TABLE OF CONTENTS
• What is Protein for Hair?
• What Types of Protein Does Hair Need?
• How to Know If Hair Needs Moisture or Protein
• How to Add Moisture to Hair
• How to Add Protein to Hair
• How Often Should You Use a Protein Treatment?
• How to Know If Hair Has Protein Overload
Hair and protein are like inseparable best friends, and that has a lot to do with the fact that hair is primarily made up of protein (specifically keratin). Each strand of hair is made of keratin to help form and protect the hair, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), while lipids provide structure and some additional protection from environmental and chemical damage, the National Center for Biotechnology of Information (NCBI) confirms. Protein is what gives hair its softness, luster, and strength, making it important for all hair types.
When it comes to protein for hair there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that, according to Science Direct, once you damage the natural protein within your hair it’s gone forever (until you grow back new strands). The good news is that you can replicate this form of protein through hair care products like overnight masks, shampoos, rinse-out conditioners, and leave-in conditioners. Ahead, discover the benefits of protein for hair, how to tell when curly hair needs protein, and the protein-infused hair care products you’ll want to add to your hair care regimen.
What is Protein for Hair?
Protein is made up of amino acids (organic compounds) that form together to make keratin. 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 a brittle and fragile mane. Damaging your hair with chemical treatments, hot tools, and bad hair habits can lead to weakened strands and depleted hair protein that may lead to dehydrated and unmanageable hair.
If you notice your tresses have become stringy, limp, or gummy (meaning hair stretches like a rubber band and snaps) you could be lacking protein. Both moisturizing products for natural hair and hair protein treatments can boost your mane with nutrients and proteins to assist in reconstructing and strengthening natural hair.
What Types of Protein Does Hair Need?
As previously stated, the exact form of protein found in hair can’t be recreated, but you can use hair care products that mimic protein to wrap a protective layer around strands. These types of proteins will be labeled on your hair care products as keratin, wheat protein, soy protein, vegetable protein, collagen, amino acids, and oat flour — to name a few.
These ingredients strengthen the hair to minimize damage and reduce signs of weakness, like frizz, tangles, and split ends. Luckily, there are many great hair protein treatments, like the Goddess Strength Cocoon Hydrating Hair Mask, which works to restore extremely damaged and over-processed hair with its infused castor oil, ginger, and wheat protein.
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How to Know If Hair Needs Moisture or Protein
Bottom line: healthy tresses require two things; moisture and protein. Some products provide moisture exclusively, some offer protein exclusively, and others provide both. Knowing what your natural hair needs — a hair protein treatment, a moisture treatment, or a combination of both — is paramount to healthy-looking and lively curls and coils. Proteins will reinforce hair bonds, making strands stronger and creating less opportunity for damage. Moisture is needed for hair to hydrate the bonds and improve the overall look and feel of your hair.
To determine if your hair needs moisture or protein, take a hair strand from your brush (no need to yank out any from the scalp) and gently stretch it. If it barely stretches and snaps or feels extremely dry, you need more moisture. If you brush your hair and more strands fall out than usual (remember, some hair shedding is normal) or it feel extra stretchy and gummy, you need protein.
How to Add Moisture to Hair
Moisture is needed for removing brittleness from your hair and increasing elasticity to help prevent hair damage. Under-moisturized hair may display dryness, become easily tangled, or feel like weak curls that lack shine. For hair that needs moisture, develop a regular hair care routine that includes a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment twice a week or deep conditioner once a week to draw moisture into the hair shaft. This will help with bounce and strength.
How to Add Protein to Hair
If you notice your hair is limp and stringy — without the normal bounce that curly and coily hair is known for — you could have a protein deficiency. By adding protein to your hair, you will boost elasticity and create a bouncier, fuller mane that is easier to style. Take stock of your current hair care routine to see if you’re already using products with hair protein to create a balance between moisturizing products and protein products.
An easy way to add protein to hair is with a weekly deep conditioner treatment that saturates strands with nourishing protein-centric ingredients. Replenish dull, brittle hair with Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Hair Smoothie,which is infused with shea butter and pro-vitamin B5, a humectant, for moisture and cocoa butter (a hair ingredient that contains protein), for added protein.
For a daily dose of protein (without overloading strands with the ingredient), add a leave-in conditioner to your routine with the Monoi Repairing Leave-In Conditioner. This styling product is formulated with wheat protein and pro-vitamin B5 to add shine, softness, and manageability to your hair. Every other wash day , rotate your usual shampoo and conditioner for one packed with protein, like Goddess Strength Fortifying Shampoo With Castor Oil and Goddess Strength Fortifying Conditioner With Castor Oil. This shampoo and conditioner are both made to add moisture to hair and strengthen weakened hair bonds for a restored mane that has more defined curls and easier manageability.
Adding protein to hair is just as important as limiting bad hair habits that can deplete hair bonds. Hair color and chemical straightening treatments alter the bonds of the hair, leading to breakage. According to the NCBI, the chemicals in these processes will elevate the pH of the hair and cause the cuticles to rise (which no one wants).
If cuticles are raised, the cortex of the hair becomes more exposed and has a greater susceptibility to protein loss and moisture loss. Hair color can also change the texture of your hair. If you enjoy coloring your mane, make sure you get a hair protein treatment one to two weeks after color application to repair what may have been damaged during the coloring process.
How Often Should You Use a Protein Treatment?
Incorporating protein for hair in your curly hair care routine will help reinforce fibers by making them strong against breakage, but you want to make sure you don’t overdo it. Introduce a protein-enriched product to your hair care routine gradually to gauge how much your hair needs. You can start with a weekly protein treatment for preventative maintenance and to target specific concerns like dullness and stringiness from dehydration.
If you feel like your hair needs more protein, consider using an everyday product like shampoo, conditioner, or leave-in conditioner containing smaller concentrations of the ingredient. Generally, you should use a protein treatment as directed on the specific product. Most products will say how often you should use it for the healthiest curls possible.
How to Know If Hair Has Protein Overload
Too much of a good thing can be bad in the case of protein for hair. Protein overload mimics the look of damaged hair, making it difficult to decipher between the two. A good way to test if your hair has too much protein is to use a protein treatment on your hair. If your mane still feels dry afterwards then that’s a sign that your hair has protein overload and needs more moisture to target damaged tresses. Luckily, if you are experiencing protein overload from a product, it will clear up as soon as the product is completely washed out.
Protein is a necessary component of hair health and should be added to your regimen for the best curls possible. As a good rule of thumb, use a protein treatment once a week for some hair self-care that’ll strengthen strands, for a more nourished and lively mane.
Next Up: How To Moisturize From Your Strands To Your Toes
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