Protein treatments are a super important part of your hair routine. They aren’t something you need to do every day, but they should be done at least once a month, preferably twice a month.
I personally don’t use a LOT of protein because I’ve found that protein tends to make my hair feel hard and rough, which I don’t like. But I definitely use protein treatments in my regimen!
Disclaimer: I’m not a Licensed Cosmetologist. I’m just a natural wanting to help other naturals with solutions to hair problems. I’ve been natural for 10 years now so I’m just sharing what I’ve learned!
How do protein treatments fit into my hair regimen?
Firstly a basic natural hair regimen should consist of these things: Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep Conditioner, Protein Treatment, Hydrating Curl/Setting Cream, Natural Oil/Grease, Hair Gel (optional)
My wash regimen is a little different right now because I’ve been in crochet braids for about 2 1\2 years. However when I was wearing my hair out, I would wash it twice a month, keeping it well moisturized and hydrated in between washes. My protein treatment would be done after I washed and conditioned my hair. I’d let it set in my hair for however long the product recommends. Then I’d rinse it out and follow that will my deep conditioner.
I would generally use the protein once a month, depending on what I’d been doing to it. If I used no heat, I may skip a month. If I’d been doing lots of manipulation, blow drying or straightening to clip my ends or check the length, I’d definitely do a protein treatment.
How important are protein treatments if you don’t use chemicals (color/bleach) or heat (heat straightening/blow drying)?
Hair is actually made of protein. So the concept that our hair needs protein treatments to thrive is not necessarily the case, in my opinion. If you have a good hair regimen that you follow consistently and you keep your hair hydrated (water), your hair can still grow and be healthy!
If you use no chemicals or heat, you can still use protein in your regimen if you like. Even too much manipulation of the hair can cause breakage, so doing protein treatments can still help strengthen the hair and help to prevent breakage.
How important are protein treatments if you DO use chemicals (color/bleach) and heat (heat straightening/blow drying)?
If you have colored hair, use bleach to lighten, or use any type of heat straightening methods including blow drying, protein treatments are actually very important. These processes loosen the bonds of the hair, and cause your hair strands to weaken and break. Breakage prevents growth. Protein helps to strengthen the hair bonds and help them to be strong, which prevents breakage. If you’re doing any of these things, you should be using protein at least once monthly.
My 3 Favorite Protein Treatments
When I use protein, I don’t care for harsh treatments, I usually go for Reconstructors because they tend to be milder. Typically the are part protein, part moisture, as opposed to most Protein treatments that are ALL protein. These are my 3 favorite protein treatments that work well and won’t break the bank!
1. Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pack
Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pack is a reconstructor and balancer. It’s part protein, part moisture. It basically works to restore the hair after chemical processing. This comes in a bottle or you can buy small individual packets of it. I use two packs of this because I have a lot of hair. I like it because I find that it’s not too harsh of a protein, and the protein is balanced with moisture. I usually use this after I color treat my hair, but it’s safe to use once or twice a month in your regimen.
2. Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor
If I’m not mistaken, most of the Aphogee line is protein based. I’ve used some of their other protein treatments, and they do work VERY well. I just find that those are too harsh for my hair, they make my hair feel rough and hard. Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor, however, works pretty well! It’s a Reconstructor so it has a bit of a milder effect but it works great. My hair feels strengthened and moisturized at the same time.
3. Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream
This stuff right here, is probably one of the most underrated products ever. Don’t let the old-fashioned jar fool you. Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream has been around for ages for a reason: it works. It’s actually a mild protein treatment, but it’s also a deep conditioning cream.
Yes I bought the 80 oz jar of this, and yes I used every. Single. Drop. Of that 80 oz jar. I think it may have taken me a few months to get through it but I did use it up! It works wonders for my hair. I have lots more to say about this product, and I wrote about it more in this post: Deep Conditioning + Best Deep Conditioner for Natural Hair
It kind of does double duty as a deep conditioner and mild protein treatment, it is awesome!
So I hope this helps give you some things to try in your regimen that you may not have tried before. These three treatments have been around for ages, and yes there are so many new product lines on the market these days. But there’s nothing like knowing there are tried and true products that work well, and you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for them!
What are your favorite protein treatments?
