Protein and Natural Hair

Why are proteins important to natural hair? What are the purpose and benefits of protein-based conditioners?

On my quest to longer, stronger, and healthier hair I have been researching the purpose and benefits of protein conditioners.  So what’s the deal? What are protein conditioners? Why are they important?

Hair is comprised of 70% keratin protein. It’s stored in the innermost layer of the hair, the medulla. Protein is responsible for hair’s strength and structure.  I like to think of it as the building block of each strand.  A protein-based conditioner can strengthen damaged hair and replenish protein lost through regular maintenance such as shampooing and styling.

 Moisture Protein Balance

Protein and moisture have an interdependent relationship.  A proper moisture protein balance is important for the overall quality of your hair.  One without the other leads to breakage.  Protein deficient hair equals breakage and moisture deficient hair leads to breakage.  Conversely, too much of one or the other can lead to breakage (hair is imbalanced).  Deep conditioning with a moisturizing deep conditioner weekly and protein deep conditioner biweekly or monthly can help you maintain balance. Balanced hair is healthy hair.  Still foggy on Moisture Protein Balance check out this video: Demystifying Moisture Protein.

Read More About Deep Conditioning Natural Hair

I’m sure you already understand the importance of moisturizing your hair and how omitting it can lead to breakage.  If your hair is moisture deficient you will notice dry, frizzy hair that lacks elasticity. This ultimately leads to hair that snaps, crackles, and pops.  If protein is the building block of hair then moisture is the glue that helps to hold it together. Water reinforces the structure of the hair and allows it to be flexible.  Deep conditioning with a moisturizing deep conditioner is recommended weekly or bi-weekly.

Breakage is also the end result of hair that lacks protein.  Protein deficient hair has a decreased ability to retain moisture from water. The protein lives in the deepest part of the hair and binds to the hydrogen molecules of H2O (water).  This strong bond helps the hair hold on to the water tightly in the medulla keeping the hair moisturized.

During regular maintenance of your hair such as shampooing, you will naturally lose a small percentage of protein each time. Your hair regimen should minimize and replenish the loss of protein.  It is also important to eat protein rich foods. Finer hair textures will have less protein than others. Therefore, it is more important for them to superficially add protein by using a protein conditioner.

Read: 5 Moisturizing Deep Conditioners

How do you know if you need a protein deep conditioner?

You can do a wet assessment of your hair.  We will discuss this in detail a little later. But from what you have learned already in the post you know that protein is an important part of a healthy hair regimen.  Replenishing proteins is a necessary part of maintaining healthy hair.

How Do I Perform a Proper Wet Assessment?

It would be difficult for you to wet assess your hair by holding a single strand and pulling on both ends. That type of stress would be considered “undue” stress, because no single hair is ever really subjected to that sort of tension at one time. Any strand of hair (healthy or not) that you pull on by both ends has the potential to snap depending on the pressure you apply to it. Hair should be wet assessed by the normal act of combing though it or touch-testing it.

Wet Assessment Hair Breakage Break Down

If your hair:

(When Wet or Dry) Stretches slightly and returns to its original length without breaking, you are balanced! Stick with maintaining!

(When Wet or Dry) Stretches a little more than normal then breaks, you need more protein in your regimen.

(When Wet or Dry)Stretches, stretches, stretches with no significant breakage yet, add a bit more protein to your regimen.

(Wet)- Feels weak, gummy, mushy, or limp, you need to add more protein to your regimen.

(Wet or Dry) Experiences very little to no stretching, and simply snaps or breaks, you need to increase the moisture in your regimen.

(Dry) Feels rough, tough, hard, dry, tangly, brittle, or any combination of those, you need more moisture in your regimen.

Unsure? Err on the side of caution and give your hair more moisture. So now that you have figured out what type of hair breakage you have, what should you do?

 What are protein conditioners? 

Protein conditioners are hair conditioners that strengthen and reconstruct the hair structure with hydrolyzed proteins, as well as conditioning and sealing ingredients. You should look for products that explicitly say protein, reconstructor, or strengthener.

Read: 5 Protein Conditioners

Protein conditioners contain ingredients such as collagen, cholesterol, keratin, amino acids or panthenol.  In most cases, the sealing ingredients are petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, dimethicone, shea butter and soybean oil.

This is the only time I recommend using a product with synthetic oil.  If you are against all types of products with petrolatum or mineral oil you can opt for an all natural protein conditioner such as a yogurt, mayonnaise, egg or another homemade protein treatment.

What you need to know about protein conditioners?

Protein conditioning treatments should be done after shampooing your hair (not co-washing) for best results.  Using protein treatments too frequently can lead to moisture deficient hair which again leads to damage. Deep condition with a protein based conditioner as needed to regain moisture protein balance. Or deep condition with a protein conditioner as directed by product instructions (some products recommend every 6 weeks).  The key is to keep your hair’s moisture protein balance. Listen to your hair. It will tell you what it needs.

Some protein conditioners can make your hair hard and require a moisturizer to reintroduce moisture protein balance.  These types of protein deep conditioners will required a moisturizing step in the instructions.  Aphogee 2 Step Protein Damage Treatment is an good example. It is imperative that you use the Aphogee Balance Moisturizer immediately after the Protein Treatment.  Read the instruction and use products are recommended.

Protein Sensitivity 

Some people’s hair overreact to protein treatments resulting in hair that is brittle, dry and more prone to breakage after a treatment.  If this is you, you could be sensitive to protein or you could be simply overdoing it with protein treatments.  Because of the natural tendency of natural hair it is very rare that you are protein sensitive. In most case, there is an accidental overuse of protein products. The best way to gauge is by observing how your hair feels when wet.  But is you are still unsure breaking nails and cracking skin will confirm if there is an abundance of internal protein causing your hair’s protein sensitivity.

What are the best protein conditioners?

Here’s a list of 5 of the Best Protein Deep Conditioners.

Do you use a protein treatment? Tell us about it by commenting below.

Or leave any questions by commenting below.