Trendy word: connections. This is a general term for products that contain nutritional ingredients such as keratin, biotin, quinoa hydrolyzate, amino acids or proteins.

“Topical protein treatments, such as keratin or bond-strengthening shampoos, restore hair and strengthen strands,” hairstylist Miko Branch, co-founder of hair care brand Miss Jessie’s, previously told mbg.

She adds, “Adding protein to your hair is a great way to repair and nourish your hair follicles, promoting healthy hair, protecting strands, and helping to prevent breakage.”

Not to mention, these bonding proteins can even help with hair growth. “A good protein product can help repair severely damaged hair, grow it, penetrate it and heal a dry, flaky scalp,” adds celebrity hairstylist Annajid “Ki” Taylor.

You see, the main key to stimulating hair growth is to maintain the length you already have; brittle strands can make your hair growth goals nearly impossible. By strengthening and repairing damaged amino acid chains, protein treatments can protect hair from damage and keep it healthy—and healthy hair tends to grow much faster.