how to tell if you need a protein treatment

How to tell if your hair needs a protein treatment?

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. Equally, if your …

What are protein treatments—and do you need them?

Should you get a protein treatment before or after a chemical treatment?

Why does my hair feel limp after protein treatment?

How do I know if I need a protein treatment natural hair?

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. Equally, if your strands feel dry, you are likely lacking moisture.

When should you use a protein treatment?

2. How often should you do a protein treatment? This question tends to go under heavy scrutiny because many naturalistas have a different answer based on the condition of their unique head of hair. To eliminate all confusion, protein treatments--especially deep treatments--should be done every 4 to 6 weeks.Jul 14, 2021

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.Jan 13, 2022

How do I know if my hair has too much protein?

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.Mar 1, 2021

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 to make hair sanitizer?

The method is simple: 1 beat two eggs; 2 apply the mixture to dry, clean hair; 3 wait 30 minutes; 4 rinse out with lukewarm water, following with a shampoo.

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 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.

Does keratin cause hair loss?

Certain lifestyle and diet choices can also lead to general keratin-deficiency in your body. Because maintaining a balanced, protein-rich diet is essential for healthy hair growth (some even claim that certain protein-rich foods can make your hair grow faster!), not consuming enough protein can contribute to hair loss.

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.

Signs Of Protein Deficiency In Your Hair

It's important to know that protein and moisture treatments deal with two very different issues, but let’s talk protein first. “Hair is a highly complex appendage of the body that is created by many proteins,” Dr. Tara Rao of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC tells Bustle.

Signs Of Too Much Protein In Your Hair

Just like having a protein deficiency, it is possible to have too much protein in your hair — but, again, it’s pretty rare. “If [the products you’re using] are very protein heavy and the protein molecules in them are too large, they could potentially weigh the hair down and make it feel coated,” Kingsley says.

Signs Of Moisture Loss In Your Hair

In general, if your hair isn’t feeling its best, it’s much more likely that you’re dealing with moisture loss, which most often is caused by chemical treatments (like relaxers and highlights) and hot tools (like your curling iron). If your hair is dry, easily tangled, and weak, it may need more moisture.

Treating Protein Imbalances In Your Hair

Although there are products on the market that claim to be able to restore protein in your hair, most experts agree the real cause of protein deficiency usually has to do with your diet — and therefore, the only way to fix the problem is to make sure you’re eating enough protein.

Treating Moisture Loss In Your Hair

Just like protein, Rogers notes that it’s pretty hard to add moisture back to your hair once it’s been damaged. “Products containing silicone (dimethicone, cyclomethicone) can be helpful to coat and protect the hair shaft, but only temporarily,” she explains.

1. Wella Keratin Mask

Rogers mentions that products containing wheat protein or keratin can temporarily make your hair feel softer and bouncier. This mask is like a mini salon-style keratin treatment you can do at home.

2. It's A 10 Keratin Leave-In

For even longer-lasting effects from a keratin treatment, try a leave-in version. This one from It’s A 10 can be used on wet or dry hair, so it’s great for days when you don’t shampoo too.

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.

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 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.