@abbeyyung: Spoiler alert: It wasn’t protein overload. It was severe bleach damage. I was just so panicked by all the breakage and how stiff, brittle and tangled my hair had suddenly become that I fell down the internet rabbit hole of “protein overload” and convinced myself that was the problem. Shortly after that, I started learning more about hair science and realized that a LOT of the information about haircare on the internet wasn’t true. I discovered @sciencemeetscosmetics and found her posts about why protein overload is a myth and why this idea of a “protein moisture balance” is just not something you need to worry about (highly recommend reading her posts on this on her IG for more info). So I started building a routine that was heavily focused on repairing and protecting my damage, and I never looked back! I actually don’t even want to imagine where my hair would be if I believed the internet when it said reparative products would destroy my bleach damage because it’s quite literally what saved my hair 😅 #hairjourney #damagedhair #healthyhairjourney #hairrepair
Everytime I use a profuct with protein my hair looks so bad after. Whenever i use a deep hydrating mask it looks perfect...
2026-05-01 20:24:38
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Arizu 🌺 :
If that was your before, then I'm not that cooked 😭
2026-05-01 19:19:19
3729
milliejane01 :
Sometimes my hair feels like straw after I use my k18, I only use this once a week, and I always use a conditioning spray🙈🙈
2026-05-01 19:19:52
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LIFT WITH KY ✮ :
I am literally so confused on what I should be doing
2026-05-04 02:45:49
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Carmy :
Protein overload is an actual thing for bleached hair, ive experienced it myself
2026-05-02 15:27:05
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millie🇨🇦 :
So how do you explain that my hair is Super dry and brittle when I use protein and amazingly soft and healthy when I don’t ? Damage doesn’t come and go
2026-05-01 20:13:29
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lilylapalila :
Abbey, pleaaase explain this whole protein overload misunderstanding. Because its is a fact that proteins can make the hair stiff. This happens to me all the time and this paper proves it : Keratin network modifications lead to the mechanical stiffening of the hair follicle fiber
Thomas Bornschlögl*. Could you please explain why you think it is a myth? is it just the term issue? because I agree that you can’t overload the hair with protein but it is clear that proteins make the hair stiff even science says that
2026-05-09 08:54:21
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Amina 🪽 :
I threw away all the bonding, protein and repairing products. All this shit made my hair dry and horrible. I only use moisturizing products and my hair never felt better.
2026-05-29 23:19:08
8
sleepy :
Now your hair only looks healthy due to no highlights or anything. Would be nice to see how healthy you keep your hair with highlights. I think that’s what we’re were looking for. It’s like anyone can have healthy hair that’s basically back to virgin hair.
2026-05-02 15:52:26
50
francesca louise :
Girl I used to believe in you but yaaaa you protein overloaded my hair, the second I used redken soft I was good again. Didn’t change anything. Protein is good like once a month.
2026-05-02 19:12:19
50
BrunostmedTomat :
Im just gonna put this here, bc this is the only method that actually worked for my hair. THIS was my hair before, I took extremely good care of it, never dyed it, used "no silicone" products, cg method. All my hair long hair litterally broke off.
2026-05-02 12:37:19
20
THEGLOSSHAIRSOCIETY :
Protein overload is NOT a myth.
2026-05-03 03:25:22
41
itsmeeeee :
Protein overload is such a polarizing concept 😭 some stylists swear by it but I’ve seen an increasingly large number of chemists on here saying it’s not a real thing. There’s so much conflicting info it’s exhaustingggggg
2026-05-02 14:47:19
8
MedusaPubes :
But how is it a myth? Can someone explain it? I think you think that because your hair was extremely damaged from bleach. Heavy use of protein will do you good since your hair was so damaged. I have naturally low porosity hair that gets stiff and brittle when I overuse keratin/protein/bonding products. Now that I have lightened my hair by 2 shades I’m medium porosity who can handle more protein products, but it’s easy do overdo it still. Like isn’t there any nuance to the protein overload debate? I don’t think it’s that black and white.
2026-05-01 22:00:14
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Nikki :
I remember you used rice water for a while and preached how good it was. then told us it sucked and it was making your hair break so much because of protein overload and that you were influenced by kourtney kardashian 😭no hate you were impressionable but we were also impressionable believing you
2026-05-02 12:02:27
33
J◇S | beauty :
but how did you make it so theres 3x more hair. my hair is really healthy now but theres still so little :(
2026-05-01 20:13:52
17
🍓 :
K18 makes my hair feels dry even after conditioner
2026-05-02 14:46:52
10
𝒩𝒶𝓉𝒶𝓁𝒾𝒶 :
I’m so confused ur har looks fine here 😭😭
2026-05-01 19:38:49
31
Harman 🧿 :
what are your absolute fav leave ins that don’t have heat protection? i dont use any heat styling i was wondering if u had any options for this preference?
2026-05-01 19:34:54
5
Cassie :
K18 makes my hair look like shit 🤷♀️
2026-05-01 22:15:13
5
Bumble bees! :
If I don’t hear it straight from Abbey - IT’S 👏 NOT 👏 True! 👏
2026-05-01 23:03:34
5
Sweetladysue :
I’m at that stage right now and the saxophones are very loud
2026-05-01 19:20:38
6
AngelaMiao514.🇨🇦 :
protein overload is a myth. The reason too much of it makes hair dry is because protein doesn't moisturize. You could use protein every day but if you moisturize after each time (or use a product that does both) it'll balance out
2026-06-07 03:23:16
4
sofija :
guys help, i don’t bleach my hair, my hairdresser just uses blonde hair dye on me because my natural hair is pretty light, i use heat rarely, always use heat protection and i use all of abby’s recommended products and do all the steps, but somehow my hair is still damaged with crispy broken ends, what can i do?
2026-05-02 16:58:24
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