If you notice your hair has become stringy, limp, or sticky, you could be lacking protein.
Protein Deficiency
It is possible for your hair to lack protein. When this happens, your hair will feel brittle and more susceptible to breakage. Anabel Kingsley, Brand President and Consulting Trichologist at Philip Kingsley says, “Lack of protein can result in hair loss and the growth of weak and brittle strands.”
Your hair may look and feel dry, brittle, dull, and stiff. If you take a closer look at your hair, protein overload may also cause split ends and breakage. It may also shed more. If you're noticing more strands on your comb or brush than usual, that could be a telltale sign of high protein hair.
Know the signs of Protein Buildup:
Your hair snaps off more easily. Your hair feels straw-like and stiff. Your hair is unusually dry, lifeless, and brittle. No longer has natural shine/luster that it used to have.
Take an inch of your hair and stretch it, if it doesn't stretch or breaks, feels dry and rough, it is brittle/damaged and needs moisture treatment. If the hair stretches far and does not return and/or breaks, feels mushy, gummy or cotton candy-like, your hair needs protein.
If you suffer from hair loss as a result of protein deficiency, the best option for treatment is to adjust your diet so that you receive the right amount of protein each day. Typically the lost hair will grow again by improving your diet and upping your protein intake to normal levels.
However, too much protein can lead to dryness and breakage. It is especially in hair that is already dry or damaged. On the other hand, moisture helps hydrate the hair and prevent frizz. Moreover, making it essential for hair that is dry or lacks shine.
Moisture overload occurs when there is too much moisture and too little protein. This is the second kind of imbalance your hair can experience. Moisture overload tends to affect those who have high hair porosity, causing it to look limp, stringy, and even greasy.
Symptoms of a protein deficiency in hair
If your hair has a protein deficiency, you'll notice the following: You hair feels mushy, sticky, or gummy. Your hair clumps together. Your hair is limp or stringy.
' Instead, you're causing it more damage. Everything in moderation is important. If you overdo it, don't fear, you can reverse it. Use a good clarifying shampoo to strip your hair and start over.
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.
Very fine or thin hair can also benefit from added protein, which can help make strands look thicker and stronger. If your hair looks stringy or limp, those may also be signs that your strands need more protein.
Protein. As hair is made of protein, ensuring you have enough protein in your diet is crucial for making hair strong and healthy. If you are not consuming enough protein in your diet, your hair is likely to become dry, brittle and weak. Extremely low protein diets may result in restricted hair growth and even hair loss ...
Because curly hair needs so much moisture, it's normal for those with curly or coily hair to over-moisturize or over-manipulate their hair and need protein treatments often. Most naturals benefit from a protein treatment every 4-8 weeks, depending on hair damage and how much protein is in your everyday hair products.
Hair that's suffering from moisture overload can become frizzy, limp, and struggle to hold your curls.
Signs that you may be suffering from moisture overload are if your hair feels excessively soft and mushy, if you're noticing that your curl pattern is looser, or if your hair strands stretch but don't revert or bounce back. It can also lead to excessive split ends, limp or dull hair, a lack of volume, and more.
Hair that is stringy, flat, or limp is a definite sign that your hair needs a protein treatment. Normally, hair should be pretty durable and full, so when it starts to droop, take notice. By adding protein back into the hair, you can revitalize your strands and get them to a healthier state.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Eggs, berries, shrimp, fatty fish, tofu, legumes, nuts and cottage cheese are great sources of protein. Adding these foods to your diet can prevent hair loss over time and make the hair look healthier.