So, what can be done to repair the hair proteins?
Enter: protein filler treatments.
Keep reading for their advice on how and when to use protein filler treatments on bleached hair.
Getty Images / Sara Coggin / EyeEm
What Is Protein Filler?
Post-bleach damage can be both seen and felt.
Hair often appears thinner, and ends are easily split.
Protein filler treatments typically use keratin hydrolysates to treat chemical and environmental damage to the hair.
How Do Protein Fillers Work?
After the hair has undergone bleach treatment, the hair cuticle and its pH are affected.
When the cuticle has flowered open, it creates opportunities for damage.
Neill compares protein fillers to bandaids - a temporary solution that does not heal the source of the problem.
Both in-salon and at-home protein filler treatments are available, making them accessible at varying price points and concentrations.
According to our experts, many people can benefit from protein fillers.
However, it is possible to overdo it with protein filler, which has several consequences.
Neill says it’s important to know that oversaturating the hair with protein can make it brittle.
It’s a delicate balance that you would want to be prescribed by your stylist."
He says protein fillers are great for people with mild to moderate hair stress from everyday styling and coloring.
Neill recommends consulting a stylist before beginning protein treatments to avoid further damage.
Neill advises doing a protein filler treatment once a week or once every other week.
Shamban agrees, “Either home or office is appropriate for a protein treatment.
They can be done easily enough at home in 30 minutes or so.
She recommends looking for products that contain pea protein, amino acids, quinoa, and jojoba.
Protein fillers can give bleached hair much-needed strength and shine to protect against further damage.
However, it’s important to note they cannot fully repair the natural keratin.
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