The Truth About Protein Treatments And Natural Hair

If you have natural hair, you probably heard about protein treatments. The basic knowledge about protein treatments is that it helps strengthen your hair if it’s brittle, limp, or damaged. Most naturals go for a protein treatment when they’re experiencing dryness as well. However, that is a misconception.

This particular treatment’s purpose is to help rebuild the structure of your hair strands. When your hair begins to feel damaged, brittle, stiff, or limp, a protein treatment will help repair your hair.

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In This Article

Hair Structure 101

AKA, Keratin

So How Does A Protein Treatment Repair Your Hair?

How Often Can You Get A Protein Treatment?

What Happens When I Do Too Many Protein Treatments?

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Everyone’s hair in the world is made up of a structure. The cuticles are on the outside, then there’s the cortex, and deep to the core is the medulla.

The cuticles are the outer coverings of the hair shaft that is made up of overlapping scales. This layer protects the cortex and medulla.

The cortex is the second layer that contains our protein structure. This layer gives our hair melanin and elasticity.

The medulla is the center core of the hair shaft. This layer consists of fiber, some keratin, and structural lipids.

Protein is also known as keratin. Here is where I’ll give you more of the scientific background on how our hair is created. Our hair starts as cells that begin at the hair follicle. Some cells generate hair cuticles, while others make up the cortex and medulla.

Once together, this creates visible hair strands. This is also called keratinization, which is the process where the cells change their shape, dries, and form keratin protein. As a result, the hair strand no longer remains alive.

A protein treatment will fill in and coat the extremely raised or missing cuticles on your hair strands. It builds a protective layer on your hair to act as a replacement of your damaged cuticles. No protein treatment truly cures damaged hair.

It is only a temporary fix that will eventually wear off if you cause more damage to your hair in the future. Though when you receive a keratin treatment, your hair will look and feel healthier with more shine and movement.

It all depends on the current condition of your hair. I always recommend a protein treatment after any chemical service. So if you are planning to get or do a color service, I suggest doing a treatment afterwards. If you are planning to do a silk press, I would do a treatment before your press and the first wash after your press. Otherwise, I would only do a treatment when needed.

Too much protein can cause your hair to become very dry. Since this particular treatment creates a barrier on the hair strands, it leaves no room for any moisture to penetrate the hair. Think of this treatment as a wall that guards your hair strands from any unwanted or intentional threats. Threats could be anything from chemicals, mechanical damage, or heat damage. With this barrier, this will not allow water to penetrate through the cuticles into the cortex. With no hydration comes dryness and breakage. So be careful when choosing when to get another treatment.

Of course as a Hairstylist, I would strongly suggest getting a proper protein treatment in a trusted salon. But if you are the queen of doing it yourself or on someone else, let me steer you in the right direction on which ones to check out.

They range from light to heavy treatments, so make sure to pick the right one for your hair type and condition.