This Issue Has Been Beaten To Death But..

[donledo]

I'm really confused and frustrated about this whole moisture/protein balance thingy. I'm relaxed and don't normally do anything involving protein for my hair so I naturally assume I need more protein. I tried adding egg to an ORS Replenishing Pak and conditioning with a moisture conditioner afterwards last night and it turned out disastrous. My hair was hard in places this morning and there didn't seem to be a difference in breakage. I don't have lots of breakage per se, but I end up with a decent amount of hair in my comb every time I comb which is a combination of breakage/shedding. Is it normal to pull long strands of hair from my head once I pull it back in a ponytail in my hand and grab the ends? I see where some report that they get minimal to no strands in their combs, how can I get on that level?!! I'm including a pic of what I get on a daily basis. Please help me ladies. What should I incorporate in my routine and how often?

 

[KittyMeowMeow]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about this.

To restore your hair, use an oil prepoo and then shampoo. Follow with a moisturizing non-protein DC. I think the egg needs to be washed out after. Egg isn't for everyone- made my hair hard too.

After your hair recovers, try a lighter protein conditioner or reconstructor. Some popular ones are AOGPB, Aphogee 2 min. It sounds like you used a protein con & added egg to it? Next time, you can just use it straight without the egg. If you do a hard protein treatment like Aphogee 2 step or Nexxus Emergencee, follow with a moisturizing DC or con. Check out the relaxed threads to see what ladies are doing for their protein.

HTH

 

[kbnax]

Bump because I'd like to know too. I've been on this board for years and this still happens to me @ times. I have not figured out the protein/moisture balance. When this happens to me, I either usually trim or do a protein treatment and hope for the best. Sometimes it will stop immediately and other times it won't. One day I will notice it stopped but I have no clue what actually stopped it. I'm actually going through it now and I've clarified, did an Aphogee 2 step, overnight DC, trimmed, etc...idk. Just riding it out at this point.

 

[kbnax]

Do you have to comb your hair daily?

If you're just putting your hair in a ponytail, maybe you can finger comb to reduce breakage. I only comb on wash day, so that helps me reduce the breakage. The amount you're getting is what I normally see on wash day. Maybe try finger combing so it won't be so bad. hth

 

[C@ssandr@]

I learned through trial and error that my hair doesn't need protein as often as some or even most. I don't ever use protein unless my hair is sooo soft that it is breaking off...or as a treatment right after I relax....and even then, it will be a light protein treatment.

If my hair is acting up it's usually because I lack moisture....when that doesn't work that's how I know I need protein. (Or if my hair is too soft to begin with)

Hth.

 

[Evolving78]

I'm really confused and frustrated about this whole moisture/protein balance thingy. I'm relaxed and don't normally do anything involving protein for my hair so I naturally assume I need more protein. I tried adding egg to an ORS Replenishing Pak and conditioning with a moisture conditioner afterwards last night and it turned out disastrous. My hair was hard in places this morning and there didn't seem to be a difference in breakage. I don't have lots of breakage per se, but I end up with a decent amount of hair in my comb every time I comb which is a combination of breakage/shedding. Is it normal to pull long strands of hair from my head once I pull it back in a ponytail in my hand and grab the ends? I see where some report that they get minimal to no strands in their combs, how can I get on that level?!! I'm including a pic of what I get on a daily basis. Please help me ladies. What should I incorporate in my routine and how often?

donledo

sounds like protein overload. you need to stop using anything that has protein in it's first 5-6 ingredients or just cut protein out all together. any product that says rebuild, strengthen, strong, reconstruct, mask, etc.... leave it alone until you can get your hair back in order. you now need to focus on moisture. and no more using the comb on wet or damp hair at this point. you are going to need to use your fingers to detangle.

how many weeks post are you? getting rid of products that had protein in them, using my fingers instead of combs, getting a touch up, deep conditioning with heat, etc... helped

try some non protein conditioner with a tablespoon of salt for 10-15mins. that will help soften. think of tenderizing meat, or adding salt to soften your hard water.

 

[Evolving78]

Bump because I'd like to know too. I've been on this board for years and this still happens to me @ times. I have not figured out the protein/moisture balance. When this happens to me, I either usually trim or do a protein treatment and hope for the best. Sometimes it will stop immediately and other times it won't. One day I will notice it stopped but I have no clue what actually stopped it. I'm actually going through it now and I've clarified, did an Aphogee 2 step, overnight DC, trimmed, etc...idk. Just riding it out at this point.

when you use the Aphogee, you need to shampoo to get rid of the residue from the treatment. i don't recommend to dc right afterwards. shampoo, then dc with a conditioner that doesn't have protein in it. and no more overnight dc'ing, specially if your conditioner has some form of protein in it. i thought Joico Moisture Recovery was all about moisture, but it still had a lot protein in it. it just made my hair hard and straw-like. i had to switch all my products. i thought Kenra was going to save me, but that had protein in it too! people rave about Aubrey Organics Rose something conditioner, but that has protein in it too! if you need to condition, don't leave it on longer than it needs to be. hair can only absorb so much, and a conditioner can turn hard, or coat the hair. or create what some people might think their hair is really soft and moisturized, and it is really mushy.

 

[lamaria211]

Shalinda1 has a cool video about how most of the products we use have a good amount of protein in them already so check out your staples and see if they have protein in them. If they do you may not need protein treatments just a light reconstructor or a mild protein condish biweekly or even monthly. Have you done a strand test? Could the breakage be due to product build up or hard water maybe even porosity? When was your last trim?

 

[karenjoe]

wow! I ve been there.
I dont know the balance but I judge by the amount of hair I shed.
I just started co washing weekly.
but I pre poo w moisturizing conditioners & oil ( heat cap) 30 min sometimes
I apply apoghoee once a month & I rinse it out well
I add black tea rinse( weekly)
I use moisturizers only ( VO5 is my new fav's). one is a balancing moisturizer(?)

I have Roux porosity shampoo, I don't even shampoo now days maybe once a month....

weekly: i do the same with out the apoghee.
I use moisturizers like ORS light protein w or Shea butter w black tea......
FLASH BACK:
I haven't used an egg since my grandmother put one in my hair (I'm small & laying across the sink) her phone ring
I tried to rinse it out w warm water....a mess!!
then more moisturizer ( I read ingredients Now)

 

[divachyk]

I struggled with protein/moisture balance but think I've finally figured it out (hope those words don't haunt me). I see that some use protein weekly but my hair doesn't require it. My stylist uses protein on TU day and I don't use protein again until the week before I'm due for a TU. Therefore, my hair is receiving protein twice in about a 12 week period -- the week before I TU and the day I TU. Otherwise, my hair is receiving enough protein through the various products I use that contain random protein ingredients.

My hair does great with Ion Effective Care Protein treatment and I use it just as the package states, not a second more. Some suggest ORS K pak is protein and I've had great luck with that one also. They are very gentle to my protein sensitive hair.

Some of the popular ones likes AO GPB and Aphogee 2 minute were too harsh for my hair.

 

[AFashionSlave]

I had this problem for years, and I've finally figured out what works for my hair.

I used to use Aphogee 2-step & Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor, but those were too much for my hair.

Now I use Aubrey's GPB once every month. I also follow it up with my normal moisturizing conditioner.

Try using a milder protein treatment & follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner.