How Important is Hard Protein?

[LittleLuxe]

Is there anyone who doesn't use it at all?

I was thinking about this today because I've never used a hard protein before and regardless of what issues I've had with my hair I don't think this ever contributed to them.

I've heard people suggest you use a hard protein the week before you relax but does this guarantee some special result (cause if it does I'll USE it, lol) or would you barely notice it if your hair is healthy and in good condition?

Would you need to worry about wrecking your protein/moisture balance by introducing a hard protein into a delicate system? And last but not least, if you do use a hard protein would Kenra Moisturizing Deep Conditioner be enough to counter the effects or do I need to look for something else?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Janet']

Honestly, before I got my triple process color, I had never done a hard protein treatment and I don't feel that my hair suffered. I do know that some swear by it, but I never found it necessary until it was necessary, if you know what I mean?

 

[LittleLuxe]

I understand completely, lol. I meant to buy a hard protein to use before I relaxed last time but didn't get around to it and only used a medium one. Well considering that's the one I try to use regularly to keep protein in my regime I really tried to see some major difference in my freshly relaxed hair.

it looked silky, smooth, a little thin (completely normal after a fresh relaxer) but not fragile or weak. Just healthy and even a little shinier than the rest of my hair (I think I'll give the credit to Flaxseed Oil for that) so.......

it left me wondering just how much the hard protein before a relaxer (or at all) was bringing to the table.

Thanks for responding!

 

[Nonie]

I have never used hard protein. I only use reconstructors AO GPB and Nexxus Emergencée. It is not important to me to use a hard protein.

 

[Esthi777]

I think it depends on what's going on with your hair. My hair was, what I believe, heat trained and it was super straight even when wet. Once I did a hard protein treatment, my curls came back. I also think that when your hair is fine and prone to breakage, it's important.

 

[Spring]

My hair has never responded well to protein treatments other than Aphogee 2 min reconstructor and I only use that for 3 min every 3-6 months. Even the cholesterol treatments containing protein are a no no

ETA: It's keratin protein that I have to be very careful with, but collagen and some of the others are fine

 

[Myjourney2009]

I dont use hard protein treatments. I dont feel that I need them, My hair is fairly healthy. I got one once (Sebastian Penetraitt) years ago and I do remember it left my hair in better conditon. My hair was relaxed bone straight and was breaking alot.

I use Millscreek Biotion conditioner (It has collagen and keratin) 6 weeks after my TU and then again 2 weeks before the next TU and I think that is okay.

 

[wannabelong]

I've never used a hardcore protein treatment. I've only used Aphogee 2-minute reconstructor or Motions CPR (sometimes mixed with an egg for an extra boost of protein) when my hair begins to feel mushy/over moisturized.

 

[LittleLuxe]

Thank you ladies! bumping for more replies

 

[sithembile]

What's the difference between a hard protein and a reconstrutor? Is it to do with specific ingredients? I've used Joico kpak which I believe to be a reconstructor, but it contains keratin and made my hair hard. I've also used Nexxus Keraphix, another reconstructor but it doesn't harden my hair. I don't know if I really need a hardcore protein.

 

[Nonie]

What's the difference between a hard protein and a reconstrutor? Is it to do with specific ingredients? I've used Joico kpak which I believe to be a reconstructor, but it contains keratin and made my hair hard. I've also used Nexxus Keraphix, another reconstructor but it doesn't harden my hair. I don't know if I really need a hardcore protein.

IMO a hardcore protein is pure protein no moisture; a reconstructor is part protein part moisture. I can use AO GPB and not follow up with a moisturizing conditioner and not have any issues. I don't think it'd be wise to do that with a pure protein.

 

[brucebettye]

I used the 2 step aphogee treatment and it did nothing for my hair, made it hard, and I had more breakage. I only use the mild protein because it works for my hair.

 

[libertysince05]

I think it depends on what's going on with your hair. My hair was, what I believe, heat trained and it was super straight even when wet. Once I did a hard protein treatment, my curls came back. I also think that when your hair is fine and prone to breakage, it's important.

agreed.
after doing apoghee 2 step and using a bone comb my hair breakage is minimal and my curls defined.
my hair has come a long way since introducing hard proteins (i dc x2 a week) and i agree with what was posted before about using it when needed (i dont believe everyone does. I used very little protein on my hair and also had a low protein diet before introducing hard protein to my hair, i had bad hair and nail breakage)

 

[divachyk]

Protein for me is very important. Before LHCF, I use to "shed" a lot but it was really tiny hairs of breakage, I was just unskilled to know better. After joining LHCF and reading about moisture/protein balance, I incorporated Aphogee 2min in my weekly reg and my hair is responding well. I skipped doing Aphogee 2min a few times to see how my hair would respond and I experienced some light breakage. So I know that my hair likes protein because of this experiment. I Aphogee 2step about a week after relaxing....so that's about every 10 weeks or so. I have relatively thick, coarse hair.

 

[aa9746]

I did the 2 step with aphogee because i wanted something stronger than the 2 min. about 5 weeks ago. However, i didn't want to use heat on my strands so i let it dry naturally. It worked great for me because my hair didn't get as hard as it would had i used the dryer.

 

[LittleLuxe]

So from what I'm seeing hard protein is sort of optional, only necessary if you're doing something possibly damaging to your hair (like a triple process color) or if your hair is breaking very badly and in serious need of protein. But if your hair is in good condition and you're not experiencing breakage then you could simply stick with a Reconstructer.

Or some people use a hard protein and just space them very rarely through their routine unlike using them fairly regularly like a reconstructer.

Thanks ladies!

 

[lovelexi]

Hard protein did wonders for my hair. I use the Aphogee 2-Step every 10 weeks or so basically before a relaxer. Before my hair would always break. So many broken strands in the comb. Using the Aphogee and Nexxus Emergencee helped to lessen my breakage.