10 DIY Protein-Rich Hair Masks And Their Benefits

Your hair is made up of keratin and chains of amino acids, or, in simpler terms, protein (1). The constant use of harsh chemicals and frequent contact with heat and pollution can break down the protein in your hair and leave it feeling dry, brittle, and damaged. The only way to restore your hair’s health when this happens is to give it what it has lost.

While there are many different kinds of protein treatments available in salons, it’s a lot simpler and cheaper to use homemade protein hair packs. These packs help fill in the damaged keratin spots in your hair, making it stronger and healthier without the use of chemicals.

But before you start treating your hair with protein, you need to determine if that is what it really needs. If your hair is dry, feels hard, and damaged, your hair is likely dehydrated and needs conditioning. If, on the other hand, you have noticed that your hair is stretching, feels mushy, and is breaking while you wash it, it is probably in dire need of protein. Egg, yogurt, mayonnaise, avocado, and coconut milk are rich sources of proteins. Here’s how you can use them to create some amazing protein-filled hair packs.

Homemade Protein Hair Packs

1. Egg-Yogurt Hair Pack

Eggs are power-packed with proteins and leave your hair feeling smooth and shiny. They also help promote hair growth (2). Yogurt is rich in probiotics that can enhance hair health (3). This pack can make your hair soft and silky.

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons yogurt

Method

1. Beat the egg and yogurt in a bowl until you get a smooth paste. (If your hair is extremely dry, use the yolk. If it is oily, use the egg white. If you have normal or combination hair, use the whole egg.)
2. Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair. Leave it in for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse out the hair pack with cool water.
4. Shampoo and condition your hair.
5. You can use this hair pack up to twice a week.

Note: You can add a few drops of any fragrant essential oil, such as lavender, to the hair pack to avoid the smell.

2. Egg Yolk-Honey Hair Pack

This is one of the best hair packs to use if your hair lacks moisture and protein. The egg gives your hair the protein it needs, while the almond oil contains essential fatty acids that can help soften your hair (2), (4). Honey conditions your hair and seals in moisture and improves conditions like dandruff and hair loss (5), (6). It is also an excellent way to give yourself some natural highlights, thanks to the bleaching properties of honey.

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon almond oil

Method

1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl until you get a mixture of smooth consistency.
2. Apply the pack to your hair and leave it in for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse out the pack with cool water.
4. Shampoo and condition.
5. You can use this pack up to twice a week.

Note: Do not use this hair pack if you have oily hair. Do not leave the pack in for more than 20 minutes as honey has bleaching properties that can lighten your hair color if left in too long.

3. Avocado-Coconut Milk Hair Pack

Coconut milk is a rich source of protein, while avocados contain vitamins A, B, and E, all of which are vital for hair health. This pack also boosts the production of collagen, which promotes hair growth. Olive oil contains squalene that conditions your hair, leaving it feeling soft and silky (7).

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Method

1. Mash the avocado until there are no lumps.
2. Add the coconut milk and olive oil to it. Mix until you get a smooth consistency.
3. Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair.
4. Leave it in for 30 minutes.
5. Wash off with shampoo and condition.

Note: Do not use this pack if you have oily hair as the avocado can weigh your hair down.

4. Coconut Milk Hair Treatment

Coconut milk is packed with saturated fatty acids and vitamins B, C, and E. It conditions your hair while filling in the damaged protein spots. This is also considered as the best protein treatment for hair as it tackles dandruff effectively while promoting healthy hair growth.

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

3 tablespoons coconut milk

Method

1. Heat the coconut milk on a low flame for about a minute until it is warm.
2. Massage the warm coconut milk into your scalp and apply it to your hair.
3. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave the coconut milk overnight.
4. Shampoo and condition the next day.
5. You can repeat this twice a week.

Note: Do not overheat the coconut milk as it may scald your scalp.

5. Banana-Avocado Hair Pack

Bananas contain potassium, natural oils, vitamins, and carbohydrates that nourish and soften your hair and strengthen it (8). Avocados are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential amino acids (9). These can coat your hair shaft and help it retain moisture and texture (10).

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ oil
• 1 teaspoon rose oil

Method

1. Mash the avocado and banana until they are no lumps. Add the oils to this mixture and mix well.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it in for an hour.
3. Rinse the pack out with cool water.
4. Shampoo and condition.
5. Apply this pack once a week. Do it twice a week for hair that is extremely dry.

Note: Do not use this pack if your hair is oily.

6. Mayonnaise-Avocado Hair Pack

Mayonnaise contains eggs that are packed with proteins that provide nourishment to your hair. It can also help eliminate head lice (11).

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 ripe avocado

Method

1. Mash the avocado and add the mayonnaise to it. Mix well.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it in for an hour.
3. Rinse it out with cool water.
4. Shampoo and condition.
5. Apply this protein mask for hair once a week.

Note: Do not use this mask if you have oily hair.

7. Avocado-Egg Pack

This pack is hydrating and nourishing for your hair. Olive oil is a natural conditioner that leaves your hair feeling soft. The proteins present in the eggs, combined with the vitamins in avocado, provide your hair with the right amount of nourishment.

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 egg
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Method

1. Mash the avocado and mix it with the other ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
2. Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair and wait for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse the pack out with cool water.
4. Shampoo and condition your hair.
5. Use this pack once a week. You can use it twice for hair that is extremely dry and damaged.

Note: Do not use this pack more than once a week if you have oily hair.

8. Yogurt-Cream-Egg Hair Pack

A hair pack that contains yogurt is excellent for cleaning your scalp and hair shafts. It removes build-up while moisturizing and nourishing your hair (12).

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon cream
• 2 tablespoons yogurt

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
2. Apply the hair pack to your scalp and hair.
3. Leave it on for 45 minutes.
4. Rinse the pack out with cool water.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair.
6. Use this pack twice a week for dry hair.

Note: Do not use this pack more than once a week for oily hair.

9. Avocado-Coconut Oil Hair Pack

Coconut oil has penetrative properties that repair your hair from the inside. It also contains fatty acids that reduce protein loss from hair (13). In combination with avocado, it makes for an excellent hair pack that makes your hair healthy and strong.

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon cold-pressed coconut oil

Method

1. Mash the avocado and add the coconut oil and mix until you get a smooth paste.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it in for 45 minutes.
3. Wash your hair with shampoo and condition.
4. Use this pack once a week.

Note: Do not use this hair pack for oily hair.

10. Mayonnaise-Egg Hair Pack

Both mayonnaise and egg are rich in protein. This pack is fantastic for taming frizzy hair.

Prep Time

5 minutes

You Will Need

• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Method

1. Combine the ingredients until they form a smooth paste.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it in for 30-45 minutes.
3. Wash off with shampoo and condition.
4. Use this pack once a week.

Note: For combination hair, apply this pack from the mid-lengths of your hair.

Most of these hair packs take less than 5 minutes to prepare and can give you the same results as a commercial hair mask that is likely to cost you a lot more. With a little extra effort, your hair can be restored to its former glory in no time. However, if you see no improvement in the condition of your hair or are experiencing hair fall, consult a doctor to diagnose the underlying condition causing these effects and treat it.

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