Ultimate Guide On Protein Treatments For Hair

For the uninitiated, protein treatments for hair are over-the-counter formulations that boast ingredients such as keratin and collagen to restore the strength, moisture, and vitality of your tresses whilst offering protection against further damage. Your hair consists mostly of keratin – a natural form of protein – and is easily damaged by styling, heat, or environmental stressors. This leads to frizz, split ends, breakage, thinning, and other hair woes that just take away the shine and volume of your hair. How do you ensure your hair strands get their strength back? By giving it back the much-needed protein of course!

By incorporating a protein treatment for hair in your hair care routine, you can revitalise your hair strands and improve the overall health of your hair. If you’re worried about the protein treatment for hair price, fret not. There are many budget-friendly ways to do protein therapy for hair. So, if you are plagued by hair breakage, loss of elasticity, and split ends, consider using a nourishing, protein-infused product to bid adieu to your hair woes. But before delving into our recommendations, let’s discuss how protein treatments work for hair and the umpteen benefits these formulas lend your mane.

What Are Protein Hair Treatments

Protein treatments for hair are specially formulated hair care products that are designed to repair damaged hair. They are the ultimate solution to strengthen and replenish the keratin protein in damaged hair strands. The keratin protein therapy for hair treats the weakened bonds in your hair strands caused by frequent heat styling, chemical products, and environmental factors the UV rays or pollution. Whether your hair is dull, frizzy, or prone to breakage, protein treatments fill the gaps in your hair shaft and create a protective barrier around the hair cuticle.

Protein treatment for hair comes in various forms and you can pick between a mask, shampoo, or conditioner to restore your hair health. There are several salons offering protein treatments as well that you can opt for if your hair is super damaged. These products and treatments contain hydrolyzed proteins, collagen, or keratin that penetrate the hair strands. They restructure the hair for long-lasting strength and can also be made part of your regular hair care routine if you often use heated hair styling tools.

The Benefits of Protein Treatments

The best part about indulging in protein treatments for hair is that they enhance the overall appearance of your mane. A nourishing protein treatment relies on elements such as hydrolysed wheat protein or silk amino acids to protect your hair, scalp, and follicles from free radical damage. They are the building blocks of your hair, making them stronger, thicker, and more resilient. Lastly, a protein treatment helps restore hair elasticity – preventing breakage and split ends. Let’s explore the benefits of protein treatment for hair:

1. Strengthens Hair: Protein therapy for hair repairs and fortifies hair strands. This helps reduce breakage and makes the hair super strong.

2. Restores Elasticity: Thinning hair with reduced elasticity leads to unprecedented hair loss. Protein treatment for hair minimises breakage by making the hair less brittle.

3. Improves Texture: Protein treatments create a barrier of protection around the hair strands, that leaves behind softer, shiner hair with minimal to no frizz.

4. Repairs Damage: Damage from heating tools and chemical treatments are common causes of depleting hair health. Protein treatments repair this damage and breathe new life into your hair.

5. Boosts Growth: Damage from heating tools and chemical treatments are common causes of depleting hair health. Protein treatments repair this damage and breathe new life into your hair.

6. Locks In Moisture: Protein treatments for hair form a barrier around the strands, ensuring that all essential moisture is locked in. This ensures your hair is hydrated and feels soft.

Best Protien Treatments To Try

1. Leave-in Treatment: Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Treatment

A hair care must-have, the Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Treatment replenishes lost protein and helps strengthen your strands to combat further damage. The pH-balanced, leave-in formula also delivers on its promise of a 74% reduction in hair breakage, giving you lustrous, voluminous strands.

2. Shampoo: BBlunt Hair Fall Control Shampoo

Formulated with pea protein and caffeine, BBlunt’s Hair Fall Control Shampoo adds an unmistakable sheen to your hair while reducing up to 93% hair fall. Specially prepared for Indian hair types, an amalgam of pea protein and caffeine works to rebuild keratin, revive limp strands, repair damage, and reverse hair fall and breakage.

3. Hair Mask: L'Oreal Professionnel Absolut Repair Professional Mask

Powered by wheat protein, L'Oreal Professionnel’s Absolut Repair Hair Mask lends deep nourishment for 13x resistance to hair damage – packaged in a 95% recycled plastic bottle for environmentally conscious consumers. Indulge in this protein-packed mask to treat your tresses; apply it to towel-dried hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing off.

4. Hair Spray: Matrix Opti. Repair Liquid Protein Porosity Spray

If your mane is reeling from damage owing to repeated heat styling, over-brushing, and chemical treatments, meet the Matrix Opti. Repair 5-in-1 Liquid Protein Spray that balances hair porosity and pH while curbing frizziness, limiting heat damage, and detangling. Minus any parabens or silicones, this wonder potion is ideal for all hair types and textures.

5. Hair Pack: Ancient Living Natural Hair Protein Pack

A harmonious blend of Brahmi, neem, methi, hibiscus, amla, and Bhringraj, the Ancient Living Natural Hair Protein Pack lends your hair holistic health, owing to the potent concoction of exotic herbs. While Brahmi curtails hair fall and neem promotes hair growth, methi maintains scalp health, hibiscus adds lustre, amla fights dandruff, and Bhringraj prevents premature greying.

6. Hair Booster: Streax Craft Repair Booster

Offer your hair a healthy dose of protein with the Streax Craft Repair Booster which is clinically proven to reduce breakage and strengthen the hair. Enriched with vitamin E, honey, and keratin, the powerful drops strengthen bonds to improve shine, texture, and moisture levels, reduce frizz, and improve hair elasticity.

7. Conditioner: Jovees Professional Keratin Plus Wheat Protein Hair Conditioner

Perfect for dry, damaged hair, this ultra-nourishing formula instantly conditions and rejuvenates your mane from root to tip. Boasting hydrolysed keratin protein and extracts from rosemary, hibiscus, oats, and wheat, this conditioner fortifies weak strands, locks in ample moisture, and repairs hair damage. The best part? It is free of harsh sulphates and parabens.

8. Hair Mask: The Earth Collective Hair Mask Protein Nourishment

Harnessing the power of milk, almond, and soya protein, the Earth Collective Hair Mask nourishes your hair follicles, adds lustre, and strengthens strands. The protein-packed hair mask also improves hair texture and structure, minus any sulphates, parabens, mineral oil, and toxins.

9. Hair Serum: MCaffeine Naked & Raw Coffee Scalp Tonic

Featuring a protein trio, redensyl, and coffee, the MCaffeine Naked & Raw Coffee Scalp Tonic stimulates your roots for healthy hair growth, nourishes the scalp, limits breakage and hair fall, and facilitates long and lustrous locks. Free from harmful chemicals, this potion boosts hair density and blood circulation to your scalp.

10. Cleansing Bar: Earth Rhythm Silk Protein Shampoo Bar

This homegrown brand presents a clean and clinically effective shampoo and conditioner bar that delivers on its promise. Strengthening your strands and fortifying weak hair bonds, the Earth Rhythm Silk Protein Shampoo Bar + Solid Conditioner Bar is sulphate and paraben-free, lending ample bounce and shine to your mane.

How Does Protein Treatment Work For Hair

Protein treatment for hair fills in the gaps in the hair’s cuticles that have been caused due to protein loss and damage from varied factors. As hair strands are primarily made of keratin, the protein hair therapy products usually have hydrolysed proteins, amino acids, and collagen that penetrate the hair shaft and reinforce its structure. The protein in these hair treatments binds to the hair’s natural fibres and creates a protective barrier. This not only strengthens that hair but also makes it super smooth, shiny, and frizz-free. Consistent use of protein treatments will help you achieve revitalised, rejuvenated hair with reduced breakage and improved elasticity that is resilient and manageable.

When Do We Need Protein Treatment

Knowing when your hair needs a protein treatment is super important to maintaining its health. Here’s how to tell if your hair needs protein:

1. Protein deficiency: You can understand the needs of your hair by identifying common signs of protein deficiency. This includes excessive breakage, split ends, dullness, and a limp or overly soft texture.
2. Low elasticity: If your hair feels gummy or stretchy when wet, it indicates a loss of elasticity, which is often caused due to protein depletion and can be fixed using protein hair treatments.
3. Exposure to heat or chemicals: Hair strands frequently exposed to heat styling, chemical treatments like bleach, colours, or straightening, and even environmental stressors can also use protein treatments. These processes weaken keratin bonds, leaving hair prone to damage.
4. Naturally dry texture: Curly and textured hair types that tend to be thicker and naturally lose moisture and protein faster. Such hair types particularly need regular protein treatments.
5. Fading treatment: If your hair feels weak, lacks shine, or breaks easily 4–6 weeks after a protein treatment, it is time to go in for another. For less damaged hair, occasional treatments with lighter protein products also work wonders.

How To Do A Protein Treatment For Hair

Here’s the best way to do a protein treatment for hair at home:

1. Choose the Right Treatment: Select a protein treatment suited to your hair’s needs. Salon-grade treatments work well for severely damaged hair. At-home masks or conditioners are great for routine maintenance. Look for ingredients like keratin, hydrolyzed proteins, or amino acids.
2. Cleanse Your Hair: Start with a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup and prepare your hair for the treatment. This ensures better absorption of the protein. Avoid using a conditioner before the treatment.
3. Apply the Treatment: Towel-dry your hair to remove excess water, then apply the treatment evenly, focusing on damaged areas like the mid-lengths and ends. Use a wide-tooth comb for better distribution.
4. Heat Activation (Optional): Some protein treatments require heat to work effectively. Cover your hair with a shower cap and use a blow-dryer on low heat for 10–15 minutes.
5. Rinse Thoroughly: Wash out the treatment with lukewarm water, ensuring no residue remains.
6. Conditioning: Follow up with a deep conditioner or a moisturising mask to restore hydration and balance, as protein treatments can sometimes make hair feel slightly dry.

Post-Protein Treatment Tips

Here are some post-protein treatment tips for hair that you should take note of:

• Follow up with regular treatments every 4–6 weeks to keep your hair strong and healthy.
• Avoid washing your hair for at least 48 hours after protein hair therapy to let the treatment settle.
• Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to maintain the protein treatment’s effects.
• Incorporate a hydrating hair mask weekly to balance out the moisture and protein.
• Minimise heat styling and use heat protectants if you absolutely need to style your hair.
• Protect your hair from environmental damage by covering it in extreme weather with soft scarves.

Parting Thoughts

Protein treatments for hair are crucial for repairing damaged hair and maintaining healthy, resilient strands. They not only fix damage but also improve elasticity and restore the shine of your stresses, making them a go-to solution for dull, dry hair. Regularly incorporating protein hair treatments can prevent breakage and maintain the vibrancy of your locks. However, balancing protein and moisture is key to avoiding overuse. With proper care and post-treatment maintenance, protein treatments can transform your hair’s health and appearance.

FAQs

1. How often should I do a protein treatment?

   Protein treatments for the hair can be done every 4–6 weeks. However, you can increase or decrease the frequency depending on your hair’s condition and level of damage.

2. Can protein treatments be done at home?

   Yes! You can choose from over-the-counter protein hair therapy products or create DIY hair masks for at-home care.

3. Can protein treatments repair split ends?

   Protein treatments can temporarily seal split ends and prevent split ends from forming. However, trimming is the only permanent solution to remove split ends.

4. Are protein treatments suitable for all hair types?

   Yes! There are many protein treatments suitable for different hair types. However, the frequency and intensity of the products vary. Fine hair needs lighter treatments, while damaged or thick hair can benefit from more potent formulations.

5. Can overuse protein damage hair?

   Definitely! Too much protein can make hair stiff and brittle. Balance protein treatments for hair with moisture to maintain healthy strands.