Learning My Natural Hair | Moisture And Protein Balance, Part 2: All About Moisture

Learning My Natural Hair | Moisture
And Protein Balance, Part 2: All About Moisture

What does "Moisture/Protein Balanced" hair mean?

Moisture and protein balance refers to the harmony of strength and retained moisture in the hair. If one is off with the other, this causes the hair to be brittle and break off or make the hair limp and tough to work with.

Check for your protein and moisture balance:

1. Take 5 strands from your head (top, middle, left, right, and bottom)
2. Wet each strand of hair
3. Hold each end of the hair and stretch it
1. Balance - Hair stretches slightly and returns to normal length
2. Heavy Protein - Hair stretches and continues to stretch a little more then breaks
3. Light Protein - Hair stretches and stretches and stretches with no breakage
4. Deep conditioning - Hair is stretches then breaks immediately
5. Need Moisture - sounds crunch or raspy when touched, see small pieces on everything, no bulbs on the ends of fallen strands
6. Need Protein - looks limp and feels mushy to the touch

ALL ABOUT DEEP CONDITIONERS

Deep conditioners are used to give ample moisture back into the hair strands with moderate heat usage (body heat, hooded dryer, beanie over plastic bag).

Why should I do deep condition my hair?

Every once in a while your hair will feel dry and brittle, even with the use of daily moisturizers and washing every few days. Your hair needs that TLC to add the ample moisture it needs to keep the hair from drying out and to balance with the protein in your hair.

How often should I do a deep conditioning treatment?

It really depends on your hair. I suggest that the kinkier your hair, the more you should do a deep conditioning treatment. Every week to two weeks is recommended. Naturally curly, coily, and kinky hair tend to dry out more than other hair types and adding deep conditioning in your hair regimen will help your hair to remain healthy with moisture.

Is rinse-out conditioner enough to use instead of a deep conditioning treatment?

A rinse-out conditioners are for temporary moisture hair care. Deep conditioners have a higher level of fatty alcohols (stearyl and cetyl alcohol), which are conditioning agents to help moisturize the hair during a long period of time. You are also adding moderate heat to raise the hair cuticle to allow the moisture to get in. Then once you rinse the deep conditioner out, then your hair cuticles will be back to flat with the ample moisture it needed to remain healthy.

Learning My Natural Hair | Moisture
And Protein Balance, Part 2: All About Moisture

What ingredients should I look for in a deep conditioner?

Try to look for:

• Natural ingredients like aloe vera, wheat germ, olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and palm oil
• Moisturizing alcohols like cetearyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, and stearyl
• Light proteins like wheat protein, soy protein, silk amino acids
• Humectants like honey, propylene glycol, and glycerin

Try to avoid:

• Waxes and drying alcohols (isopropyl, propyl)
• Silicones like cyclomethicone and dimethicone (coat the hair cuticle "smooth appearance")

What deep conditioners would be best to try?

Well, these are my favorite! So try these:

• Kandy Kurls Shea Butter And Argan Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Masque
• Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp and Tamanu Grow and Strengthen Treatment Masque
• Mielle Organics Babassu Oil and Mint Deep Conditioner 
• Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp and Tamanu Grow and Strengthen Treatment Masque 
• Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque

Is MY hair moisturized?

My hair is ABSOLUTELY balanced! I deep condition every wash day, which is once a week. 

Check out all Learning My Natural Hair Articles:
Learning My Natural Hair | How Do I Learn My Natural Hair? 
Learning My Natural Hair | What Is My Hair Type?
Learning My Natural Hair | What Is My Hair Texture?
Learning My Natural Hair | What Is My Hair Density? 
Learning My Natural Hair | What Is My Hair Porosity?  
Learning My Natural Hair | Protein and Moisture Balance, Part 1: All About Protein 
Learning My Natural Hair | Moisture and Protein Balance, Part 2: All About Moisture 
Learning My Natural Hair | What Is Your Hair Archetype? 

Learning My Natural Hair | Do You Know Your Natural Hair? Take A Hair Quiz

Natural hair says: check your protein and moisture balance. This can make or break (literally break) your hair health and retained growth.

Always Desire Your Natural,

Christina J