The hydrolysed protein will be attracted to hair and conditioner tends to deposit better in regions of damage ( Journal of Cosmetic Science, pg 265-279, 2004). For natural hair, damage to the cuticle can come from heat, combing, washing, manipulation etc. This is likely to lead to cracked, chipped or missing cuticles. For those who colour treat their hair with permanent colour (not henna – read more on henna here) then the cuticle is likely to be damaged by the lifting process needed to get the dye into the hair shaft (Chemical and Engineering News, pg 52, 2000).
Hydrolysed protein can help patch up the cuticle. Colour treated hair does benefit the most from this treatment.
Now on to Avril’s question – Aphogee 2 step treatment contains hydrolysed protein and it is quite high up on the list (second after water) which means it is probably an intense protein treatment. I don’t know the exact reason why hair becomes hard during the process of treatment ( I don’t work for them!). My theory is that the heat is needed to make the protein bind better to hair before the washing stage. The reason why the hair becomes so hard I would think is because of the protein binding to the hair and probably to some extent to itself (remember the hint – what happens if you apply heat to egg white? Meringue as Keisha said lol).
Why would the heat be needed? Well, most wash off products do exactly that – wash off. Therefore applying heat may make some sense to try and get ‘stronger’ bonds between the hydrolysed protein and the hair. The final step to moisturise the hair is necessary to restore pliability.
I have never used Aphogee but there are hundreds of reviews raving about its potency with effects from mending split ends, instant strength and stopping breakage. I can’t really argue with a 4.5 star rating given by 214 people.
Over to you, have you ever used a protein treatment? Which one and why?
For more hair science check out The Natural Haven.
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Thanks for part 1 &2! =)
What are other options for a protein treatment other than ApHogee?
I’m doing research on this myself, and both Curl Junky’s “Repair Me” and Nexxus “Emergencee” have been recommended to me. After doing a little research, I’m going to try the Nexxus and see how it works.
Komaza I believe has a product too
So, could you do this as a “pre-poo” conditioner, with a conditioning cap under a dryer for best effects?
No! Protein treatments aren’t conditioners in the sense that they aren’t oily softeners and you shouldn’t cover the hair with anything during the protein treatment. The protein structure dries in a hard cover over the hair.
I just used egg, mayo, and olive oil and honey. Sometimes I add other oils like coconut, jojoba, and any other oils I have. I do this every other week and my hair loves it. I have noticed a lot less shedding and frizz. My mother used to put this in my hair when I was little and it helped my hair to grow nice and healthy.
how much of each do you use? and do u use it as a prepoo or just a deep conditioning?
but from what i was reading here, the parts of an egg may be too large to penetrate and bond with the hair, right?
Thanks for the citations as well as graphics to go with your explanation. I’ve picked up a lot of this knowledge poring over different articles over the years, but it’s always nice to see it all in one place w/ scientific backup!
Re: Aphogee treatments, i have been using them for years and swear by them. when i had a perm it would make an instant difference in reducing breakage (i used a LOT of heat on my hair then). having been natural almost 8 years (mainly so i can highlight/color my hair), i’ve found the treatments particularly useful 2 weeks following a color service or after 8 weeks or more of protective styling like braids w/ extensions. it has helped restore some curl (not all, but some) after straightening newly salon-colored and/or highlighted hair left me w/ straight ends. i’d rather have some curl than have to chop at random!
so from a styling junkie’s perspective, i’d recommend incorporating the Aphogee treatment (only recommended every 6-8 weeks and not w/in 2 weeks of color or relaxer) if you’re looking for a simple at-home maintenance option.
hope this feedback helps!
Thanks for the compliments on the citations and graphics :)
Also, I think the following link is very helpful, offered by a fellow commenter: http://radiant-brown-beauty.com/shocking-truth-about-protein-and-hair/
She debunks the myth of “protein sensitivity”, describes why hair becomes hard, and gives tips about how to do a proper job of a protein treatment so that your hair is moisturized and doesn’t become brittle.
great link!
I love this link thanks alot
one last thing to note (and then i’m logging off- i swear!:) is that for some there can be such a thing as too much deep conditioning which also produces brittle hair. i learned this from a hairdresser when after weeks of sitting under the dryer faithfully with my conditioner, i had a mix of very dry ends in my crown. before talking to her, i thought that more time under the dryer with my concoctions of conditioner and essential oils would save the day, but no such luck. after learning that i’d been possibly spending too much time under the dryer (2-3 times monthly for at least 35 mins just during the conditioning phase) i reduced my deep conditions to once a month and felt the difference within 2 weeks. that was 3 years ago and it still works as a routine for me.
cheers to everyone finding what works!
A gib thank you for both part 1-2.and all the diagrams,clear illustrations.
thanks for breaking it down, i’ve noticed some damage to my hair after i colored it & when twisting it. i’m going to try a protein treatment asap and see if it helps. (i also trim my end regularly, but i think i need them professionally done)
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Great information so Here is what I learned and hopefully this is accurate LOL
- Eggs sitting on my head are pretty much pointless (I’d do better eating them)
- I should continue using my Aphogee 2 Step Protein periodically
- Rinse Off conditioners do just that RINSE OFF, and down my drain
- When I do decide to Color my hair I need to keep up with my Protein treatments to keep it healthy
Thanks again.
The model on this page is so pretty.
I just realized that many of you said thank you for the diagrams. Please excuse my laziness for today and I will just say a huge your welcome and thank you for the compliments :)
Aphogee works wonders!!!
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This was great! I learned a lot ! Thank you!
DO, NOT, BELIEVE, THE HYPE! THIS IS ALL MARKETING BS AND HAIR, AND PROTEINS ETC DO NOT IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM WORK THIS WAY (SORRY FOR THE ALL CAPS)
I did not know much about protein treatment….thx for the info. What other products can I use besides aphogee coz I do not know where to get it? Secondly what would be the order of events during the treatment?
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