Here’s a question for all my fine-, dry-, and frizzy-haired ladies: Is there anything more important than a hard-working hair mask? Chock full of proteins like keratin and collagen, this homemade hair protein treatment helps fill in the gaps in your broken hair strands, leaving you with stronger, glossier, and more radiant hair.
Whether you’re dealing with dry, damaged strands or simply looking to boost your hair’s overall health, leveling up your haircare routine is a no-brainer. But it’s not just about replenishing moisture (although that’s super important); you need to repair the hair’s structure, too.That’s where this natural hair protein mask comes in. It’s so good at boosting moisture and sealing strands that it may just become your new go-to treatment.
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Benefits of Protein Hair Masks
Hair is mostly made up of a protein called keratin, plus a whole bunch of water, lipids, pigments, and trace minerals. Thanks to daily exposure to environmental factors, heat styling, chemical treatments, and other stressors, that protein can break down over time.
And that’ll leave you with weakened hair, split ends, breakage, and overall dullness. Protein masks help to replenish and strengthen the protein structure of the hair, providing benefits like:
Improved Elasticity
Protein contributes to the elasticity of the hair, allowing some stretchiness. This is essential for maintaining flexibility and preventing breakage during everyday activities like brushing and styling.
Resistance to Damage
Protein acts as a protective barrier around the hair cuticle, shielding it from damage caused by environmental factors, heat, and styling. This barrier helps prevent moisture loss and minimizes the impact of external stressors on the structure of the hair.
Repair and Growth
Protein is involved in the cellular repair and regeneration of the hair follicles. Adequate protein supports healthy hair growth and the replacement of damaged or lost strands.
Added Shine
Best Hair Types for Natural Hair Protein Treatments
Split ends are a common issue associated with hair breakage. Keratin helps seal the hair cuticle, reducing the likelihood of split ends, promoting overall hair health, and boosting shine.
Yes, protein is essential for healthy hair, but you have to strike a balance. When used too often, protein treatments can lead to stiffness and breakage—exactly what you don’t want!
If your hair is already in good condition and doesn’t show signs of protein deficiency or damage, using protein treatments excessively may be unnecessary and could potentially make it brittle. So go easy on the protein masks if your hair is already in good shape.
So who does need a protein treatment? Well, you may want to use a protein treatment if you have any of these issues:
- Dry, damaged hair: If your hair is damaged and prone to breakage, it usually lacks elasticity. This is when protein treatments can help restore and strengthen your hair. Incorporating regular monthly maintenance with protein-rich products into your haircare plan will contribute to the overall health and resilience of your locks.
- Fine or thin hair: Finer hair is generally more prone to breakage, so it needs a little extra TLC. Protein treatments can fortify the hair, providing additional strength and elasticity and reducing the risk of breakage.
- Highly porous hair: Porous hair loses moisture quickly, making the strands more likely to split. Protein hair masks can help fill gaps in the hair cuticle, improving its ability to retain moisture and preventing excessive dryness.
- Curly hair: Protein treatments can be beneficial for curly hair types because they enhance elasticity and make curls look more defined. Curly hair may also be more susceptible to breakage, and protein treatments contribute to overall strength.
Protein Mask Ingredients
Adjusting the ingredients based on your hair type and specific needs can further personalize the effectiveness of the mask.
Keratin: Keratin is a protein that helps strengthen and repair damaged hair, smoothing the cuticle and reducing frizz. It also provides structural support to the hair shaft, promoting elasticity and overall hair health.
Collagen: Collagen is known for its ability to provide structure and strength to tissues. When used for hair care, collagen contributes to the structural integrity of the hair shaft, helping to strengthen it and reduce breakage.
Argan Oil: Argan oil is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It moisturizes and nourishes the hair, adds shine, and helps repair split ends.
Glycerin: As a natural humectant, glycerin contributes to the moisturizing properties of the hair mask, preventing dryness and adding softness.
Emulsifying Wax: Emulsifying wax ensures that the oil and water components of the hair mask are well-incorporated, resulting in a smooth and easy-to-apply texture.
Essential Oils: Peppermint EO has a cooling effect that may stimulate the scalp and promote hair growth. Rosemary has antioxidant properties and is believed to stimulate blood circulation, which can benefit hair growth. Known for its balancing properties, clary sage may help regulate oil production from the scalp.
See the recipe box below for the exact amounts.
How To Make a Keratin Hair Mask
Step 1 | Weigh Ingredients
Weigh your distilled water, glycerin, and keratin protein and place them in a small saucepan or double boiler. Then, weigh the argan oil and emulsifying wax and place them in a second saucepan or double boiler.
While some people may prefer to measure ingredients instead of weighing them, I find that going by weight is more accurate.
Step 2 | Warm Ingredients on the Stove
Place both saucepans on the stove and set the heat to medium-low. Using a kitchen thermometer, check the temperature regularly, and once the heat reaches 158°F, reduce the heat to low.
With the heat as low as possible, continue heating the ingredients for 15 more minutes. Do your best to keep the temperature at a steady 158°F.
Step 3 | Add More Water
Turn off the heat and add an extra 1 ounce of distilled water to the water saucepan. This helps compensate for the water lost to evaporation.
Step 4 | Combine the Water and Oil Mixtures
Pour the oil mixture into the water mixture. Using an electric mixer, mix for approximately 5 minutes.
Step 5 | Let Cool + Add EO and Collagen
Allow the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes. Add the essential oils, collagen, and preservative and mix again.
Step 6 | Pour Into Bottles
Pour the mask mixture into a bottle and allow it to cool completely. Shake before each use.
Easy Homemade Protein Mask Recipes
Keratin isn’t the only protein you can use in homemade hair masks. Here are a few easy protein hair masks to make at home:
1. Egg and Yogurt Mask
Egg hair masks are rich in protein, which helps strengthen hair follicles, while yogurt adds protein as well as moisture, balancing the protein with hydration to prevent brittleness.
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon Greek yogurt
Beat the egg and mix it with the yogurt until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, leave it on for 20–30 minutes, and then wash off with mild shampoo.
Why it works: This mask repairs and nourishes hair by replenishing protein and moisture levels simultaneously.
2. Gelatin Hair Mask
Gelatin contains collagen protein, which temporarily fills in gaps in the hair cuticles, strengthening and smoothing the strands.
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin powder
- 1 cup warm water
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
Dissolve the gelatin in warm water until there are no lumps, then add the essential oil drops if using, and apply to hair. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes, then rinse the hair with warm water.
Why it works: This mask adds a protective layer over the hair strands, increasing shine and strength with its protein-rich content.
3. Mayonnaise and Egg Mask
Mayonnaise is made of eggs and oils, so a mayo hair mask provides a double dose of proteins and fats to deeply condition and moisturize the hair.
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 egg
Mix the mayonnaise and egg until well combined. Apply the mask to your hair, leave it on for 20–30 minutes, and then rinse the hair thoroughly.
Why it works: This mask imparts strength and elasticity, revitalizing the hair by reducing frizz and enhancing shine.
4. Rice Water Rinse
Rice water is rich in amino acids, the building blocks of protein that strengthen the hair roots and increase volume. Using it as a rinse after shampooing provides nutrients directly to the follicles, which improves hair texture, adds shine, and promotes a healthy scalp.
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
To make rice water, soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, strain it, and use the rice water as a final rinse after your regular shampoo routine.
Why it works: Rice water is rich in protein and can help strengthen your hair.
How to Use a Hair Protein Mask
Step 1: Dampen and Section Your Hair
Before applying the mask, dampen your hair with water to make the mask easier to apply and allow for better absorption.
Then, divide your hair into sections using clips or hair ties. This allows for a more even application, ensuring that all strands receive the treatment.
Step 2: Apply the Mask
Using your fingers, apply the protein hair mask to each section of your hair, starting from the roots and working your way down to the tips. Make sure to cover the entire length of your hair.
Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the mask through your hair and coat the strands evenly.
Step 3: Massage the Scalp
To stimulate blood circulation and promote the absorption of nutrients, gently massage your scalp using circular motions.
Step 4: Cover Your Hair
Once the mask is applied, gather your hair and secure it with a shower cap or a towel. This creates a warm environment, allowing the ingredients to penetrate the hair shaft more effectively.
Step 5: Let it Sit
Typically, protein hair masks are left on for 15–30 minutes. Avoid leaving the mask on for too long, as overexposure to proteins may lead to stiffness or breakage.
Step 6: Wash Thoroughly
Rinse the mask out thoroughly with lukewarm water. Then, wash with a mild shampoo to ensure that no residue is left on your hair.
Step 7: Condition (Optional)
Depending on your hair’s needs, you may choose to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. This helps maintain a balance between the protein and moisture in your hair.
FAQ
If your hair is damaged, prone to breakage, lacks elasticity, or feels weak, it may benefit from a protein hair mask. Overly processed or chemically treated hair often requires extra protein to restore its health.
The frequency depends on your hair’s condition. For damaged or processed hair, using a protein mask once every 1 to 2 weeks is generally sufficient, as overuse can make hair stiff and brittle.
It is generally not recommended to leave a protein hair mask on overnight, as this may lead to protein overload and damage the hair.
Yes, protein hair masks are generally safe for color-treated hair. In fact, they can help maintain the health and vibrancy of color-treated strands. But make sure to consult your hairdresser before using a homemade protein mask on freshly color-treated hair to avoid damaging the hair or affecting the color.
Collagen + Keratin Protein Hair Mask Recipe
Equipment
- 2 saucepans
- Electric mixer
Materials
- 3 ounces Argan Oil
- 1.5 ounces Emulsifying Wax
- 23 ounces Distilled Water
- 1 ounce Vegetable Glycerin
- 1 ounce Hydrolized Keratin
- 2 Biotin Capsules
- 0.16 ounce Leucidal Liquid Preservative
- 0.1 ounce Rosemary Essential Oil
- 0.05 ounce Clary Sage Essential Oil
- 0.05 ounce Peppermint Essential Oil
Instructions
- Start by weighing your Ingredients. Place oil and emulsifying wax in one saucepan. Then place water, glycerin and keratin in a second saucepan. (To make it easy, I place a saucepan on the scale and zero out the reading. Then measure the ingredients, zero-ing out the reading between each.)
- Heat on stove until both containers come to 158°F. Turn the heat to the lowest setting and continue to heat for an additional 15 minutes. Make sure the ingredients remain around 158°F.
- Turn off the heat. Then add approximately 1 ounce of water to the water/glycerin mixture to replace the water lost through evaporation.
- Combine the two mixtures and mix with an electric mixer for about 5 minutes.
- Let the mixture continue to cool for 15 minutes or it's cool enough to touch (but still warm). Add essential oils, collagen and preservative. Mix well.
- Divide among several small bottles or one larger bottle. Allow to cool overnight.
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