Can too much protein in hair products cause hair loss?

Author: Prof. Rowan Reinger  |  Last update: Monday, December 1, 2025

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.

How do I know if my hair is in protein overload?

To determine protein or moisture overload, take a few hairs out of your hairbrush or after the shower and pull them between your fingers. If the strand snaps immediately, there's too much protein. If the strand stretches and stretches without really breaking, there's too much moisture.

How to stop hair falling out after protein treatment?

A deep conditioning mask and a leave in hydrating conditioner may also help, along with steering clear of protein heavy products. Good luck!

Should I avoid protein in hair products?

Reparative, restructuring, strengthening are usually always a protein base. If you don't want protein look for moisturizers or hydrators. If your hair isn't lacking protein and you use a protein based one your hair will get brittle.

What are the symptoms of protein overload?

What is protein overload?
  • Dry and brittle hair so it breaks easily
  • Hair feels rough, almost straw-like
  • Extra shedding
  • More tangles than normal
  • Hair is stiff and overall lifeless
  • It lacks shine

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Can too much protein cause hair loss?

It is important to understand that too much protein can cause hair loss, but hair loss can also occur when you don't eat enough protein in your diet. A significant change in your eating habits can lead to problems with hair loss, poor nutrition, and trouble digesting nutrients.

What does too much protein in your hair look like?

But figuring out the right protein moisture balance can be a challenge. Too much moisture will leave your hair limp, mushy and lifeless while too much protein can cause it to be brittle and straw-like.

Why is my hair stretchy and falling out?

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.

How often should you use hair products with protein?

As a general rule, it is safe to use a protein treatment weekly for the first month to restore hair's strength and elasticity. Use once or twice a month thereafter. Overuse of protein treatments can actually dry hair out. Always follow the directions on the package or consult your stylist.

How to tell if your hair has too much moisture?

Common signs of Moisture Overload
  1. If you pull one strand of hair it will stretch and stretch without bouncing back, and eventually fall apart and tear.
  2. The hair will feel mushy, limp and excessively soft.
  3. Your curls will struggle to hold their shape, they will have little definition and tend to fall flatter than normal.

Does Olaplex have protein?

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.

What does over-moisturized hair look like?

Signs Your Hair Is Overly Moisturized

Your hair is limp and falls flat. Your hair is dull and flat-looking. Your hair feels spongy and mushy when wet and feels too soft and fluffy when dry. Your hair has low elasticity — stretches when wet but doesn't bounce back when released.

Why does my hair feel like straw after protein treatment?

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.

What shampoos don't have protein?

I've got you covered.
  • AUNT JACKIE'S GRAPESEED STYLE & SHINE RECIPES POWER WASH INTENSE MOISTURE CLARIFYING SHAMPOO.
  • ORS HAIRESTORE UPLIFTING SHAMPOO.
  • ESSATIONS TEA TREE SOLUTIONS DRY & ITCHY SCALP SHAMPOO.
  • ESSATIONS TEA TREE SOLUTIONS DRY & ITCHY SCALP CONDITIONER.
  • AS I AM HYDRATION ELATION INTENSIVE CONDITIONER.

Why is my hair falling out when I pull it gently?

Telogen effluvium

Hair growth slows during the catagen phase, and natural hair shedding begins in the telogen phase, increasing in the exogen phase. Telogen effluvium is a condition in which the hair remains in the telogen phase of the cycle. This causes more hair than usual to fall out, sometimes in handfuls.

How to bring elasticity back to hair?

Deep conditioning is the most effective way of improving and maintaining hair elasticity. Build a hair care routine, incorporating deep conditioning to add moisture to the hair whilst strengthening and smoothing the cuticle to lock in moisture.

What does hair with too much protein look like?

One major sign is a change in the look and texture of your hair as it may start to look dry, dull, and brittle. 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.

What shampoo is good for protein overload?

On the days you wash your hair, opt for a hair clarifying detox shampoo. The ingredients present in this type of hair product can aid in stripping away the excess keratin on your strands. For a detoxing product that's helpful—not harmful—try a hair chelating shampoo.

What happens if my hair gets too much protein?

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.

Can protein overload cause hair loss?

Protein overload can cause hair to lose its elasticity, becoming stiff and more prone to breakage. But don't worry, it's not a permanent damage!

What does protein hair loss look like?

Hair that's lacking protein will appear less bouncy and full as it normally is. It will be flat, stringy and dull.

How to clarify hair?

Wet Your Hair: Start by thoroughly soaking your hair with warm water. This helps open the cuticles and prepares your hair for deep cleansing. Apply the Shampoo: Take a generous amount of clarifying shampoo and apply it directly to your scalp. Focus on the roots, where buildup tends to accumulate the most.

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