There should always be a perfect balance in our hair between moisture and protein. It is often hard to determine just how to achieve that perfect balance and the best way to maintain it is to listen to our hair. If your hair is limp, mushy and overly moist it needs protein, and if it dry, hard, and easily breaking then it most likely needs protein.
Porosity, What You Need To Know About Natural Hair
Proteins keep hair healthy, strong and protected from manipulation, heat, the elements and even cleansing our hair. Our hair is made up of a hard protein called keratin and keratin is an essential component to hair, but there are other types we can find benefit. You may have heard of a Keratin Treatment and how they temporarily keep hair straight but there are other uses for proteins.
Did you know there are more than one type of protein that can be used on our hair? There are several types that give hair different benefits so let’s share the most popular types:
Animal Protein – Repairs damage to the outer layers of the hair.
Collagen Protein – Increases the elasticity of the hair.
Silk Protein – Tends to soften the hair.
Vegetable Protein – Can absorb more easily without leaving a build-up on the hair shaft and can attract moisture.
Wheat Protein – A moisturizing as well as strengthening protein. Also aids in maintaining moisture levels.
Milder applications of proteins would be in the shampoos and conditioners and can be used weekly. Where you would find stronger amounts would be in Protein treatments and shouldn’t be used as often. They should state on the products to be used every six to eight weeks but as savvy consumers, checking out the labels to ensure you are not overloading your hair with proteins is necessary.
Well, everyone can use a dose of protein from time to time and that even goes for protein sensitive naturals. They just don’t realize that there are different types and may be sensitive to just one and may want to try others to find a better choice for their tresses.
How To Grow Hair Faster – The Do’s & Don’ts
So, now let’s see who needs just a regular weekly treatment or who may need a more intense six to eight week treatment. If you do any of these things to your hair:
Color
Relax
Texturize
Heat style
You may need to have the more intense treatments. All the above mentioned can be damaging to your hair but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try them (of course we don’t promote relaxers!). This just means you will need to rebuild the weakened hair with protein treatments monthly or bi-monthly. Using the weaker ones can also be used but try not to overload your use of proteins as too much usage can cause breakage and brittle strands.
Hair Growth, Vitamins Most Popular With Naturals – NHB
Hygral fatigue is what happens when the cuticle swells and contracts excessively, which is caused by the constant reapplication of water to the hair after it has dried. Since the cuticle is not designed to open and close this frequently, it causes the strand to weaken and eventually break. Some practices that may cause over-hydration are the maximum hydration method (MHM), overnight conditioning, re-wetting the hair each day, not using products that contain protein, etc. Seriously Natural
Proteins are necessary in our hair care routine. The bottom line is we need to be good to our hair and adding some sort of protein into your routine is a good idea. Try one and see how your hair fares and I would LOVE for you to share your faves below!
Sabrina
