protein vs keratin treatment

Protein Fillers for Hair: Repairing Damaged Hair with Protein Treatments

Healthy and luscious hair is a dream for many. But sometimes, due to environmental factors, heat styling, chemical treatments, or lack of proper care, our hair becomes dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. In such situations, protein fillers come in handy. They are a type of treatment that can help repair damaged hair by restoring the missing proteins. This article discusses everything about protein fillers for hair, including what they are, how they work, step-by-step guide on how to use them and the best protein fillers available in the market.

What Is a Protein Filler for Hair?

A hair protein filler is a product used to strengthen hair and improve its overall health. It contains hydrolyzed proteins that penetrate the hair shaft and bind with the existing proteins to fortify the hair structure. This results in stronger, more resilient hair that is less prone to breakage.

How Do Protein Fillers Work?

Protein fillers work by repairing the damaged parts of the hair shaft. The hydrolyzed proteins present in the filler interact with the natural proteins in the hair and bind together to create a protective layer around each strand. This layer helps to rebuild damaged areas of the hair shaft which strengthens it from the inside out.

You should consider using a protein filler for your hair when it feels weak, brittle, or damaged. Signs of damaged hair include split ends, breakage, color fading, frizziness, and dryness. If you have chemically treated your hair or use heat styling tools frequently, then it is likely that your hair has lost some of its natural proteins. A protein filler can help repair the damage and restore the missing proteins.

Types of Protein Fillers

Animal-based protein fillers

Animal-based protein fillers are made from animal sources like keratin, collagen, and silk. These proteins are known to closely match human hair proteins and hence bond well with the hair. Animal-based protein fillers are great for people with chemically treated hair or those who frequently use heat styling tools.

Plant-based protein fillers

Plant-based protein fillers are made from plant sources like soy, wheat, and quinoa. These proteins are lighter than animal-based proteins and hence are suitable for people with finer hair. Plant-based protein fillers work well for people who want to strengthen their hair without adding excess weight.

Pros and Cons of Protein Fillers

Pros

  • Strengthens hair: Protein fillers can help rebuild damaged areas of the hair shaft and strengthen it from within.
  • Improves hair texture: Hair tends to feel smoother and softer after using a protein filler.
  • Reduces breakage: By strengthening the hair, protein fillers can reduce hair breakage and split ends.
  • Repairs chemical damage: People who frequently color their hair or undergo chemical treatments can benefit from protein fillers as they help repair the damage caused by these processes.

Cons

  • Overuse can cause brittleness: Excessive use of protein fillers can cause the hair to become too hard and brittle, leading to breakage.
  • Unsuitable for certain hair types: People with naturally coarse hair may find that protein fillers make their hair feel too stiff.
  • Can lead to product buildup: Over time, protein fillers can build up on the hair, leading to dullness and lack of volume.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use a Protein Filler

If you’ve decided to give a protein filler a try, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

  • Shampoo your hair and rinse it thoroughly.
  • Towel-dry your hair so that itis damp but not dripping wet.
  • Apply the protein filler to your hair, focusing on the damaged areas.
  • Leave the filler on for the recommended amount of time (usually 5-10 minutes).
  • Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
  • Condition your hair as usual.

Comparison with Other Hair Treatments

Protein fillers are just one type of treatment that you can use to strengthen and repair your hair. Here’s a comparison with some other popular hair treatments:

Protein fillers vs. Keratin treatments

Keratin treatments involve using a formaldehyde-based solution that is applied to the hair and then sealed in with heat. They help to smooth out frizz and make the hair more manageable. However, keratin treatments can be expensive and contain harsh chemicals that can damage the hair if overused. Protein fillers are a more natural and less expensive alternative that can help repair damaged hair without any harsh chemicals.

Protein fillers vs. Olaplex treatments

Olaplex treatments are designed to repair and protect the hair from chemical damage. They work by reconnecting broken bonds in the hair shaft to create a stronger, healthier structure. While Olaplex treatments are effective, they can be quite pricey and may not be suitable for all hair types. Protein fillers are a more affordable and versatile option that can benefit anyone with damaged hair.

Protein fillers vs. Hair masks

Hair masks are a great way to add moisture and nourishment to the hair. They come in a wide variety of formulations and can target specific hair concerns like dryness or breakage. While hair masks can help improve the overall health of the hair, they may not be as effective at repairing damage as protein fillers.

Tips for Using Protein Fillers

To get the most out of your protein filler treatment, here are some tips that you should keep in mind:

  • Don’t overuse protein fillers: Using a protein filler too frequently can cause the hair to become stiff and brittle. Limit use to once every two weeks.
  • Use the right amount: Too much protein filler can cause buildup on the hair, while too little won’t have any effect. Follow the instructions carefully and use the recommended amount.
  • Follow up with conditioner: After using a protein filler, make sure to condition your hair as usual to keep it soft and manageable.
  • Be patient: Protein fillers take time to work, so don’t expect immediate results. It may take several treatments before you start to see improvements in your hair’s health.

The Best Protein Fillers for Hair

Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment

The Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment is a popular choice for people with severely damaged hair. It contains hydrolyzed proteins that penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen and repair it from within. This treatment comes in a two-part system that includes a balancing moisturizer to restore the hair’s natural moisture balance.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

While technically not a protein filler, the Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is a great option for people looking to repair damaged hair. It works by reconnecting broken bonds in the hair shaft to create a stronger, healthier structure. This treatment is suitable for all hair types and can be used weekly for maximum benefits.

ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

The ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor is a quick and easy way to add strength and moisture to the hair. It contains hydrolyzed keratin and amino acids that penetrate the hair shaft to repair damage and improve texture. This treatment is suitable for all hair types and can be used once a week for best results.

Conclusion

Protein fillers are an effective way to repair damaged hair and restore its natural strength and resilience. They work by penetrating the hair shaft and binding with the existing proteins to create a protective layer that strengthens the hair from within. While protein fillers have their pros and cons, they are generally a safe and affordable option for anyone looking to improve their hair’s health. By following the steps and tips outlined in this article, you can use protein fillers to achieve healthier, more beautiful hair.

FAQs

1. Can protein fillers make my hair too stiff? Yes, overusing protein fillers can cause the hair to become stiff and brittle. It’s important to use them in moderation and follow the instructions carefully.

2. How often should I use a protein filler? It’s recommended to use a protein filler once every two weeks. Using it too frequently can cause buildup on the hair.

3. Can protein fillers be used on colored hair? Yes, protein fillers are safe to use on colored hair. In fact, they can be particularly beneficial for colored hair, which can become damaged from the coloring process.

4. Are protein fillers suitable for all hair types? Yes, protein fillers are suitable for all hair types, including curly, straight, thick, and fine hair. However, it’s important to choose a protein filler that is appropriate for your specific hair type and concerns.

5. Can I leave a protein filler on my hair for longer than the recommended time? No, it’s not recommended to leave a protein filler on your hair for longer than the recommended time. Doing so can cause the hair to become stiff and brittle. Follow the instructions carefully and rinse the filler off after the recommended amount of time has passed.

20 BEST SHAMPOOS FOR AGING HAIR

Do you secretly have a longing for high-quality hair care procedures that don’t break the bank? If so, you ought to choose one of the greatest shampoos for aging hair to assist you bring back the shine in your hair. The finest shampoos for older, fine hair are like magic elixirs that preserve the natural texture, volume, and quality of your hair while smoothing, nourishing, and enhancing its quality. These are also the finest shampoos for aging hair since they include strong active ingredients that help to nourish and gently wash the scalp. Thus, say goodbye to hair loss, thinning, stripping, and other issues associated with hair, since these 20 best shampoos for aging hair are unquestionably worth the money spent.

BIOLAGE PROFESSIONAL COLOR LAST SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

For ladies with color-treated hair, this BIOLAGE PROFESSIONAL Color Last Shampoo and Conditioner set is specially designed. This shampoo’s color-protecting formula hydrates, smoothes, and nourishes your hair from root to tip. It keeps color from fading and helps to increase brightness. What merits notice? Regardless of your age, this shampoo and conditioner will help you preserve the color of your hair while also improving its tone, depth, volume, and shine.

L’OREAL PARIS EVER PURE- SULFATE-FREE COLOR CARE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

Your hair tends to lose its natural shine as you get older. It changes hue and gets thinner and finer. You may, however, provide your hair more protection and somewhat halt this aging process. Take advantage of L’Oreal Paris’s brass-toned Ever Pure Sulfate-free Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner to show off the hair of your desires at any age. This combination of shampoo and conditioner is great for balancing out brassy, yellow, and orange tones in aging hair. This pair is certain to preserve the brightness of color in your bleached, blonde, highlighted brunette, and silver hair, as well as to keep it hydrated, moisturized and free of buildup. This is without a doubt the best sulfate-free shampoo for hair that is aging.

PUREOLOGY PROFESSIONAL COLOR CARE HYDRATE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

For people with regular to thick dry hair, Pureology Professional Color Care has created a shampoo and conditioner just for them. We’re happy to inform you that your quest for a decent shampoo for aging hair that can also bring back the luster of your hair color has ended because of these two products. Your hair will remain nourished and retain its color for a longer amount of time after using the luxurious shampoo. This aging hair shampoo and conditioner, made with rich proteins, green tea, and rose extracts, will make it simple for you to keep your hair silky and smooth. In contrast, the hydrating conditioner promotes the health of your scalp, leaving your hair manageable and shiny. It may be a little bit pricey, though.

REDKEN 5TH AVENUE NYC ALL SOFT SHAMPOO

Revive lifeless hair with this amazing REDKEN shampoo. Rich in arginine, soy protein, and argan oil, it gently cleanses the scalp, gets rid of buildup, and nourishes the hair from the inside out. The shampoo’s nourishing composition gives hair more body and tames frizz while also adding softness to the locks. You can easily create stylish hairstyles with a bouncy, shining, and healthy mane by using this shampoo on a daily basis. Show off your locks wherever you go!

PAUL MITCHELL SHAMPOO ONE

Make your hair stronger and more resilient with Paul Mitchell Shampoo One. It is among the greatest shampoos for all hair types and ages. Your hair and scalp are cleaned by the shampoo’s soft and opulent foam, which also aids in maintaining a healthy moisture barrier. This shampoo will help you relax during shower time and has a lovely tropical aroma. Why do you wait? You may have hair that looks healthy in just one more step. It’s still worthwhile to test this product even with the mediocre package.

BONDI BOOST HG SHAMPOO FOR THINNING HAIR

If you are looking for the best shampoo for hair loss, this is the one. This incredible product by Bondi Boost is one of the best shampoos for aging hair and a top pick among senior women due to its wonderful hair-strengthening and scalp health-enhancing features. It is quite potent since it contains natural components like aloe vera, which relieves dryness, redness, and irritation. What’s more? Because it provides an improved nutrient supply to the hair roots, creates a barrier against bacterial invasion, and promotes hair follicle elongation, it is excellent for color-treated and thinning hair. Moreover, it strengthens hair follicles, moisturizes dry areas, enhances luster, and revives thinning hair without changing the protein composition of hair follicles. 

ROSSANO FERRETTI PARMA VITA REJUVENATING ANTI-AGING SHAMPOO

With the Rosanna Feretti shampoo, say welcome to long, bouncy cascading curls. With consistent usage, the product helps to eliminate flaky residue and shrink the size of scalp zits, enhancing the health of the hair and scalp as a whole. Still not sure whether to buy it? It is an excellent solution for brittle and weak hair since it promotes improved nutrient absorption at the hair root level and quickly gives the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. Furthermore, it is free of skin allergies, making it a carefully chosen product suitable for sensitive scalps. Even if the texture is a little bit thick, this shampoo is still fantastic.

LOVE BEAUTY AND PLANET VOLUME AND BOUNTY SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO

Similar to a hair thickener, this volumizing shampoo for fine and aged hair will nourish your hair all throughout. Love Beauty And Planet’s Volume and Bounty Shampoo gives your hair the volume and power you want, adding to its rich moisture content. It’s a mild shampoo that works well even on fine hair with color treatment.

BINGO HAIR CARE ARGAN OIL SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER SET

The benefits of Moroccan oil are included in this Bingo Hair Care Sulfate-Free Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Set to help you achieve luscious, abundant hair strands. This shampoo and conditioner combo is the greatest way to tame dry, frizzy, curly, and damaged hair. What else is noteworthy? Also appropriate for color-treated and keratin-treated hair is this set. Additionally, these two improve the flexibility of your hair by providing it with important fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants that come from pure, genuine Moroccan argan oil. Given how strongly scented it is, some people may find the fragrance overwhelming.

BELLISIO BIOTIN SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER SET

Belliso’s Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner Set strongly encourages hair growth and stops hair loss. This combination gives your aging hair the much-needed volume and density while also improving the suppleness of your hair with nutrient-rich botanicals and key vitamins. By just sitting at home, this kit will provide you with one of the greatest remedies for hair loss. Let us add that regular use of this shampoo and conditioner combo actively creates healthier, fuller, and thicker hair. Its dispenser is of rather poor quality, though.

NEW YORK BIOLOGY BIOTIN SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER SET

This pair of New York Biology’s Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner is a great way to eliminate your constant hair problems. The natural components in the shampoo and conditioner eliminate excess sebum, grime, and environmental residues while promoting hair development and preventing hair loss. With the use of shampoos and conditioners that thicken hair, you may now appear younger and have healthier-looking hair well into your 50s.

KERANIQUE CLEAN & CONDITION SET

Are you sick of looking at your thin, damaged hair? Don’t worry about it now. Protect the natural keratin in your hair by bringing Keranique Clean & Condition Set home. With its gentle cleansing action and stimulating properties, this finest shampoo and conditioner for aging hair is designed specifically for persons with aging hair. The shampoo and conditioner combination also protects your hair from outside harm. It also revitalizes hair follicles, provides volume, and enhances manageability thanks to keratin and amino complexes.

ANDALOU NATURALS ARGAN STEM CELL AGE DEFYING SHAMPOO

One of the richest shampoos for thinning hair is this one. The cleverly designed Argan Stem Cell Age-Defying Shampoo by Andalou Naturals is ideal for those with weak, thin, or lifeless hair. This amazing shampoo treatment smoothes your hair from root to tip by enlisting the aid of argan stem cells. It strengthens vigor for thicker hair strands and aggressively unclogs hair follicles. The argan oil in the shampoo makes it easier to maintain and removes build-up, pollutants, and excess sebum, making it the best shampoo for oily scalp. Finally, it gives your hair more body, gloss, volume, and fullness even in your fifth decade of life.

MAJESTIC BUILD PURE COSMECEUTICALS BIOTIN SHAMPOO W/ DHT 3 BLOCKER COMPLEX

Loaded with hydrating and moisturizing elements that are both delicate and very efficient, this shampoo for aged hair strengthens and volumizes hair. Additionally, an anti-residue shampoo that encourages healthier and smoother hair is MAJESTIC PURE COSMECEUTICALS Biotin Shampoo w/ DHT 3 Blocker Complex. It’s one of the greatest shampoos for elderly ladies since it contains castor oil and rosemary. We can attest to this shampoo’s excellent performance, which will wow you. 

PURA D’OR PROFESSIONAL GRADE SHAMPOO

This Pura D’or Professional Grade Shampoo is loaded with pumpkin seeds, black cumin seed oil, and biotin to straighten hair. It helps older ladies show off bigger, more voluminous hair by slowing down the thinning of their hair. This shampoo nourishes hair and scalp health while preventing breakage thanks to its unique herbs and ingredients. Include this shampoo in your hair care routine as soon as possible if your hair is dry, treated, or damaged.

BETTER NOT YOUNGER SILVER LINING PURPLE BRIGHTENING SHAMPOO

This shampoo gives your thinning hair strength and volume. When it comes to flat, dry, coarse, and lifeless hair, this volumizing shampoo is a wonder. Many people find that this shampoo works best for managing silver or gray hair. The violet pigments do a fantastic job of counteracting the brassy yellow tones that aging hair can often acquire. A potent combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, derived from a special blend of natural components including burdock roots, sage, bamboo, and hops, fortifies and brightens graying locks. This vegan shampoo helps you restore the brilliance of your hair color by eliminating brassy tones from your hair, even if your hair has had chemical or keratin treatments. 

KLORANE ANTI-YELLOWING SHAMPOO WITH CENTAURY

Use the Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo to provide silver highlights to your white or gray hair. Utilizing colors from the centaury plant, it balances yellow tones and lessens brassiness to bring out the natural shine of the hair. This shampoo, rich in plant pigments and devoid of sulfates, is a great substitute for chemical pigments that leave stains. This all-natural shampoo, which has been dermatologist-tested, also leaves your hair feeling smooth and supple and efficiently moisturizes it. Another reason to give this fantastic shampoo a try is that it has a pleasant aroma!

NEXXUS YOUTH RENEWAL SHAMPOO

For aging hair that needs revitalization, the Nexxus Youth Renewal Shampoo is perfect. Liquid pearl extracts, conditioning polymers, and concentrated elastin protein are all present in the silicone-free shampoo. This shampoo from a salon gets rid of fine hair and gives it a fresh new look. Nutrient-rich components including wheat protein, keratin, and vitamin E are included in the mixture to help balance the hair by repairing damaged connections and supplying new nutrients. 

PANTENE EXPERT PRO-V AGE DEFY SHAMPOO

Expert Pro-V Age Defy Shampoo from Pantene has been enhanced with a triple mix complex that was created specially after consulting Olay specialists. The seven indicators of aging hair are combated by the age-defying shampoo. It strengthens the structure of the hair, prevents breakage, fixes split ends, and gives thinning hair more volume. It also keeps the hair moisturized. This daily-use, damage-repairing shampoo leaves menopausal hair looking lustrous and healthy.

MACVOIL ANTI-AGING SHAMPOO

Nutritious peptides and antioxidants, as well as oils from avocado, macadamia, avocado, and cypress, are added to the Macvoil Anti-Aging Shampoo. In order to support healthier hair, the recipe also includes amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and extracts of lavender and rosemary. This phthalate-free shampoo deeply hydrates the scalp while mending damage from chemicals, heat styling, environmental aggressors, and color treatments.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Similar to how aging treatments lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, these shampoos combat the indications of aging hair. That means an end to hair loss, dullness, and thinning. So, why do you hesitate? Check these products out and get ready to give your hair the bounce, volume, and shine you’ve always desired.