Wondering if your hair is in need of a protein treatment or how to do one? If you’re on your curly hair journey you have definitely heard talk about protein moisture balance and protein treatments for curly hair.
But what is a protein treatment, how can you tell if you need one, and which products should you try? And, more importantly, how can you have protein moisture balance? Read on for all the details.
In a hurry? Check out our top picks:
What is a protein treatment?
Our hair is primarily made up of the protein keratin. Keratin is what keeps it healthy, strong, and full of elasticity.
Damage to our hair from the environment, processing, and styling causes the keratin to break down.
A protein treatment is a treatment that infuses a boost of protein into your hair. It works to strengthen and repair the keratin.
Benefits of a protein treatment for hair
Protein treatments offer several benefits, especially for damaged hair. If your hair is chemically processed or has heat damage then most likely protein treatments will help improve the health of your hair.
Some benefits of a protein treatment are:
- strengthens hair
- reduces frizz
- improves curl definition
- adds volume
- smoothes the hair cuticle
- increases shine
- helps grow hair longer
- increases elasticity
How do you know if you need to do a protein treatment?
If your curls are limp, frizzy, don’t hold their curl for long, or feel too soft then it likely needs a boost of protein.
The Stretch Test
Try the stretch test to check for the elasticity of your hair.
In order to test for elasticity, take a single strand of hair between both thumbs and forefingers and stretch the hair (it may be necessary to detach a hair from the client’s head) (source).
Healthy hair will stretch roughly an extra 1/3 its length and return to its original size. Damaged hair may not return fully to its original size, whilst dry or brittle hair may break when put under tension (source).
If your hair snaps quickly, it needs moisture. If it stretches a lot, it needs more protein.
Usually, low porosity hair dislikes too much protein while high porosity likes more protein. This is not an absolute, as every person is different and the ingredients in your products will have an effect on how often you will need to do protein treatments.
If you don’t know your hair porosity, then read this post.
Now, these are some of the same reasons you would need to clarify so take that into consideration. Ideally, you should be clarifying on a regular basis so that shouldn’t be the case.
You should also check out these 11 reasons your hair is frizzy if you’re having frizz problems.
Still not sure if your hair needs protein or not? Try a rice water rinse first. Rice water is a protein mimicker and will provide similar benefits. If your hair responds well to the rinse, then it probably needs protein.
How to identify proteins in Hair products
Many products will advertise if they’re protein heavy with words like “strengthening” or “repairing”. Check the ingredients list to find proteins.
If you’re not sure what to look for, some of the most common proteins found in products will be listed as the following:
- hydrolyzed protein
- keratin
- oat flour
- soy
- collagen
- amino acids
- silk
- wheat protein
Quick tip: anything “hydrolyzed” is a protein
You could also simply use http://www.isitcg.com/ and paste the ingredients list in. It will tell you exactly which ingredients are proteins so you don’t have to figure it out.
You’ll know a product is really a protein treatment if there is at least one protein in the top 5 ingredients.
The best Protein Treatment Products For Curly Hair
If you prefer ready to purchase products then there are a few protein treatments to choose from:
EVOLVh UltraRepair Reconstructing Masque
This is my absolute favorite for my fine hair because it is lighter on the moisture, which is hard to find in protein treatments. Many times they load up on the moisturizing ingredients to combat the extra protein.
Top Pick
EVOLVh UltraRepair Hair Masque
Lightweight moisture with a good amount of protein makes this mask a great pick for finer hair that tends to get weighed down by treatments.
Use code HE15 to save on your first order with EVOLVh.
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Curlsmith Bond Curl Rahab Salve
This is a great pick if you need a bonding treatment as well. This is extremally helpful for color treated and damaged hair.
Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve
If your hair needs a boost of protein without a lot of moisture, this is a great pre shampoo treatment. It’s also a bond building treatment that strengthens and repairs hair form the inside out.
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09/26/2025 06:04 am GMT
Ecoslay Matcha Boost
This is another favorite of mine for the lower moisture content. Just note that this product needs to be refrigerated after opening.
Aminotouch
This is a unique product because it is just pure protein drops that you can add to any other product and apply to your hair. This makes it very customizable and easy to use.
Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Mask
This is a popular intensive hair mask that repairs and conditions.
Shea Moisture
This is one I don’t like to recommend too often because it is very strong and it can be easy to overdo it and damage your hair. So this is for extreme cases. Please be careful!
DIY protein treatments for curly hair
If you’re looking for DIY protein treatments, the only option I know of that actually works is a gelatin treatment. This is not vegan which I know is a concern for some people.
You might find recipes for DIY protein hair masks made with foods like eggs and yogurt but every hair expert I’ve heard speak on this has said that the molecules in these foods are too big to penetrate the hair shaft so these don’t actually work. This is the case for rice water too.
Many people recommend a rice water rinse as a protein treatment. Rice water rinses are amazing and offer similar benefits but it’s not truly a protein treatment. Regardless, it can be used for the same reasons and give you nearly the same results. Check out my rice water rinse routine here.
I have done the gelatin treatment once before and it was actually too much protein for my hair so I prefer to do the rice water rinse. If you want to try out the gelatin, check out this post.
How often should you do a protein treatment?
You have to be careful not to overdo it with protein. Too much protein can cause your hair to become brittle and dry and will cause breakage.
Protein treatments should be done only when your hair needs it and according to the product directions. Some can be used weekly while others are monthly.
Typical recommendations are once every 4-6 weeks for severely damaged hair. Less often for other hair types. Also, products that are more moisturizing and aren’t just straight-up protein can be used more often since they’re not as strong.
For deep conditioners and masks, weekly to monthly is fine. The more damaged your hair is, the more often you’ll need it.
If you’re using something more potent, then I would not do it more than once a month.
Pay close attention to how your hair looks and feels after the treatments to ensure you’re not overdoing it.
And if your hair feels dry and stiff after rinsing out the treatment, use a moisturizing deep conditioner.
Other Protein Products
You could also incorporate protein into your daily routine by using products with some protein in them. Then, you may not need to do protein treatments at all. I actually recommend this.
There is some experimenting with this though. Some hair loves protein in cleansers and conditioners but not in styling products (like mine!), and others prefer the opposite. You’ll have to find out what your hair likes.
So check your current products and see if they have protein. Think about how your hair does when you switch to products with more or less protein in them.
I recommend you keep a record when you’re testing out new products, tweaking your routine, or trying to figure out how certain ingredients affect your hair. This curl tracker is a great, easy way to keep track of this.
Here are some popular curly girl products with protein in them:
Protein Overload
One thing you need to look out for is protein overload. This is the result of not getting enough moisture into your hair and can cause chemical damage to your hair. This is why I don’t recommend straight protein treatments be used regularly.
Signs of protein overload include:
- Hair snaps off when you do the hair strand test
- Unusually dry/lifeless and brittle
- Less natural shine/luster than it used to have
- Heavy shedding and tangles
- Feels very straw like and stiff
If this happens you want to reduce the use of protein in your routine. Remove as much protein as you can and add in lots of moisture.
It can take weeks to overcome this so be diligent and patient.
What about OLAPLEX?
OLAPLEX 3 is a great product for color treated hair but it is not a protein treatment, it is a bond builder. It reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair and it can be used along with protein treatments.
Protein Moisture Balance
Protein moisture balance seems tricky and I see questions every day from others wondering if their hair needs protein or moisture.
Don’t complicate this. Your hair needs both. Just keep a balanced routine and you shouldn’t have to worry about this.
Ensure your line of products is moisturizing and provides some protein, but not too much protein. Check the ingredients on all your products and make sure there is at least one protein in a few of your products.
I usually advise against using straight up protein like the drops or Aphogee because they’re so strong. It’s safer to cut down on moisture and add products with more protein in them if you want more protein.
Likewise, if your hair is in protein overload, cut back on the protein heavy products and add in more moisture.
Maintain a balanced routine and keep track of your treatments to keep the balance. Again, you can use the curl tracker to build and maintain a balanced routine.
The first step anytime you’re not sure what’s going on with your hair and you don’t know what it needs is to clarify.
After clarifying, check the chart above to see if your hair needs more protein or moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of protein treatments for curly hair?
Protein treatments can help strengthen your curls and improve their overall health. These treatments work by filling in gaps in the hair cuticle, which can result from chemical processes, heat damage, or general wear and tear. By repairing these gaps, protein treatments can prevent further damage, reduce breakage, and improve the elasticity and shine of your hair (source).
How often should I apply protein treatments to my curly hair?
The frequency of protein treatments varies depending on your hair type and the product you’re using; however, a general guideline would be once or twice a month. It is essential not to overuse protein treatments, as too much protein can make your hair brittle (source).
Can homemade protein treatments work for high porosity hair?
No, homemade protein treatments are not effective for high porosity hair. This is because food ingredients typically used in DIY recipes contain proteins that are too large to be absorbed by the cuticle (source).
How do I decide between protein and moisture treatments for frizzy curls?
It can be helpful to examine the signs that your hair is exhibiting. If your hair is dry, dull, and frizzy, it may benefit from a moisture treatment. On the other hand, if your hair is weak, breaks easily, or lacks elasticity, it could benefit from a protein treatment. Pay attention to how your hair reacts to the treatments and adjust accordingly.
But also remember that protein helps your hair hold onto moisture, which is why we need both.
What are the signs that my curly hair needs a protein treatment?
Signs that your curly hair may need a protein treatment include breakage, excessive shedding, a lack of elasticity, and a rough texture. If your hair feels weak or limp, it’s possible that a protein treatment could help restore its strength and resilience (source).
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