Can someone please explain to me why....

[Chameleonchick]

Naturals don't need a lot of protein? I never really understood that. I know our bonds are not broken down but wouldn't protein still help?

 

[Geminigirl]

Great question. Subbing!

 

[ajoke]

Yes, I would also like to know if this is the case, and why.

 

[PistolWhip]

******bump*******

 

[Miss AJ]

Naturals don't need a lot of protein? I never really understood that. I know our bonds are not broken down but wouldn't protein still help?

This is a common misconception. If a natural is brushing and combing their hair everyday, pulling it back in a bun or puff and brushing it pretty hard to make it lay down, don't you think they would need protein? Natural hair is fragile to begin with so why so many people assume naturals don't need protein is beyond me. Even though the bonds are not CHEMICALLY broken down, there are still many factors that go into hair damage, not just using relaxers/dyes.

 

[testimony777]

I definitely need protein. I do a protein treatment with every week and that is on top of the light protein conditioner I use to co wash mid week. My hair loves it and, because it is so fine, it needs it .

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I'd like to know too (even though I'm Relaxed). Because basically hair is made of Protein.

I keep hearing on various Advertisements, Magazines etc....the Hair's Keratin is destroyed over time by Age, Pollution, shampoos, & various other non-chemically related products, Sun/Natural elements etc....

So, this should be an interesting thread.

It seems to protect and keep the hair strong, some form of protein would still be beneficial due to the natural keratin in the hair. It seems; Wheat, Oat, Silk, Vegetable based proteins could work great.

Good Thread OP

 

[Miss AJ]

Idk who started this "naturals don't need protein" rumor but whoever they are they need donkey kicked down a flight of stairs. I lived by that statement and caused myself some major hair trauma. I was stuck at SL and the front of my hair lost a lot of it's texture because I was bunning/brushing it back everyday, but with no protein in my regimen the front of my hair turned wavy and looked a hot mess. By the time I DID turn to protein it was too late and there was no saving it.

 

[Chameleonchick]

This is a common misconception. If a natural is brushing and combing their hair everyday, pulling it back in a bun or puff and brushing it pretty hard to make it lay down, don't you think they would need protein? Natural hair is fragile to begin with so why so many people assume naturals don't need protein is beyond me. Even though the bonds are not CHEMICALLY broken down, there are still many factors that go into hair damage, not just using relaxers/dyes.

See I was thinking this too but there is a lot of people saying that naturals don't need protein, I do use protein myself but I was going to start cutting back because I keep coming across that.

 

[Filmatic]

I don't think it's "no protein at all" but less of it. Since going natural, protein is still in my regimen but they are light proteins. I also don't use them as much as when I was relaxed.

 

[tatiana]

Naturals do need protein but some need more than others.

The more coarse one's hair the less protein one needs, the finer(softer) one's hair is the more protein one needs.

 

[Miss AJ]

Chameleonchick: When I first BCed this last time (lol that could be potentially confusing) the only protein I was using was Aphogee 2 Step every 6 weeks and a mild protein DC once a week but i was STILL having breakage issues so I slowly introduced more protein into my regimen. I started off with a 50/50 mixture of Aphogee Pro Vitamin Leave-in and Aussie Hair Insurance, then I added a protein shampoo (Optimum Anti Breakage Stay Strong). Now I'm using a mild protein DC on just about every wash day, all my leave-in sprays are spiked with Infusium 23, and I'm still doing my 6 week hardcore protein treatment. Don't judge your protein needs on whether you are relaxed or natural, judge them on how your hair feels and is reacting after using certain products.

 

[ms.blue]

I use a protein(lite) dc with every wash and my hair loves it. I tried just moisturizing dc b/c I thought I don't need protein since I'm natural but my hair turned mushy. My doesn't really the strong protein but lite ones work really good. Maybe some are using heavy protein which they don't need and that is probably why the hair get extremely hair and should try a lighter protein to see if the hair would like it.

 

[SignatureBeauty]

I still use protein, just not as much as when I was relaxed. and just like Miss AJ I spike my sprays with Infusium 23.


Miss AJ what are you using for A HARDCORE protein treatment? I want to start doing one every 8-12 weeks!

 

[Miss AJ]

I still use protein, just not as much as when I was relaxed. and just like Miss AJ I spike my sprays with Infusium 23.


Miss AJ what are you using for A HARDCORE protein treatment? I want to start doing one every 8-12 weeks!

I use the Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment. That jawn makes my curls POP lol. And as an FYI, I've never followed it up with a normal rinse out conditioner because I'm too nervous about protein overload no matter how much my hair loves it, so I DC with Queen Helene cholesterol after I rinse out the Aphogee.

 

[FlowerHair]

Naturals do need protein but some need more than others.

The more coarse one's hair the less protein one needs, the finer(softer) one's hair is the more protein one needs.

I agree.

My hair is very coarse and I never used proteins for my hair.

Thinner, more fragile hair may need it to stop breakage.

 

[SignatureBeauty]

Thanks Alot! Will look into it!

 

[Miss AJ]

I agree.

My hair is very coarse and I never used proteins for my hair.

Thinner, more fragile hair may need it to stop breakage.

So all these years I thought I had coarse hair and I guess I have fine hair....mmmm dumb question alert: How exactly do you determine whether your hair is fine or coarse?

 

[Jetblackhair]

I'm natural and I use protein on a regular basis, deep conditioning, leave in and sometimes as a spritz, using Chi Keratin Mist.

My hair is fine and without protein it is prone to breakage.

 

[Victorian]

Fine haired, protein-loving natural checking in! I remember in a past discussion on this topic there was a lot of evidence that people with finer hair tend to need protein more than those with coarser hair.
Even when I wasn't using using heat on my hair as a natural, I found my hair preferred more strengthening over purely moisturizing conditioners, especially when I was co-washing daily. My hair will get over-moisturized in a heartbeat...

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

Well I think it’s more of an individual thing, everyone’s hair needs are different.
My hair likes protein (in moderation) the majority of my hair strands are medium thick (if that makes a difference) no matter what type of protein it is, protein makes my hair stronger and overall healthier, it’s a staple in my regimen.

 

[Victorian]

This site has a nice overview: http://www.livecurlylivefree.com/curly hair basics.htm
She also has some great tips in the other sections, especially if hair typing is driving you nuts

 

[catgurl]

Co-signing.

Fine, 4a, natural for umpteen years and my hair loves protein. Decreasing protein led to breakage and lost of hair. I was always told I had thick hair but since discovering the hair boards I realised my strands are fine, I just have a lot of them on my head! LOL!

That said I have overdone the protein but I still find too much protein easier to fix than too much moisture. I make sure to include both protein and moisture in my routine.

 

[adw425]

My natural hair loves protein. As a matter of fact, sometimes I will go a couple of weeks without some kind of protein and my hair starts protesting by breaking. I use Duo Tex/aloe vera mix one week and a yogurt/coconut milk/cream of coconut/egg powder hair mask the next.

 

[Chameleonchick]

I use the Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment. That jawn makes my curls POP lol. And as an FYI, I've never followed it up with a normal rinse out conditioner because I'm too nervous about protein overload no matter how much my hair loves it, so I DC with Queen Helene cholesterol after I rinse out the Aphogee.

So cholesterol after you do the 2 step? I am going to do a two step today (I am putting braids in on Monday) and I did not know which DC to follow up with.

 

[Chameleonchick]

Naturals do need protein but some need more than others.

The more coarse one's hair the less protein one needs, the finer(softer) one's hair is the more protein one needs.

I think I would say my hair is fine I just have a lot of strands.

 

[Miss AJ]

So cholesterol after you do the 2 step? I am going to do a two step today (I am putting braids in on Monday) and I did not know which DC to follow up with.

Yep, the only thing I hate about the Queen Helene is it smells awful lol but it gets the job done.

 

[kim]

This site has a nice overview: http://www.livecurlylivefree.com/curly hair basics.htm
She also has some great tips in the other sections, especially if hair typing is driving you nuts

Thanks for that link! That site is real informative!!!!

 

[knt1229]

Relaxed or natural heads can benefit from protein DC's. I have never heard the "rumor" that naturals don't need protein.

Relaxed heads may need protein dc's more often for example once a week or once every two weeks because the chemicals in the relaxer break down the protein bonds in the hair. Whereas a natural may need protein dc's only once a month or once every few months for example.

The best approach is to understand what protein can do for your hair and determine if your hair needs it and how often regardless of whether you are relaxed or natural.

 

[Desarae]

I had to use protein when I was natural or my hair would get mushy and break. I have fine strands.