Protein vs Moisture: How to Tell What Your Hair Truly Needs
Is your hair looking lackluster and feeling out of whack despite your best care efforts? Chances are it’s showing early signs of protein or moisture imbalance you may be missing. But with the right diagnostics, you can pinpoint precisely what your hair truly needs right now for revival back to its best.
Does My Hair Need Protein or Moisture
There could be a few reasons why your hair has been looking lifeless and dull lately:
Lack of moisture
Dry, dehydrated hair can look frizzy and brittle. Not properly conditioning your hair after shampooing can lead to moisture deficiency.
Protein overload
Too much protein can make hair rigid, rough and prone to breakage. You may have overdone protein treatments or used too many protein-rich products.
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How To Know When Your Hair Needs Moisture?
Brittle, Breaking Ends
Split ends and breakage are also signs you need serious moisture. Dry, brittle hair snaps off easily. Use leave-in creams, oils and butters to seal in hydration and prevent damage to ends. Reduce heat styling and get trims to nip splits.
Lack of Elasticity
Hydrated hair stretches and bounces back without breaking. Dehydrated hair loses elasticity and doesn’t rebound when pulled. Do the stretch test – well moisturized hair should extend without issue.
How To Know When Your Hair Needs Protein ?
Notice too much volume loss
Lack of protein leads to weakened strands that break and fall out more readily. Protein strengthens hair and prevents excessive loss. More shedding indicates a need for protein.
Evaluate porosity
Protein fills in gaps in the cuticle layer to reduce porosity and breakage in damaged hair.
Feel for mushy, limp textures
Overly softened and stretchy hair needs protein to rebuild bonds for elasticity and bounce.
Importance Of Protein For Hair?
Hair strands are composed primarily of fibrous structural proteins, with about 90% of the hair strand being made up of proteins like keratin, keratin-associated proteins, and matrix proteins.
Keratin makes up the bulk of hair protein content, around 65-95% of the total protein.
It provides rigidity and strength. Maintaining these proteins is crucial for healthy, strong hair.
For defined curls, protein provides bonds that hold the curl pattern and spring. Without sufficient protein, hair becomes weak, brittle and limp.
Signs That You Have Protein Overload
- Brittle, dry feeling hair – Protein overload can make the hair shaft brittle and prone to breakage. Your hair may feel dry and straw-like even when wet.
- Dullness – Too much protein can make hair appear dull, as it reflects less light. The cuticle lays flat instead of smoothly reflecting light.
- Breakage and shedding – Brittle, protein overloaded hair is prone to breakage and excessive shedding. You may see more hair falling out.
How Can You Add Protein To Your Hair Routine?
Protein treatments
Use a dedicated protein hair mask or treatment 1–2 times per week. Look for products with hydrolyzed proteins, amino acids, collagen, etc. Apply generously and leave on for 15–30 minutes before rinsing out.
Protein shampoo or conditioner
Use a shampoo and conditioner system that contains proteins like wheat, soy, keratin or silk. This provides a protein boost with every wash.
Avoid overdoing it
Use protein treatments occasionally rather than daily to avoid protein overload. Alternate with moisture-boosting deep conditioning.
Deep Condition Regularly
Use a deep conditioning hair mask at least once a week. Look for moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil. Leave on for 30 mins before rinsing. This helps strengthen and restore hair.
Final Words
Understanding what your hair desperately needs – whether moisture or protein – is key to getting the bounciest, strongest curls possible. With the ideal balance of protein strengthening and moisture hydration, you’ll love your beautifully defined, frizz-free strands.
