Moisture vs Protein: Can Anti-Breakage Enhance Your Breakage?
Every new year comes with a new trend, and throughout every year, our hair is changing. Much like our own bodies, our hair needs a certain amount of consistent treatment to keep it healthy. From masks, to serums, to overnight treatments, there are many suggested ways to tend to your hairs needs. But are we going to overboard with it all? Are these multi-step treatments actually doing more harm to our hair then good? The short answer – not necessarily. But in order for you to avoid further damage and keep your hair healthy, its important to get to know your own locks and do some research on products before just grabbing the fist “anti-breakage” product you see on the shelf. Below we will help you figure out if moisture or protein is what your hair needs, along with how to combat the breakage caused by an excess of both.
Moisture vs Protein: Which one is for me?
Before getting into what specifically your hair needs, lets first compare the difference between moisture and protein. Your hair needs an equal balance of both protein and moisture, so it is important to note that you do want to incorporate both into your hair care routine.
Protein is an important part of your hairs balance because your hair is mostly made up of keratin, which is a type of protein. You want a healthy amount of protein to make your hair longer, stronger, and thicker. If your hair is feeling brittle and won’t grow past a certain length, it is likely that you aren’t getting enough protein.
Moisture is the key to keeping your hair from getting thin, brittle, and dry. Moisture causes your hair to be shiny and soft, something we all desire! When the two are in balance, you get a strong, healthy set of locks. If you experience a lot of frizz and static, you are likely not getting enough moisture in your hair.
Am I Overloading It?
Your hair can actually go into what we call “overload.” A protein overload will actually cause more breakage. If you are noticing more split ends and tangles, you might be experiencing a protein overload. Other side effects include increased shedding, lack of shine, and a stiff, straw-like feel.
A moisture overload will make your hair look flat, limp, and overly greasy. If you are noticing your hair feeling stringier and more lifeless, then moisture overload might be your issue. Too much moisture can also cause excess breakage and split ends, similar to protein overload.
How To Avoid Overload & Gain Balance
When you are purchasing products for your hair, keep these facts in your mind. Products displaying moisturizing benefits are usually easier to come across as the tend to have “moisture” in the main title or it’s written directly into the description. However, protein-based products might be harder to find. Anything that is labeled “anti-breakage” or “strengthen and repair” is a protein-based product. You also should check the ingredients on the back of the bottle. You want to see ingredients such as keratin, amino acids, soy protein, oat flour, or hydrolyzed collagen. That indicates it is a protein-based product.
Moderation is the key to balance in this situation. Remember to alternate! Don’t always use the protein every day and same goes with moisture. In general, protein-based products should only be used on the hair once or twice a week. Moisture-based products should be used one to three times a week depending on the season (we all need a bit more moisture in the colder months). But don’t think that this is limited to a specific schedule! You can layer and combine when needed. Try using a moisture routine in the shower and a protein-based product when you style, or vice versa. You can always try masks or overnight treatments depending on how frequently you wash your hair. It is going to take some time to find your perfect balance, but in the end, it will be totally worth it.
It’s important to remember that we want to balance both protein and moisture in our hair, and to do that we need to recognize what our hair needs and when it needs it.
Avalanche Salon and Spa is here for all your hair needs. Check out our hair care products on our website or visit us in the salon! Call 610-489-2049 today with any hair care questions you might have or to schedule an appointment!
