What is protein?
Protein is a macronutrient that is essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues of the body. It is made up of a long chain of amino acids and is important for bodily functions such as supporting the immune system and producing enzymes and hormones.
Source to get Protein
Protein can be obtained from various sources, these sources are animal and plant-based. There are some common sources of protein:
Animal sources
- Animals are rich sources of protein including meat such as beef, lamb, and poultry.
- Fish and seafood
- Dairy products such as milk, yogurt cheese, and eggs.
- Animal by-products like collagen and gelatine are obtained from bones and connective tissues.
Plant sources
- Plant sources of protein involve legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, etc.
- Nuts and seeds like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.
- Green Vegetables such as Spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts contain protein.
The Role of protein in our Hair
Protein performs a significant role in hair’s health and structure. It is also called ‘’Building Blocks of the Body’’. Hair is fundamentally made up of a protein called keratin. Protein in the hair shaft helps sustain the rectitude of hair, prevents it from breakage, and also promotes the elasticity of the hair. Furthermore, it also contributes to hair growth and strengthens the hair follicles.
Types of proteins our hair needs
Keep in mind the importance of hair in an individual’s personality it is also essential to know about which types of protein our hair needs. Our hair requires several types of proteins that are accountable for maintaining its health and structure. Some types of proteins that are crucial for the vitality of our hair include:
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Keratin Protein:
Keratin is made up of 18 Amino acids. It penetrates hair cuticles and bestows luster and shine to your hair. It is also responsible for hair’s strength, structure, and elasticity. It helps to maintain the integrity of your strands and prevent your hair from breakage. -
Collagen Protein:
The main Amino acids that make Collagen are Hydroxyproline, Glycine, and Proline. Collagen promotes the production of Keratin moreover provides structural support to the follicles of hair and accelerates hair growth. Collagen helps to keep our scalp and hair follicles healthy while contributing to overall hair growth and thickness. -
Elastin:
Elastin protein is made up of Amino Acids such as Glycine, Alanine, and Valine and Proline. These Amino Acids help hair follicles to enhance the elasticity of the hair and permit it to stretch without breaking. It also helps to sustain the resilience and flexibility of your strands. -
Silk protein:
This protein is composed of two primary proteins Fibroin and Sericin which help your hair to remain smooth from the cuticle and also reduce frizz and improve shine in your hair. Silk protein also creates a protective barrier against damage from environmental factors and moisture loss. -
Wheat protein:
Wheat protein is a type of non-animal protein derived from wheat extracts like Gluten and Glutamine. It can pass through the cuticles of hair and aids in strengthening and repairing damaged hair by replenishing lost protein and nutrients. It also provides volume and thickness to fine or thinning hair.
The efficiency of protein in hair
As we all know ‘’excessiveness of everything is bad’’. The same happens in the case of protein in hair. When our hair gets exposed to excessive protein it is known as a protein-overload. Protein- overload happens due to the over-intake of a protein diet. The efficiency of protein can cause hair to become more susceptible to the damage of heat styling tools such as straightening and perming. The impact of excessive protein on hair includes:
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Brittleness and hair breakage:
The efficiency of protein explicitly does not damage hair health. Proteins cover the hair shaft with the layer and excessive protein produces build-ups on the hair shaft. These build-ups lead hair toward stiffness, brittleness, and lack of flexibility in the hair which can ultimately become a reason for hair breakage.
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Dry hair:
Excessive protein in hair can disrupt the natural balance of moisture in the scalp, causing dry and bumpy hair. When there is too much protein in the hair shaft and an insufficient level of moisture, the hair shaft becomes arid and unable to retain moisture in the scalp.
How to fix the impacts of Protein-Overload
Recovering from protein overload is not a midnight procedure but by following a few steps and focusing on your hair care routine, you won't have to wait long. Moreover, it depends on the severity of your protein build-ups, it can take a few months to see the outcomes. You just have to pay attention to your hair care routine. There are some steps to fix the effects of protein-overload;
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Get regular Trims:
Regular trims are very beneficial to address the impact of protein- overload on the hair. When your hair becomes excessively protein-overloaded, it can cause split ends and uneven hair texture. Regularly trimming the ends of your hair helps to remove the damaged and weakened parts of the hair. Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to improve the overall appearance and health of the hair.
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Wipe out Excessive protein build-ups with Clarifying shampoo:
Eazicare anti-residue clarifying shampoo is formulated to deep-cleanse the hair and the scalp. It can help to mitigate the impact of protein overload on the hair by eradicating excessive protein build-ups. Protein-overload can weigh down the hair and make it feel stiff and dry. By using clarifying shampoo once a week, you can effectively remove the excessive protein build-ups and also restore the natural hair’s balance.
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Hydrate your strands with Hair serum:
After using a clarifying shampoo, it is essential to follow up with a moisturizing product to replenish the lost moisture and restore the softness of your strands. Eazicare Hair Serum contains Aloe Vera and argon oil, which can help alleviate the impact of protein overload on the hair by providing moisture and hydration to dry and brittle hair. Apply hair serum after hair washing on your damped hair to retain the softness and glossiness of the hair.
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Make your hair flexible with a hair mask:
A hair mask can be advantageous to reduce the effects of protein overload on the hair by providing conditioning and nourishment. Eazicare Intensive deep repair hair mask is formulated with natural ingredients such as argon oil and aloe Vera, which deeply nourishes the hair while maintaining the moisture and flexibility of the hair. Incorporate a hair mask in your hair care routine to restore the vitality and flexibility of protein-overloaded hair and make your hair look smooth and rejuvenated.
The Deficiency of protein in hair
As excess protein in hair leaves impacts on your strands similarly insufficient balance of protein also has some consequences. The deficiency of protein in hair occurs due to improper intake of protein-rich food and neglecting appropriate hair care routines. The impact of protein on hair can manifest in various ways:
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Hair shedding and breakage:
Protein is crucial for the hair health because our hair strands are composed of protein. When an individual doesn’t consume enough protein, our body prioritizes other vital functions to perform by neglecting the health and maintenance of the hair. Which can lead to weakened hair follicles and result in hair shedding and breakage.
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Hair loses its bounce and elasticity:
Proteins are essential for maintaining the integrity of your strands. When your body gets insufficient intake of protein, it can affect the production of proteins responsible for healthy hair. As a result, hair becomes brittle, and stiff, loses its bounce, and the ability of elasticity.
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Changes in hair’s texture:
Proteins play an important role in determining the texture of your strands. But when protein intake is deficient, the hair shaft becomes weak and more porous. It disrupts the protective barrier against the damaging factors. Which causes roughness, and lack of luster, and makes the hair appear dull and unhealthy.
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Restriction in hair growth:
Proteins are responsible for hair growth because they form building blocks necessary for the formation of new hair. When there is insufficient consumption of protein, our body allocates protein to perform other functions. Which can lead to a shortage of protein available for hair growth. Ultimately protein deficiency interrupts the process of new hair growth. A person must have to take precautionary measurement to avoid this and improve hair growth.
How to deal with protein-deficient hair
Rescuing your protein-deficient hair may take some time but by following a balanced diet and consistency in your hair care regimen, you can see rapid improvements. Incorporating protein-rich food, hair care practices, and treatments can nourish and strengthen your strands. It also helps to mitigate the impact of protein deficiency. There are some recommendations to fix the effects of protein insufficiency:
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Nourish your hair with Plex treatment:
Protein is responsible for maintaining the overall hair’s health. Hair becomes fragile and frizzy due to a lack of protein. If it seems that your hair requires extra nourishment, treat your strands with the Eaziplex fiber bond system. It involves specialized protein formulation that helps to address the impacts of insufficiency of protein and also replenish the protein requirements of your hair.
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Keratin treatment:
Our hair is naturally composed of a protein called keratin. It is an inner coil of our cortex. However, the hair follicles become weak due to a deficiency of keratin, which causes hair shedding, and lack of bounce and shine in the hair. Eazistraight keratin treatment is innovated with keratin protein. It is specifically designed to repair and strengthen damaged hair. Keratin deeply absorbs in the hair follicles, and along with nourishment, it restores the hair’s protein balance.
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Balanced diet:
A balanced diet plays an essential role in fulfilling the requirements of protein. Consume a balanced diet rich in protein such as meat, fish, dairy, lentils, and nuts. It helps to support hair growth and maintain the overall hair’s health.
The Bottom Line
Proteins play a vital role in maintaining the overall health and structure of the hair. Proteins are the building blocks of the hair that provide strength and resilience. Proper intake of a balanced protein diet, following a proper hair care regimen, and targeted treatments can help to improve hair condition, promoting hair growth and preventing damage. It is important to understand that everything needs balance. Despite the significance of protein, it also needs an appropriate balance to perform properly. As "balance is the key of everything".
