We all know that the way our hair looks and feels can do wonders for our confidence. However, when our hair starts to shed we sometimes panic because we don’t know what’s going on. There could be a number of reasons for why your hair is shedding. Have you ever wondered if protein is the issue? In today’s article, I am going to share with you 4 clues that your hair needs protein.
The Science of Hair: The Role of Protein
To know whether or not your hair needs protein, you must first understand the science of hair. Protein is one of the building blocks for cell production in your body and hair. You need protein to produce the cells that promote healthy hair. The proteins in our body are made up of 20 amino acids and 9 of those must be obtained through a healthy diet. However, your hair is made up of a special protein, called keratin, which is one of the key structural materials of your hair. Without the right amounts of protein, it can result in hair loss.
The Benefits of Protein
There are several hair benefits to protein. First, protein is beneficial because it can help your hair become less likely to break or form split ends. Second, the proper amount of protein can help you have stronger and smoother cuticles. Third, it can help your hair look and feel fuller. While protein alone will probably not reverse thinning hair, it can help you experience more texture, fullness, and volume to your hair.
Now that you understand the science of hair and the role of protein, I want to share with you some clues that your hair needs protein.
4 Clues that Your Hair Needs Protein
#1 Your Hair looks limp and stringy
How does your hair look? Honestly, look in the mirror and be honest with yourself. Does your hair look stringy? When your hair is stringy it can be so annoying. Your hair can look stringy when it is fine and becomes tangled and separated. However, when your hair looks dull, limp, and stringy it could be a sign of protein deficiency.
#2 Your Hair has Low Elasticity
How elastic is your hair? Elasticity is when your hair can be stretched and return to its original shape. If your hair is hard to curl or breaks easily when brushing, combing or styling, you might have poor hair elasticity. Hair with proper elasticity is strong with a healthy cortex, allowing it to stretch without breaking and easily spring back to its original shape. There are several tests you can do to gauge the elasticity of your hair such as wash a loose hair with dish soap, see if there is 4 cm between your thumb and forefinger when grabbing your hair, to name a few.
#3 Your Hair has Been Colored Recently
Do you color your hair often? Well, permanent dye deposits color into your hair shaft. The solution most likely contains hydrogen peroxide and ammonia to open up the cuticle and drive the color molecules into the hair. Peroxide is very drying on the hair, which contributes to the damage of the hair.
#4 Your Hair Shedding and Breakage has Increased
It’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. When your body sheds significantly more hairs every day, it is considered to have “excessive shedding.” Hair shedding and breakage can be caused by a number of factors but protein deficiency is one of the most common culprits.
The Key Takeaways
Just in case you did not have time to read the above information, no worries, I get it, life can be busy. That is why I have included the key takeaways for you to read below at a quick glance. Here is what you need to know about 4 clues that your hair needs more protein.
- When you look in the mirror your hair is limp and stringy.
- You have hair low elasticity.
- Your hair been colored recently.
- Your hair shedding and breakage has increased.
- Use products that can help hair that is dry, brittle, and is struggling to grow.
This article was originally published on July 5, 2018 and was updated on July 27, 2021.
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I need your help.
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Please help me. I am the proud step mom to two beautiful girls. They are biracial. Trying to help them have the hair they want is my goal. But so much anxiety!! I’ve tried videos and tons of different products in their hair. I have no idea what to do! Can you please help me?
I get my hair braided a lot. Will protein help my hair to get stronger in between braids.
I need something for my locs. They grow great, but are thinning at the roots. I need something for thinning.
Hi Valerie,
Our Elixir would be perfect for thickening your locs!
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I need grown front my hair got bad hair loss very slow root lift
Hi Tammy,
Our product can help achieve your hair goals! Feel free to check out our website to learn more about our product and see customer testimonials https://voiceofhaircare.com/collections/our-products
I have very, very bad hair loss from the front of my to middle ways. The back grows fine. I cut it all off. The back grew back. The front did not. I figured I will have to make a topper bc i can’t one that looks good.
Sorry to hear that Tammy. This is a very common area to lose hair in for women. Have you been using our hair elixir? I know that dealing with hair loss is not a one-size fits all approach but we have had a lot of customers see improvement with consistency and a little patience.
Good Morning
I need something for hair growth.
Hi Cynthia! We have a few products that can help with that. You can take this quiz to figure out what’s best for you: https://voiceofhaircare.com/pages/hair-vitamins-quiz
I have problem on my back head hair lost.. i use voice of hair its my 3rd bottle now i don’t see changes i am loosing hair all the time i comb
Hey Flavia, I’m sorry to hear that you had experienced hair loss. I know how challenging that can be. If you are experiencing hair in the comb then it could be due to a few things and I think it’s important to distinguish if your hair is breaking or if it’s shedding. If it’s breaking then you’ll see small broken strands in your comb. Breakage can be from not having enough protein but also from rough styling, over processing, etc. But if it’s shedding from the scalp (and you see the full white bulb) it could be due to a vitamin deficiency (low levels of Vitamin D are a big one), clogged follicles (so you could need to deep cleanse more), and it could be caused from medications which counteract hair growth. Let me know if any of these sound like they could be contributing to what you’re seeing.
I am so pleased that your products have given me healthier hair. Thanks so much. LOVE YOUR WONDERFUL PRODUCTS!
Aww, you are so welcome and I am so happy to hear your hair is becoming healthier! That made my day 🙂 I would absolutely love to share your story with other women in our community. Would you do me a favor and leave a review on our website here: https://voiceofhaircare.com/pages/testimonials
What about damages due to medication
Hi Vickie, yes your hair can definitely suffer due to the effects of some medications (e.g. Thyroid meds, blood pressure medication and even birth control, etc.). However, we typically don’t see damage, but these medications often cause hair loss. Depending on the severity of the problem they can be treated with topical solutions like our hair elixir and vitamins, but definitely talk to you healthcare provider to see if there are other options for you.