Will a Hair Mask Help Strengthen My Hair?
Chances are you already know the benefits of strong hair - less breakage, less thinning, more length, etc. That's why everyone's trying remedy after remedy to strengthen their hair. In your research on hair strengthening, you may have heard about the benefits of hair masks. But can they really make your hair stronger? That's what we'll focus on in this article.
Hair Masks Can Help Strengthen Your Hair
Strengthening your hair can be as easy as giving it the moisture and protein it needs to thrive. Applying hair masks regularly can certainly strengthen weak strands because they have ingredients in them that support hair health inside and out:
- Keratin Protein - Your hair is made up of keratin, so masks that contain this protein are very beneficial for your hair. The keratin fills in any cracks or weak spots in your hair shaft, making it considerably stronger.
- Biotin - Biotin enhances the strength and health of your hair when combined with the protein keratin.
- Oils and fatty alcohols - Both oils and fatty alcohols hydrate the hair shaft, making it stronger and more elastic. Using a hair mask with these ingredients will enable your hair to better stand up to manipulation during maintenance and styling.
It's essential that you use the right hair mask for your hair type. We’ll address this in the below sections.
Strengthening Hair Mask for Curls and Waves
The best strengthening hair masks for curls prioritize moisture. Why? Curls are more prone to moisture loss than other types of hair. The twists and turns that make up curls also make it difficult for the scalp's oils to effectively lubricate the hair. This leads to weak, dry hair that easily breaks from routine hair maintenance and styling.
You'll often find curl strengthening masks that have penetrating oils and sometimes sealing oils. They'll also have fatty alcohols and humectants to moisturize and draw moisture in from the external environment. Some hair masks for curls are also formulated with water-soluble silicones that form a protective barrier around the hair.
Strengthening Hair Mask for Straight Hair
The top strengthening hair masks for straight hair are formulated a bit differently. Loading up straight hair with heavy moisturizers can weigh it down or over-moisturize it and even cause breakage. So, reach for lightweight masks that are packed with hair-strengthening ingredients.
Warning About Protein Sensitivity
Upon learning about the benefits of protein for hair, you may be tempted to go out and try a protein mask. But you should pay close attention to your hair after using one. Protein-sensitive hair reacts negatively to topically applied proteins. Your hair may be protein sensitive if, after using protein-containing products, it gets hard and brittle instead of stronger. Just in case this happens to you, we recommend you keep protein-free moisturizers on hand to bring your hair back to life. And please, please, please don’t comb through your hair while it’s stiff and hard.
We hope that this article is helpful to you in your hair care routine, and we wish you luck should you choose to try a strengthening hair mask!
Author: Andrea Reyes
Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.