Protein treatments wrap around the exterior of the hair creating external strength to keep hair from getting damaged. This doesn't mean you should saturate your strands daily with a protein treatment, in fact, it can lead to protein overload which can cause more harm than good.
Yes, excessive protein can compromise hair health. When there's an abundance of protein, the hair can become stiff, dry, and brittle. This lack of flexibility causes the hair to break more easily. If your hair feels tough, hard, and snaps easily, you might be experiencing protein overload.
Hair in protein overload will have some distinctive symptoms: If you pull one strand of hair it will have no elasticity, but instead it will snap and break. The hair will feel dry, brittle and stringy, because it won't have enough moisture to stretch and support elasticity. The hair will lose shine and look dull.
One way to minimize the breakage is by nourishing your hair with a protein treatment every 6-8 weeks.
Protein treatments can help strengthen the hair shaft and restore its structural integrity. On the other hand, if your hair feels dry, frizzy, and lacks elasticity, it's likely in need of moisture. Hydration is essential to keep your strands soft, manageable, and resilient.
Your hair may feel more coarse and struggle to hold a curl when dealing with protein overload. Too much protein may also cause split ends and breakage, leaving hair to shed more. If you're noticing more strands than usual on your comb or brush, that could be a telltale sign of high protein hair.
Too much protein in hair:
“If the hair feels like straw, that's a good sign of damage. If there is too much protein deposited in the hair it loses elasticity.
Some evidence suggests that certain forms of whey protein may accelerate hair thinning and male pattern baldness. One small 2010 study of 100 men and women found that whey protein isolate caused more damage to hair and aggravated hair loss, while whey protein concentrate aided hair health and regrowth.
While some OLAPLEX products contain some protein, the amounts are minimal and not enough to be considered a protein treatment. Therefore, OLAPLEX is not a protein treatment. OLAPLEX works at a molecular level to rebuild the hair internally. Our hair contains millions of disulfide bonds.
Signs that you may be suffering from moisture overload are if your hair feels excessively soft and mushy, if you're noticing that your curl pattern is looser, or if your hair strands stretch but don't revert or bounce back. It can also lead to excessive split ends, limp or dull hair, a lack of volume, and more.
Chemical Treatments: Procedures such as coloring, perming, and relaxing can break the disulfide bonds, weakening the hair and causing it to become stretchy. Heat Styling: Frequent use of hot tools like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers can damage the hair's protein structure.
Here are the best tips on how to take care of your hair after a protein treatment. Use a serum or moisturizing creams designed to keep hair moisturized and prevent frizz. You can use Alina Hair Moisturizing Serum - 60 ml . Using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner will preserve the protein longer.
Even though protein treatments for hair are done for nourishment, exposing your hair to frequent protein treatments can result in more damage. These treatments can make your hair dry and brittle, leading to more breakage. Excessive use of protein treatments might also trigger hair loss.
Consuming more protein than the body needs can cause symptoms such as intestinal discomfort, dehydration, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and more. Chronic protein overconsumption can also increase the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, blood vessel disorders, liver and kidney issues, and seizures.
Dry hair is hair that's lacking in moisture – it can't retain hydration, and it's not getting enough on a day-to-day basis. Dehydrated hair often looks frizzy and dull – when you touch it, it may feel brittle and straw-like, and flyaways and split ends may become noticeable when you look in the mirror.
Overusing protein-laden products such as bond builders and Keratin-rich masks can often be detrimental, leaving your hair rougher, more prone to damage, and unmistakably drab. “Dull hair is a very common condition I see with clients that use bond builders,” says the prominent New York City colorist Sharon Dorram.
Protein overload in hair can be a frustrating issue, often characterized by hair that feels stiff, brittle, and lacks its usual elasticity. The first step in diagnosing protein overload is to pay close attention to your hair's condition. Your hair will feel extra dry, accompanied by breakage and a loss of curl pattern.
Regardless of density, if the hair is fine or weak, protein can be beneficial in strengthening the hair strands. Straight, Wavy, Curly, and Extra Curly Hair: All hair types can experience damage and benefit from protein treatments, regardless of their natural texture.
With moisture overload, however, you may notice excessive breakage, especially when rinsing out your hair in the shower or combing out your curls.