my hair hates oil and protein

[Glamorous_chic]

i've been on my hhj for about 2 years now. my hair is fine (sometimes it seems thick other times thin) and i've come to the conclusion that my hair hates oil and despises protein. whenever i do hot oil treatments or oil rinses, my hair just breaks off or i have soo much hair in my comb that it is ridiculous. i once tried to do an aphogee 2 minute and after 1 minute my hair was just breaking off something serious. it was horrible and lasted for a close to 2 months despite weekly deep conditioning treatments. i've decided to just kiss. i thought maybe it was just normal shedding, but when i just wash and condition and thats it, i don't lose as much hair. but my hair is soo fragile that i really do hate to even think about styling it, and try to just wear a bun or ponytail out of fear. i can't use most products b/c of the protein, and have to double check the ingredients list. its becoming more noticible to me, b/c i'm now a diyer. i used to go to the salon faithfully every 1-2 weeks. does anyone else have this problem? any suggestions?

 

[Kacie]

My hair hates oil too. I can use it as a prepoo but sealing or using oil heavy leave ins is a nono. For daily moisturizer, I'm loving darcy's daily leave in right now.

Have you tried Aubrey Organics GPB for your protein fix? And do you check your porosity often?

 

[Tiye]

In that case don't use oil rinses and hot oil treatments. I tried oil rinses just to see what they were about but I didn't keep them up and I seldom do hot oil treatments. My fave way to use oils is just after I shampoo and condition. I have an oil/butter blend that works great for me. But your leave in of choice will work just as well if you don't want to use oil.

 

[Lovelylocs]

I have fine hair and my hair hates grease and some oils. But, coconut oil or amla oil works great as a prepoo for me.

 

[Glamorous_chic]

kacie: no i haven't tried Aubrey Organics GPB. i've read about it alot on here and it seems to get great reviews.
lovelylocs: i've tried coconut oil and amla oil, with not bad results.
i havne't checked my porosity. i may try that. thanx.

 

[colibri972]

I'm so happy, to not be the only one! I know this don't help lol

My hair hates all the oils and all the protein. No prepoo, no oil rinse, no sealing for me!
And you're right, it's very hard to find hair product, everything seems to contain hydrolyzed (put whatever you want here: wheat; keratin, collagen, cat, fish...) protein.

I would suggest you to beware of the plants extracts(on my hair they act like protein, particulary camellia sinensis aka tea and coconut),
aloe vera is the green devil (for me), lechitin too.

If you have more luck than me; your hair are ok with humectant, you should try glycerine, honey or propylene glycol.

Porosity control and Henna gloss( 50% conditioner, 50% henna) are really good for the porosity.

 

[Evallusion]

My hair hate every oil except Castor Oil (esp. JBCO). And my hair also despises protein...I have yet to figure out a way around this. The closest I'll come to using protein is something light like a small amount of Giovanni Direct Leave-In underneath my moisturizer.

 

[sensi sweetie]

Hm Thats weird. So what does your hair like? Water based moisturizers? Butters? The juice?

 

[Glamorous_chic]

^^ i've tried giovani direct, and same thing, hair instantly started coming out in my hands. ugh....

colibri972- thanks for the suggestions. and you're right everything contains hydrolyzed something. and i have the same problem with aloe. the only thing i've tried that seems okay and i've had no problem with is qhemets products and hairveda moist 24-7. its hard b/c i'm also a product junkie, so i always am trying to find something new. but i i think im just going to have to stick with what i know works. i'm still interested in trying darcy's botanicals but i'm scared... also, using curl marts site to find products that are protein free has helped alot. thanks ladies for the advice.

my hair seems to like water-based moisturizers, but being that i'm transitioning, it makes it difficult if i want to wear my hair straight, b/c my hair will instantly revert....

 

[dm81]

You sound like me....I have fine hair that's on the "thicker side of thin" as I like to put it. The only oil that I can use without issue is coconut oil, and that's only as a prepoo. I tried the castor oil and thin and my hair was just coming out....too heavy.

I did try the aphogee 2 min when I had some breakage issues and had no probs with it....I left it only for literally 2 min though!

 

[BoaterGirlKim]

My hair hates protein and oils, too, depending on the types. I can get away with one or two broken down (hydrolyzed) proteins like silk and collagen that are water soluble way down an ingredient list. However, a heavy protein will increase my hair shed instantly. Talia Waajid's Bodifying Mist has wheat germ (contains heavy protein) and silk amino in its small ingredient list - love the smell and moisture, hate the shed. The silk amino has very low molecular weight, and some of my no-shed staples contain it (V05 Moisture Milks con, Motions Oil Moisturizer Silk Protein con) so the protein culprit is the heavy wheat germ.

Oils - I can get away with a little jojoba or Kemi for shine and they work great for sealing in very light amounts for me. Castor oil - I might as well douse my head in cool tar. Extra virgin coconut oil left my hair coated and I don't like the liquid/solid property.

My hair is also allergic to shea butter - on me it's more like shed butter LOL!

 

[ms-gg]

Sealing does not work for me at all. Most oils make my hair feel worse than before. Castor oil is a hit or miss....The only thing my hair seems to like is glycerin. I use Worlds of Curls Curl Activator gel and for kicks I add Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera gel if I feel like it.

Protein is a heyall no for me....

 

[colibri972]

It's really good to feel you can talk freely about this problem with oil and protein. (this is why I thanked you all)
I tried to talk about it on a french well known natural hair board and I've been rejected... They treated me like I was lying and like I was trying to disturb the natural newbie. lol


@ glamorous chic: my hair did the same with giovanni direct! lol Too much plants extracts.


I really admire you (and envy you) ladies too keep going on the natural hair journey despite this problem.

In France, the majority of hair products for natural ladies contains shed butter (lol BoaterGirlKim), aloe vera, oils and glyceryn is a hit or miss for me (propylene glycol a no no).

After 4 years of napiness, I'm just tired of all this drama. How to stay natural when your natural hair are not ok with the ingredients they are suppose to like?


Since I still want the look of natural hair, I will go for heat training (heat damage if you prefer) and if this don't work I will do a texturizer.

 

[Curlykale]

if you have problems with aloe vera and glycerin I would avoid humectants as well.

I noticed that many of you talk about shedding. I am wondering if you apply products to your scalp as well. I never do. My scalp only wants shampoo. When I moisturize, DC or use conditioners and oils I only do so to my length: maybe your scalp is like mine?
Also, have you tried your favourite moisturizing conditioner (one that has no humectants, no protein, no salt or bad alcohols and no butters if your hair doesn't like them... cones or not cones is a personal choice) as a leave in, on your length only, and as a moisturizer as well (with some water or alone)? Sometimes simple is better, and it's so much easier to find a conditioner you like and use it as a DC , leave in and moisturizer. (it does the job and it's simple).

FOR STRENGTHENING and to avoid overmoisturization:
Since your hair hates protein I'm wondering if some tea rinses could be beneficial... I have never tried them though, but I know they are good for shedding... Please do your research on this though as I'm not sure.

Rinses with a blue malva infusion are good for breakage as well.

Another thing could be coconut milk as a light protein, just for a couple of minutes.


Mybe your hair just likes light stuff instead of heavy stuff. I'm a firm believer that you can do almost everything with the right conditioner.


hope it helps!

 

[bride91501]

Op- I'm sorry you're having problems finding the right products for your hair. My DD's hair despises protein as well, and only seems to love moisture-rich products. Her hair does seem to take mixing a little ceramide oil like WGO into her DC, sealant, or moisturizer. I would just stick to what works for you, and not worry about how popular opposing practices are

QUESTION- If you decide to texturize your hair, wouldn't it require more protein in that state because it breaks down the protein bonds in the hair (similar to a regular relaxer)?

 

[Artemis]

You can definitely get the benefit of oil without doing oil rinses. Maybe your hair would just do better with applying one drop of oil on your hair daily to preserve the moisture and keep things pliable. People on this board tend to do way too much in hopes that their efforts will equal healthy hair. You are right to keep it simple, but I find it hard to believe that one's hair can "hate" oil or protein, since both are needed in order to maintain healthy hair condition (such as the hydrolipidic barrier that preserves the cuticle layers of the hair). Usually this means that you are using the wrong types of products for your hair (eg there are different kinds of protein for different needs) or you are using them incorrectly (for ex. you have fine hair so all your products should be used sparingly, not really oil rinsing).

My suggestion to you is to do some internet research on hair texture (fine, medium, coarse--not 3a,b, 4a, etc) and determine the kind of outcome you want and what kind of products will deliver those results.

Good luck

 

[colibri972]

Hi Ciccina,
in my case, I use nothing on my scalp. I tried to grease my scalp there is a long time ago but since my hair don't like butter and oils it was drying them near the roots and my scalp just don't care.

Overmoisturization... it's simply impossible for me, in 4 years (I don't even count the 2 years I had before my curly perm) it never happened to me.
I can cowash everyday with "moisturizing" conditioner and since it's not enough to moisturize my hair, overmoistuzing is not a problem.
My natural hair are naturally way too dry to be overmoisturized.
Tea is a no no, it act like protein, his action is similar to henna. My hair can stand henna (mix with conditioner ) but not tea. I tried a conditioner with tea extract (garnier) and it was a disaster.

I've tried the blue malva infusion (it was well know on french hair board because the malva release mucilage) and nothing except hard hair.

I really stay away from tea, infusion, extract.
Coconut oil, milk, extract are forbidden lol
I had a protein overload with white rain coconut conditioner crazy but true!

In fact I should not talk about shedding but breakage.

I don't have a favourite moisturizer conditioner, all the "moisturizing conditioner" seems to have the same poor effect.
They make my hair relatively soft but one hour after back to dryyyy hair.
Leave regular conditioner in my hair is pretty useless, if I use it pure= coated, dull and dry hard hair, if I use it diluted= weird, dull and dry hard hair lol

A moisturizing conditioner without humectants (glycerin, propylene glycol, honey), or lubricants (oils and butter) probably doesn't exist.

@bride91501's
hello, of course like all the chemical altered head my hair would need more protein. When you lack of protein it's ok to tu use product with them.
Now, I can't use protein (light or strong) because my hair don't lack.

In fact, i'm more concerned by the fact that I can't use oils, butters and humectant when I'm natural.
I've tried ceramide too, the sheen is great but no better moisture retention for me.

 

[bb09]

Deleted. I'm not too sure.. ..I must be doing something right

 

[Rain20]

White rain conditioner can be very drying for some. To me its like Giovanni Direct your hair either loves or hates it.

Grapeseed oil and Argan oils are very light and you may be be able to add ine to your conditioner instead of sealing with it. I am not sure if you mentioned olive oil in your conditioner or shampoo. Maybe just a teaspoon to start and gradually increase.

Wheat protein is not as drying. Have you tried Aveda products? The protein in Aveda products usually is well tolerated. Joico's moisturizing line may work for you if you haven't tried those products already. Try samples first on a test patch of hair instead your whole head. Maybe add an egg to your favorite moisturizing conditioner as well.

Also some conditioners seem to work better if used under heat even if the label doesn't mention using heat. The products may penetrate better.

Everyone keeps mentioning steaming products for hydration. Seems like if your hair is dry this may be an option for you as well.

 

[ms-gg]

LOL... honestly, my hair hates protein being added to it and there is nothing I can do about it. I have extremely coarse wiry hair and it has an overabundance of protein so I don't need to add any extra *shrugs*

One thing I have learned after being on hairboards for years is that there is no one size fits all method for retaining length and maintaining healthy hair. One woman's holy grail is another woman's worst nightmare.... it is what it is....

 

[Curlykale]

ok, definitely run away from strengthening stuff...

... a conditioner with no oil, butter, humectants, silicones or protein does exist: Kinky Curly Knot Today. You could try the product and study a bit its formulation to see if it's a good starting point. I haven't tried it yet but the ingredients and reviews make me think it may work for you?

... a superconcentrated moisturizing deep conditioner that is light in consitency and can be left is Curl Junkie Curl Rehab. Although it has butters, it doesn't behave like common products with butters (I know that because my hair hates butter, humectants and too much protein).

I'm not much of a product junkie so I don't have other products in mind but I hope you find the one (to buy or to make)!

Also: have you tried to leave in regular conditioners without silicones as well? sometimes it's the silicones that your hair doesn't like. (both my examples have no silicones).

Techniques that may work on your hair:

- baggying overnight
- steaming
- deep conditioning overnight
- leaving in your moisturizing deep conditioner.

Keep it up, something that works exists!

 

[colibri972]

Hello Ciccina,

I would like to use all those products, but I live in France and I'm tired (and too ruined lol) to pay overpriced shipping ( at least 15 dollars per item). When you think about it I will pay 27 dollars (12 dollars for the bottle+ the shipping fee) for a leave in that I'm suppose to use generously in my hair everyday... before I would do it but now I need to cut on my crazy junkiness.


but to be honest all those plants extracts in kinky curly make me nervous (I tried marshmallow root tea and my hair was haard).
And as I said before my hair hate aloe vera so Curl Junkie Curl Rehab is a no no.


Silicone just sit on my hair, they just don't care lol

I don't want to be mean but I live on LHCF since 2005 and when I say "live" it's not a joke (I'm one of the biggest lurker) so I've tried all those techniques ( steaming is the best I go from dryyyy to just dryy in one session ), they are great but they are awesome when you have the right product.

My friend told me that maybe my hair are healthy and naturally dry. And I think she may be right because I can always go drier than my everyday dryness.

 

[Rain20]

Have u tried the coconut cream and lime juice texture loosener, caramel treatment, or yogurt, or a teaspoon or so of baking soda in conditioner. What about the cherry lola treatment? Irish moss powder added to ur conditioner or Fenugreek powder added to a conditioner can really soften the hair. The Ayuvedic powders are fairly cheap if dont have to buy online. The other suggestions are natural ingredients that u can buy in the grocery store.

What r u using now? R u retaining length?

 

[empressri]

Just curious...and let me know if you tried it this way....can you oil your hair when it's dry? Could it be that the oil on your hair when wet makes it harder to comb through hence the breakage??

This is why I was never big on hot oil treatments. I did oil rinse before and my hair liked it but after nearly killing myself by falling in the shower it lost its novelty.

Now I have put coconut oil on my hair right after rinsing out a deep conditioner and my hair takes to that well. Otherwise I just oil my hair when it's dry.

 

[SerenavanderWoodsen]

My hair hates EVERYTHING so I know how you feel. I made a thread with that title a while back . I found in the end that my hair can tolerate a little jojoba oil when wet and my hair seemed to really like it when I'm not straightening. I have to be very picky about what I use.

 

[Glamorous_chic]

thanks everyone for answering. i don't apply the products to my scalp, just the length of my hair. i don't use alot of product b/c my hair is easily weighed down. and i still get the same results. my hair hated proteins when i was relaxed. its weird b/c i always thought relaxed hair needed more protein. but protein caused breakage even for my relaxed hair. also, oil causes shedding/breakage even on dry hair. i did have ok results with grapeseed oil, but coconut oil seems to be way too heavy for me.

i will try knot today. thanks for the suggestion. i've been thinking about knot today, for a while. also, i've recently bought a steamer, and am still figuring out what products work best for me with it. seeming weird though, my hair is ok with qhemets burdock root and honey and alma.

thanks everyone for your suggestions again. it's nice to know there are others that have the same problems.

 

[theLovelyStyle]

My fine hair doesnt like protein too much either. I had a severe protein overload using ORS Mayo which resulted in hard, matted hair.

Since then, I have no heavy protein products or treatments.

Sometimes I like to think that since I consume soo much protein (I eat 9+ eggs a week, and I drink protein shakes 2-3x week) that my hair already has enough at birth??? I dont know?

 

[CurlyActress]

great thread