Is There Such Thing As Too Much Keratin for the Hair?

As the old saying goes, the dose makes the poison. Beauty experts always rave about the importance of adding keratin to your hair care routine. However, many individuals ask the same question: is there such a thing astoo much keratin? In short, yes. 

What is keratin?

Keratin is a protein that is naturally made by the body. It is found within our hair, skin, and nails. Keratin is even found internally as a protective protein within our bodies. If you’ve ever wondered how our organs can withstand trauma, keratin is a key factor in these outcomes. 

Signs you’ve gone overboard with keratin products:

If you use too many topical hair products with keratin or get professional treatments too frequently, your hair willdefinitely let you know! Telltale signs that your hair contains too much protein include the following:

• Hair feels brittle
• The strands are prone to breakage
• Excessive frizz 

Fortunately, hair that is exposed to an excessive amount of keratin won’t remain this way forever! In fact, it’s pretty common to use too much, and it can be just as simple to backtrack to luscious hair!

So how do I combat excessive protein?

If you begin experiencing the hair troubles listed above, you’ll want to focus on adding moisture to your hair. However, make sure that you’re checking all of your product’s ingredient lists, as keratin and hydrolyzed keratin are very common in topical products. Conditioners and leave-ins rich in butters and oils will fight against the dryness while providing a beautiful appearance until your hair’s protein levels balance out. 

The Goldilocks of keratin - when the amount you use isjust right:

If you’ve been using the proper amount of keratin products and you’re unsure as to whether or not they’re working, keep an eye out for two things:

1. Has the strength and appearance of your hair improved since you began incorporating keratin into your routine?
2. Do you find that when you use keratin products or receive professional treatments, your hair barely reacts?

If you experience either of these scenarios, it may signify that your hair contains just enough protein to maintain its health. For instance, you might be blown away at the difference in your hair’s texture and shine when you first get a keratin smoothing treatment at the salon, but by the time your third or fourth session takes place, you may notice little to no difference. If so, it’s likely because your hair doesn’t even need it!Pro Tip: If you want to extend the time in between keratin treatments, don’t color your hair, use sulfate-free products, and avoid using hot tools!

Can anything rebuild keratin?

Yes! Biotin has been shown to accelerate keratin production in the hair, which can be achieved by taking a daily supplement designed for hair, skin, and nails. Achieve all the benefits of natural beauty with Hair Hair, our vegan, sugar-free gummy! And as always, you can save when you subscribe!