If you’re dealing with desperately dry, damaged hair, don’t fret: This expert-backed guide will help your tresses spring right back to life. “Topical protein treatments such as keratin or bond-strengthening shampoos revitalize hair and promote stronger hair strands,” adds hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of hair care brand Miss Jessie’s. “Adding protein to hair is a terrific way to restore and nourish hair follicles, fostering hair health by protecting tresses and helping to prevent breakage. For example, someone who uses hot tools on the regular might need to add more protein, as consistent heat styling can break down hair bonds and damage the cuticles. Additionally, “If you’re one to wear your hair in a ponytail or high bun often, it’s likely that your hair will experience breakage,” notes Taylor, which may require more protein to help fill the gaps in the hair shafts. On the other hand, water evaporates rather quickly from high porosity hair, which means you may need to focus more on moisture than protein. Get to know your hair’s unique complexities—we cannot stress it enough! (And here’s a quick hair porosity test, if you’re curious.) Generally speaking, though: “It is safe to use a protein treatment weekly for the first month of using it,” notes Fitzsimons. “After that first month, I wouldn’t recommend using it more than once or twice a month, as adding too much protein in your hair can leave it feeling brittle and susceptible to breakage.” If you’d like to break the schedule down further, catch Taylor’s timeline below: No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, Olaplex ($28) Don’t Despair Repair Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment, Briogeo ($42) Moisture Mask, Odele ($12.99) Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, K18 Biomimetic Hairscience ($75) Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask, Kristin Ess Hair ($14)
