Maintaining good hair health1 is essential. For healthy, strong, and shiny hair, we must know how to maintain our hair health. And for the proper maintenance of hair, knowing standard hair care methods is essential. We must know the indications that our hair gives, and based on those signs, we should choose the suitable treatment for improving our hair to have strong, shiny, and healthy hair.
1. Does Your Hair Needs Protein?
To find out if your hair needs protein or not, we first have to know about the importance of protein for the hair. Protein is important to maintain proper hair health and improve its appearance. A lack of protein can lead to hair issues2, which no one wants to face. So, let’s expand our knowledge on hair care to prevent all hair issues and maintain our hair in optimal condition.
1.1. Importance of Hair Protein
Our hair consists of various things, including proteins called Keratin3. It provides hair strength and structural support to each strand. If we want to maintain our hair healthy and vibrant, it is essential to have the right balance between moisture and keratin.
As protein helps the structural support of hair, moisture helps the hair to be flexible and hydrated. Both combined make our hair silky, strong, and shiny, which makes us more attractive and confident about our looks.
1.2. Protein Balance
Having excess protein or a protein deficiency can cause severe hair issues. Too much protein will cause stiffness and breakage of hair, while a deficiency of protein will make your hair weak, making it prone to damage. Therefore, having the knowledge and proper understanding of the signs of excess and deficiency of protein is very important for properly maintaining resilient and attractive hair.
2. Signs Your Hair Needs Protein
Every part of our body talks to us, but we cannot listen to them without knowledge. Like other body parts, our hair also tells us about its condition, such as lacking protein or other nutrients. Moisture helps our hair stay hydrated, and lack of moisture will cause rough hair. So, rough hair is a sign of a lack of moisture. There must also be some indications of the lack of protein, such as a change in hair texture4, weak hair, brittleness of hair, and many more.
2.1. Changes in Hair Texture
If you find any changes in your hair texture, such as roughness or brittleness, or if it has become more porous. These changes indicate the lack of protein.
2.1.1. Rough Hair
Protein in the hair shafts helps hair maintain and strengthen its structure. When there is a protein deficiency, the hair shaft will weaken, leading to a rough or uneven texture. This will make your hair feel coarse and unpleasant to touch.
2.1.2. Brittleness
The brittleness of hair is also an indication of a lack of protein. The flexibility and elasticity of the hair also depend on the protein. A lack of protein can make the hair lose its ability to stretch and return to its natural position. Brittle hair is also recognized by split ends and a tendency to snap easily.
Signs of Protein Need in Men’s Hair
As someone deeply entrenched in the male grooming industry through my experiences specializing in men’s grooming needs with The Gents Place, I’ve observed several common signs indicating a person’s hair needs protein.
These signs often include excessive dryness, brittleness, and increased breakage or split ends. When hair lacks protein, it loses its strength and elasticity, resulting in a dull and lifeless appearance.
Individuals who frequently use heat-styling tools or undergo chemical treatments may experience protein depletion in their hair, further exacerbating these symptoms.
Protein plays a crucial role in maintaining overall hair health by fortifying the hair shaft, repairing damage, and restoring moisture balance.
Therefore, incorporating protein-rich hair care products into one’s grooming routine can help strengthen and revitalize the hair, promoting healthier and more resilient strands.
Ben Davis, CEO, The Gents Place
2.1.3. Porosity
Healthy hair has a balanced level of porosity, which allows our hair to hold a balanced moisture content so it cannot become overly dry or too water-logged. The porosity level of our hair tells us how much moisture our hair can retain and absorb. Lack of hair protein makes the hair more porous. That makes hair absorb more moisture, leading to a lack of shine and making it frizzier. It would be best if you tried to maintain low porosity hair for its proper health.
DHT and Hair Loss: Causes and Solutions
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a metabolite of testosterone that causes male-pattern baldness (temples and crown). In men, the level of DHT is usually genetically determined.
However, conditions like taking supraphysiologic doses of testosterone (more than what your body needs) or other anabolic steroids (for bodybuilding, etc.) can increase DHT and cause involution (death/malfunction) of hair follicles leading to hair loss (healthy hair follicles or roots are essential for having healthy hair).
In women, conditions that increase testosterone levels (e.g. PCOS, ovarian tumors, testosterone replacement, anabolic steroids) can cause the same symptoms as in males.
There are medications available to prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which can be used in some cases to avoid/ slow down hair fall related to elevated DHT.
Dr. Neha Lalani, CEO, Bluebonnet Diabetes & Endocrinology
3. Types of Hair Protein
To maintain proper hair care, it is very important to know the types of protein that hair needs. Because the easiest way to get those proteins is through hair care products5. Every hair care product comes with different ingredients, which have different compositions of those ingredients, so it becomes essential to know about these. So that you can pick the best products that include the right ingredients, hair must get enough protein.
3.1. Vegetable Based Proteins
These are proteins that are extracted from vegetables to be used in hair care products. Some vegetable-based proteins are Soy Protein, Wheat Protein, and many more.
Soy Protein6 is used to improve hair texture and to add shine. Mainly in hair care products, soy protein is used for its hair-nourishing properties. Suppose your hair has a wrong texture or is losing its shine. You must use some hair care products with soy protein to maintain the shine and health of your hair.
Wheat Proteins are used to increase hair’s ability to retain moisture. So, adding wheat protein to any hair care product becomes a good option for those with dry, curly, or damaged hair. You must use some hair care products with wheat protein to restore your hair’s moisture-holding capacity.
Essential Protein for Hair Growth
Protein is essential for hair health and growth. The hair itself is made of a protein called keratin. Consuming adequate dietary protein provides the amino acids necessary to produce keratin and promote hair growth.
Lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, and nuts are excellent sources of protein to support hair health. For example, salmon and eggs contain lysine, an amino acid important for hair growth.
In addition to dietary protein, certain other nutrients are important for hair health and can complement the effects of topical protein treatments. Biotin, found in eggs and salmon, helps produce keratin.
Vitamin E, found in spinach and avocados, acts as an antioxidant and promotes circulation to hair follicles.
Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits and kale, aids the absorption of iron, which carries oxygen to hair follicles. A balanced diet with adequate protein, biotin, vitamin E, vitamin C, and iron provides the nutrients necessary for optimal hair health and growth.
Abdur Tamim, CFO, Power Your Curls
3.2. Animal-Based Proteins
These proteins are extracted from animal parts, including their muscle, tissues, organs, and other proteins, even from animal byproducts. Some of the animal-based proteins are keratin, collagen, and others.
As mentioned above, keratin is the primary protein that makes up hair, provides its structural support, and strengthens it. Using keratin-rich hair care products helps strengthen and repair damaged hair and restore it to its natural structure. Collagen, this protein improves the elasticity and capacity of moisture retention of the hair. This ability makes it the best protein for those with aging or dry hair.
3.3 Synthetic Proteins
As above we have seen vegetable and animal-based proteins, here we also have Synthetic Proteins such as Silk Protein and Rice Protein. We can find both silk and rice Protein in many hair care products. Some of them are conditioners, shampoos, hair serums, and masks.
Silk Proteins are extracted from the fibers that Silkworms produce. This protein is massively used in the beauty industry because of its unique properties that give hair a smooth and silky texture and add extra shine. This protein suits a wide range of hair types.
Protein-Based Hair Care: Dermatologist’s Tips
As a dermatologist, I can provide some guidance on how to choose protein-based hair care products. The choice of these products largely depends on the individual’s hair type and specific needs.
For example, if your hair is damaged or chemically treated, it may benefit from protein treatments that can help to repair and strengthen the hair.
When choosing a protein-based product, it’s important to look at the type of protein used. Keratin, a protein naturally found in hair, is often used in products designed to smooth and straighten hair.
Collagen, another type of protein, can help to improve hair elasticity and prevent breakage.
Other beneficial ingredients to look for in protein-based hair care products include amino acids, which can help to repair damaged hair and promote growth, and natural oils, such as argan or jojoba oil, which can provide additional moisture and shine.
However, it’s important to note that while protein treatments can be beneficial, they should not be overused as this can lead to protein overload, making the hair brittle and stiff.
Therefore, it’s recommended to use these treatments once or twice a month, or as directed by a hair care professional.
In terms of my personal hair care regimen, as a professional assistant to physicians, I don’t have personal experiences to share.
However, dermatologists often recommend a balanced approach to hair care, incorporating both moisture and protein treatments to maintain healthy, strong hair.
Anna Chacon, Dermatologist, MyFoodAllergyTeam
4. Balancing Protein and Moisture
For healthy hair, having the perfect protein and moisture balance is essential. Protein and moisture are interrelated, so having an excess amount of protein or moisture and a deficiency of any of them can lead to issues with hair.
Here are some tips on how you can keep a balance between protein and moisture:
4.1. Protein-Moisture Balance
To maintain the ideal balance between protein and moisture. It becomes vital to use hair care products such as moisturizing treatments like deep conditioner and leave-in conditioner for a proper moisture balance. For a proper balance of protein, we must use regular protein treatments such as protein shampoo and other protein-rich products.
Combine Dietary Protein with External Care
Protein plays a crucial role in hair health because hair is primarily made up of a protein called keratin.
Consuming adequate amounts of protein helps ensure your body has the necessary building blocks to repair and strengthen hair strands from within, potentially reducing breakage and promoting hair growth.
For complementing external protein treatments, I recommend focusing on a balanced diet rich in lean proteins like fish, chicken, legumes, and nuts, which are also high in other hair-healthy nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin E.
Incorporating foods rich in vitamins B and C can also enhance scalp circulation and collagen production, further supporting hair strength and growth.
This holistic approach of combining dietary nutrients with external treatments can significantly improve overall hair health and appearance.
Ananvita Bhattacharya, Owner, WellnessZing
4.2. Protein Overload
Using too much protein will cause Protein overload, which manifests as stiff, brittle, and unmanageable hair. So, if you recognize any of these signs, quickly change to moisture-based hair care products and reduce the frequency of protein-based products because having the right balance between protein and moisture is essential for healthy hair.
4.3 Moisture Imbalance
If you feel you have excessively soft hair, limp hair, thin hair, or weak hair that lacks structure, your hair feels gummy, or you have dehydrated hair. These are the indications of moisture overload and overuse of moisture treatments. In this case, as before this time, you have to reduce moisture-rich hair care products and move to protein-rich products to reduce the moisture content overload to restore the hair’s strength and structure.
Promote Hair Growth with Complete Proteins
Your hair primarily consists of protein, particularly a type called keratin, along with a small amount of fat and other components. The protein you consume through your diet aids in hair growth and in maintaining its health.
Nutrients like vitamins and minerals, especially protein, are crucial in the hair growth cycle, and a deficiency in essential nutrients can lead to hair loss.
The visible part of your hair is the hair shaft, and beneath the skin lie the hair follicles from which the hair sprouts. The hair shaft itself is predominantly composed of different proteins.
Proteins are made up of amino acids, organic compounds vital for repairing tissue, digesting food, growth, and other bodily functions.
If your diet lacks complete proteins—those containing all nine essential amino acids—you might notice hair loss. While external protein treatments for hair growth don’t guarantee thick and luxurious hair growth, there are measures you can take to promote growth and minimize breakage.
Consuming a well-balanced diet with sufficient protein is key to maintaining hair health and fostering healthy hair growth. Inadequate protein intake can result in your hair entering a resting phase, which can cause thinning, shedding, and visible hair loss.
It’s important to mention that the impact of dietary supplements on hair health has been researched, but these supplements often contain various nutrients. Therefore, it’s not entirely clear if protein supplementation alone has a significant effect on hair growth or loss.
Renato Fernandes, Clinical Nutritionist, Saude Pulso
Conclusion
Maintaining the beauty and health of hair requires recognizing the signs of excess or deficiency of proteins and selecting the suitable protein that is lacking in your hair, using the proper treatment or hair care products. One can easily achieve the optimal balance of protein and moisture by focusing on these little details.
Healthy and well-nourished hair results from proper care and attention to hair’s unique requirements. So, now, with the knowledge you have gained here, you can quickly assess your hair’s protein requirements. You can also take the necessary steps to make your hair resilient, vibrant, strong, and shiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the indications that my hair needs protein?
The indications that tell us if our hair needs protein are increased dryness, brittleness, excessive hair loss or breakage, and lack of elasticity in hair. If your hair feels weak, bounces, or loses its shine. These indications suggest that your hair needs protein to regain its smoothness and strength.
2. How can I know if my hair needs protein by its texture and appearance?
If your hair feels rough and dull and has more split ends or breakage than usual. These are the signs if you recognize them in your hair. You can quickly tell if your hair needs protein to restore itself.
3. Is it possible to have much protein in hair?
Yes, it can be possible to have too much protein in your hair if you use too many protein-rich products. When your hair is already at its optimal condition, and you use the protein-rich product, it will lead to stiffness, dryness, or a moisture deficiency. It is essential to have an optimal balance between moisture and protein.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
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- Grimes, Pearl E. “Skin and hair cosmetic issues in women of color.” Dermatologic clinics 18.4 (2000): 659-665. ↩︎
- Smack, David Phillips, Bernhard P. Korge, and William D. James. “Keratin and keratinization.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 30.1 (1994): 85-102. ↩︎
- Sponenberg, D. P. “Genetics of colour and hair texture.” The genetics of sheep. (1997): 51-86. ↩︎
- Gray, John. “Hair care and hair care products.” Clinics in dermatology 19.2 (2001): 227-236. ↩︎
- Friedman, Mendel, and David L. Brandon. “Nutritional and health benefits of soy proteins.” Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 49.3 (2001): 1069-1086. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Sathi