protein treatment important for porous hair?
Because this type of hair often absorbs too much water, tangles and frizz may be a familiar experience. A protein treatment will help porous hair get the nourishment it needs and seal those gaps.
What is the protein in hair?
To put it simply, our hair is protein. A protein called keratin makes up the majority of a hair strand, keeping it healthy, strong and full of elasticity. But with damage caused by styling and maintenance, pollution, coloring and other things that don’t do your hair much good, the keratin starts to break down.
How to test if hair is porous?
Here’s a little test: place a strand of your hair in a shallow bowl of water. If the hair sinks, then it’s very porous. If you’re still not sure whether your hair needs a protein boost, asking for advice at your local hair salon is a good idea. Getting a protein treatment for hair in salon is a great starting point for someone who’s entirely new ...
What is the best protein treatment for damaged hair?
Deep Conditioning Mask. It must be the best protein treatment for damaged hair you could find. A little of it goes a long way, as it has a light yet super-moisturizing texture. It effectively detangles, smooths and makes dry (even chemically-treated!) hair feel silky soft.
Why does hair need protein?
Does protein help hair growth? Does keratin cause hair loss? Does my hair need protein or keratin? Which protein mask do you even need? Well, your hair is made out of protein. And one such protein is keratin (it makes up about 85% of your hair). Keratin is tough, fibrous and it helps your locks stay strong.
Does your hair need protein or moisture?
Harsh chemicals, the constant manipulation of the hair, using high-temperature styling tools, environmental factors, all contribute to brittle hair, split ends, frizzy hair, and even breakage or hair loss.
How often should you do a protein treatment depending on hair type?
How often should you use a protein hair mask? How long does a protein hair treatment last? Pertinent questions to be asked before starting your new hair care regimen. Protein treatments are effective when done every 4 to 6 weeks. No, applying it more often will not give you more benefits; if anything, it can lead to damage and hair loss.
How can I do a protein treatment at home?
You keep your scalp clean, and follicles unclogged. You use conditioner to prevent tangles and split ends. You make sure to seal in moisture within your strands. Still, why does your hair look lifeless, weak, and why does it lack volume? Why does it break? It could need protein.
How often should you do a protein treatment
It’s important to do your own trial and error, taking into consideration all the factors we mentioned above.
When should you do a protein treatment on natural hair?
The rule of using a protein-based treatment every 4 to 6 weeks applies here. Take into consideration the type of porosity and the level of damage to your hair. And be patient enough to adjust the frequency of the treatments according to your needs.
What are the benefits of choosing a protein treatment on curly hair?
Protein treatments aid curly hair. They strengthen the locks. They repair hair damage. They restore its elasticity, and it shows. If you have curly hair, after using protein treatments, you'll notice more body and volume and soft, luscious, full of life locks.
Hair Feels Gummy
Not sure how to tell if your hair needs protein? If you've ever been in the process of wash day and felt that your hair was a little TOO soft, almost mushy feeling, then this is a telltale sign that your hair is going through hygral fatigue. Essentially, your hair is over-moisturized.
Loss of Elasticity
When it comes to learning how to know if your hair needs protein, check its elasticity. A loss of elasticity can also be a consequence of over-moisturizing the hair. Again, while moisture is important, there needs to be a balance of moisture and protein, especially with curly hair.
High Porosity Levels
High porosity hair takes in and releases moisture quickly due to gaps that are present in their outer layer. This leads to curly hair that tends to feel dry shortly after being moisturized. A protein treatment can help to temporarily fill in those gaps to strengthen the strands and allow them to hold moisture longer.
Color Treatments
We know how important regularly moisturizing and deep conditioning color-treated hair is to prevent hair breakage, but protein is especially important for hair in this state as well. Color-treated hair is highly porous and more susceptible to damage. Strengthen it by implementing hair protein-infused products like those mentioned above.
Excessive Hair Breakage
As you may know, shedding is a natural part of the life of hair. We can lose up to 100 strands per day naturally. But if you find that you're losing hair that isn't coming from the root (has a white bulb at the end), then this is breakage, and it needs attention if you want to preventhair loss.
What to do after protein treatment?
What to do after a protein treatment you actually didn’t need: Moisture! Yes, that simple: You need to make sure your curls get a lot of moisture in order to get the protein – moisture balance right again. Depending on the amount of protein you’ve used, you’ll have to be a bit patient and wait a while until your curls are back to normal again, ...
Is protein bad for curls?
Using too much protein can be pretty bad for your curls. If you’re not sure whether you really need a protein treatment I suggest you to only add a new product to your routine with proteins (maybe a new conditioner) and take it step by step.
How do you know if you are not getting enough protein?
Swelling. One of the most common signs that you're not getting enough protein is swelling (also called edema), especially in your abdomen, legs, feet, and hands. A possible explanation: The proteins that circulate in your blood -- albumin, in particular -- help keep fluid from building up in your tissues.
Why do we need protein?
You need protein to digest and absorb other nutrients that keep you healthy. There's also evidence that protein can change the levels of disease-fighting "good" bacteria in your gut. Swipe to advance. 9/10.
What does it mean when you don't have enough protein?
Many of these neurotransmitters are made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. So a lack of protein in your diet could mean your body can't make enough of those neurotransmitters, and that would change how your brain works.
Why does my body not make enough collagen?
People who are low on protein often find their cuts and scrapes take longer to get better. The same seems to be true of sprains and other exercise-related mishaps. It could be another effect of your body not making enough collagen. It's found in connective tissues as well as your skin.
Does lack of protein make you tired?
And over time, a lack of protein can make you lose muscle mass, which in turn cuts your strength, makes it harder to keep your balance, and slows your metabolism. It can also lead to anemia, when your cells don't get enough oxygen, which makes you tired. Swipe to advance. 6/10. Hunger.
Do people with cancer have a bad diet?
Most Americans get plenty of protein. People who don't get enough usually have an overall poor diet. Elderly people and people with cancer may have trouble eating as much protein as they need. Severe malnutrition from lack of protein is called kwashiorkor.
Is WebMD a substitute for medical advice?
It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site.
