Protein Question-HELP!!!

[Misstacie]

First, big thanks to all of the ladies here that have shared their experiences and advice. My sister turned me on to this site. When she first told me about it, I thought, "I'm already natural (15 or more years at that time), so my hair is as healthy and long as it's going to get". Well, that was about 1 yr and 6 inches of retention ago. I went from APL to MBL. WL, here I come. (That pic is several months old, taken after my BC)

Anywho....I think I have everything under control except, I feel like I'm possibly missing out on the benefits of protein. I have only done 1 protein treatment about 10 months ago (Egg, EVOO, Honey, no heat for 30 min.) My hair came out crunchy. I couldn't get a comb through it for about a week and it took about a month to fully recover. What did I do wrong?

Someone keeps coming into my house when I'm sleep and painting random stands of my hair gray, so as of about 3 months ago, I started coloring my brown hair a slightly lighter brown all over and have noticed it's a little dryer, but not bad at all, still feels silky when straightened and is shiny, no breakage even though I'm coloring the front edges every 7-10 days.

Does everyone need protein treatments?....or should you only use it if you have damage. Even on the Aphogee Product use guide, it is only under the recommendation of "severe" and "some" breakage. I don't have any breakage or damage...just a few split ends that are remedied with a trim. Someone posted that natural protein such as Mayo, eggs etc. have molecules that are too large to penetrate the hair shaft. I don't know what to do. I'm so afraid I'll be one of those w/ a horror story of how a protein treatment broke off all my hair. HELP!!!

 

[cinnespice]

I would like to know the answer too. Cause I noticed when i was putting in my leave in and doing protein treatments it would make my hair crunchy and hard. And i would only do the protein every 4 to 6 weeks. I had to stop altogether cause really I don't think i may need it. I was using aubrey organics and it was mild.

 

[mzteaze]

Some naturals feel that they do not need to use protein.

However, I find that my natural hair thrives with the regular use of protein. I also color my hair so I find that the protein helps that.

If you are using protein, be sure to follow up with MOISTURE condish in the same session. Otherwise, with protein alone, your hair may not feel as smooth and silky like if does after a moisturizing condish. Or use a combo conditioner that has both protein and moisturizing properties inside.

 

[southerncitygirl]

adding protein to my reggie as a natural has given me even more retention, but i also do other things so maybe its a combination....i like komaza care protein strengthener and i use it very 4-8 weeks. i think its a better quality product than aphogee and you can slather you hair with a moiturizing condtioner like aubreys and rinse without having to sit under the dryer.....my only complaint is that the bottle is only 4oz so after 4-5 times i'm out of it cause i'm past apl.

 

[Jetblackhair]

If you were able to go from APL to now approaching MBL, with no problems, you just may be one of many naturals who may not need heavy protein treatments. I have fine hair which is very fragile, so I do need protein on a weekly basis.

If you still want to try protein, I say go with a moisturizing conditioner that contains protein, such as Silicon Mix, Mane N Tail Moisturizing Conditioner and I'm sure there are a lot more. If you want to go with a medium protein like Nexxus Reconstructor or Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor, make sure you use a deep moisturizing conditioner right after, to bring your hair back into balance or your hair will feel hard.

 

[Myjourney2009]

For starters like someone else posted all hair does not need protein.
Anytime constant heat or any chemical is used protein should be used based on the individual hair.

For those that do it is a trial and error thing.

NO PROTEIN penetrates the strand. ALL protein does is fill in where the cuticles have chipped off so that the hair will hold on to moisture better.

The protein you did was only good for about 1-2 weeks.

I noticed egg made my hair hard and it broke slightly no matter what I did this meant it was too strong for me.

ALL PROTEIN does not have to be followed up with protein. YOU have to see what works for your hair.

Aphogee 2 min is mild enough to be used weekly (if needed) and it does not necessarily have to be used with a DC after.


After each dye job: do an ACV rinse (1/8 cup ACV to 2 cups distilled water). As you are applying allow the run-off to fall in a bowl. Rinse your hair with this run-off at least 5-10x and let it sit on your hair the last time for 10 min. You dont have to rinse after that just aply your protein conditioner. This will help to restore the correct porosity to your hair. Always follow up a dye session like this.

Now that I am relaxed I use something with protein every week.
My protein regimen
week 2: Ion effective care treatment: This gives a perfect balace of moisture and protei. I DONOT DC after this I just rinse and air dry and proceed to style
week 3: reg shampoo and rinse out conditioner. It will probably have soy protein
week 4: shampoo and condition with Millcreek Keratin. I leave the conditioner on for 15 min no heat no cap.

Everyweek, 1x a week: I use Millcreek Biotin conditioner as a leave in. I tried it as a rinse out and it did not work. It does notleave my hair hard, I just apply and seal lightly.
I have purchased Beyond the zone protein cocktail that I will be incorporating into my routine for the times when I dont feel like using the millcreek keratin conditioner. It is a leave-in. I tried it on dry hair yesterday and I did not get hard hair. If I feel I will need moisture after using this after washing I will apply KKKT with avocado oil on top.

There are other proteins to use besides Aphogee 2 step. I have never used it as I dont feel its necessary. There is Nexxus Aloxxi and Nexxus Emergency. From what I here Aloxxi is similar to emergency but you get more for less money. The Nexxus Aloxxi reconstructor must be followed up with a DC from what I a reading.

When doing your trial and error purchase from stores that allow returns.


My DD has been natural all her life. A few months ago I kept wondering why she was always getting splits even though I moisturized her hair often. Once I incorporated the millcreek Keratin shampoo and conditioner 1x a month her hair behaved better. I no longer had little pieces on the floor when I braided her hair. I was going to do it 2x a month but I could still feel the difference during her next wash. Now her hair is shinier and holds moisture better

I hope this helps.

All these store accept returns on opened products:
Whole foods
Duane reade
CVS
Rite Aide
some BSS's as well just be sure to read the fine print.

Go into the exchange forum and see if someone will send you a trial sized amount of what you want to try before investing in a full size one.