Is your hair acting up? Maybe it’s tangling easily, feeling stiff when dry, or looking dry, fragile, brittle, and weak. These could be signs of protein overload.
Understanding Protein Overload:
Protein overload happens when your hair accumulates too much protein. While keratin—a vital protein—gives your hair strength and shine, it’s essential to maintain a balance between protein and moisture to keep your hair healthy.
Consequences of Protein Overload:
Too much protein disrupts your hair’s ability to retain moisture, leaving it with a brittle, straw-like texture.
Addressing Protein Overload:
If you suspect protein overload, don’t worry! It’s fixable with a few simple steps to restore moisture to your hair.
Here’s how to add moisture back into your hair:
- Deep Conditioning: Adding a deep conditioner to your wash day routine will nourish, hydrate, and strengthen your hair cuticles. For extra moisture, use a deep conditioning cap!
- Clarifying Shampoo: Use a clarifying shampoo to start fresh and restore your curls’ balance. This will also remove any product buildup. Remember to follow up with deep conditioning.
- Product Awareness: Be mindful of the hair products you use. Check the ingredient lists on your shampoo, conditioner, and styling products to ensure they don’t contain protein. Look for terms like “hydrolyzed,” “keratin,” or “collagen,” which often indicate protein content.
Common protein ingredients to watch for:
- Hydrolyzed collagen
- Wheat, quinoa, or soy protein
- Silk protein
- Keratin
- Oat flour
- Amino acids
Remember, every hair type is unique. For some, fixing protein overload may take a few days, while for others, it could take months. Keep assessing your hair daily and check the ingredients in your products. Your hair will thank you!
