Curly hair requires special attention.
Generally, hydration and nourishment are key. However, proteins are crucial for your hair as they help strengthen the hair fiber and slow down hair loss.
Your body uses proteins to build cells, including the cells of your hair, skin, and nails.
So, what are proteins for hair? Approximately 80% to 90% of your hair is made up of a protein called keratin.
Keratin, the main component of hair, is a strong protein that can degrade with exposure to sunlight, wind, pollutants, daily maintenance, handling, heat tools, and chemical treatments like coloring.
This is where protein treatments come in to temporarily repair the hair fiber.
Protein treatments help you achieve beautiful hair, making them an essential part of your hair care routine.
Here’s what you need to know!
The Role of Protein Treatment
Once again, hair needs to be nourished and hydrated to be soft and smooth to the touch. They also need proteins to strengthen the hair fiber and prevent breakage.
To give you an idea, keratin is a natural protein produced by your body. It represents about 90% of the hair structure.
Its presence plays a crucial role in scalp health. In short, it acts as a protective barrier for your hair.
Hydration alone is not enough to strengthen the hair fiber. If your hair is damaged or weakened, it strongly needs a higher intake of proteins than hydration.
Protein treatments aim to strengthen fragile and damaged hair, restoring flexibility and elasticity.
Additionally, proteins breathe new life into hair follicles and make them more resistant to breakage. This treatment is suitable for all hair types (colored, normal, unruly, curly, etc.).
How often should you do a protein treatment?
Depending on the condition of your hair, you need to adjust the treatment to avoid damaging the hair fiber. There are products rich in proteins specifically designed for hair care.
You can use these protein-rich cosmetics as a treatment or maintenance.
If you have dry and damaged hair, it is recommended to do a protein treatment every 4 to 6 weeks.
However, if your hair is severely damaged, a one-month treatment is strongly recommended. I also advise you to complement your treatment with vegetable oil baths, a mask, and a protein shampoo.
For brittle, split, or fragile hair, apply a protein mask once or twice a month. Always make sure to trim split ends for optimal results. Rest assured, hair grows better when it’s healthy.
Hair in transition to natural hair also needs protein treatments.
It is also recommended when removing your protective hairstyle, and if your hair is regularly exposed to blow-drying, flat ironing, or brushing.
How do you know if your hair needs protein?
1. Your hair is highly porous:
Hair with high porosity often has tears in the strands, making it more prone to damage.
These tears allow hair to absorb too much water, which can cause frizz, knots, and even color loss in colored hair. To fill these gaps, you need a protein treatment to strengthen the hair fiber.
2. Your hair has lost its elasticity:
Your hair is difficult to curl or even loses its natural curls? Well, this may be due to the loss of elasticity in your hair. When your hair loses its elasticity, it’s usually a sign that it needs a protein treatment.
To determine your hair’s elasticity, take a strand of hair (still attached to your head) and wet it.
Once wet, stretch it. If the hair returns to its original length without breaking, then your strands are balanced. However, if the strand doesn’t bounce back, feels limp, or breaks, it definitely needs a protein boost.
By increasing your hair’s protein level, you increase its elasticity, making it fuller, livelier, and easier to style.
3. Your hair feels “limp”:
Limp, flat, or lifeless hair is a sure sign that your hair needs a protein treatment.
Normally, hair should be full of life with volume, so when it starts to fall flat, take notice. By reintroducing proteins into the hair, you can revitalize your strands and bring them to a healthier state.
4. Your texture has changed:
This is not a good sign. Generally, when you feel that the texture of your hair is different or odd, it may be that your hair is damaged.
This can happen if your hair is chemically treated too frequently or if it has suffered excessive damage. The hair fiber has weakened, its texture changes, and it feels unpleasant.
By calling on your hairdresser for a protein treatment, you can help revive your strands.
5. You have recently your hair:
When you relax your hair, you completely (or partially) change its natural texture. If you relax your hair often, you are at a high risk of developing split ends and damaging your hair.
To give your hair a better foundation, ask your hairdresser for a protein treatment.
Where can you find protein treatments?
Proteins are found in the following foods:
- Coconut oil
- Egg yolk
- Coconut milk
- Yogurt
- Avocado
- Banana
- Mayonnaise
Almost all hair care products contain proteins. You can easily find them in supermarkets or specialized shops. Protein treatments come in various forms:
- Milk
- Spray
- Lotion
- Hair mask
- Leave-in conditioner
- Strengthening shampoo
Some hair products may be labeled as “restructuring” or “repairing.”
However, be cautious when choosing your product, especially regarding the ingredients.
Absolutely avoid products containing parabens, sulfates, or silicones, which only weigh down your hair instead of hydrating it.
Here are 3 ready-made protein treatments:
- Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
- Aphogee Intensive Keratin Reconstructor
- Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner
DIY: 6 Homemade Protein Treatments
1. Shea Butter & Coconut Oil
You will need:
- 4-5 tablespoons of pure shea butter
- 1 egg
- 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1 Greek yogurt
- 3 to 5 tablespoons of pure castor oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
First, warm the coconut oil for about 1 minute.
Then, warm the shea butter for about 1 minute. Now, mix the two and stir well. When the mixture is smooth, add the other ingredients: castor oil, yogurt, honey, and egg.
Apply this mixture all over your head and leave it on for 25 to 30 minutes under plastic wrap and/or a warm towel before rins
ing with warm water.
This recipe is effective for the following reasons:
The shea butter in this protein treatment is well-known for its deep hydration and protein-rich ingredients that help replenish lost proteins in the hair and promote growth.
Coconut oil, castor oil, yogurt, and eggs are among the most well-known sources of natural proteins that can effectively replenish all the lost proteins in your hair.
Honey is a well-known natural humectant (moisture attractor) that gives your hair deep hydration. Additionally, being rich in powerful antioxidants and nutrients, it not only protects your hair from environmental damage but also promotes hair growth.
2. Egg Yolk & Honey
You will need:
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons of almond oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
First, take the three ingredients in the specified quantities and mix them evenly.
When the mixture is homogeneous, apply it all over your head and leave it on for 25 to 30 minutes under plastic wrap and/or a warm towel.
Rinse off this mask with warm water, then use a gentle shampoo and/or conditioner.
The reasons why this protein treatment for hair works are as follows:
Firstly, this mask as a whole is deeply moisturizing and also acts as a very good conditioner.
The egg is a rich source of proteins that your hair is deprived of, while honey and almond oil are excellent suppliers of nutrients and powerful antioxidants against environmental damage.
3. Mayonnaise & Avocado
You will need:
- 1-2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 1 ripe avocado
First, blend the avocado and add mayonnaise to it, then blend the two well until smooth. It is important to blend to avoid any lumps in the hair.
Apply this mixture all over your hair and leave it on for 40 to 50 minutes under plastic wrap and/or a warm towel.
Then, rinse off this hair mask with warm water and use a good gentle shampoo and/or conditioner.
Why does this protein mask work?
Since mayonnaise is mainly made of egg which is filled with proteins and powerful vitamins that are sufficient to fill the protein and vitamin deficiency of your hair and provide strength.
The fatty oils contained in this product are a source of powerful antioxidants that not only protect your hair from environmental damage but also act as a good natural conditioner.
4. Yogurt & Egg White
You will need:
- 1 egg white
- 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt
First, mix all the ingredients in a bowl to get a smooth consistency.
Then, apply the product all over your hair and leave it on for 40 to 50 minutes under plastic wrap and/or a warm towel. Rinse and wash as usual.
Yogurt is a natural exfoliant and a rich source of proteins that can boost hair growth and provide strength to the hair very quickly.
The protein-rich content of the egg replenishes the depleted protein reserves of your hair.
5. Avocado & Coconut Oil
You will need:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
First, carefully blend an avocado and add coconut oil to it.
Mix well until you get a smooth consistency.
Now, apply this paste to your hair, from root to tip, and leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes. Rinse with warm water as usual.
Coconut oil is naturally very penetrating, highly moisturizing, and protein-rich, helping to repair your damaged hair from the inside.
Additionally, avocado is naturally rich in powerful antioxidants that protect your hair from environmental damage and nourish nutrient-deficient strands.
6. Egg & Mayonnaise
You will need:
- 1 egg white
- 2-3 tablespoons of mayonnaise
To start, mix all the ingredients together to get a uniform paste.
Then, apply the mixture all over your head and leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes.
After this time, rinse it off with warm water and use a good gentle shampoo and/or conditioner.
Why is this protein treatment effective?
Mayonnaise and egg being one of the richest sources of proteins, this homemade protein treatment is the best for repairing your most protein-deficient hair strands.
Questions that will interest you…
What are the side effects of too much protein intake?
Excessive use of protein treatments can make hair brittle, especially on fine hair, which eventually leads to breakage. If your hair has too much protein, temporarily stop using it and focus on using moisturizing and nourishing treatments, which will help restore its elasticity.
Are protein treatments different from other hair masks?
Regular hair masks are formulated to rehydrate the hair, keep it soft, and improve its elasticity. They nourish dry and brittle hair. Protein treatments strengthen the hair to prevent damage, but they don’t necessarily moisturize the hair. Hair needs a balance of hydration and proteins to remain healthy and retain its length.
How often should you do protein treatments?
The condition of your hair is a key factor that can help determine how often you should do a protein treatment. If your hair is chemically treated (relaxed, colored) or regularly heat-styled, using a protein treatment once every 4 to 6 weeks can restore and revitalize weak or brittle hair.
