How To Make A Diy Protein Treatment For Natural Hair
- Break the egg into a bowl.
- Add ¾ cup of mayonnaise and a tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Mix them together properly or use a blender for a finer texture.
- To apply the protein treatment to your natural hair, start with freshly shampooed hair preferably.
- First, divide the hair into 4 sections and apply the protein treatment to each section, making sure to coat your ends thoroughly.
- Massage your scalp too and repeat for every section of hair.
- Cover up your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag and let it sit for about 20 minutes. You can also sit under a dryer for this step.
- Rinse off treatment with warm water.
Looking to put these tips to great use and try out making your own DIY protein treatment, I bet you’ll love to get started with this tutorial by @Ebony Curly. She shares super easy steps on how you can make your own DIY protein treatment for natural hair:
Its A 10 Miracle Leave
- How to use: Shampoo and condition hair, towel dry, spray product all over hair and comb through. Dont rinse.
If youre looking for a daily treatment, consider Its a 10 Miracle Leave-in product. This spray contains natural ingredients to help rebuild hair proteins in addition to other hair-healthy ingredients suitable for all hair types.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Fragrance/Parfum, Panthenol, Silk Amino Acids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Quaternium-80, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Eugenol, Coumarin, Cinnamal, Linalool, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
They Improve Hair Elasticity
Hair with low elasticity will snap instead of stretch when pulled. FYI: If you leave behind enough on your hairbrush to go into wig-making, it might be because your hair isnt elastic enough. Elasticity is also make-or-break for stylable hair that does what its told.
As per this 2017 review, keratin protein treatments are used to straighten hair. Keratin straightening is a specific product and process . However, one of the ways it works is by upping the elasticity of the treated hair so the strong chemicals and pulling straighten the hair instead of breaking it.
Its often overlooked as a measure of healthy hair, but low elasticity can be a key cause of shedding. Improved elasticity is a vital benefit of protein treatments, one that youll definitely notice.
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How To Use Protein Treatments For Hair
Although both in-salon and at-home protein treatments exist, Shamban and Ogboru prefer the latter. “Salon grade protein treatments contain a range of potent and often harsh chemicals, including formaldehyde. Combined with heat, it may actually have a reverse effect and further dry hair,” Shamban cautions. However, despite there having been a history of high-intensity chemically fortified keratin treatments in salons, alternatives may now be available, she adds.
If pursuing at-home protein treatments, there are many options, including DIY masks and hair products that contain protein. But before starting any treatment, both experts recommend first monitoring your hair for protein deficiency which can be mistaken for a lack of moisture. If all checks out , try an at-home treatment weekly or monthly, depending on the condition of your hair and scalp. Shamban and Ogboru recommend a 30-45 minute application, noting that you can leave some products on overnight. A simple protein heat treatment is as follows:
Can Protein Treatments Damage Hair
Yes, getting protein treatments often can severely damage your hair. Even though protein treatments for hair are done for nourishment, exposing your hair to frequent protein treatments can result in more damage. These treatments can make your hair dry and brittle, leading to more breakage. Excessive use of protein treatments might also trigger hair loss.
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Our Hair Is Mostly Protein
Our hair is made up of a tough protein called keratin, which is also found in animal feathers, hoofs, claws and human fingernails. Hair also contains melanin, a pigment that gives hair its color, and trace amounts of vitamins, zinc and other metals. About 10 to 13 percent of hair is made up of water.
So needless to say, our hair is pretty much all protein and, therefore, it needs protein to be healthy and strong. You can get protein through your diet by eating protein-rich foods, and many products contain protein in them so youre always getting doses of it.
But we like to do all kinds of things to manipulate and damage our hair from coloring, straightening, relaxing, styling, bleaching, swimming and then need a boost of extra protein to keep it healthy!
How To Pick The Protein Treatment According To Your Needs
Now that you know a little more about protein treatments, how do you choose the right one for you?
Well, it depends on what your needs are.
No matter what your hair type is, all hair needs a balance of protein and moisture. Just like anything in life, you dont want to overdo it with either protein or moisture, so find a product that strikes the right balance for you.
If you have color-treated hair, youll want a treatment that contains ingredients like keratin or collagen to help protect your hair against future damage.
For hair damaged by bleach, the sun, chlorine , high-heat styling, your hair will more than likely need a product with higher protein content.
If you have dry hair and have tried a deep conditioner or oils and they havent worked, you may need a protein treatment. Your hairs dryness may indicate a need for protein rather than-or in addition to moisturizers.
Are you experiencing hair breakage? Then, your hair probably needs protein because protein is what makes hair strong and helps to keep it hydrated.
The bottom line is that you need to find a protein treatment that matches your specific needs because there is no one-size-fits-all product.
You should also always read the ingredients to see whats in the product and how it can benefit your hair before making a purchase.
Now without further ado, here are my top ten favorite protein treatments.
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Types Of Protein Treatments
- Protein Packs Such packs are helpful in treating mild hair damage and are beneficial for regular hair maintenance. One can use them at an interval of 1-2 months.
- Light Treatments Light treatments are helpful for slightly more damaged hair and are often known as conditioning masks. You can use them for regular maintenance of hair.
- Deep Penetrating Treatments Deep penetrating treatments are favorable for treating moderately damaged hair. The intense moisturization properties of these treatments help in repairing and restoring the damaged hair, and you can use them once every two weeks or as directed.
- Re-constructors Re-constructors are helpful in treating severely damaged hair. They are used once every two weeks or as per recommendation.
Gram Flour And Shikakai Mask
In a bowl, mix equal quantities of and gram flour or besan and shikakai powder. Add little water to form a fine mixture with a paste-like consistency. Apply this mask to your scalp and hair. Leave it for about an hour before washing it with cold water. This is one of the most helpful protein packs for dry hair and scalp.
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What Does A Protein Treatment For Hair Actually Do
The best protein treatment for hair works by attaching hydrolysed proteins to the hair cuticles to harden the cuticle layer. This helps repair the hair strands from the outside in. Additionally, if there are any holes or gaps in the cuticle, a protein filler for hair will help patch them up by creating a barrier around the hair shaft. This helps to defend the hair against future damage, too!
So, as you can see, there are a variety of great benefits to using a protein treatment for hair!
They Help To Repair And Restore Damaged Hair
Proteins lost in damaged areas of the hairs structure are replaced by ones absorbed from your protein-rich shampoo/conditioner/treatment/mask/whatever.
Trials like this 2018 study of recombinant keratin K31 treatment found the additional protein led to a huge boost in mechanical strength and increased strand diameter up to 49% in chemically damaged hair.
So, if your hair is already damaged, protein treatment will help.
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They Reduce Breakages And Split Ends
What with the increased strength, protection, and elasticity, the fact that protein treatments significantly reduce breakages and split ends isnt a shock. Regular protein treatments keep hair strong, healthy, and resilient.
Weak, damaged, or unhealthy hair breaks easily and is prone to split ends. Hair needs protein to prevent or repair split ends/breakages. A protein treatment provides just that.
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Hydrating Protein Treatment For Hair
What We Liked: The formula builds in manuka honey to keep your hair looking shiny, while yogurt helps moisturize chemically damaged hair strands. The pleasant scent makes this a treatment you can use even before leaving the house for the day. There are no parabens, phthalates, mineral oil or sulfates in the ingredients, giving you a more natural hair product.
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How To Do A Protein Treatment
Protein treatments ARE NOT a replacement for shampoo. Because they are meant to rehydrate your hair, its best to use this treatment in conjunction with your shampooing routine. The protein treatment process is pretty easy to follow. Apply a good amount of product to damp, clean hair. Comb it through from roots to ends for best results.
What Should I Do After Protein Treatment
After a protein treatment, give your hair 72 hours before washing it and avoid over-manipulation. Also, use protein-treatment-friendly products, blow dry your hair less frequently, and wait for at least two weeks before permanently dying your hair.
If youre wondering what to do after a protein treatment, here are some quick dos and donts to keep in mind. Well go over them in more detail later in this article.
- DO wait 72 hours: Waiting 72 hours before washing helps the treatment last longer.
- DONT put your hair up: Manipulating your hair by tying it after a protein treatment leads to dryness, hair loss, and growth prevention.
- DO use the right products: Using hair products that support the protein treatment also helps it last longer.
- DONT apply heat right away: Excessive use of heat destroys the treatment. Waiting a while before dying your hair after a protein treatment gives it time to soak up the protein.
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The Drawbacks Of Protein Treatments
Moisture wise, protein treatments are not as beneficial as deep conditioning for curls. While they are a great way to produce healthier curls, they are not as effective at sealing in moisture as deep conditioning treatments are. For this reason, protein treatments are best used as a restorative treatment.
Should I Deep Condition My Hair Or Do A Protein Treatment
Do you have damaged hair? Are you looking for a way to help your strands recover faster? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you might want to look into a deep conditioning or protein treatment.
Deep conditioning is an effective way to treat damaged hair and reverse some of the damage caused by heat exposure, split ends, and hair breakage. Protein treatments are meant to restore curl strength and elasticity, while also promoting hair growth.
The question is, which treatment should you use? That depends on a few things, including the condition of your hair. Both deep conditioning and protein treatments can be done at home, which eliminates the need for a salon treatment. Weve got all the facts you need in this article so that you can confidently choose what to do.
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How Often Should I Use A Protein Treatment For Hair
Moisturizing treatments like conditioners and hair masks that can be used multiple times a week, but protein treatments for damaged hair should only be used every so often.
Protein for hair can be beneficial up to a point, but using a protein treatment for hair too often can actually cause damage! I recommend using a protein treatment for hair no more than 3 times per month. Also, its important to note that a protein treatment for damaged hair should always be followed up with a deep conditioning treatment to ensure your strands dont feel stiff and brittle afterwards.
Benefits Of Protein Treatments For Hair
@myliberatedbeauty / Instagram
If the hair is made up of protein, why does it need additional protein treatments? According to Shamban, hair naturally loses moisture and nourishment the farther away it is from the root. “As we lose moisture and nourishment, the keratinized protein begins to unravel and break down. It loses strength, elasticity, and the bonds weaken. Rebuilding, supporting, and boosting this protein matrix is key to healthy hair and scalp. This can be done chemically in the salon or more naturally and botanically at home.”
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Protein Treatment For Hair Price
Protein treatment for hair price at salons is between 4000- 6000 rupees. The price depends on various factors, like your hair length, the type of protein treatment you choose, and the quality of products used. If you want protein treatment for hair at an affordable price, you can do the treatment at home using protein hair masks. You can also try kitchen ingredients and prepare do-it-yourself protein hair masks at home. The protein treatment for hair price at home is likely to cost you between 400-600 for one time if you use OTC protein hair masks.
How To Know If Your Hair Needs Protein
If your hair doesn’t have enough protein, it can appear dry, brittle, and strawlike. A lack of protein also affects the strands’ elasticity, so Newman recommends what he calls the “stretch test.”
- Take a strand of hair from your brush and tug it gently: “It should have a little bit of stretch, and it should resist your tug,” he says.
- If the hair instantly snaps in half somewhere in the middle, that’s a sign your strands may need more protein. “At a perfect, balanced state, hair should have a mild elasticity, and it should be able to be detangled properly without breaking,” he adds.
One important caveat: Yes, protein treatments can work wonders for brittle, damaged hair, but it is possible to overdo it, which also results in brittle, strawlike strands. See, your hair has a delicate protein-moisture balance: “Your hair still requires a proper combination of moisture and protein ,” says Taylor. “Overtreatment with protein can cause hair to lose elasticity, making it dry and brittle.” It’s a concept called “protein overload,” and here’s what to do about it, if you think you may have gone overboard.
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Diy Protein Treatments For Curly Hair
If youre looking for DIY protein treatments, the only option I know of that actually works is a gelatin treatment. This is not vegan which I know is a concern for some of you.
You might find recipes for DIY protein hair masks made with foods like eggs and yogurt but every hair expert Ive heard speak on this has said that the molecules in these foods are too big to penetrate the hair shaft so these dont actually work. This is the case for rice water too.
Many people recommend a rice water rinse as a protein treatment. Rice water rinses are amazing and offer similar benefits but its not truly a protein treatment. Regardless, it can be used for the same reasons and give you nearly the same results. Check out my rice water rinse routine here.
I have done the gelatin treatment once before and it was actually too much protein for my hair so I prefer to do the rice water rinse. If you want to try out the gelatin, check out this post.
Learn About Apple Cider Vinegar
I use this magic liquid all of the time! Not only to make salad dressing, but also to clarify my hair. See my recipe here. ACV has many, many health benefits and I have a whole article on what it does and how to use it, here. I also have used it to soothe skin irritations like bug bites and rashes , and as a very cheap and healthy face toner!
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The Best Protein Treatments For Hair
There are many protein treatments on the market, each designed for different hair types and textures. “While expensive, this masque made by my friend Philip B is truly worth its weight in gold, and a little goes a long way,” Shamban shares. She recommends looking for a pea protein-based product with any in-home product, which combines protein and lipids to amazing effect.
We’ll be the first to admit that we’re suckers for cute packaging. So it should come as no surprise that when we saw this K-beauty protein treatment we had to get our handsor hair, rather on it. And while it’s not uncommon for cute packaging to compensate for less than stellar products, fortunately for us, that’s not the case here. Featuring collagen and ceramides, this treatment proves that popular skincare ingredients can also work wonders on hair.
If your damaged tresses could use some damage control, then why not reach for this aptly-named treatment by Aveda? As far as home shampoos go, Shamban recommends this one as it uses quinoa proteins and jojoba oil with castor oil to help restore, restructure, and protect against future damage and breakage.