Treatment FAQ

how to tell if your hair needs a protein treatment

by Sammie Torp Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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5 Signs Your Hair Needs A Protein Treatment

  1. Your Hair Has High Porosity.
  2. Your Hair Has Lost Its Elasticity.
  3. Your Hair Is Stringy Or Limp.
  4. Your Hair Feels Gummy Or Sticky.
  5. You’ve Recently Colored Your Hair.

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.Mar 1, 2017

Full Answer

How to determine when your hair needs protein or moisture?

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 …

Does my natural hair need protein?

Nov 18, 2015 · If your hair is dry, easily tangled, and weak, it may need more moisture. Kingsley also says split ends, a lack of shine, and inability to hold a …

How much protein for healthy hair?

Oct 27, 2020 · Luckily, there are common indicators that will help you decipher what your hair is in need of. When I notice my hair is overly moist, limp, and mushy, it’s time for a …

How much protein do we need to prevent hair loss?

Mar 10, 2020 ·

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How can I tell if my hair needs 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. Equally, if your strands feel dry, you are likely lacking moisture.

How do I know if my hair has protein overload?

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

When should I use protein treatment on my hair?

At home, use protein treatments weekly or monthly as needed. Don't use with: There are no known ingredients that negatively interfere with protein, but salon protein treatments may contain harsh chemicals that can interact with other hair care products.

What does protein deficiency hair look like?

Stringy, sticky or limp hair are some of the possible signs of protein deficiency in hair. Anabel Kingsley, a consulting trichologist at Philip Kingsley explained, “Think of amino acids (proteins) as the building blocks of your hair; they give strands strength and structure.Sep 11, 2019

Is Olaplex 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

Can too much protein make your hair fall out?

However, if you are using protein shakes you may be consuming too much protein at the detriment to the other nutrients your hair and body needs. Although this is highly unlikely, an unbalanced diet over time can cause medical issues and hair loss.

Do I shampoo before protein treatment?

Protein conditioning treatments should be done after shampooing your hair (not co-washing) for best results. Using protein treatments too frequently can lead to moisture deficient hair which again leads to damage. Deep condition with a protein based conditioner as needed to regain moisture protein balance.Mar 18, 2013

Do I deep condition after a protein treatment?

You may find you never need to apply additional protein to your hair, and that's fine. Anytime you apply an intense protein treatment, you must follow up with a deeply moisturizing conditioner. Rutlin explains, "You cannot have one without the other. This is why you see some people have brittle and damaged hair.Feb 24, 2022

How do you know when it's time for a protein treatment?

3 Telltale Signs It's Time for a Protein TreatmentYour hair feels weak & brittle. This is a major sign that you probably need to use a protein conditioner. ... You're using heat. ... The weather is changing.Jan 11, 2017

Can you do a protein treatment and deep conditioner on the same day?

Avoid overdoing it on the protein—especially when not applying enough moisture in the form of regular, deep conditioning. You should always follow up protein treatments with moisturizing conditioners, preferably a deep conditioning treatment.Feb 4, 2022

Can my hair need both protein and moisture?

There is a unique relationship between moisture and protein within the hair and the hair needs both to be healthy. Neither protein nor moisture can work well without the other, and finding and maintaining the balance between these two is critical for achieving and maintaining healthy hair.Apr 19, 2021

Does thin hair need protein?

While baby-fine hair usually needs protein every single day, those with more of a fine-medium texture may find that using a protein-based conditioner once or twice a week, or even every other day, is more than enough to provide optimal structure strength and control.

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 ...

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 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 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.

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 ...

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.

Why does my hair scream for moisture?

My hair screams for moisture when it’s consistently dry, rough to the touch, and snapping off and breaking without me hardly touching it! Moisture is crucial in removing brittleness from your hair and increasing elasticity, which helps to curb breakage.

Is moist hair bad for you?

Don’t get me wrong, moist hair is great; however, as the old saying goes, “too much of a good thing can be bad.”. Overly moist hair can become very weak and fragile leading to breakage. Over time, moist hair, without the presence of protein treatments, can severely thin out leaving you with see-through ends.

What is hair protein?

Hair protein comes in the form of hydrolyzed proteins, usually from a plant source like wheat. Hydrolyzed means that the proteins are broken down so they dissolve in water. These proteins cling to the hair, helping to temporarily repair areas of damage. As a result, hair feels and looks healthier and stronger.

What to do if your hair feels mushy?

Hair feels mushy or cotton candy-like, stretches and doesn’t return to its original shape or breaks easily. Try a protein-rich conditioner like Toppik Hair Building Conditioner to restore some of the keratin protein to the outside of your hair strands.

Does hair feel smooth?

Hair feels smooth, stretches a little bit and then returns to its original state. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up! The balance of moisture vs protein in your hair care routine is working.

Can hair color cause breakage?

Sometimes damage from outside forces ( especially chemical treatments like hair color and relaxers) can damage the protein of the hair shaft, leaving it prone to breakage . Chemically damaged hair that feels mushy or cotton candy-like can benefit from a protein treatment.

Does butter help with parched hair?

Using products formulated with oils and butter can help to moisturize parched hair, leaving it looking softer and feeling more elastic.

Does protein help with hair loss?

Both protein and moisture have helpful benefits for restoring damaged hair. Hair that lacks protein or moisture has lost its elasticity, which means it’s more prone to breakage. However, some forms of damaged hair will only benefit from protein-based products, whereas other kinds of hair damage actually require moisture.

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.

PROTEIN OR MOISTURE?

So, what does your hair lack and what does it need? Does curly hair need protein? Does it need moisture? Moisture or protein for curly hair? We have listed below a couple of hair characteristics that will hopefully help you in understanding your hair better.

WHY PROTEIN IS IMPORTANT

Like straight-haired girls, curly heads also have their own haircare routine.

TIPS FOR ACHIEVING PROTEIN-MOISTURE BALANCE

Have a dedicated hair pampering day. This means using a moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, and all the way to your leave-in conditioner.

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