Ceramides = Needing Less Protein?

Does Using Ceramides = Needing Less Protein


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Reecie

Active Member
I had no idea that Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle rose had ceramides (4th ingredient is wheat germ oil). I've been using this product religiously for the past 2 years. In the beginning of my hair journey, my hair needed LOTS of protein, but after weeks of using AOHSR, the need for protein diminished. I still do hardcore protein (Aphogee 2 Step) every six weeks, but there is no need for weekly/monthly protein conditioners or shampoos and I was wondering why. After reading this information about ceramides.... I think I know why.

Hair fragility is promoted by a multitude of factors such as the excessive, inappropriate or too frequent treatment with chemical products, the combined thermal and mechanical constraints imposed by hairdressing, and the continual exposure to sunlight, especially during the summer months. All of these factors contribute to the cumulative process of impairment of the hair fiber, which weakens its resistance to chemical and physical attack and leads to a general deterioration in the feel and appearance of hair.

Polar lipids like ceramides play a vital role in the hair's external protective sheath, the cuticle. The 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 the various agents and treatments mentioned above. In particular, they have a barrier effect which limits the loss of proteins; Furthermore, they also reinforce cuticle cohesion, which gives the hair more strength and liveliness.


"DISCLAIMER: I ALREADY KNOW PROTEINS AND CERAMIDES ARE TWO TOTALLY SEPERATE THINGS". Chime in ladies... for those of you using ceramides, do you find your hair needs less protein products?


PRODUCTS CONTAINING CERAMIDES:

OILS:
Wheat Germ Oil
Barley Malt Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Walnut Oil
Sunflower Oil
Kukui Oil
Eucalyptus Extract

PRODUCTS:
Aubrey Organics Products
BPT Wheat Germ Conditioner
Crece Pelo Leave-In
Garnier Fructis Instant Melting Strength and Repair Masque
Hask Cerafix
Joico K-Pak Reconstructor
Kan Kanechomn Ceramide Deep Conditioning Cream
L'Oreal Elvive Nutri-Ceramide Deep Repair Concentrate
L'Oreal Serle Expert Liss Starter Ionene G + Ceramide Pre-Smoothing Treatment
Matrix Biolage Cera-Repair
Matrix Biolage Fortifying conditioner
Matrix Biolage Cera-Repair Hydratherapie
Miss Key 10 en 1 Conditioner
Mizani Therma Smooth
Nexxus Therappe
Nexxus Humectress
Nexxus Keraphix
Nexxus Headdress
Nexxus Aloe Rid
Nexxus Botanoil Shampoo
Redken Extreme Conditioner
Redken Extreme Rescue Force
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap
Salerm Wheat Germ Conditioner
Sedal Products
Silicon Mix Proteina de Perla (Pearl Protein) Leave-In
Silicon Mix Conditioner
Silicon Mix Leave-in
Skala Ceramide 3 Conditioner (Brazilian)
Softsheen Carson Breakthru Anti-Breakage - Protecting Foam
Softsheen Carson Breakthru Anti-Breakage - Fortifying Moisturizing Shampoo
Taliah Waajid Enhancing Herbal Conditioner
 
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All of Aubrey's conditioners that I've used have wheat germ oil pretty high up in the ingredients. :yep: White Camelia and GBP have it too, I didn't realize that until recently either.
Another reason why the line is just awesome...
 
Although I still use a lot of protein, I use less than I did before using ceramides.

AOHSR left my hair hard as a brick :nono: but my hair does like ceramides!

Great thread, Reecie!
 
Good Info.:yep: Thanks Reecie. I have been using Ceramides for a couple of months now.

However, I have not changed my current Regimen. So, it would be hard for me to say whether I need 'less' protein as I use a light/med reconstructor of some sort, weekly.

I have been using Matrix Biolage Ceramides Tubes/Vials and Wheat Germ Oil (bottle) as well as Essential Fatty Acids and other products containing a fair amount of Ceramides. i.e. Redken Rescue Force and others.:yep:

It would be nice to have a good comprehensive list of all the Products & Oils that Contain Ceramides.

I feel, for me, incorporating Ceramides as been an extra-added plus in the Balance of Protein & Moisture.

Here is another Good Read about Ceramides:


http://juvenescent.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/ceramides-and-your-hair/
 
My hair thrives on protein, so I don't think I've seen the need to decrease my use of protein. I pre-poo with a light protein each week and I use half a vial to a whole vial of Biolage Hydratherapie Cera Repair Pro in my DC weekly. I'll be keeping an eye on any signs of protein overload now though.
 
Although I still use a lot of protein, I use less than I did before using ceramides.

AOHSR left my hair hard as a brick :nono: but my hair does like ceramides!

Great thread, Reecie!

Thanks girlie. Ceramides sparked my interest after reading your post that you loved using it. Who knew that all this time, I was loving it all as well! :perplexed
 
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If you review the Article I posted, you will see that it works to assist your Hair into Holding onto Moisture and acts in conjunction with both Protein/Moisture even though it's role is separate and apart from both.:look:

For Me, I don't think it will affect my levels of protein as it has a totally different molecular make-up.:yep:
 
If you review the Article I posted, you will see that it works to assist your Hair into Holding onto Moisture and acts in conjunction with both Protein/Moisture even though it's role is separate and apart from both.:look:

For Me, I don't think it will affect my levels of protein as it has a totally different molecular make-up.:yep:

Right. Ceramides are lipids which work in conjunction with moisture and protein. It really is a synergistic effect. Cholesterol is another lipid product that works in the same way and is what was filling that void for many of us before hair care became all scientific.

Ceramides are good stuff. I think about them as a windbreaker for hair...giving a little more protection than just going at the world naked :lol:
 
I love AO Conditioners because they really moisturize my hair, but I was still using Aphogee 2-step every 6 weeks...

Now that I've been using Silicon Mix DC, it's been about eight weeks and I don't need to do a hardcore protein treatment...interesting

I'm 25 weeks post and Silicon Mix keeps my new growth and hair moisturized and elastic.
 
My hair thrives on protein, so I don't think I've seen the need to decrease my use of protein. I pre-poo with a light protein each week and I use half a vial to a whole vial of Biolage Hydratherapie Cera Repair Pro in my DC weekly. I'll be keeping an eye on any signs of protein overload now though.
The Biolage Cera Repair sounds like a great product that I'd be interested in, but I can't find the ingredient list online. Would you mind telling me the ingredients? I need to know if it's BKT-compatible (no sodium chloride, no sulfates.) TIA
 
The Biolage Cera Repair sounds like a great product that I'd be interested in, but I can't find the ingredient list online. Would you mind telling me the ingredients? I need to know if it's BKT-compatible (no sodium chloride, no sulfates.) TIA

Sorry, I had to go get the box! There's four different types and I have the Hydratherapie ones, the ingredients might vary with each type:

x28kzt.jpg


Ingredients: Water, Quaternium-87, Stearyl Alcohol, Potato Starch Modified, Amodimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, 2-Oleamido-1, 3-Octadecanediol, Polysorbate 20, C11-15 Pareth-7, Methylparaden, Glycerin, C12-16 Pareth-9, Trideceth-12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Saccharium Officinarum (Sugar Cane Extract), Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Evernia Furfuracea (Tree Moss Extract), Camellia Sinensis, Algae, Aloe Leaf Extract, Lemon Peel Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, Methyl-2-Octynoate.
 
^^Thank you so much for typing all that out! I had no idea there were different types. I think I will try the one you have. Are you relaxed or natural?
 
I've been using HSR for about 6 months but not religiously so I can't give an honest answer about my protein needs decreasing...but I just bought a bottle of wheat germ oil and I plan to add it to my DC's everytime.
 
Yep, I don't think you need protein as much over time if you use ceramides.
I used to use Nexxus Therepee and Humectress back when I was relaxed like nobody's business (my hair is fine). I also used Emergencee once or twice a month. After about a year, I used Emergencee again and whoa....my hair was hard as a rock! Lots of deep conditioning on that day.
 
Thanks for the listings of ceramide containing oils.


I guess that's why African Royal Hot Six Oil was so miraculous before we all got so scientific with our hair. That oil did the trick. hmmmmmmmmmm, may be investing in a bottle just for safe keeping.
 
^^Thank you so much for typing all that out! I had no idea there were different types. I think I will try the one you have. Are you relaxed or natural?

You're welcome! I'm texlaxed. And yea there are four, I believe:
(1) HydraTherapie - maintains moisture & softness
(2) ForteTherapie - repairs & strengthens hair
(3) VolumaTherapie - for fine, limp hair
(4) ColorCareTherapie - preserves & protects color radiance

I've only tried (1), but I'd like to try (2). Maybe use that one when I get the relaxer to help rebuild those bonds. I've been kinda mimicking the way taz007 uses the product. Check out her Fotki if you'd like:

http://members.fotki.com/taz007/
 
All of Aubrey's conditioners that I've used have wheat germ oil pretty high up in the ingredients. :yep: White Camelia and GBP have it too, I didn't realize that until recently either.
Another reason why the line is just awesome...

I bought the redken anti snap only once. I mainly use the White Camelia.
 
i read here on the forum (have no idea which threads) that you need to bump up the ceramides if you use no-lye relaxers, & bump up the protein if you use lye relaxers. the ceramides do something beneficial when it comes to the calcium buildup associated with no-lye relaxers, & the protein helps aid the faster cuticle breakdown associated with higher pH lye relaxers.

ceramides are no substitute for protein, though. you still need it, whether you're no lye, lye, or natural.
 
Is it possible to overdo it with ceramides?

Komaza has a new lacto-ceramide line, and the serum (Moku Serum) is absolutely amazing. I just finished flat ironing with it, and it's the best product I've used so far.

I'd like to keep using the Moku Serum for moisture on my straightened hair, and the leave-in too. I wonder if I could also use the Biolage Cera-Repair in my DCs, or would that be too much?
 
Nothing scientific, buy IMO, ceramides does equal less protein for me. I think it fills in the breaks in bonds just like protein w/o being too strong. I use the whole Sedal Ceramidas line (minus the shampoo) and used to use the optimum antibreakage w/ ceramides in it and I stopped needing protein at all except for when I use heat back to back or somethin. I think it serves a very similar purpose as protein and therefore protein is not needed as much. I LOVE ceramides and don't even worry about protein at all anymore. Its less harsh and I don't think you can overdo it cuz once your hair is strong and has no breaks, the ceramides will either just coat or wont be absorbed. I NEVER experienced overdrying w/ ceramides like I did w/ protein. Also, my individual strands actually seem to be getting thicker and stronger thanks to ceramides. And I'm natural so idk bout relaxed heads (lye vs. no lye) but I think they can benefit everyone and don't see how they can hurt.
 
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I think it serves a very similar purpose as protein and therefore protein is not needed as much.

:yep: ITA!

. Its less harsh and I don't think you can overdo it cuz once your hair is strong and has no breaks, the ceramides will either just coat or wont be absorbed. I NEVER experienced overdrying w/ ceramides like I did w/ protein.

WOW. I never thought of it that way, but you are so true. Of course ceramides is no substitute for Protein, but it has the ability to keep protein in the hair without overdrying the hair!
 
Interesting.. I can't give a direct answer..but that maybe have been my issue with the protein.. I use AO GPB..but I was also using aphogee on top of that.. It could be that I really didn't need that much protein at all.. hmm i'll have to figure this out..
 
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