This article explains your hair’s needs for protein vs moisture. I have also included a list of my favorite protein and moisture products.
Our hair is made up of protein strands called keratin and chains of amino Acids.
The use of harsh chemicals and poor lack of hair care can break up the chains and lead to brittle and damaged strands.
When you lose protein , you have to replenish it. That is why we use products that contain protein. Protein strengthens and repairs the hair’s keratin thus providing your hair structure. Your hair needs to be strong for it to stay on your head. Protein can be found in shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, moisturizers, relaxers,styling creams …etc . Some people don’t even know they’re using it because they don’t pay attention. Our hair needs it so that they explains why they’re often present in many products. There are protein types that help boost the moisture level in your hair.
There is a plethora of protein products on the market and they’re not all the same. There are different types and intensities on the market. It is important to educate ourselves and make a selection based on our needs.
The questions I get the most is how do I even know my hair needs protein? What should I use ?
Put your seat belt on and let’s go on a long fun ride. Are you ready ?
As mentioned earlier, the use of harsh chemicals such as relaxers, perms and permanent hair color cause our hair to lose some of its protein. High heat usage such as blowout, blow drying can also lead to protein loss. The list can go on and on; therefore I will lists the possible signs that you can watch out for to know if your hair needs protein .
SOME INDICATIONS FOR PROTEIN NEED
•the mushy feeling.
•If your hair stretches a lot and is limp, then you need protein. If your hairstyle doesn’t last, then your hair isn’t strong enough to hold a curl , for example.
•heat damage, let’s say your curl pattern was 4a, then after a blow out , it’s 3b/c, your hair lost protein so you need to add protein treatments in your regimen. (Keep in mind that the damage may have to be cut eventually)
•Excessive breakage: your hair snaps so easily, your hair structure isn’t strong enough to combat any manipulation.
•Lack of elasticity– Think of of a spring , you can stretch it and it shall return to it’s original length. You can do that with your hair. If you stretch the curl and doesn’t go back to it’s original length then the elasticity is low.
**Excessive moisture can lead to loss of elasticity.**
•Highly porous hair– the cuticle is lifted and remains opened. The hair absorbs quickly but also loses nutrients easily. Therefore, keeping the hair moisturized can be challenging. A protein treatment can fill in the gaps. It is temporary fix so protein treatments need to be a part of your regimen .
IMPORTANT: Protein has to be balanced with moisture. Think of protein and moisture as a pair that is inseparable.
Let’s talk about how to tell if your hair needs moisture.
SOME INDICATIONS FOR MOISTURE NEED
• Dry hair
• Rough hair, it feels like straw and is brittle
• Tangles easily
• Hard to detangle
• Frizzy hair
• Hair is more prone to splitting. Split ends appear frequently.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROTEIN TREATMENT
1•Your diet : everything starts from within. Healthy diet leads to healthy hair. Good sources of protein are: beef , chicken , eggs, fish. I love salmon because it contains a great amount of omega-3 fatty acids which promote a healthy scalp and healthy hair. Taking supplements can also be great.
2•Reconstructors/Strong Protein Treatments
They have a high protein content. These are recommended if your hair is severely damaged or chemically treated(relaxed or colored or both) or your hair is breaking excessively.
Examples
•Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor
•Aphogee Two-step Treatment Protein for Damaged Hair
•Nexxus Emergencée Treatment for Damaged Hair
•Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque 5.1 fl oz
**A very moisturizing conditioner need to be used after a hard protein treatment. In the directions, the brand often recommends what needs to be used after. **
For example, Aphogee Two-step Treatment Protein for Damaged Hair needs to be followed by ApHogee Balancing Moisturizer. However, I do not find the recommended conditioner moisturizing. So I use a favorite moisturizing conditioner. I advise that you do the same . The key is to use a moisture based penetrating conditioner that works for your hair.
3•Medium to Light protein treatment
**P.S : this is subjective. **
It all depends on your hair. What I consider medium can be light to someone else. So test and see for yourself.
The light and medium protein treatments are recommended for maintenance and good for regular breakage. These can be used weekly or biweekly depending on your needs.
Examples
•Avlon Affirm 5 In 1 Reconstructor(medium)
•ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor(medium)
•ORS Hair Mayonnaise (medium)
•Chi Keratin Reconstructing Conditioner(medium)
•Bri Geo Don’t Despair , Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask.(medium on my sister’s hair , I haven’t used it on my hair )
•Treseme Keratin Smooth (very light )
•Organic’s By Africa’s Best Olive Oil Deep Conditioner (light)
•Palmer’s Coconut Deep Conditioning Protein Pack(light)
•Affirm Positive Link Conditioner by Avlon(medium)
•ORS Replenishing Conditioner(light)
•Roux Mendex Hair Repair Treatment(medium)
•Vitale Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise (medium)
When it comes to light protein, I typically do not have to use another moisture based conditioner. I listen to my hair and feeds it what it needs. Do the same boo!!!!
PROTEIN-FREE CONDITIONERS
•Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner
•Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner
•KeraCare Humecto (tub)
These are some of the conditioners I use after a protein treatment.
MOISTURIZING CONDITIONERS THAT CONTAIN PROTEIN
•Design Essentials Almond Butter Express Instant Moisturizing Conditioner
•Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner
•Silicon Mix Intensive Hair Deep Treatment
•Silicon Mix Moroccan Argan Oil Treatment
These conditioners can be considered balancing conditioners . My feels moisturized strong afterwards. Most of the time I used them , I didn’t need to use anything afterwards.#listenToYourHair ! There is no right or wrong method, do what got to do for your hair to thrive hunty !!!!!!!!
These are some of my favorites, try them and let me know. Feel free to be adventurous and try other products.
Check out this article to know how to identify a protein product.
Thanks for reading.
XoXo,
Brenda
