Hydrolyzed Proteins
The protein in your hair can be depleted due to harsh cleansers, frequent chemical treatments, and heat styling. The result is that your hair becomes dull and brittle and loses its elasticity. Or worse, you can end up experiencing excessive hair loss.
So is it possible to restore this lost protein? Actually, yes. But it's not as easy as applying protein directly to your hair. Protein molecules are simply too big to penetrate the hair shaft and support the integrity of the hair if they were to be applied directly to it. However, there is a neat little way around this. Protein can be applied on the hair effectively once it undergoes a process called hydrolysis.
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction that breaks protein molecules down into extremely tiny fragments with lower molecular weights that can be absorbed by the hair. These smaller protein pieces can effectively penetrate the hair shaft and replace the lost protein while strengthening your hair from the inside.
Hydrolyzed proteins greatly improve moisture retention and elasticity while giving hair softness, shine, and bounce. Hydrolysis also makes protein water-soluble, and suitable for use in many kinds of personal care formulations. But most importantly, hydrolyzed proteins are perfectly safe, natural compounds that are eco-certified for all-natural and organic applications.
So what are the most common types of hydrolyzed proteins and what are they good for?
There are three types of hydrolyzed proteins most often used in making hair and body care products. These are hydrolyzed wheat, hydrolyzed silk, and hydrolyzed keratin protein.
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
This protein's low molecular weight means that it can easily penetrate damaged cuticle layers and strengthen your hair from the inside. If your hair is fine, porous, damaged, or chemically treated, it will get the most out of this protein. And if your hair lacks protein, it will revitalize both its appearance and feel. In this condition, hair is much easier to style and work with. Hydrolyzed protein is also great for the following:
- moisture retention
- reducing breakage
- eliminating frizz and tangles
- and giving hair a fuller appearance
Hydrolyzed Silk Protein
Hydrolyzed silk protein helps improve the elasticity of hair strands and adds luster and manageability to your hair. It also fills in the gaps in the hair cuticle, leaving it silky smooth and shiny. Of all the proteins, this is the one that will give your hair the most luster.
Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein
Hydrolyzed keratin protein is usually derived from sheep's wool. It has the ability to coat and penetrate the hair shaft in order to replace missing keratin in microscopic gaps along the hair shaft. In addition to this, it helps rebuild the hair's natural protective layer, making it stronger and more elastic while reducing hair breakage and splitting. Hydrolyzed keratin will increase the diameter of your hair strands, giving fine and thin hair a fuller appearance. And just as with the other proteins, it will also increase the hair's ability to retain moisture, thereby reducing frizz and flyaways caused by dryness.
Conclusion
Bottom line. All quality hair products should contain appropriate levels of hydrolyzed proteins in order to assist in restoring protein depleted hair back to its healthy condition. Cheap hair products will normally contain superficial levels of these proteins in their ingredient list. So be sure you know what you're getting the next time you select the right products for your hair care regimen.
You can easily find all three of these proteins listed in the ingredient list of all of our hair care products. But feel free to contact us if you have any questions concerning the use or application of our products. We are always happy to assist in any way possible.