The Best Protein Treatments For Natural Hair

Table Of Content

• Which hair types benefit from protein treatments?
• Elizavecca Cer-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment
• Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! MegaStrength Treatment
• How often should you use protein treatments in your hair?
• Which is better for hair protein or keratin?
• Are protein treatments safe to use? What about long-term use?
• Life-Changing Anti-Frizz Shampoos for the Best Summer
• How To Make a Keratin Hair Mask

"Many harsh chemicals that are used in structural changes for the hair will actually negatively impact the scalp and in some cases cause a chemically induced minor shed," Gaunitz says. "That said, you should beware of overusing protein treatments. This is not a conditioning treatment." Additionally, curly hair types may benefit from protein treatments since the hair naturally tends to be on the drier side.

Which hair types benefit from protein treatments?

Protein molecules contain amino acids and are essential to the human body. Hair is primarily comprised of proteins, most of which are keratin. Protein treatments are beneficial for multiple different reasons and have the potential to improve hair quality overall, making them an excellent addition to one’s routine when used correctly. Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly ten years. She began her career in beauty and fashion at QVC and has since written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Health, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, Byrdie and more.

Elizavecca Cer-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment

Dissolve the gelatin in warm water until there are no lumps, then add the essential oil drops if using, and apply to hair. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes, then rinse the hair with warm water. However, it is possible to overdo it with protein filler, which has several consequences. Neill says it's important to know that oversaturating the hair with protein can make it brittle.

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! MegaStrength Treatment

Certain keratin treatments contain formaldehyde, a well-known toxin that can cause irritation to the skin, throat, and eyes. There are now formaldehyde-free keratin treatments that you may want to explore. Long-term use of protein treatment is recommended, as damage can be an ongoing issue, especially for those who color, treat, heat, and generally work their hair on a regular basis.

And while haircare can be a minefield of false promises, fortunately, protein treatments are legit. There’s plenty of science backing their effectiveness, and with such a wide variety of options available, there’s a protein treatment for almost every head of hair. A protein called keratin makes up the majority of a hair strand, keeping it healthy, strong and full of elasticity.

Which is better for hair protein or keratin?

Whether that means changing up your color and dyeing your hair, or going with a more temporary change and applying some extra heat in the process, you’ll inevitably be left with some damaged hair on your hands. To help your hair before you heat style, apply a heat protectant, like the TRESemmé Get Sleek Heat Protection Spray, to your hair. After you’ve styled and configured your hair every which way (share pictures, please), you’ll want to use a protein treatment to help you to add some much-needed moisture and nourishment to your hair. Protein treatments are beloved for strengthening hair bonds, repairing breakage, and enhancing hair's smoothness and shine.

If you've been leaning into at-home hair dyeing, you should definitely keep reading. Due to their potency, protein treatments have proven incredibly beneficial to damaged or chemically treated hair. Additionally, "heat products and sun exposure are two of the biggest contributors to hair damage," says Morgan Parks, senior stylist at NineZeroOne Salon in Hollywood, California. Parks also suggests an increased repair for those with an affinity for heat tools. "If you tend to use a curling iron, blow dryer, or flat iron most days of the week, that's another reason to protein treat your hair," she says. Our experts agree that protein treatments are safe for all hair types; however, those with dry, damaged, color-treated, extremely porous, or textured hair will benefit the most.

It’s also important to remember that protein treatments aren’t a permanent fix; they should be used on a consistent basis. Hair itself is made up of protein—keratin protein, to be specific. However, everyday wear and tear from heat and styling can cause these proteins to become damaged over time. When this happens, your hair starts to show signs of that damage, including split ends, dullness, rough texture, and breakage.

How To Make a Keratin Hair Mask

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If your hair is frequently styled, processed, or pulled in a bunch of different directions in the name of fashion, you, too, may need regular protein treatments. Many athletes, especially swimmers, have damaged hair that desperately needs protein treatments – especially if there has been chlorine exposure. The bottom line is, ask your stylist to help you determine what, if any, treatment your hair needs to keep it healthy. "Topical protein treatments such as keratin or bond-strengthening shampoos revitalize hair and promote stronger hair strands," adds hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of hair care brand Miss Jessie's. "Adding protein to hair is a terrific way to restore and nourish hair follicles, fostering hair health by protecting tresses and helping to prevent breakage.

Reviewers with curls and coils say that this pre-shampoo treatment saved their limp, dull curls, restoring shine and bounce. Because it fortifies individual strands to such an extent, it minimizes breakage, split ends, and shedding. Meanwhile, its hydrating ingredients help it detangle and reduce frizz.

To avoid too much protein, use a protein treatment once or twice a week only and you shouldn't over-saturate your strands. If your hair is breaking off due to severe chemical damage, you'll need an intensive protein treatment to save what you can. This will probably require a salon visit, where a stylist may need to use a product like ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment.

OTC treatments, such as leave-in versions, may typically be used more often, while professional-grade versions are only used occasionally because of their strength. Protein hair treatments may be safe to use over the long term, as long as you follow the product recommendations. You may consider avoiding treatments that have alcohol, perfumes, or fragrances if you have sensitive skin. Some brands try to eliminate the possibility of "protein overload" by creating treatments that don't build up. "Virtue’s Alpha Keratin 60ku is 'self-regulating' [so] it acts as a navigation system seeking out the holes of damage, filling them in, and rinsing out where not needed," says Dr. Falco.

Do not be tempted to do it more often because they will likely only damage your hair more. You can apply these treatments two to three times per month, but they must be balanced with moisturizing conditioners to prevent dryness and breakage. If you decide to move forward with a protein treatment, use them sparingly.