How to Know You Need a Protein Treatment

Hair loss is very complex, and might be due to your diet and nutrient deficiencies, 
genetics, medical conditions, and even how you take care of your hair. Sometimes, it is 
related to what you are using in your hair. You might need a protein treatment, which 
can nourish your hair and reduce breakage and excessive shedding. Here are some 
signs that your hair is in need of a protein treatment.

Look for Protein in Your Conditioner

Now that you understand about the common signs of needing a protein treatment, it is 
time to see how much protein you get on a regular basis. Start by looking in your hair 
products, specifically your conditioner. Most conditioners do use protein, but at different 
levels. If your conditioner claims to be repairing, reconstructing, or balancing, it probably 
has protein. Some terms you might see on the ingredients list are keratin, hydrolyzed 
wheat or silk protein, soy protein, and collagen or hydrolyzed collagen.

You Have Frizz and Tangles

These are common signs of having high porosity hair, which is often need of more 
protein. High porosity hair might also be susceptible to hair loss and breakage, since 
there are gaps in your hair strands. This allows them to be penetrated by outside 
sources of damage, and often result in increased damage after hair treatments like 
coloring your hair. If your hair recently started looking frizzier and with more tangles, you 
might be in need of a protein treatment.

You Are Losing Elasticity

Another sign that your hair needs more protein is when it doesn’t seem as elastic 
anymore. If you typically have wavy or curly hair naturally, you might first notice this 
because your curls are stringy or less curly in general. This makes it to where your curls 
or waves just don’t bounce back anymore. Regardless of your hair type, you can test 
hair elasticity by taking a few strands of hair still attached to your head, wetting them, 
and pulling gently. If they snap off easily, then you might have elasticity problems.
There is More Shedding
Of course, just dealing with hair loss and breakage on its own could be a sign of 
needing a protein treatment. Your hair becomes dry and brittle, and prone to breakage 
when you don’t have enough protein in it. Try a natural protein treatment like a hair 
mask or just doing a rice rinse and see if it changes the health and texture of your hair.

