Why can protein be good and bad for hair?

I know many people have enjoyed me covering various hair topics. My goal when explaining different hair products or topics is not to give you a bunch of hard facts, but just explain the knowledge I have in a simple way for you. I am sure if you have had a color done in a salon before then you have have heard about protein for the hair. Usually what gets confusing is you are told to add some protein but make sure it isn't too much. Why is this?

Keratin is a common hair protein. It can help repair the hair and help it to feel an appear softer. However, you can over load your hair with keratin. Just like how some vitamins in our body can become too low but also too high, protein is the same for hair. Keratin or protein treatments in small amounts can be very beneficial to hair, especially if the hair is damaged and brittle. If you over use the protein though then the hair can become weighed down and overloaded and then your hair will become more damaged and brittle. This is why many reconditioning treatments and bond builders have started to market both protein and non protein treatments. Sometimes you may need the protein/keratin boost for you hair but sometimes your hair may not need the protein. It may just need the bond strengthening or hydration. I personally have learned my hair doesn't like too much protein so I usually use the reconditioning or bond building treatments for my own hair along with just an occasional treatment.

Keratin or protein shampoo's also shouldn't always be used for every wash. While some people may feel their hair does better with it, I always recommend alternating with a non protein shampoo to ensure you are not using too much on your hair. There is not set exact dosage for how much protein to use on your hair. Some people also like it more than others just like other hair treatments and products. I just always like to try to break things down in a simple way so clients can also understand how our hair works and why I may recommend different products for different occasions.