If you've used protein treatments to remedy your hair woes and it looks like not much has changed, your hair could have too much protein. 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.
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 a strand of your hair and try stretching it. If it stretches quite far, feels a tad mushy and then snaps, it is indicative of the hair being over-moisturised. You may need more protein to reinforce your hair cuticle. If it feels dry and brittle and snaps almost immediately, it is indicative of a protein overload.
"Protein overload is the result of using too many protein conditioning products, such as shampoos and treatments," said physician Dr. Alice Williams. "Over time, this can lead to a buildup of protein on the hair. If you're experiencing a protein overload, your hair might feel dry, stiff and difficult to manage."
This phenomenon is known as protein overload. Typically, you can identify protein overload by inspecting your hair's appearance. You may have excessive protein in your hair if it looks dull and brittle. A hair salon visit is your best bet to reverse the damage of protein overload.
You'll want to avoid protein-based products filled with ingredients like amino acids, hydrolyzed collagen, and keratin while you're trying to reverse protein overload, says Schaefering.
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.
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.
Limp, gummy, or mushy hair — If your hair feels limp, gummy, or mushy when wet, then that is a strong indication that your hair is over-moisturized.
If there's white-ish stuff showing up on your hair brush or comb, it's probably buildup. This kind of white stuff is different from dandruff - it won't be flakey, nor will it be oily like sebum. Product buildup typically resembles teeny tiny strands of white hair, and it sticks to the hairbrush quite stubbornly.
The amount of protein in the haircare product will vary based on the formula, but it is most often between 0.25 and 1 percent. On the label, we usually find a protein listed towards the end of the ingredient list.
While protein is an essential nutrient for hair health, too much protein in your hair can lead to dry, brittle, and dull hair. It may also lead to excess hair shedding and changes in your hair texture.
Anytime you apply an intense protein treatment, you must follow up with a deeply moisturizing conditioner. Rutlin explains, "You cannot have one without the other. This is why you see some people have brittle and damaged hair.
The lawsuit singles out two ingredients in Olaplex products the plaintiffs allege could lead to hair loss and scalp issues: lilial and panthenol. Lilial was previously used in small amounts as a fragrance in Olaplex's No. 3 Hair Perfector.
How To Recover: In order to recover from protein overload you are going to have to take very precise steps in your regimen and it will not be an over night process. It actually can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months depending on how severe the protein overload is.
Apple cider vinegar, a liquid made of fermented apple cider, is thought to be a helpful remedy for protein overload, as it is a natural alkaline regulator that helps to balance the acidic levels in the body.
Protein overload is often caused by the products you use in your hair. Shampoos, conditioners, hair protein treatments, and other styling products that contain a large amount of hair protein are typically the culprit. They can disrupt your natural hair's moisture balance.
Signs and Symptoms of Over-Conditioned Hair
You'll notice your hair becoming unmanageable, soft, limp, or flat. Any sort of updo will be impossible, as your hair has no natural grip. Over-conditioning thin, fine hair weighs it down and makes it look oily and perhaps stringy.
While protein is actually linked to hair growth, it is most likely not responsible for being the cause of balding. This doesn't necessarily mean that the more protein you have the healthier you and your hair will be. You just need to get the recommended daily value of protein, which actually isn't much.
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.