9 Proteins You've Got To Know For Healthy Strong Hair

My hair loves protein but knowing the type of protein your hair love can make a difference between soft silky hair and dry brittle hair that will break if you just think to go near it! Check out this list of proteins and their benefits I did for The COCO Magazine!  

Protein is the building block of hair; it’s what gives hair its strength and structure. Hair is mainly comprised of a protein called keratin. Every time we manipulate our hair it loses some of its protein, this is something that cannot be avoided, for this reason, we need to replenish what we lost through the use of protein treatments and conditioners. Proteins are not only used to strengthen the hair, some proteins act as humectants, they attract moisture to the hair, others also condition the hair. It is in your best interest to pay attention to the type of proteins in your hair products; this can help you determine which type of proteins your hair loves best. You may come across the word "hydrolyzed" in front of a protein name while going through the list of ingredients, this means that the protein has been broken down into smaller molecules to better penetrate the hair. Take a look at some of the most common proteins found in hair products and their benefits.

 

Protein	Benefits
Silk Amino Acids	Increases elasticity Increases shine Smoothes cuticles Helps retain moisture Softens
Keratin	Rebuilds Replaces amino acid cysteine Smoothes cuticles Increases moisture Increases tensile strength Helps shield and protect from wear and tear
Collagen	Increase elasticity Helps retain moisture Increase body
Silk	Increases elasticity Conditions Softens Smoothes cuticle Increases shine
Wheat	Thickens Attracts and retains moisture Increases elasticity
Oat	Thickens Smoothes Softens
Milk	Increases moisture Increases elasticity Conditions
Soy	Helps retain moisture Smoothes cuticles Increases shine
Vegetable	Conditions Increases moisture Increases shine

There is no need to fear the use of protein since it is beneficial to our hair. Always follow the instructions on the packaging when using protein treatments or conditioners. It is also necessary to follow-up with a moisturising treatment when using hard protein treatments.