If you’re on a mission to get shiny and healthy hair, an at-home hair protein treatment is a must in your haircare routine.
My hair has its fair share of damage from heat-styling tools (and just general laziness and not getting it trimmed often enough), so protein treatments are the perfect way to moisturize and strengthen my hair without dropping a ton at the salon.
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Everything from sun exposure to chemical treatments and even a poor diet can harm your hair, and damage often extends beyond the surface to affect hair’s keratin levels.
As a result, hair can become rough and dry, which none of us want—but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
I’ve rounded up some of the best at-home hair protein treatments that will take transform your damaged locks into strong and bouncy strands.
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Everything to Know About At-Home Hair Protein Treatment
What is a Protein Treatment?
When I first ventured into the world of protein treatments, I was in the mindset that protein is just a nutrient we eat to fuel our bodies.
While that’s true, our hair also needs protein—at-home protein treatments are a form of deep conditioner that helps restore strength and encourages healthy hair growth.
These days, hair protein treatments can be found in every drugstore and applied at home, so there’s no need to go to the salon.
These protein treatments work to nourish your hair and prevent future damage thanks to key ingredients like collagen and keratin, which repair your hair’s natural structure, and oils that replenish moisture.
If you regularly use heated styling products or chemical treatments, incorporating an at-home hair protein treatment into your weekly routine will help maintain the health of your hair. It’s also a good idea to give your hair a break from the heat, so check out this heatless curls tutorial to still get that salon blowout look without the heat! And don’t forget to clean your hairbrush too! You want to make sure you have a clean brush to help keep your hair healthy.
Benefits of Protein Treatments
Protein treatments are highly beneficial for hair because they improve hydration, promote hair growth, reduce frizz, and give hair more overall oomph and shine—plus, they can also reduce breakage and prevent split ends.
The longer my hair grows, the more I have to keep an eye on split ends, and these treatments work wonders for my hair health.
Most of these at-home hair protein treatment products are designed to be used alongside your normal shampoo and conditioner.
How Do Protein Treatments Work?
There are three main categories of at-home hair protein treatments—long-lasting deep treatments, shower rinse treatments, and leave-in conditioning treatments.
Long-lasting deep treatments are usually done in a salon, while leave-in conditioning treatments are applied after shampooing and left to sit in the hair for anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.
It’s important to pick the right formula and treatment for your hair type for the best results.
I recommend looking for protein treatments with a blend of synthetic or natural oils, such as silicone or argan oil, and proteins like keratin and collagen.
These ingredients have emollient (also known as soothing) qualities that give your hair extra softness and shine.
If you’re unsure what kind of protein treatment you need, I suggest asking your hairstylist the next time you go into the salon for an appointment.
I’ve also seen a number of different DIY protein hair masks circulating on Tiktok—from milk hair treatments to coconut milk hair masks. But like I said earlier, I’m a little lazy with my hair care, so I’d rather opt for something store-bought with 5-star reviews rather than mess with a homemade protein hair treatment.
I will say, a little bit of coconut oil on your ends in between these treatments works wonders!
No matter which type of at-home hair protein treatment you use, it’s important to follow the product’s instructions on how to use it because protein treatments can affect the texture of your hair if they’re left on too long.
Check out my picks for the best at-home hair protein treatments below!
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7 Salon-Quality At-Home Hair Protein Treatment Products
1. Hi-Pro-Pac Intense Protein Treatment
If your main goal is to strengthen your hair from within, I recommend the Hi-Pro-Pac Intense Protein Treatment.
This at-home protein treatment is formulated with collagen to protect your hair from damage which is especially helpful for thin or frizz-prone hair.
The Hi-Pro-Pac hair treatment also contains wheat-derived amino acids for added moisture.
Don’t just take my word for it—this intense hair treatment is a fan favorite with thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon.
2. Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask
It can be hard to find high-quality haircare that’s also vegan and cruelty-free, which is why the Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask is such a great pick.
After just one use, your hair will feel noticeably stronger and softer thanks to Karmatin, Vegamour’s signature vegan silk ingredient that acts as an alternative to keratin and silicone.
From my Vegamour review, you know how big a fan I am of the vegan haircare brand, and this deep conditioning treatment is no exception.
You only need to use the HYDR-8 Mask once or twice a week for potent results.
3. Elizavecca CER 100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment
The Elizavecca CER 100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment is perfect for all my blonde babes who dye their hair as often as every six weeks.
This CER 100 protein treatment is a quick and effective way to improve the health of your strands since it can deeply repair damaged or over-processed hair.
After about two uses, the Collagen Ceramide Treatment will restore your hair’s natural elasticity, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and shiny.
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4. Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment
The Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment is a bit of a splurge, but trust me when I say it’s 10/10.
The Intensive Restructuring Treatment uses quinoa protein to deeply repair and strengthen hair as well as essential proteins and lipids that target damage.
This Damage Remedy Treatment will also reinforce the strength of your strands from root to tip, thanks to organic jojoba and castor oils.
5. OUAI Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair
The next at-home hair protein treatment I recommend is the OUAI Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair.
This product noticeably improves common hair issues like split ends, dryness, and frizz while also giving hair some much-needed moisture and shine.
Key ingredients in this Fine and Medium Hair Treatment Mask include illipe butter, shea butter, a blend of oils, and hydrolyzed keratin.
The illipe butter and olive oil help hydrate and add shine to the hair by providing vitamins A, E, and saturated fatty acids, while the keratin treatment reduces frizz and flyaways.
This OUAI hair mask is also one of the best treatments for curly hair—it’s so hydrating and will leave your ringlets nice and bouncy.
6. It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask
It’s a 10 is a popular haircare brand known for its effective and affordable products, and the Miracle Hair Mask is an amazing protein treatment pick.
This Miracle Mask contains potent wheat protein, which deeply nourishes your scalp and conditions hair as soon as you apply it.
The Miracle Hair Mask is suitable for all hair types, including those that are treated with heat, color, or other chemical processes.
When my hair needs a quick pick-me-up in the form of moisture and frizz control, I always reach for this protein hair mask from It’s a 10.
7. Verb Reset Repairing Mask
Last up on this list of the best at-home hair protein treatments is the Verb Reset Repairing Mask.
This Repairing Mask is packed with ingredients like argan oil, green tea extract, and quinoa protein that restore and renew dry, damaged hair.
It’s recommended to use this Reset Repairing Mask after the Reset Clarifying Shampoo, also from Verb’s Reset haircare line.
Most hair types and textures can benefit from Verb’s three-step system, but it’s important to note the Reset Mask’s formula isn’t suitable for keratin-treated hair.
So many incredible at-home hair protein treatments are available that you can save yourself a trip to the salon (and some money) by nourishing your hair from home!
Make sure to tag me on Insta (@wtfab) if you pick up any of these protein treatments so I can see your shiny hair results.
Ready to level up your haircare game? Try one of these at-home hair protein treatments by clicking the images below:
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FAQs
Most hair types, including dry, damaged, and oily hair, can benefit from the hydrating and nourishing effects of a good at-home hair protein treatment.
Apply the smooth paste of the treatment from root to tip, let sit for twenty to thirty minutes, and rinse with cool water.
Ingredients like coconut milk, avocado, and essential oils are key in promoting healthy hair.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
