Knowing when to use protein to control breakage is something I’ve struggled with throughout my hair journey. Before writing this post, I was averaging 5 strands of breakage daily and 10 strands of breakage on wash day. I considered this excessive because it was above my breakage norm. Therefore, I purchased a Komaza Hair Care Analysis to better understand my hair and get things back on track.
Using Protein to Control Breakage
During the assessment of my hair, Komaza advised hair should not break so they recommended protein to control breakage. I appreciated their recommendation but protein treatments never resolved my breakage. Instead, my protein sensitive hair always ended up feeling protein overloaded.
Related: How to Correct Protein Overloaded Hair
My Experience
I incorporated all of Komaza’s recommendations except protein treatments yet my hair continued to break. Eventually, I concluded it was pointless to pay for an analysis and not fully incorporate the advice. Besides, at this point, I had nothing to lose given my hair was still breaking. Therefore, I incorporated protein on my hair each wash day as recommended and my hair responded favorably. Breakage reduced to 3 – 5 strands during the week and on wash day. Protein definitely controlled my breakage.
Protein Treatment
As mentioned earlier, I tried many protein treatments in the past but none worked. Often times my hair was left protein overloaded which is a terrible problem to have. As a result, I became protein phobic and stopped using protein treatments. If this sounds like you, don’t give up on protein like I did. Instead, keep trying different protein treatments until you find one that works.
Through trial and error, I know my hair does well with the following protein treatments: Aubrey Organics GPB
Natural Hair Update – June 2017
I transitioned to natural hair in September 2016. During my transition, I used protein every wash day to ensure the line of demarcation, the point where the natural hair and relaxed hair meet, remained strong. Now that I’m fully natural, my hair does not require protein nearly as much. My natural hair is very strong and not chemically altered or heat damaged, thus I’m able to go three or more months without using a protein treatment.
What’s Your Favorite Protein Treatment?
Even though I use protein every now & then, it is a vital part of my hair regimen. It reduces breakage & makes my coils springy.
I love your coils. Springy coils are even better. I’m really gonna look to scale back to every other week because there are some weeks I feel weekly is too much but I’ve been rolling with it.
My hair does break less when I use protein. Although until recently I have been terrified of proteins.
I had a horrible experience using a gel with protein in it. After that I declared myself “protein sensitive” and used protein sparingly.
After thinking again about protein/moisture balance I am in the process of changing my regimen so that I do in some way incorporate protein every wash day. I am increasing protein but not neglecting moisture techniques and treatments…or even increasing them between wash days if necessary.
So far my hair is handling the more frequent protein applications. And I do see less breakage.
I’m still staying about from that gel though. Lol
That great news, Candra. Sorry about the protein/hair gel mishap though. Toss that mess in the garbage and don’t look back. Which protein products are you using?
I use the Aphogee 2-step every 3 to 4 months (around relaxer time). In between I use the ORS Replenishing Conditioner, Africa’s Best Organics Hair Mayonnaise, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Pure Strength Conditioning Treatment and ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer.
I alternate between the ORS, Africa’s Best, and NTM Pure Strength. I lightly use the Aphogee Green Tea on my midweek wash days when I am co-washing and deep conditioning with moisture conditioners.
I’ve heard that Africa’s Best Hair Mayo is a medium protein but I have used it weekly before without any problems so I’m not sure. But again I moisturize my hair often between washes. So maybe that helps?
I definitely think moisturizing in-between helps. It’s working so keep it up. Thanks for sharing your detailed list.
I mean staying “away from that gel… 🙂
More hair stays on my head when I use protein and it seems to respond better when I do hard protein treatments! My hair breaks and sheds like crazy when I am deep into stretching my relaxer but when I hit it with a dose of Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus the breakage is reduced tremendously.
and we know how you were about using protein but I am glad that you actually listened to the komaza analyst and excited that you were able to notice results from their feedback
TY so much. Girl, you know I side eye protein. I still do, to be honest. There’s nothing worse than protein overload. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll know why I’m so fearful.
Great info, Harlem. I haven’t done a hard protein (i.e. Aphogee 2 Step) in forever and likely won’t do one. Reconstructors seem to suit my hair just fine.
Definitely! Some protein is good for my hair as long as I keep it balanced with the moisture element.
I’m finding that too, Abbi.
I knew you were side eying them on that protein tip!!!! Lol anyway it does makes sense if protein is to strengthen the strands and improve elasticity, I would be lead to believe that by increasing your hairs protein intake your strands will become less susceptible to breakage and splits etc. I actually have been doing a hard protein treatment once every three four wks lately and using products with silk proteins and amino acids throughout the past month and a half and I see less shedding and breakage as well. I also see my hair hold styles better without a large amount of products or pins to make it happen. I’m very excited about your discovery and I’m hoping this will enable you to stretch your touch up times even longer!
You’re really knocking this natural hair journey out the park. I’m so proud of you!!! You’ve come a long way and it feels good knowing I was a part of it all, at the start. :0)
You’re still a part now!!!! I bounce ideas off of you more than anyone low porosity twin! And thanks for the compliment
Ahhhh shucks. Thank you doll
Awesome! I LOVE protein! It just makes everything better – breakage, splits, strands that are way too elastic. Just the best!
Right on, Britt! I agree.
Adding more protein has been great to me hair too.
Between the extra protein and ceramides I’ve been adding to my regimen…I’ve seen fewer SSKs and splits. And of course reduced breakage. It’s been great keeping more of my hair on my head.
Oh my gosh yes, it feels so good to see more hair on my head than on the floor. About time! I’m glad your hair is doing good. Isn’t that so refreshing.
It is funny that I just saw this post. My hair started breaking recently b/c of dryness and falling off with M & S. However, this wash day I decided to add in protein b/c it has been so long since I have added any protein in wash day. I wanted to make sure that it was totally due to my laziness and not my recent complete lack of protein. I normally do protein minimally but as of late, I have avoided it altogether. I think that is a fatal error even with protein sensitive hair. I realized another problem was I went so long without using henna. I can skip protein as long and I have henna in my regimen to build strength and I slacked on both. My recent henna session made my hair feel great but that was back in June I think. I may have to get back to henna once a month and conditioners with a little protein every other wash day. So it’s funny to see this when I am at a protein crossroads myself.
Our hair is really similar. My hair receives strength from coconut oil much like your hair does with henna but of course coconut isn’t as strengthening as henna. Therefore, I need to use protein here and there. Never thought I’d hear myself say that.
Komaza and I chatted about protein overload. They don’t feel overload is possible unless one is doing henna and protein. So = that makes sense with what you’re saying. It’s either one or the other.
I’ve always been a little afraid of henna and its potential drying effects.
I plan to scale back to using protein every few wash days and see how my hair feels. I’m hoping to find a good protein schedule that I can stick too.
Oh yes ma’am, you can’t do both b/c your hair will break like nobody’s business. I learned that lesson early.
My old schedule was a little protein every two weeks. So, I would have moisture only wash days on the opposite weeks. On my protein wash days, one wash day I would use a conditioner with protein lower on the ingredient list and the other protein day would be henna or other Ayurvedic powders.
I get the best whole body health and hair growth with Ayurveda. That’s why I am set on doing that challenge for myself. I know my hair will love it and so will my body.
I know what my schedule should be but I fell off. This breakage for the last couple of wash days woke my butt up. The first one wasn’t bad. I knew I accidentally used protein right after henna. OK, I know what I did wrong. The last one my hair was dry as all get out. That’s what made me join the challenge you and Jen have going on.
I have really been slacking. No excused…just lazy and I’m 17 weeks post. umm…yeah
17 weeks? You are a stretching genius. I’m sorry about your breakage. Breakage is so annoying and just frustrates me to no end. I hope it wasn’t enough to cause setback of any sort. I had increased breakage this week because I fell off of my regimen. I normally do a mid-week wash to keep my hydration up. I didn’t this week and my hair warned me quick.
Yes, 17 weeks. The longest was 26 but I’m not trying that again. It drove me crazy when it was time to detangle.
Mine did too. It shocked me back into reality and got my butt back in gear. I can’t skip on M&S or co-washing during the week. Noted!
Girl, yes…noted! I’d be bald by 26 weeks and that’s a fact, jack.