When you’re learning about how to care for your natural hair, the amount of information can be pretty overwhelming and repetitious. One main point that is pretty much hammered into our brains is the fact that our hair lacks moisture and needs to be moisturized constantly. While this fact is indeed true, one key step that many naturals either skip over or don’t partake in at all is doing a protein treatment. But what is a protein treatment and why would you need one?
What is a Protein Treatment? A protein treatment is a product that rebuilds the protein structure of the cuticle so that it remains strong and reduces breakage. These treatments are beneficial due to the fact that that are topical, and give immediate results to hair that is lacking in protein. Why Would I Need a Protein Treatment? The hair goes through a lot of wear and tear from combing, styling and etc. which, over time, breaks down the protective outer layer (cuticle) of the hair strand. Once too much of the cuticle is missing, the hair becomes weak and prone to breakage and other forms of damage. If you experience what seems to be excess shedding, it may actually be breakage which is one of many signs that your hair is in need of protein. Protein- Moisture Balance Maintaining a balance of protein and moisture will ensure that the hair remains its healthiest. If you notice that your hair is not curling as it used to, feels “soggy” or “mushy,” has too much elasticity and breaks very easily, your hair is in need of protein. On the contrary, if your hair is breaking, has little-no elasticity, becomes matted, dry and tangled very easily, your hair is in need of moisture. In order to combat and later prevent the possibility of over-moisturizing your hair, incorporating a protein treatment may be necessary. Although more intensive treatments, such as the Aphogee 2-step protein treatment should be done every 6 weeks, protein hair masks like Nano Queratina can be used fortnightly or once a month or so (depending on the severity of damage to your hair), protein treatments should generally be incorporated at least twice per year. Protein Sensitivity There are those who are sensitive to protein and cannot apply protein to the hair topically, or else it will cause protein overload. If you are one of those people, you are probably someone who gets enough protein from your diet/supplements that extra protein is not needed. Either that or you may be experiencing a type of allergic reaction which your hair is responding to by seizing up and becoming brittle. If you experience tangling, matting, breakage, an irritated scalp or extreme dryness to the scalp and hair when you apply products that contain protein to your hair, you may be protein sensitive. The best way to test if you’re protein sensitive is to try different products with different types of protein (collagen, wheat, vegetable, etc.) in order to see how your hair reacts to each one. If your hair reacts negatively to all of them but you feel as though your hair is in need of protein, you may need to take a vitamin or supplement. On the contrary, if you’re allergic you will need to check with your physician or dermatologist to find a solution. The key to proper hair care is balance in terms of nutrients, protein, moisture and even styling habits. Although the hair is not living, it still needs exactly what we need in order to remain strong and healthy- moisture and protein.
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November 2017
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