Learning My Natural Hair | Protein and Moisture Balance, Part 1: All About Protein

Learning My Natural Hair | Protein and
Moisture Balance, Part 1: All About Protein

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 PROTEIN TREATMENTS

Protein treatments are used to strength the hair shaft and to reduce damaged hair.

Why should I do a protein treatment?

Naturally curly, coily, and kinky hair rely on the protein and keratin that builds the hair shaft and to support your healthy hair journey. If you use any kind of chemicals, use excessive heat, abuse your hair by poor care, then a protein treatment would be beneficial for you. 

How often should I do a protein treatment?

It depends on your hair. If you have thick hair strands, then I suggest to use a protein treatment once a month to every three months. If you have fine hair (which is prone to breakage), you should use a protein treatment every week to two weeks to build more protein around your fragile hair shaft.

Am I protein sensitive?

If your hair strands are pretty thick in texture, then you would be considered "protein sensitive." Your hair strands are thick with protein and adding a protein treatment more than needed will cause your hair to be limp, dull, hard to work with, tough, and prone to extra breakage. 

ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor  

What ingredients should I look for in a protein treatment?

• Hydrolyzed proteins that add strength and shine to your hair (rinse-out conditioners)
• Keratin that improves manageability and strengthens the hair (leave-ins conditioners)
• Soy protein and other plant proteins that act as a humectant (mists and sprays)
• Silk protein that softens and eases the manageability of the hair (serums and heat protectants)

How do I know which protein treatment is best for my hair?

There are different types of protein treatments to use for your specific hair:


Light protein treatments

These protein treatments are for routine treatments and are light enough to use every wash day.
ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor  
Aubrey Organics GPB Balancing Conditioner

Giovanni Smooth As Silk Extreme
Palmer's Coconut Oil Deep Conditioning Protein Pack


Deep penetrating protein treatments

These protein treatments are for severely damaged hair that needs to be used once or twice a month to strengthen the hair back to being healthy.
As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner
Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment

Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise
Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream


DIY protein treatments

Here are some DIY treatments that I personally used when my hair was severely damaged a few years ago. If you a kitchenista, try these protein treatments out.
DIY Beauty: Homemade Protein Treatment

Naptural 85's DIY Homemade Deep Conditioner 

Urban Bush Babes' 3 DIY Protein Masks for Dry and Damaged Hair 

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