We need protein in our daily diet to feel healthy and strong. So we never miss to add it up in our routine. Similarly, protein is equally advantageous to our hairs, therefore, it must be included in our hair care routine.

Now, as a matter of fact, the protein itself can do no good to our hair. There should be a balance between the protein and moisture level even for the most favorable hair health. Human hair is made up of seventy percent of keratin which is nothing but long chains of amino acids and protein. So an equal amount of protein and moisturizer will only keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

But here rises the twist in the story, a bit extra of protein or moisturizer can cause damage to your hair making it dry, frizzy and brittle. This phenomenon of excessive protein in hair is termed as protein overload.

What is Protein Overload?
It is absolutely worthless to consider any dry frizzy hair as protein overload; it can also be some other unidentified problem that needs to be taken care very soon. So how can we understand if it is protein overload in our hair or not?

Excessive protein is not really that good for our hair as it depresses the balance of moisture and protein. So before using shampoos, conditioners and masks it is imperative to find out the protein content of these products. As mentioned earlier, protein is good for hair but not on a daily or weekly basis. Once or twice a month (depending on the damage that your hair goes through) is a perfect one.

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Types of Protein that are Commonly Found on Hair Products:
There are a number of proteins that are used in the various hair products like shampoo, conditioner, hair styling solution, etc. Let’s give it a check as to what are those proteins:

  • Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed (casein, collagen, hair keratin, keratin, rice protein, silk, soy protein, wheat protein, amino acids.
  • Cocoyl hydrolyzed (collagen/keratin)
  • Hydrolyzed
  • keratin

Therefore from next time make sure that you are using the right amount of it through your hair products.

Strand Test:
Now there is a procedure called strand test by which we can easily determine our condition of hair.  Take a single hair strand and gently stretch it. If you find that the hair strand hardly stretches and breaks easily then it must be lacking moisture or have too much of protein.

An excessive amount of protein takes away the elasticity of the hair, hairs will become stiff and these results the breakage of hair. Therefore if you find your hair breaking off easily then consider it as an overload of protein and that must be taken care of.

Fixing The Problem:
This problem has to end somehow to get back the old beautiful hair. Beginning with the procedure, take care of your hair like a baby until it recovers and be very gentle to your hair.

  • Maintain your daily protein dose in your diet.
  • The very first thing will be to stop using the protein and start adding the right amount of moisture to your hair. Sulfate free shampoos must be used to clean the hair.
  • Keep the protein products away from your hair and keep moisturizing your hair to restore a balance between the two.
  • Moisten your hair and cover it with a plastic processing cap that will create a greenhouse effect among the hairs and will finally moisten it. But make sure you wear the plastic cap not more than fifteen minutes. Overload moisture will also damp your hair and damage the cuticle.

So check the label and the ingredients before using them on your hairs. Don’t let your beautiful hairs get spoiled!