
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...
- Your hair is color-treated. Chances are that, if your hair has seen an excessive amount of hair dye, it could use a...
- Breakage and shedding. While losing up to 100 strands a day is completely normal and...
How to determine when your hair needs protein or moisture?
- hair that is porous and has a compromised cuticle layer
- it has difficulty staying moisturized
- it benefits from the having its cuticle layer reinforced with added protein so that moisture has a better chance of remaining in the hair.
Does my natural hair need protein?
Protein treatments are good for your hair, so there is no harm done is using them as a part of your hair regimen. In fact, I encourage everyone to give them a try, especially if you are a naturalista who frequently uses heat or is color treated. Protein enriched products help to strengthen the hair follicle.
How much protein for healthy hair?
When keratin weakens, hair strands are more prone to breakage. To nourish hair with protein, eat a diet that includes high-quality, lean protein. According to the USDA, women ages 31-50 should get 5 ounces of protein, younger women ages 19-30 can have 5 1/2 ounces.
How much protein do we need to prevent hair loss?
While researchers note that more studies are needed, eating a diet rich in protein may help prevent hair loss. Healthy choices include foods like eggs, nuts, beans and peas, fish, low-fat dairy products, chicken, and turkey.

How can I tell if my hair needs protein?
So how can you tell if you need moisture or protein? The simplest option is to take a wet or dry strand of hair and gently stretch it. If it barely stretches and snaps, you need more moisture and might have too much protein. Also, if you brush your hair and strands fall out, you need protein.
How do I know if my hair is protein damage?
The tell-tale signs of protein overload seem to be split ends and limp strands. Hair that feels brittle or sheds more than is normal for you can also be signs that your tresses have been exposed to too much keratin.
How often does my hair need a protein treatment?
every 4-8 weeksMost naturals benefit from a protein treatment every 4-8 weeks, depending on hair damage and how much protein is in your everyday hair products. Pay attention to how your hair feels. If it is bouncy, strong, and healthy, you don't need more protein!
How do I test my hair for protein?
General hair care products The amount of protein in the haircare product will vary based on the formula, but it is most often between 0.25 and 1 percent. On the label, we usually find a protein listed towards the end of the ingredient list.
Do my curls need moisture or protein?
Why protein and moisture is important for curly hair. 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 you tell if your hair has build up?
How to Tell if You Have Product Buildup in Your Hair – Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out ForYour Hair Feels Dry But Your Scalp Feels Greasy.Your Hair Looks Dull All The Time.Your Hair Feels Rough and Stiff Every Day.You Find Yourself Using Way More Shampoo Than Usual.Your Hair Struggles To Hold A Style.Lack of Volume.More items...•
How do you know your hair porosity?
"Start by combing your hair to release strands that are shedding, and then take those stands and drop them into your glass of water," says Groover. "Hair that is low porosity will float. Hair that is 'normal' porosity will float and then begin to sink slowly. Hair that is high porosity will sink immediately."
How do I know if my hair is over moisturized?
Limp, gummy, or mushy hair — If your hair feels limp, gummy, or mushy when wet, then that is a strong indication that your hair is over-moisturized. If you think you may be experiencing hygral fatigue, it's always best to immediately seek help from a hair care professional.
What happens to hair with too much protein?
If there is too much protein deposited in the hair it loses elasticity. It becomes stiff, rigid, and therefore more susceptible to breakage under lesser amount of tension. Combine this with already damaged hair and it is a recipe for disaster.”
What does over protein hair look like?
Your hair may look and feel dry, brittle, dull, and stiff. If you take a closer look at your hair, protein overload may also cause split ends and breakage. It may also shed more. If you're noticing more strands on your comb or brush than usual, that could be a telltale sign of high protein hair.
Is Olaplex 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. Our hair contains millions of disulfide bonds.
Does low porosity hair need protein?
Low porosity hair does not need protein as it already carries a lot of its own natural protein called Keratin. Low porosity hair is very protein sensitive so it's best to stay away from products containing protein as it could make your hair feel very brittle and hard.
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 a reconstructor for hair?
A concentrated blend of amino acids and keratin, this reconstructor will give your hair a deep conditioning protein treatment. If your hair is a victim of chlorine and hard water, this product will be the relief it has been waiting for. Apply it as often as you like – even after each wash, until your hair is restored.
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 Does Protein Do For Hair?
In case you need a quick refresher, amino acids are organic compounds that form together to make protein. These are the building blocks of your hair, responsible for the strength and structure of your curls and coils. If these amino acids are compromised, the protein in hair can become altered—leading to brittle and fragile natural hair.
How Do I Know If I Need Moisture or Protein?
Determining whether hair needs moisture or protein is the difference between good hair and scalp health, and damaged, dry hair. Not to get too scientific, but the protein and moisture vary at the atomic level. Each strand is held by a disulfide bond.
How Do I Know If My Hair Has Protein Overload?
Too much of a good thing, can, in fact, be bad in the case of protein for hair. Too much protein will rob the hair of the elasticity needed to manipulate hair without causing breakage.
How Often Should I Use a Protein Treatment?
Essentially, the healthier your cuticle and cortex is, the more resilient your hair will be from daily styling, heat, and environmental stressors. Protein treatments are a great way to ensure this and reinforce strength into the hair.
What is the protein in hair?
Protein and How It Affects the Hair. Our hair is primarily made up of chains of amino acids and proteins called keratin. Think of the hair as a building with keratin as the bricks. Because of overstyling, chemical treatments, and environmental stressors, keratins become worn out, creating gaps in the hair which eventually leads to damage ...
Why does my hair lose hair?
Note: increased hair loss could be caused by many things: a hormonal imbalance, vitamin deficiencies, stress, auto-immune disorders, medications, chemotherapy and more . It’s important to thoroughly consult and analyze the scalp and hair before deciding a lack of protein is the culprit.
What does it mean when your hair stretches and doesn't return?
If it stretches and doesn’t return or stretches and breaks, then chances are your hair is missing protein .
Why does my hair get frizzy?
Highly porous strands have tears and gaps in the hair, exposing the cortex to stressors. This causes the hair to absorb and release moisture faster than normal, leading to frizzy, tangled hair.
Does bleach damage hair?
Hair has been colored recently. Hair color, bleach, and treatments contain chemicals that alter the bonds of the hair, leading to damage. These chemicals elevate the pH of the hair and causes the cuticles to rise.
What is the protein in hair?
Hair is largely made up of a protein called keratin, and there are factors that contribute to protein loss that you may not be aware of. While it’s not hard to tell when your hair is thirsty, you may not be quite sure when your hair is in need of protein.
Why is it important to treat color treated hair?
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.
Why does my hair lose 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. Healthy hair strands will return to their natural state after being stretched. If you find that your hair doesn't spring back to its normal state, ...
How many strands of hair can you lose in a day?
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.
Is moisture good for hair?
Within the natural hair world, we tend to talk a lot about moisture. And yes, moisture is very important for textured hair, especially tighter curls and kinks. But we don’t want to rule out another factor in the health of your natural hair: protein.#N#Hair is largely made up of a protein called keratin, and there are factors that contribute to protein loss that you may not be aware of. While it’s not hard to tell when your hair is thirsty, you may not be quite sure when your hair is in need of protein. If you have asked yourself, “Does my hair need protein or moisture?” you have come to the right place. To help you out, we've listed five signs that you need to include a protein treatment in your hair regimen.#N#To help you out, we've listed five signs that you need to include a protein treatment in your hair regimen.
Does almond oil help with hair porosity?
A protein treatment can help to temporarily fill in those gaps to strengthen the strands and allow them to hold moisture longer. The almond component of our Mint Almond Oil is a protein that binds to the hair strand and seals in moisture, making it perfect for hair with high porosity.
What happens when hair lacks protein?
As you already know, proteins are the building blocks of our body. Protein deficiency in the body can lead to brittle bones and increases the risk of infections and illnesses. Proteins are also essential for healthy hair growth. Protein-deficient hair becomes limp and weak, it loses its normal texture and becomes sticky and difficult to manage.
How do I know if my hair needs protein or moisture?
Hair that lacks moisture and hair that needs protein can have similar problems: hair feels gummy, it's dry, frizzy, and brittle. Therefore, it can get very confusing to figure out whether your hair needs more protein or you need to use products that help retain moisture in the hair shaft.
How can I add protein to my hair naturally?
You can, of course, always go for a keratin treatment. However, if not properly done, this type of treatment can further damage your hair. Therefore, the best recommendation is to maintain a protein-rich diet. Include more eggs, legumes, dry fruits, and nuts, especially almonds, milk, broccoli, and other protein-rich foods in your diet.
Are there any hair products that can help me get protein-rich hair?
Besides going for a protein-rich diet and trying DIY protein hair masks, you can also try to include in your hair care routine a shampoo & conditioner that are rich in proteins and which can help improve the quality and texture of your hair shaft, giving you glossy, soft, and smooth hair.
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How I know That My Wavy Hair Needs Protein
Part of my hair goes straight. I have a section of my hair that is always straigher than the rest. However, when it gets really needing protein, it’ll be almost entirely straight.
How I Learned The Signs That My Hair Needs Protein
While I now understand the signs that my hair needs protein, I didn’t always know. I tried to grasp the basics while watching protein overload vs moisture overload videos. I’ll link some of those resources at the bottom of this post.
Does Low Porosity Hair Need Protein?
It’s a common rule of thumb that higher porosity hair needs more protein. Some take this idea and stretch it to mean that low porosity hair doesn’t need any protein.
Is It Possible For Hair To Hate All Protein?
Occasionally in wavy/curly hair groups I hear people say “I can’t use any protein – my hair HATES protein.”
Does Hair Strand Thickness Impact Moisture and Protein Balance?
Once I realized that my hair likes a lot of protein despite being low porosity, I was confused about why until I found this hair protein 101 article from the Science-y Hair blog that said fine or even ‘normal’ thickness hair needs more protein than thick or coarse thickness hair. This is repeated in her blog post titled More About (hair) Protein.
How much protein your hair needs based on porosity and thickness
Fine hair needs protein, and so does high protein hair. If your hair is fine and low porosity, it needs a lot of protein. If your hair is coarse and low porosity, it needs only a little protein. The remainder of hair types are somewhere in the middle.
Why I Wish I Tried Protein Earlier
When I first did a protein treatment, I was shocked at the results. I wish I had before and after pictures. I remember feeling like it looked like I had cut my hair, because it was visibly shorter as a result of curling up more! I was also shocked that my ‘straight section’ finally had more waves.
