Protein treatment? please advise...

[Ladylu]

Hello, I am 10 weeks post. I have read through the threads and have had an overload of info. I see people talking about co-wash, protein treatments, and DC treatments. I also see where people talk about having protein overload. My hair relaxed and is a little past SL. I want to make sure that I minimize the breakage during this process. I have abotu 1 inch of NG.

Can someone explain, how often do I need to do protein treatments along with deep condition?
What products do you use to get your protein?

Right not I am using VO5 for my co-wash. (just did my 1st co-wash)
Just purchased Givonni Direct for my leave in conditioner.
Using Design essentials (dry scalp) when I do use shampoo.
I plan to purchase the Redken anti snap (as soon as I find it)

 

[BellaLunie]

Well right now I don't co wash. I use a hard protein treatment(Aphogee 2 step) a week before my relaxer(around the 7th wk). It's recommended that you only use it every six weeks. I DC every wash depending on what my hair needs. My protein DC is usually ORS mayo, LeKair cholesterol,Aphogee 2 minute Reconstructor. Moisture DC- ORS pack, Nexxus Humectress,and Dove(dark blue bottle). Personally my hair loves protein. I'm hoping someone else will chime in

ETA-I'm trying to stretch my relaxers by 2 week intervals. I'm 2 weeks post. I'm striving for 10 weeks next time which will be 12/2/2009

My wash days are Weds and Sat but I only wash maybe once a wk on Weds. I DC on dry hair most of the time

 

[msa]

Basically, you use protein to keep your hair strong and elastic. You have to figure out when you need it (for example, if you're seeing a lot of extra breakage) because it varies from person to person. You could just start with a light protein once a week (ex: aphogee 2 min reconstructor) for maintenance and see how your hair responds.

Generally, you should follow a protein treatment with a moisture conditioner. If you do a heavy protein treatment like aphogee 2 step or emergencee then you definitely need to do a good moisturizing dc afterward.

I don't really worry about protein since I don't use any chemicals or heat. I do use coconut oil often because it helps to slow protein loss.

There's lots of threads that list protein conditioners so if you search specifically for that I'm sure you'll get a lot of ideas.

 

[Aggie]

Ladylu, first of all, I just want to say your hair is beautiful and it appears to be past APL and maybe an inch or 2 from BSL which is a lot longer than just past SL.

I agree with MSA about knowing when your hair needs a protein treatment. I am relaxed but I'm over 35 weeks into a long-term relaxer stretch and protein treatments have become a much needed step in my regimen to the point where I use a mild one weekly.

A couple of things to look for when determining if your hair is in need of a protein treatment. Note that healthy hair, because it is elastic in nature, naturally stretches a little when pulled/tugged.

Simply take a dry strand of your hair and attempt to stretch it very slowly. If it breaks before even a slight stretch, then that means your hair is in need of some moisturizing deep conditioners and/or water-based moisturizers to add some resiliency back to it. If the hair just keeps on stretching for far too long before it breaks, then you'd a protein treatment to strengthen it.

If you start seeing broken pieces all over the floor, it is probable that you might be in need of some moisturizing DCs. Remember though that whenever you use protein treatments, follow them up with moisturizing DCs. You can also try baggying your ends with a water-based moisturizer for a few nights until the elasticity of your hair is restored.

On the other hand, if you notice that your hair is feeling a little mushy to the touch, it is in need of protein. Make sure since your hair is relaxed, to keep the porosity balanced. You can use ACV rinses, Roux's Porosity Control conditioner, even citric acid. Chemically altered hair has a tendency to become pretty porous, whether relaxed, bleached, permanently colored, etc. HTH!

 

[Ladylu]

Ladylu, first of all, I just want to say your hair is beautiful and it appears to be past APL and maybe an inch or 2 from BSL which is a lot longer than just past SL.

I agree with MSA about knowing when your hair needs a protein treatment. I am relaxed but I'm over 35 weeks into a long-term relaxer stretch and protein treatments have become a much needed step in my regimen to the point where I use a mild one weekly.

A couple of things to look for when determining if your hair is in need of a protein treatment. Note that healthy hair, because it is elastic in nature, naturally stretches a little when pulled/tugged.

Simply take a dry strand of your hair and attempt to stretch it very slowly. If it breaks before even a slight stretch, then that means your hair is in need of some moisturizing deep conditioners and/or water-based moisturizers to add some resiliency back to it. If the hair just keeps on stretching for far too long before it breaks, then you'd a protein treatment to strengthen it.

If you start seeing broken pieces all over the floor, it is probable that you might be in need of some moisturizing DCs. Remember though that whenever you use protein treatments, follow them up with moisturizing DCs. You can also try baggying your ends with a water-based moisturizer for a few nights until the elasticity of your hair is restored.

On the other hand, if you notice that your hair is feeling a little mushy to the touch, it is in need of protein. Make sure since your hair is relaxed, to keep the porosity balanced. You can use ACV rinses, Roux's Porosity Control conditioner, even citric acid. Chemically altered hair has a tendency to become pretty porous, whether relaxed, bleached, permanently colored, etc. HTH!

Thanks ladies...well last night I notice my hair is really sheading...from the root. It's not breaking off, but sheading the whole lenght of hair is coming out. Is this normal at 10 weeks? I did the stretch test and it gave for about a second, then snapped. I tested another piece and it snapped as soon as I started to pull.....sigh.....
From what I have read, AGGIE, it sounds like I need to do a protein treatment followed by a DC moisutrizer treatment.

 

[Aggie]

Thanks ladies...well last night I notice my hair is really sheading...from the root. It's not breaking off, but sheading the whole lenght of hair is coming out. Is this normal at 10 weeks? I did the stretch test and it gave for about a second, then snapped. I tested another piece and it snapped as soon as I started to pull.....sigh.....
From what I have read, AGGIE, it sounds like I need to do a protein treatment followed by a DC moisutrizer treatment.

Okay, try that but remember that hair shedding is normal. In fact, 50-100 hairs shed a day is normal but if it becomes alarming for you and you need to slow it down, try a pre poo of:

2-3 cloves of finely chopped garlic
1-1.5oz of evoo

Heat in microwave for about 30 seconds, add to your scalp only, massage it in a little and keep it on with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes with heat under a hooded dryer. This process can be repeated for as often as needed to curb the sheding but understand, it won't stop it entirely.

After the prepoo, proceed with clarifying nad DCing as usual. Good luck honey.

PS - Judging by what you have said about your strand test, you only need a mild protein treatment (for about 20 minutes with heat) but I feel that you need more deep moisturizing conditioning (for about 30-45 mintes also with heat).

Try baggying that same night as well and that should restore the elasticity in your hair. Mkae sure to keep your ends moisturized daily and sealed with a natural oil as well.

 

[Ladylu]

Okay, try that but remember that hair shedding is normal. In fact, 50-100 hairs shed a day is normal but if it becomes alarming for you and you need to slow it down, try a pre poo of:

2-3 cloves of finely chopped garlic
1-1.5oz of evoo

Heat in microwave for about 30 seconds, add to your scalp only, massage it in a little and keep it on with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes with heat under a hooded dryer. This process can be repeated for as often as needed to curb the sheding but understand, it won't stop it entirely.

After the prepoo, proceed with clarifying nad DCing as usual. Good luck honey.

PS - Judging by what you have said about your strand test, you only need a mild protein treatment (for about 20 minutes with heat) but I feel that you need more deep moisturizing conditioning (for about 30-45 mintes also with heat).

Try baggying that same night as well and that should restore the elasticity in your hair. Mkae sure to keep your ends moisturized daily and sealed with a natural oil as well.

Thanks for the quick response AGGIE. Here are my plans for hair care tonight... Shampoo with Design essentials dry scalp, towel dry hair, apply the protein treatment with heat for 20 min, (Aphogee Step 2 protein treatment), Rinse and apply deep conditioner for 30-45 min with heat, rinse and apply Givonni Direct leave in condition to help detangle and set my hair....light setting lotion. How's this sound.... so many conditioning steps....LOL


I plan to get the Redken Anti snap soon...(I heard it was good for breakage).

 

[Aggie]

Thanks for the quick response AGGIE. Here are my plans for hair care tonight... Shampoo with Design essentials dry scalp, towel dry hair, apply the protein treatment with heat for 20 min, (Aphogee Step 2 protein treatment), Rinse and apply deep conditioner for 30-45 min with heat, rinse and apply Givonni Direct leave in condition to help detangle and set my hair....light setting lotion. How's this sound.... so many conditioning steps....LOL


I plan to get the Redken Anti snap soon...(I heard it was good for breakage).

Hmmm, I wouldn't use the Aphogee 2 Step treatment if I were you - it's too strong at this point. I'd use the Aphogee 2 Minute keratin Reconstructor instead because it's milder. Giovanni Direct leave-in already has some protein in it and I don't want you to end up with protein overload. I don't use setting lotions so I can't advise on that one.

Do you have an actual clarifying shampoo? I am not familiar with the shampoo you will be using. Does it have Ammonium Laurly or Laureth Sulfates in it? If it does, then it should work but I still prefer a clarifying shampoo like ORS Aloe poo or even a cheap v05 or Suave shampoo will do the trick.

If you plan to use Redken Anti-Snap leave-in, please don't use the Giovanni Direct at the same time. Use one or the other. They both have proteins in them. I use Sally's GVP version of Redken Anti-Snap and that stuff is really good but don't over-use it.

 

[Ladylu]

Hmmm, I wouldn't use the Aphogee 2 Step treatment if I were you - it's too strong at this point. I'd use the Aphogee 2 Minute keratin Reconstructor instead because it's milder. Giovanni Direct leave-in already has some protein in it and I don't want you to end up with protein overload. I don't use setting lotions so I can't advise on that one.

Do you have an actual clarifying shampoo? I am not familiar with the shampoo you will be using. Does it have Ammonium Laurly or Laureth Sulfates in it? If it does, then it should work but I still prefer a clarifying shampoo like ORS Aloe poo or even a cheap v05 or Suave shampoo will do the trick.

If you plan to use Redken Anti-Snap leave-in, please don't use the Giovanni Direct at the same time. Use one or the other. They both have proteins in them. I use Sally's GVP version of Redken Anti-Snap and that stuff is really good but don't over-use it.

Oops, I had the two products mixed up. I meant the Keratine 2 minute, for the protein treatment.... I'm not sure of what's in the shampoo, I'll check when I get home. I do know that it's specifically for dry scalp...it probably has similar ingredients to selson blue.

Do you think I should just do the shampoo and the Giovanni Direct (since it already has some protein in it?) or still do the Keratine 2 minute, for the protein treatment.

 

[Aggie]

Oops, I had the two products mixed up. I meant the Keratine 2 minute, for the protein treatment.... I'm not sure of what's in the shampoo, I'll check when I get home. I do know that it's specifically for dry scalp...it probably has similar ingredients to selson blue.

Do you think I should just do the shampoo and the Giovanni Direct (since it already has some protein in it?) or still do the Keratine 2 minute, for the protein treatment.

Whew!! Okay you can still use the 2 minute keratin treatment but use the Giovanni Direct leave-in sparingly. A little should go a long way.

 

[star]

I rotate a light protien with heavy protein and I always do a good condtion because when I stretch my relaxers I need to keep the hair as soft as possible to avoid unnessary breakage. I notice some shedding with my hair 2 weeks ago and I remember that I forgot to give it protein for few weeks. Once I did the protein it stopped immediately. Protien is important for relaxed hair and condtioner for stretching relaxers.