The Best Protein Treatment For Hair

Buying Guide

Human hair can be put through some challenges, particularly if you use chemical treatments on them. Despite advancements in other areas, hair colors and dyes still typically use harsh chemicals that can damage the hair.

Color-treated hair can tend to be more porous than hair that hasn’t been exposed to these chemicals. That porosity can make hair more sensitive to hair products, heat and the environment.

But your hair doesn’t have to endure chemical dyes to suffer damage. If your hair has breakage or lacks elasticity, it might need some TLC. There are different types of hair treatment, so it’s important to narrow down the exact issue you’re facing before you start treatment. You may simply need the right conditioning product that can deliver moisture to the strands where you need it.

Protein treatments are designed to strengthen hair strands to protect them against these daily rigors. However, protein treatments can cause hair to frizz if used incorrectly or in cases where your hair didn’t need them in the first place. Salon professionals can examine your hair and recommend a treatment specific to your issue, but salon-based protein treatments, also called keratin treatments, can cost hundreds of dollars. Once you’ve determined your hair needs this type of treatment, you can purchase over-the-counter products and get similar results for a fraction of the cost.

But it’s important to note that protein treatments aren’t magic potions. Often it will take multiple treatments, spread out over time, to see real results. You may even not like the results at first, as your hair adjusts to the introduction of extra protein. Follow the instructions carefully, and make sure you apply the treatment evenly. Some products require you to wrap your hair while the protein does its work, while others have you applying heat using a blow dryer to help the protein settle into the strands.

• It’s important not to overtreat your hair, as protein treatments can damage your hair with overuse. Only do protein treatments when your hair needs it, and always allow for at least a week between treatments.
• Your hair type should factor into the protein treatment you choose. Not all treatments will work for all hair types, despite what the label says.
• If you’re treating damaged hair, you’ll want to avoid chemicals that can cause further problems. Formaldehyde, isopropyl alcohol, parabens, silicones and sulfates all should be eliminated from your haircare product selection.
• Protein treatments can dry out the hair, so many products will build in conditioning ingredients to make sure you’re not furthering the problem.
• Treatments come in a variety of packaging. You can find some in bottles, similar to the shampoo and conditioner you already use. Others come in jars with screw-off caps. If you’re doing your treatment in the shower, you might find the squeeze bottle format easier to use. Squeeze bottles can also be more portable, particularly if they’re smaller.
• Some treatments rely on natural ingredients. Yogurt has both protein and moisturizing properties, so you may find it’s a viable option.
• Also check the scent of any product you choose, particularly if you’ll be using it before leaving the house for the day. You may find light, pleasant scents allow you to do your treatment as part of your morning routine and may actually make you look forward to using the product.
• You may find formulas that not only repair damage to your hair but also protect it against future damage.
• Some protein treatments require that you leave them on the hair for a while. Keep this in mind before you buy if you don’t want to schedule yourself to spend hours at home with your hair wrapped in a towel. You may want to look for a treatment that you can use once in just a few minutes.