If your mane feels limp, lifeless, or just won't cooperate, it might be crying out for a little extra care—specifically, a protein treatment for hair. Various factors, like water quality and new styling products, could be to blame, but there's one crucial element of your hair care routine that's often overlooked: protein.
Just like your body needs protein to stay strong and healthy-looking, so does your hair. Protein for hair is essential for achieving visible shine, volume, strength, and bounce. When your hair isn’t getting enough protein, it can start to look dull, weak, and just…tired. One way to get more is with a protein treatment for hair. Not sure you need one? Ahead, Travis Parker, a hairstylist based in San Diego, shares some obvious signs your hair needs protein and how a protein treatment for hair can revive your strands.
What Are Protein Treatments for Hair?
Protein treatments for hair are like a power boost for your strands, designed to strengthen and repair by restoring lost protein. These treatments can be especially beneficial for damaged, brittle, or chemically-treated hair that is lacking in protein.
A hair protein treatment works by filling in any gaps and weaknesses in the hair cuticle caused by missing protein, making it stronger and more resilient. Protein-treated hair also often appears shinier, smoother, and more manageable instantly. Common ingredients in protein treatments include hydrolyzed proteins like keratin, silk protein, wheat protein, soy protein, and collagen, as well as amino acids, panthenol, and types of oils and butters.
There are various options for protein treatments, including salon-grade treatments and at-home protein treatments for hair. You can find protein masks, serums, and sprays.
Keratin vs. protein treatments: What’s the difference?
While you can find protein treatments formulated with keratin, that doesn’t make it a keratin treatment. Keratin treatments and protein treatments are actually two different things. There are a number of differences between the two, but it largely comes down to their purposes.
Keratin treatments are a professional service, where a keratin-infused solution is applied to the hair and sealed in with heat. They temporarily fill in the cuticle with keratin to smooth and tame frizz, leaving hair sleek and manageable. These results typically last for three to six months.
In contrast, protein treatments are designed to repair damaged, brittle hair by replenishing lost proteins. The goal is to leave the hair stronger with less breakage.
To choose between the two, determine whether you need frizz control or repairing. Keratin treatments are ideal for those seeking smoother, straighter hair, while protein treatments are great for anyone needing to revive damaged strands.
How Do You Know if Your Hair Needs Protein?
According to Parker, there are five common signs your hair needs protein:
- Your mane looks stringy and limp.
- Your locks are more easily tangled than usual.
- Your hair lacks elasticity.
- Your strands look dull.
- Your hair feels gummy.
Many things can compromise the protein in your hair, including day-to-day wear and tear. Parker says one of the main causes he sees in his clients is a lack of protein in their diet. If you think your diet is to blame, be sure to make an appointment with a doctor.
Poorly handled chemical treatments—like excessive coloring or straightening—can also lead to protein-deficient hair that feels brittle or weak. If this sounds familiar, you can book a salon visit for a protein treatment for hair—or, better yet, skip the appointment and try a protein treatment for hair at home first. There are plenty of effective products that can deliver results from the comfort of your own bathroom.
If you’re unsure if your hair is lacking protein, reach out to a trusted haircare professional. With a quick trip to the hair salon, you should be able to identify the root of your problem.
How to Use a Hair Protein Treatment
Once you realize your hair is craving protein, the solution is pretty simple: using a protein treatment for hair. You can opt for a DIY hair protein treatment at home or a salon visit. Both are great, but if you’re unsure how to tell if your hair needs protein or if it's been through a lot (think: too much coloring or heat styling), a salon treatment could be the way to go to begin with. At the salon, a stylist can give your hair a deep dive, figure out if you're dealing with protein deficiency, and apply the right protein treatment for hair to give you targeted repair.
Not in the mood for a salon trip? No problem! At-home protein treatments are super effective too, both as a quick fix and for maintaining your hair’s healthy appearance in the long run. You’ll want to follow the directions for the specific product you use (they can vary a decent amount), but here’s a quick rundown on how to use a protein treatment for hair at home:
- Start with clean hair: Protein treatments are usually applied on freshly washed, damp hair. This helps ensure the product penetrates the hair shaft more effectively.
- Even application: Make sure the treatment covers all your hair, but focus on the areas that feel extra damaged. A wide-tooth comb is your best friend for evenly distributing the product!
- Let it sit: Most protein treatments for hair work their magic in about five to ten minutes. Wrapping your hair in a towel or shower cap can sometimes help trap heat and make the treatment even more effective.
- Rinse thoroughly: Unless your treatment is a leave-in, make sure you rinse it all out to avoid stiff, crunchy hair.
In addition to regular protein treatments, you can also swap your usual shampoo and conditioner for a protein-packed option like Matrix High Amplify Shampoo and Matrix High Amplify Conditioner, L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo and L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Conditioner, or Shu Uemura Art of Hair Silk Bloom Shampoo and Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Conditioner.
10 Protein Treatments to Try on Your Hair
Below, find 10 protein treatments—from masks to heat protectants—to try.
Redken Extreme Length Triple Action Treatment
If your hair is lacking protein, you may have a difficult time reaching your length goals. The Redken Extreme Length Triple Action Treatment will help restore the protein missing from your mane and strengthen hair to reduce breakage. And when your length isn’t breaking off, it’s much easier to achieve down-to-there hair.
How to use: After shampooing, massage the mask onto the scalp and hair for three to five minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Kérastase Resistance Masque Thérepiste Hair Mask
Is the lack of protein making your hair look a little worse for wear? Add Kérastase Résistance Masque Therapiste Hair Mask, which is formulated with a wheat protein derivative, to your haircare routine. The mask for weak, over-processed, and damaged hair helps to repair the flexibility and elasticity of damaged hair, restoring uniformity and smoothness. This protein treatment is ideal if you're experiencing protein-deficient hair and need to strengthen your strands.
How to use: Apply it to wet hair, let it work for 10 minutes, and then rinse.
L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Resurfacing Golden Mask
If your hair is feeling dry, damaged, or over-processed, L’Oréal Professionnel’s golden mask might just be the rescue treatment you need. Infused with golden quinoa and protein, this mask works wonders to strengthen and nourish your hair while leaving it looking silky and shiny. The lightweight formula is perfect for all hair types and won’t weigh your hair down, so you can enjoy smooth, soft, and healthier-looking strands. Use this protein treatment for hair regularly to bring your hair back to life, giving it the strength and shine it deserves.
How to use: Leave it in your wet hair for three to five minutes before washing out.
Redken Extreme Mega Mask
Redken’s strengthening hair mask is designed to give your hair a deep, targeted treatment. Made with Redken’s Strength Complex, lactic acid, and amino acids, it works to strengthen your hair from root to tip. This mask is perfect for hair that’s been weakened by heat styling or coloring, helping to reduce breakage and restore resilience over time.
How to use: After shampooing, apply it to towel-dried hair and leave it on for three to five minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Redken Extreme Play Safe
Redken’s Extreme Play Safe leave-in treatment is designed to protect and strengthen hair during heat styling. Formulated with plant proteins and tourmaline, this leave-in protein treatment shields your hair from heat damage up to 450°F while helping to repair existing damage. It’s perfect for anyone who regularly uses hot tools like straighteners or curling irons, as it works to reduce breakage and split ends while keeping your hair smooth and strong. It’s an easy, no-rinse way to protect your hair and keep it looking healthy, even with frequent styling.
How to use: Apply a dime-sized amount to clean, damp hair, then heat style as usual.
L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Rinse-Off Serum
This innovative rinse-out serum from L'Oréal Professionnel is designed to repair and strengthen damaged hair at a molecular level. Infused with biomimetic technology, it targets weakened hair fibers, helping to restore strength, smoothness, and shine. This protein treatment formula is lightweight and fast-abosrbing, so it works without leaving behind residue. It’s ideal for anyone with damaged or over-processed hair looking for both deep repair and nourishment. Use it as part of your regular haircare routine to reinforce and revitalize your strands.
How to use: After shampoo but before conditioner, apply it to wet hair. Distribute two to three pumps through your hair and don’t rinse. Then, apply the coordinating conditioner or hair mask from the Absolut Repair Molecular line.
Redken Extreme Cat
To give damaged, fragile hair an instant boost of strength, try this protein treatment from Redken. Infused with proteins and amino acids, it helps rebuild and fortify weakened strands without weighing them down. This spray is great for hair that needs a quick fix, especially if it's been damaged by chemical treatments or heat styling. Add it to your regular haircare routine one to three times per week to strengthen, add resilience, and leave your hair feeling smoother and healthier.
How to use: Spray it evenly onto clean, wet strands, lather, wait three to five minutes, then rinse.
Pureology Strength Cure Superfood Treatment Mask
This rinse-out protein treatment is designed to strengthen and smooth split ends, especially for color-treated hair. The formula boasts protein and moisturizing ingredients, helping to nourish and heal damaged hair while keeping future breakage at bay. It's lightweight and safe for color-treated hair, too, thanks to Pureology's AntiFade Complex, which helps protect your hair color.
How to use: Apply a quarter-sized amount to shampooed hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Use your fingers to gently massage it through hair, then let it sit for five minutes and rinse.
Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Heat Protecting Cream
This feather-light heat protectant is crafted to defend dry hair from the damage caused by styling tools, with protection up to 450°F. The formula enriched with Iris Royal Complex nourishes and hydrates, leaving hair smooth and easy to manage during blow-drying. Ideal for reducing frizz and preventing breakage, this protein treatment primer helps keep your hair soft and polished after every use.
How to use: Work a small amount through towel-dried hair, section by section, before heat styling.
Kérastase Paris Therapiste Damaged Hair Deep Treatment Hair Care Set
This convenient haircare set includes essentials for repairing and strengthening damaged hair. It includes the Bain Force Architecte shampoo, Ciment Anti-Usure conditioner, and Masque Force Architecte, which work together to rebuild and protect protein-deficient hair. With pro-keratin and ceramides, the products target hair from root to tip, helping to repair damage, reduce breakage, and restore softness. This system is an all-in-one solution for anyone looking to revive and fortify brittle, over-processed hair.
How to use: Shampoo, then apply a quarter-sized amount of the mask to wet hair from mid-lengths to ends. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse. Towel dry hair and apply one to two pumps of the serum before blow-drying hair.
Next Up: Why Your Hair Is So Dry and How to Hydrate It
Not sure what’s right for your strands? Use our salon locator to book an appointment for expert advice from a pro near you.
Header photo credits (left to right): @kerastase_official, @lorealpro
