When natural hair is dry, it’s common to believe it’s lacking moisture. to assist with the dryness, moisturizing treatments (Protein) or hydrating conditioners could be used.
In many cases, it may be an absence of moisture, but if you’ve tried hair moisturizers and your hair continues to be dry, it might be from a protein deficiency. Hair is primarily product of chains of amino acids and proteins called keratin. because of chemical treatments, overstyling, pulling from protective styles, excessive heat, and environmental stressors (pollution, dirt, buildup), these keratins can become overused and tired. When keratins are burned-out, gaps within the hair will result in damaged hair, breakage, and dryness.
Bottom line: healthy locks require two things, moisture and protein for hair. Some products provide moisture exclusively, while others offer protein. Knowing what your natural hair needs—a hair protein treatment or a moisture treatment—is paramount to healthy-looking and lively curls and coils. Ahead, discover the 411 on the difference between moisture and protein, the way to tell when your hair needs protein, and every one the advantages and ways protein positively impacts the hair.
What does protein do for hair?
In case you wish a fast refresher, amino acids are organic compounds that form together to create protein. These are the building blocks of your hair, to blame for the strength and structure of your curls and coils. If these amino acids are compromised, the protein in hair can become altered—leading to brittle and fragile natural hair.
If you notice your hair has become stringy, limp, or sticky, you may be lacking protein. Luckily, there are a lot of great hair protein treatments, just like the Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner, which will work to revive extremely damaged and over-processed hair; or Monoi Repairing Leave-In Conditioner, which is formulated with proteins to feature shine, softness, and manageability to your hair.
Both natural hair products and hair protein treatments generally will boost the nutrients and proteins in hair to help in reconstructing and strengthening natural hair strands. With protein-packed strands, your hair will maintain its most optimal state.
How do I do know if I would like moisture or protein?
Determining whether hair needs moisture or protein is that the difference between good hair and scalp health, and damaged, dry hair. To not get too scientific, but the protein and moisture vary at the atomic level. Each strand is held by a disulfide bond. Proteins will reinforce these bonds, making hair stronger and creating less opportunity for hair damage. While moisture hydrates the bonds and impacts the look and feel of your hair.
How are you able to tell if you would like moisture or protein?
the best option is to require a wet or dry strand of hair and gently stretch it. If it barely stretches and snaps, you would like more moisture and might need an excessive amount of protein. Also, if you sweep your hair and strands fall out, you wish protein. Equally, if your strands feel dry, you’re likely lacking moisture.
Moisture is required for removing brittleness from your hair and increasing elasticity to assist prevent hair damage. Moisture treatments hydrate and restore the softness and smoothness back to the hair. If your hair is feeling rough and you’ve been overusing relaxers, highlights, or heat tools, you’re possibly managing moisture loss.
Here you may see dry, easily tangled, weak curls and coils. Lack of shine and inability to carry heat is additionally a red flag and an indication of dehydrated hair. For moisture-lacking hair, develop a daily hair care routine (pre-shampoo conditioning treatment twice per week or deep condition once a week) to draw moisture into the hair shaft. This can help with bounce and strength.
You will need protein in hair if your hair is porous, limp, has low elasticity, is shedding, or has been recently colored. High porous strands have tears and gaps within the hair, exposing the cortex (outer layer) to environmental stressors. Unfortunately, this causes the hair to soak up and release moisture faster than normal—producing tangled and frizzy strands. So, as to seal the gaps and tears, you’ll need a hair protein treatment to strengthen your strands.
If you notice hair is limp and stringy, without bounce, you may have a protein deficiency. By increasing your protein intake, you may boost elasticity—creating bouncier, fuller hair that’s easier to style for your hair care routine.
Additionally, hair color and chemical straightening treatments alter the bonds of the hair, resulting in breakage. The chemicals in these processes will elevate the pH of the hair and cause the cuticles to rise. If cuticles are raised, the cortex of the hair becomes more exposed and contains a greater susceptibility.
