Key Takeaways
- Protein treatments for hair can be helpful if you have damaged, frizzy, dry, brittle, or fragile hair.
- Proteins like keratin, biotin, and plant-based proteins are used in these treatments that help repair moisture and the barriers of your hair.
- Briogeo’s Deep Conditioning Mask is our best overall protein treatment for hair because of its price, its features, and because it can be used on any and all hair types.
- Most affordable protein hair treatment: Shea Moisture Manuka Honey + Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Treatment | Skip to review
- Best overnight protein treatment for hair: Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Hair Serum | Skip to review
Sun exposure, heated tools, diet, and chemical treatments can all take their toll on your hair. Dry, damaged hair can benefit from minimizing items in your environment that strip away natural moisture and damage its inner protein structure, called keratin.
For extremely dry and damaged hair, protein treatments can help restore overall hair structure.
Dr. Sapna Palep, board-certified dermatologist for Spring Street Dermatology in New York City, explains that protein hair treatments repair your hair by “attaching hydrolyzed proteins to the hair cuticle,” which then hardens it and prevents further damage.
Take a look at some of our picks for the best protein treatments for hair.
| Price | Targets | Hair type | When to use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask | $24 | dry hair; color-treated hair; heat-damaged hair | all hair types and textures | use in place of conditioner, leave on for at least 10 minutes |
| Virtue Hair Treatment | $70 | dry, damaged hair; dullness; fragile hair; frizz | all types, especially colored hair | in shower, after shampoo |
| Ouai Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Mask | $38 | damage control; hydration & conditioning | fine to medium hair | in shower, after shampoo; can use overnight |
| Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve | $30 | weak, damaged hair; frizz; dryness | all curl types, any hair texture | before shower, wet hair before applying |
| Shea Moisture Manuka Honey + Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Treatment | $13 | dry, damaged hair | all types, especially curly hair | in shower, after shampoo |
| Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Hair Serum | $30 | dry hair and scalp | all types, including color-treated hair | before bed, on damp or dry hair |
Before selecting any product for inclusion, we run them through our product selection process and content integrity guidelines. Then, based on those choices, we considered the following:
- Ingredients: If you’re looking at protein treatments, chances are you’re looking for something that’ll help your hair feel better than it does. So, we make sure the ingredients in each of these products are top quality. We also discuss the key ingredients that help repair your hair.
- Price: There’s a range of different protein treatments out there. We tried to vary the prices to fit everyone’s needs.
- Reviews: How do we know it’s a good product? We look at reviews from people like you, and acknowledge anything that’s lacking in our ‘cons’ section.
- Hair types: Certain hair types, like thin hair or curly hair, need customized ingredients to make sure they’re getting the moisture and care they need. We made sure to highlight treatments that had specific features for different hair types.
- Additional features: If vegan products or -free products are something you look for, we mention these here.
Protein treatments are over-the-counter (OTC) or professional products you can apply to your hair to restore strength while providing protection against further damage. Ingredients like keratin and collagen can be found in these products; they help restore the hair’s structure and oils to help replenish moisture to your strands.
While anyone with dry, damaged hair could benefit from an occasional protein treatment, OTC products may also help maintain your results if you regularly use heated styling tools or chemical treatments.
Keep these tips in mind when trying out protein treatments:
They are not replacements for shampoo and conditioner
They are meant to work with them for maximum benefit
Don't use too often
If you use more than once a month, it could cause more damage to your hair
Read product labels carefully
Avoid harmful ingredients, like formaldehyde, parabens, and silicones
Protein treatments come in various forms of hair products intended to restore hydration while also treating and protecting from further damage.
They are available in three main formulas:
- deep treatments you leave in for several minutes
- rinse-out treatments you can use during a shower
- leave-in treatments for after you wash your hair
In addition to proteins such as keratin and collagen, you may consider looking for products that contain either natural or synthetic oils, such as argan oil or silicone, respectively. These ingredients
If you have a hairstylist, they may recommend applying a professional-grade protein treatment to your hair while you’re in the salon.
In general, a protein treatment can restore strength in your hair. This can translate to numerous benefits, including:
- increased hydration
- less frizz
- more luster and shine
- reduced breakage
- less split ends
Another method is to use natural ingredients to make a DIY protein treatment at home. However, keep in mind that you may not get the same results as a professional treatment.
Consider the following DIY options to discuss with your dermatologist:
“Signs that you need a hair treatment are if your hair is breaking, limp and stringy, tangled, frizzy, shedding, color-treated, or losing elasticity,” explains Palep. The kind of treatment and care you need can also vary by hair type.
Most professional-grade protein treatments are intended to use once every month or so. Daily leave-in hair products are safe for everyday use. But some also contain strong ingredients that shouldn’t be combined with heat or other salon products. When in doubt, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Many protein treatments come in the form of a mask. These are applied after you shampoo and are left in for a few minutes before you rinse off and apply conditioner.
Other protein treatments are applied or sprayed onto your hair after shampooing and conditioning. Once you apply the leave-in product, you may style your hair as usual.
Another consideration is your skin type. You may consider avoiding treatments that have alcohol, perfumes, or fragrances if you have sensitive skin.
If you’re still deciding on a brand to try, consider keeping the following ingredients in mind when shopping for the right protein treatment:
- keratin
- collagen
- creatine
- yogurt
- vitamin B-5 (pantothenic acid)
Since hair is also a sign of your overall health, you may consider talking to your doctor about your diet. “Because maintaining a balanced, protein-rich diet is essential for healthy hair growth, not consuming enough protein can contribute to hair loss,” says Palep.
“Maintaining a balanced, protein-rich diet is essential for healthy hair growth; not consuming enough protein can contribute to hair loss.”
— Dr. Sapna Palep, board certified dermatologist
Ironically, one thing you should avoid is doing protein treatments too often.
“People with dry, brittle hair should avoid excessive amounts of protein, and pair with a deep conditioning treatment,” Palep recommends.
She also advises that you avoid the following:
- cocamide DEA
- isopropyl alcohol
- parabens
- polyethylene glycol
- silicones
- sulfates
Protein treatments, when used in moderation, may provide the strength your hair needs to minimize dryness and damage. However, these treatments should only be used as directed.
Using a protein treatment every day will add too much weight to your hair and end up causing even more damage.
Our recommended protein treatments are a starting point if you’re considering a therapy for damaged hair. Talk with a stylist if you have extremely damaged hair — especially if it’s also fine or color-treated.
To avoid dry, damaged hair:
- Minimize the factors that cause damage.
- Make sure you wear a protective spray that prevents damage from the sun and other environmental factors.
- Take it easy on heat-styling tools.
- Try to go as long as you can between color treatments.
You can also try these 10 tips for stronger, healthier hair.
Dry, frizzy, and brittle hair can all be signs that you could need a protein treatment. Other possible signs include hair breakage, or if your hair lacks its usual shine and luster.
Protein hair treatments may be safe to use over the long term, as long as you follow the product recommendations.
OTC treatments, such as leave-in versions, may typically be used more often, while professional-grade versions are only used occasionally because of their strength.
Follow all product instructions carefully. While some OTC products may be used as often as every day, professional versions are recommended for use only on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
Yes. Overuse of a protein treatment — especially stronger, professional-grade versions — may lead to brittle and damaged hair.
While any hair type experiencing excessive damage, dryness, or brittleness can benefit from protein treatments, they tend to be best for people who frequently use heated styling tools or chemical treatments.
Additionally, curly hair types may benefit from protein treatments since the hair naturally tends to be on the drier side.
You can, but again, this depends on the product you’re using.
Some manufacturers recommend rinsing out the treatment in the shower, while others are leave-in protein treatments that are intended to stay on your hair before styling.