Janelle (not pictured) says;
Thanks to the information on your site, I’m realizing that I need to do some kind of strengthening treatment on my fine strands. I know that protein treatments work by depositing protein on the cuticle, while henna works by binding to the cuticle and thus strengthening it. My question is, which is better for strengthening? I can’t decide which to choose. I’d love to hear your readers thoughts and experiences.
Great question Janelle! Ladies, which do you like better as a strengthening treatment: henna or protein? Share your tips, photos and advice below!
Good question, I’d like to know the same thing? Please provide links, responders (if you have them).
I’m not a fan of either. Protein treatments tend to make my hair very hard, and the henna loosens the curl pattern too much. It makes me look like I have poodle hair. I’d rather consume my protein to strengthen my hair.
I’ve used Aphogee and my hair felt like straw when I was done. I thought I had done something wrong until I read the packaging again and did a bit more research. I had to condition pretty heavily afterward to get my hair to feel like normal again.
I’ve also tried henna. It was a cheap henna (I had twigs in my hair afterward that I had to rinse out). My hair was not hard after I was done it actually felt well conditioned. I didn’t experience any loosening of my curl pattern but I must say I have very tight curls.
I attempted to attach a picture of the henna that I used. If it does not show up, the brand is Rainbow and the color I used was red.
I hope this helps.
I don’t know. I have never done a henna treatment. I just haven’t felt like it. Henna looks so messy. I want to try it one day, but for now, it’ll just be a question in my mind.
Protein makes me really nervous. I was a protein junkie before and my hair was really hard. I ingest most of my protein and I make my own protein treatment using Eggs, Aloe Vera, honey and olive oil. It makes my hair smile. I add other things to it if people really want to know but those are my main ingredients.
Do you have like a set recipe for your protein treatment? You said that you use eggs, aloe vera, honey and olive oil…how much of each do you use? Thanks. :-)
I meant commercial protein makes me nervous. Making my own treatments is what I do :)
I hate using Protein on my hair. It always comes out feeling like straw, but I have read (on curlynikki) that some people are protein sensitive so it may not be an option for a hair treatment, unless you want your end result to be like straw (for those who are protein sensitive). Henna works better for me. I get strong, healthy hair with great color (and it covers up grays really well) :-) That’s just me though. You might want to do more research into what your hair reacts to and make the choice for yourself. Some cheap options in your home would be a great way to start. Think a home made hair mask with eggs etc etc.
I think that henna is good for strengthening hair as a preventative measure as well as thickening. Protein should be applied to the hair when it’s in a weakened state or breaking. Heavy protein treatments are not required after every washing.
Protein seems to be very misunderstood and I find that many do not how to properly use protein leading to what people this is “protein sensitivity.” I’m about to publish a blog post on it in a few hours. I just need to update and proofread.
Ive tried diff forms of protein treatments and I dont think its a misunderstanding to protein sensitivity, my hair just really doesnt like it. At the end of the day its just about doing your research and knowing whats good for your individual hair. :-)
I just read your blog post, and thank you for that! It really makes sense. Also, thanks for the recommendations: I posted downthread about how I’ve heard of only a few treatments available. I’m leaning toward the Curl Junky, but it’s friggin’ $30.
Great post!
Thank you so much. I don’t think that a lot of people realize that heavy protein treatment usually require a good moisturizing condish afterwards. I had the same experiences when I initially began protein treatments, but I made that small adjustment to the regimen and have had not problems since.
I prefer henna. I’ve been using it for well over six months now and have not noticed any loosening in curl pattern, I actually feel like my curls are more defined and springy after a treatment. I think I acutally like henna more because its an all day process and it allows me to really take a day and relax. I usually do an indigo treatment as well (to get my hair as black as possible without having to use OTC hair dyes.
I’ve used Aphogee treatment as well and liked it as well
I prefer Henna too. I haven’t gotten any loosening of my curls though. I was using it at first to color my hair, but quickly realized that it wasn’t going to happen with my dark brown hair (although I did get highlights). After I take out my braids, I am looking forward to doing a henna treatment with indigo to condition and color my hair.
I have used Aphogee 2-minute reconstruction. Didn’t notice any difference in my hair but I did also deep condition immediately after rinsing.
Well I’m trying the henna treatment today – mixed it up last night kept it at room temp over night diluted with lemon juice / water – so currently I am in my two hour holding period with a plastic wrap – I have wore wigs and had relaxers off and on at 54 I am trying to do something natural – most of the ladies on this are young. So maybe they can teach this old lady something LOL
I love using henna as well. It covers gray nicely and I like the brunt reddish hightlights. I apply once a month and have found that I do need to do a moisturizing condition wash afterward. I use henna that is only intended for bodyart. It is a better quality and never any twigs.
Hard to say…my hair responds to both REALLY well. I think I may have gotten the *best* results from henna, though. I can do a henna gloss weekly and have little to no shedding or breakage.
Have you tried the Henna packages they sell at the BSS stores? I think it’s called Henna placenta or something, because I brought one but have yet to try it out yet.
That’s not real henna. Its basically some sort of treatment with a few drops of actual henna in it. Waste of money.
I have not tried Henna either. I have alwasy used Aphogee and made my hair look and feel awesome! So obviously its different strokes for different folks. But I look forward to trying Henna (maybe before my next sew-in) and I hope I have positive results because I’d rather stick with natural products.
Henna just looks so messy. I use products with some protein in it to keep balance, and usually don’t ever need heavy protein treatments.
I tried changing my regimen recently and my hair is mushy/stretchy. In this case, I’d do a protein treatment.
I can’t say protein is better than henna though because I’ve never used it. If protein does make your hair feel like straw, neutrogena triple moisture works well, though not an all natural product.
It really depends on the porosity of your hair and your strand type: i.e. whether it is fine, medium or coarse. Coarse and medium hair tend to need less protein while fine hair may enjoy a protein boost. This, however is not a hard and fast rule as many curlies with coarse or medium hair love it and fine hair ladies sometimes avoid it like the plague. I have had natural hair my entire life but I was a serious heat abuser until 2 years ago, so the oldest part of my hair (the ends) are still carrying around some heat damage. This makes me a prime candidate for protein which my hair abosutely loves. I use a protein conditioner when I wash every week and on Wednesdays when I moisturize my hair I used a product that contains protein.
I avoid henna because the amount of washing and rincing you have to do and the ends of my hair would not survive that process.
There is NO SUCH THING as protein sensitivity!!! Protein makes the hair hard. That’s just what protein does. I assure you, no one is sensitive to it. Protein sensitivity is just a silly name assigned to the condition that happens when not enough moisturizing conditioner is applied after a protein treatment. Bottom line: if your hair is hard, it’s because you aren’t moisturizing enough. How can hair possibly be sensitive to protein when hair IS protein?
Sorry for the rant!
To answer the question, Henna and Protein treatments are two completely different things. Henna contains ZERO protein. If you want protein, try adding an egg to your deep conditioner. Henna strengthens & softens the hair, but it’s nothing more than a conditioning treatment.
no-one said they were the same thing….
Thanks!!!!! You answered the question, i was looking for, and that”s is Henna a protein! It was getting confusing, you explained everything in a nutshell!?
Does anyone have any product recommendations? I’ve heard good things about Curl Junky’s “Repair Me” a certain Nexxus product, can’t remember what it’s called. I’m going through some serious breakage right now and I’m vegetarian, plus my hair is super porous and super kinky. Help?
The Nexxus product I believe you’re referring to is called Emergencee. It’s pricey but well worth the investment. I just purchased some Aphogee protein treatment (FARRR cheaper) and will be definitely be comparing the two.
I do both – but I very much prefer hydrolized protein and silk protein – I notice immediate results. My super fine coils have always loved protein. Henna is so messy and I don’t really like the color it casts on my hair. I tried henna and for a few months it was great. But it started to really dry my hair out after a while and caused breakage! Now I do a strong protein treatment (Nexxus) bi-weeekly and a henna gloss deep treatment maybe once a month. I mix henna (I dont let it sit for hours) with lots of shea butter and Giovanni SAS conditioner. I had been experiencing breakage like crazy, so I started finger detangling only and using these treatments and thank God it’s working wonderfully :-)
+1 on hydrolyzed protein. The protein in eggs is too large and amino acids are too small. I learned it from this blog post on Natural Haven:
http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/2009/06/size-matters-protein-conditioning-part.html
I use henna. I like it for the strengthening and coloring properties. My strands feel thicker/stronger after henna’ing and my hair gets a nice brownish burgundy tint. I don’t mind the process–when I’m in the mood and have the time. I have henna’ed thrice in the past and would like to do another soon.
I’ve never tried a commercial protein treatment. I think it’d be ‘doing to much’ when it come to my hair. With that said, I’d use them if my hair was “damaged”–chemically relaxed/’texlaxed’/texturized, chemically dyed or heat straightened on a regular basis.
ladies is there a place (lab) where you can send a sample of your hair for a breakdown of what kinds of products would work good/bad for your hair?
Great question =) I’m not sure, but check out JC (The Natural Haven) she may know. Good Luck =D
Hi anastasia – Thanks for the mention. Today, I have a day off hoping that my very first lab spec microscope will be delivered. I am hoping it will be good to look at hair in high detail.
Tina – I do not know a scientific lab that does that but there are hairstylists who offer that service. Most scientists are usually contacted by trichologist not for product recommendations but rather an analysis on the level of damage to your hair.
This is a site which offers hair analysis. Hope this helps.
http://www.livecurlylivefree.com/hair%20analysis.htm
I do both. I prefer henna, but when my time is short, protein treatments are second best for me. I usually don’t do protein more than once every 3-4 weeks and its usually in the form of a reconstructing conditioner, yogurt, or coconut milk. When my hair REALLY needs it, I use Aphrogee and do a deep conditioning treatment after.
My hair is porous with medium strands so it can really use it as long as I keep the moisture/protein balance in my hair.
I Henna 2x a mo and have been doing so for the past year.It has done wonders for my hair…Its nothing that I go outta way to do its just part of my life:)