Even with all of the hair commercials and products that we are inundated with daily, if there’s one thing we’ve got to make sure we have in our hair care arsenal, it’s protein. Why? Because our hair is made up of keratin, which, as I’m sure you well know, is protein. The challenge is trying to find ways to get our locs the protein they need without overdoing it.
If that’s the hair dilemma you’ve been personally experiencing for about as long as you can remember, here are some cool and relatively easy ways to give each strand of your glorious hair the right amount of protein it needs and deserves.
1. Eat some meat
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No matter how popular Impossible Whoppers may be right now, there’s no way around the fact that meat is packed with protein. Also, meat is iron-rich and full of zinc, and it is a great way to build muscle while keeping your bones healthy and strong. The key is to eat meat that is low in fat, not overdo it when it comes to red meat consumption, and healthily prepare your meat. Meats that are high in protein include red meat, poultry, and seafood. Some non-meat alternatives include eggs and yogurt.
2. Or, eat some plant-based protein
If you happen to be a vegetarian, vegan, or simply want to monitor your meat intake, another way to get some protein into your system is to eat plant-based protein. And just what would some of those foods be? Some that top the list include nuts, lentils, quinoa, hemp seeds, potatoes, kale, broccoli, green peas, teff, and whole grains.
3. DIY a protein treatment
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Since your hair is made up of the protein keratin, it needs protein on the inside and the outside. A lot of us experience breakage because we’re not intentional about giving our hair a protein treatment no less than every six weeks. There are popular protein treatment brands that you can find at your local beauty supply store.
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But I’m also a fan of making some of my own. A really great recipe is to mix an egg, half an avocado, a tablespoon of Greek yogurt, and a tablespoon of honey. Apply it to freshly washed hair, let it sit for 30 minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Protein treatments are beneficial because they strengthen hair strands, add volume and thickness, and make hair feel soft and manageable.
4. Give yourself a protein scalp massage
Something that a lot of us don’t do enough of is give ourselves scalp massages. We need to because not only are they super-soothing, they are able to bring much-needed nutrients to our scalp by increasing blood circulation to our hair follicles. You can give your follicles a lil’ boost of protein by massaging your scalp with a mixture of sweet almond oil (that’s where the protein comes in) and chamomile essential oil (it adds shine while soothing your scalp). Warming the oils up a bit before applying is the perfect treatment for your hair before turning it in at night.
5. Try an almond milk hair rinse
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Remember how I said that nuts have protein in them? Almonds are no exception. So, a great way to pamper your hair and scalp with a dose of protein while moisturizing it in the process is to rinse your hair with some almond milk every other wash day. The protein in the milk will reduce breakage, the iron will prevent hair loss, the fatty acids will soften your tresses, the potassium and magnesium will strengthen your hair and the Vitamin E will condition it.
All you need to do is mix a half-cup of almond milk with two tablespoons of sweet almond oil, a teaspoon of lavender oil, and one tablespoon of castor oil. Put everything in a microwaveable bowl, zap it on high for 30 seconds, and pour over clean hair. Put on a plastic hair bag, it sit for an hour, and then rinse thoroughly with warm and cool water. Your hair will wonder when the last time that it felt so good was.
6. Apply “contaminated” oils.
If you’ve read somewhere that coconut oil is a good source of protein, including when it comes to your hair, there is some truth to that and all essential oils. The key is to use the kind of contaminated coconut oil, which is another way of saying the oil that isn’t distilled (purified). If you decide to apply it, just remember that a little bit goes a long way—when it comes to coconut oil and protein in general.
Enjoy, and share your tips for getting protein with us in the comments!
