Whether your hair is curly or straight, long or short, thick or fine, it’ll always look best when it’s healthy. And for that, you need two things in the proper proportions: moisture and protein. “Balanced hair maintains the right amount of hydration, nutrients, and strength,” explains Ava Shamban, M.D., a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. Signs of an imbalance include lackluster strands; dry, brittle hair; tangles; and frizz and flyaways, she says.
Naturally, there are solutions to all this. Protein treatments add strength and structure to hair, and moisture treatments add softness and manageability. But which do you need? A number of factors play into it, including your hair’s texture, whether you color it, and what styling tools you use, explains Bianca Hillier, a celebrity hair colorist. The best way to determine…
