Protein treatments are used to add strength and resiliency to damaged hair. When used in the right way this can be a handy item to add to your regimen.
*If you want the same strengthen of a protein treatment without the hardness and dryness, check out this list of 5 Protein Deep Conditioners
Read: Understanding the Importance of Protein/Moisture Balance
Homemade vs. Store Bought Treatments
Available at Sally’s Beauty Supply Store, $8.79
There are homemade remedies such as the old egg yolk and there are store bought solutions such as Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment. As for as how useful the eggs are for adding protein to your hair, that is debatable. Most likely they are better for you when you consume them rather than use them as hair conditioner/protein treatment. For a protein treatment to be effective it must contain hydrolyzed proteins (which eggs are not); meaning the size of the protein must be small enough to penetrate hair. Protein treatments work by filling in gaps present on your hair strand and forms a temporary bond; unhydrolyzed proteins aren’t the right size and simply can’t do this.
The Natural Haven Bloom, a natural hair blog with a scientific approach, covers this in more detail here. However, there are some women who have used eggs as part of their homemade remedies and have seen success. So I guess to each his own.
When They Are Useful
With that being said, in order to see results it’s recommended that you buy a product that is specifically designed to give your hair an effective protein treatment. This can be useful for those with relaxed hair to repair the damage from the effects of relaxing and it is also useful for naturals. Weather, manipulation, and general wear and tear our hair incurs damage. Protein treatments along with good hair care practices can combat minor to severe damage or breakage.
I find them to be particularly useful for my 4c hair which is super kinky-coily and extremely fragile. The simple act of combing my hair results in some form of minimal breakage, which is why I think it is a great idea to implement protein treatments into my regimen from time to time. Also when I decide to flat iron my hair I think this is a great way to give my hair a way to essentially brace itself from the heat. When I used it before my last flat iron I had a lot of nice bounce to my hair which was pretty awesome.
Available at Sally’s Beauty Supply Store, $6.79
5 Tips for Using a Protein Treatment
- When you use a protein treatment like Aphogee stick to the directions. You only need to use this product every 6-8 weeks. It’s pretty strong stuff , so frequent use is unnecessary and depending on the health of your hair you may not even need to use it that often.
- During application do not comb your hair. It hardens as it takes effect and combing it could do some damage.
- This product should be used along with a hooded dryer. If you don’t have one use a hand blow dryer with a diffuser to supplement.
- Follow up with the second step, Aphogee Moisturizing Balancing Conditioner. Protein can harden hair and a balancing conditioner is a necessity to restore softness and moisture.
- You may want to follow-up with a moisturizing deep conditioner afterwards if hair is still hard and dry. Here’s a list of 5 Moisturizing Deep Conditioners
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I learned a good lesson in using store brand protein treatment products. Although I followed the directions, I did not follow up with a deep conditioning thinking the conditioning pack that was included was enough. What I really needed to pay attention to was that my hair was screaming out loud for more moisture and deep conditioning. Since the incident I experienced in using the store brand product I have deep conditioned my hair and trimmed my ends. Now I can feel and see the difference. Another thing I realized is to not keep changing products. Stick with what is working and let time show you the results; then add what is needed for my hair. The brittle ends (relaxed ends) are trimmed away and my hair feels so much better.
Sherry,
Thanks for sharing. Those are really great tips.
What shampoo would you recommend to use prior to the Aphogee protein treatment? Should I use Aphogee shampoo? Also should I use a conditioner with protein each time I wash my hair? I plan to use the protein treatment every 8 weeks, but in between treatments should I use a conditioner with protein? I want to provide more moisture and protein for my hair. The moisturizing shampoo & conditioner along with oils( sweet almond, evo). Are not doing the trick, the cold weather is hurting my hair.
Hello Ariane! Thank you for sharing those tips regarding protein treatment. Very helpful indeed. Have a nice day! 🙂
I like Aphogee protein treatment but I have found something even better called Nutress Hair Protein Pack. I love it so much! I’ve been searching for a simple but good protein treatment. This is great! My hair felt stronger and softer and my breakage is decreasing. The best part? Its inexpensive, super affordable even just to try. They also have a stop-break conditioner that you follow up with after using the protein treatment which leaves my hair flawless ! 🙂
Mizani Kerafuse…THE BIZNESS. Bust your must follow with a deep moisturizing conditioner. I use Eden’s.
**sorry for the mistype. I meant “But you must…”
I used the 2 minute treatment, but I left it in for an hour and deep condition after rinsing it out. My hair is super strong and less breakage.
Hi Kamisha, I’m glad to hear that!!!
Is Noixon a good protein to use , its a 3 step treatment?
I have heat damage mainly towards the back of my hair like the lower part so there are a few pieces where my roots are straight and my ends are curled and in the front there are pieces that are curly at the roots and straight at the ends and the only way they ever curl is with bantou knots. Any other protective style just makes it wave a little. I’ve been avoiding heat for 6 months now & I have been doing protective styles and my hair does have a routine but nothing seems to be working. Any advice?