Hair is naturally made up of a protein called keratin, and as it becomes damaged, protein is lost from the hair and its structure becomes compromised. Below we share signs you can look for to tell if your hair needs protein, how to add protein to your hair safely, and the best protein-rich products for curly hair.
Signs your hair needs protein
Benefits of protein
Benefits of bond-repair
Best protein-rich products to strengthen hair
Dos and Don’ts of using protein
How to avoid protein overload
Maintain stronger hair
Protein is vital for our hair to maintain its structure and strength. When we damage our hair with heat, detangling, the sun, and more, we wear away the outer protective layer known as the cuticle, exposing the cortex and resulting in fiber damage. Fortunately, we can help strengthen and condition our hair by using products that contain protein ingredients, such as deep conditioners, protein treatments, and even some styling products. No matter if you have waves, curls, or coils, there are options for you to restore your hair’s strength and prevent future damage.
Signs your hair needs protein
How can you tell if your hair needs protein? Most of us will need protein at some point because our hair will naturally experience wear and tear. Everyday exposure to the sun, environmental aggressors, overwashing, and brushing can deteriorate our cuticle. Having a weathered cuticle that cannot properly function is referred to as high porosity hair. Using heat styling tools, dyeing your hair, and bleaching can especially damage the hair.
The following signs indicate that you should incorporate products with protein:
- Split ends
- Hair snaps easily
- Breakage
- Hair dries very quickly after towel drying
- Hair loses moisture by the end of the day
- Dull appearance
- Hair feels mushy or gummy
- Curl pattern is looser than normal and limp
- Curls don’t bounce up like usual
If you have damaged hair and have been using very moisturizing hair products such as rich curl creams, co-washes, and deep conditioners, then you could be over-conditioning your hair and experiencing moisture overload. This can lead to a mushy, gummy feeling in the hair. This is common when people are first getting started with their natural curls and are transitioning from damaged hair. To correct this, use a clarifying shampoo and incorporate products with protein to restore the hair’s structure.
Those who have a very fine hair texture can also benefit from using protein in their routine. Fine hair strands have a very small diameter and are more likely to break, especially if you wear your hair up in tight hairstyles or detangle with brushes.
Benefits of protein
Protein ingredients are added to curly haircare products to provide many benefits that improve the health and appearance of the hair. Benefits of protein include:
- Strengthens the hair
- Helps hair attract and retain moisture
- Adhere to damaged areas of the hair, temporarily filling in the gaps in the cuticle
- Enhance and maintain curl shape
Benefits of bond-repair
Our hair contains three types of bonds, Disulfide bonds are permanent hair bonds and determine how curly hair the hair is and its strength. These are damaged by bleach and chemical treatments. Salt bonds are also responsible for the hair’s strength and are damaged by sudden changes in pH. The third type of bond is hydrogen bonds, which temporarily break and reform when our hair gets wet. These are responsible for your hair’s elasticity and are broken by heat and water.
Products with bond-repairing ingredients can relink the broken bonds in our hair to permanently repair it. While it’s still advised to grow out and trim off damage, bond-repairing products can be used to help restore your hair’s strength, elasticity, and curl pattern.
Best protein-rich products to strengthen hair
Curlsmith’s Strength Recipe is a line of products that contain protein ingredients and bond protection to help strengthen the hair. Depending on the product, some have more or less protein content. Products that are rinsed off such as shampoos typically deposit less protein, whereas deep conditioners or leave-ins with protein can be more potent. For severely damaged hair, you can incorporate multiple products with protein in your curly hair routine. For healthier hair that just needs to maintain strength, you can incorporate one or two products with protein.
Shampoos and conditioners with protein
Curlsmith’s Core Strength Shampoo is a mild shampoo that provides an effective cleanse. This can be used regularly and it won’t dry out your curls. This shampoo contains rice protein, an alternative to animal keratin that improves elasticity.
The Multi-tasking Conditioner from Curlsmith is a lightweight, creamy moisturizer that can be used as a regular rinse-out conditioner, deep conditioner, or leave-in conditioner. It contains hydrolyzed rice protein lower on the ingredients list, and lots of moisturizing oils and butters above.
Styling products with protein
For styling products, the Feather-Light Protein Cream from Curlsmith is suitable for all curl types and can moisturize and improve elasticity. It contains ingredients such as sweet almond oil and shea butter to smooth the cuticle.
Amp up the volume with Curlsmith’s Bouncy Strength Volume Foam. This water-based foam offers texture and soft hold. It has hydrolyzed rice protein for strength and a blend of extracts for moisture retention.
To hold your curls and prevent frizz, the Curlsmith Shape Up Aqua Gel is a great option. It has a lightweight, liquid consistency that is not sticky. It contains hydrolyzed rice protein, flexible hold styling agents, and a superfood blend of extracts.
Bond-repairing products
Curlsmith’s Bond Curl Rehab Salve is a bond-repairing treatment that contains Chia proteins to help protect and strengthen the hair. The unique Bond Curl complex targets all three types of hair bonds, making it beneficial for all types of hair damage. Bond Curl is used as a pre-shampoo treatment and should be followed up with shampoo and deep conditioner. Depending on your damage level, you may use this every 2-3 wash days for damaged hair and every 4-5 wash days for healthier hair.
Curlmsith’s Bonding Oil is a weightless curly hair oil blend that helps seal the cuticle and add shine. It contains vegan keratin, a blend of quinoa, lentil, and chickpea which penetrate the hair shaft, strengthening and fortifying its structure. It also contains lightweight olive oil and shea butter esters for shine and to help the hair retain moisture.
Dos and Don’ts of using protein
Although adding protein to your hair has many benefits, there are some things you need to consider when incorporating it into your routine.
Dos
- Use multiple protein products if you have damaged hair
- Deep condition with protein regularly
- Rotate with protein-free products
- Use moisturizing products
- Clarify regularly
- Be gentle when detangling
- Use a heat protectant to prevent future damage
- Protect your hair at night with silk accessories
- Grow out damage and get frequent trims
Don’ts
- Overuse products with protein
- Leave protein deep conditioners or treatments on longer than directed
- Neglect moisture-rich products
- Exclusively co-wash
- Detangle fast or rough with a brush
- Skip heat protectant
- Wear tight hairstyles regularly
- Expect immediate healthy hair
- Neglect hair trims
How to avoid protein overload
Unfortunately, there can sometimes be too much of a good thing. Protein can build up on the hair when it’s overused or not needed which can lead to protein overload. Since proteins are a film-forming ingredient, they adhere to the hair and help it feel stronger. This strengthening effect can sometimes accumulate and make the hair feel stiff and brittle.
A lack of conditioning can also contribute to this, which is why following up protein treatments with shampoo and deep conditioner is key. Rotate your products by using protein-rich products one wash day and protein-free another day. Clarify regularly to prevent buildup and start fresh. If your hair is healthy, low-porosity, and/or coarse-textured, you will not need to incorporate much protein in your routine.
Those who overuse protein with these hair types are more likely to experience symptoms of protein buildup. Learning how to spot when your curls need protein or moisture is key to maintaining balance.
Protein and moisture balance
As we discussed, protein can actually help with moisture retention and they are inherently conditioning ingredients. Most products that contain proteins also contain moisturizing ingredients and emollients. All of Curlsmith’s Strength Recipe products are balanced and have conditioning ingredients to prevent a brittle feeling. However, it’s still important to use products that are protein-free and rich in moisture. Rotate your wash days to maintain a balance of protein and moisture, and avoid using protein-rich routines consecutively unless you have severely damaged hair.
Maintain stronger hair
Proteins are very beneficial for the hair because it’s impossible to avoid all types of damage forever. By using protein-rich products, we can help to strengthen our hair and prevent protein and moisture loss. With bond-building ingredients, we can restore damage and physically repair our hair. Taking care of your curls to maintain their strength is key, so protect them from damage with healthy hair practices. Maintain a balance of protein and moisture by incorporating both in your routine.
Choose Curlsmith For Your Curly Needs
Curlsmith’s products are balanced and contain ingredients that feed our curls with the nutrients they need. In addition, the ingredients are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of silicones, sulfates, and parabens. You can take the Curl Quiz to find the perfect routine for your hair’s needs.
