Ceramides-what does it do for our hair that Keratin does'nt?

[casey3035]

This is what the stylist in Ulta asked me today-well I did not have an answer so maybe you ladies can help...FYI I tried a search on Ceramides verses Keratin and no luck...I'm just trying to educate myself...

 

[LittleLuxe]

Okay I'll just give an answer of what I think I've learned even if it isn't totally right.

1. Ceramides can eliminate more frequent need of protein since it helps to minimize damage that has already been done and protect the hair against future damage. This means needing protein treaments less often.

2. Ceramides work in sync with the protein/moisture balance whereas too much Keratin can be cause for imbalance.

3. Ceramides in general just make your hair healthier whereas Keratin I believe is strictly simply for repair or for keeping the hair from falling apart (which is what I believe happens when hair becomes over-moisturized, the basic structure of the hair gets more and more loose and stretched out that it basically falls apart with stress (physical).


Okay, thought I knew more but that's all my brain could come up with right now, lol. Hopefully that helps a little.

 

[casey3035]

Okay I'll just give an answer of what I think I've learned even if it isn't totally right.

1. Ceramides can eliminate more frequent need of protein since it helps to minimize damage that has already been done and protect the hair against future damage. This means needing protein treaments less often.

2. Ceramides work in sync with the protein/moisture balance whereas too much Keratin can be cause for imbalance.

3. Ceramides in general just make your hair healthier whereas Keratin I believe is strictly simply for repair or for keeping the hair from falling apart (which is what I believe happens when hair becomes over-moisturized, the basic structure of the hair gets more and more loose and stretched out that it basically falls apart with stress (physical).


Okay, thought I knew more but that's all my brain could come up with right now, lol. Hopefully that helps a little.

So-is it your understanding that Keratin repairs the hair while Ceramides keeps it that way-Healthy?

 

[LaidBak]

As I understand it Keratin gives strength; Ceramides provide elasticity.

My hair used to get really "stiff" when I used too much protein. By utilizing ceramides I'm hoping to have strong hair that is also more elastic and less prone to breakage.

 

[LittleLuxe]

So-is it your understanding that Keratin repairs the hair while Ceramides keeps it that way-Healthy?

Yes, protein works well with moisture by keeping the balance in check. Namely that hair gets damaged through heat, tools, brushing, combing, perming and it all breaks down the hair. Keratin works to fill in the chips. Ceramides however I would say are the vitamins of the hair. They don't mess with your protein/moisture balance, they give your hair what it needs to keep from being more susceptible to damage, they increase shine and in my experience they just make your hair so strong.

 

[AlliCat]

From my understanding ceramides basically help the hair "absorb/use" protein better...

 

[WaistLengthDreams]

^^^yeah, I agree. I got this from the Official 2010 Ceramides Challenge:

WHAT ARE CERAMIDES??
If you have never tried ceramides, you are missing out. Ceramides are essential to the cohesion of the cuticle and maintenance of its protective effect for the hair shaft. Ceramides are known to protect and/or repair the hair fibers from or after attack by blowdriers, flatirons, and everyday wear and tear. In particular, ceramides limit the loss of protein, which gives the hair more strength and liveliness.

 

[casey3035]

I use mostly Joico now which I believe has the keratin-I guess I need to figure out how to use both in conjunction with one another....

 

[Morenita]

I read SistaSlick's excellent article on ceramides: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2745257/ceramides_remedy_for_dry_damaged_hair.html?cat=69 and what I got from that basically is that our hair contains natural ceramides, which function as the glue that pretty much holds our hair together. Damaged hair actually has "gaps" where ceramides are missing. When hair is damaged, we can use synthetic ceramides, i.e. the ones that our hair does not produce, to fill in those gaps. Ceramides reduce porosity, and hold moisture and protein inside of the hair shaft.

Keratin on the other hand, is a type of protein in itself. Our hair, nails, skin and teeth are all largely composed of keratin. When we do protein treatments, we're infusing our hair strands with protein that has been lost, thus strengthening it.

 

[casey3035]

I read SistaSlick's excellent article on ceramides: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2745257/ceramides_remedy_for_dry_damaged_hair.html?cat=69 and what I got from that basically is that our hair contains natural ceramides, which function as the glue that pretty much holds our hair together. Damaged hair actually has "gaps" where ceramides are missing. When hair is damaged, we can use synthetic ceramides, i.e. the ones that our hair does not produce, to fill in those gaps. Ceramides reduce porosity, and hold moisture and protein inside of the hair shaft.

Keratin on the other hand, is a type of protein in itself. Our hair, nails, skin and teeth are all largely composed of keratin. When we do protein treatments, we're infusing our hair strands with protein that has been lost, thus strengthening it.

I think this is wher I get confused- I am understanding that both Keratin and ceramides both fill in the gaps...Thanks for the article BTW!

 

[Morenita]

No problem

Ok, maybe this will help clarify a bit. Among other things, our hair is made up of keratin and ceramides. When you're missing keratin/protein, your hair loses its strength. When you're missing ceramides, (the hair glue) your hair has difficulty holding onto its protein and/or moisture. When you do a protein treatment, it fills in protein gaps. When you do a ceramide "treatment," you're filling in ceramides, which in turn help your hair to hold on to the protein/moisture that it already has.

I hope that helps a little more. I definitely understand the confusion surrounding it though!

 

[casey3035]

No problem

Ok, maybe this will help clarify a bit. Among other things, our hair is made up of keratin and ceramides. When you're missing keratin/protein, your hair loses its strength. When you're missing ceramides, (the hair glue) your hair has difficulty holding onto its protein and/or moisture. When you do a protein treatment, it fills in protein gaps. When you do a ceramide "treatment," you're filling in ceramides, which in turn help your hair to hold on to the protein/moisture that it already has.

I hope that helps a little more. I definitely understand the confusion surrounding it though!

You are soooo helpful-and I really do appreciate it! Now how did you get the curls in your profile pic! What size rollers did you use-details PLEASE!

 

[casey3035]

No problem

Ok, maybe this will help clarify a bit. Among other things, our hair is made up of keratin and ceramides. When you're missing keratin/protein, your hair loses its strength. When you're missing ceramides, (the hair glue) your hair has difficulty holding onto its protein and/or moisture. When you do a protein treatment, it fills in protein gaps. When you do a ceramide "treatment," you're filling in ceramides, which in turn help your hair to hold on to the protein/moisture that it already has.

I hope that helps a little more. I definitely understand the confusion surrounding it though!

May i ask how you incorporate Ceramides into your routine?

 

[Kurlee]

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