Ever since I took out my crochet braids, the best way I could describe my hair was ‘blah’. I haven’t felt like washing it and when I did, it still didn’t look the way I wanted. This past weekend I decided to do a protein treatment using the Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment & Balanced Moisturizer. This treatment was exactly what my hair needed.
Why Protein Treatments are Good for Natural Hair
Our hair is made up of amino acids called keratin. Constant manipulation on the strands, heat and other styles cause the strands to become weak causing breakage. Your hair should have a protein/moisture balance. If it is too hard, you may have protein overload and dry/brittle hair needs moisture. If your hair hasn’t looked or felt it’s best lately, here are five signs you may need to do a protein treatment.
Limp or Mushy Hair
The first time I noticed when washing was it was limp. I’ve been natural for over six years, but I definitely remember the feeling of my hair clumped together after washing when relaxed. It was lifeless and I tried deep conditioning to no avail. Once I finished the protein treatment, my hair came back to life.
Excessive Breakage or Shedding
I also noticed extreme shedding. I decided to trim, but the results on wash day were the same. If your hair is constantly shedding or breaking off, it may be lacking protein.
Low Elasticity
This is also known to many naturals as that “bounce back”. You can easily test your hair’s elasticity by lightly pulling it when wet to see if it retracts to its original form. If it breaks, consider strengthening your hair by applying a protein treatment.
Color
Since coloring your hair breaks the cuticle and makes it prone to dryness. Apply a protein treatment every 2-3 months to maintain the hair’s protein/moisture balance and you will begin to see and feel a difference in your hair.
Protective Styling
I had my hair in crocheting braids for almost a month. After taking down I used the ORS Hair Mayonnaise, but that alone wasn’t good enough. If you’ve been wearing braids, weaves or crochet braids as a protective style, consider doing a protein treatment after taking it down.