Do I stay away from proteins? HELP!

lazywaves · 02-28-2009, 02:20 PM

I've been researching, and what I've discovered is that my 2c hair is also coarse and high porosity. That's good to know, but what kind of products do I use? I'm thinking I need to stay away from proteins. Is that correct? I also have little-no elasticity in my hair. I now realize I have to change the products I was using...argh!

What ingredients do I need to stay away from? Which ones should I look for?

I need a good co-wash or low poo, and a good condish. I really want to stick with drugstore products. It's not even the price so much as the convenience.

TIA!!!

Jess the Mess · 02-28-2009, 03:06 PM

Here is a good way to check if you need protein
A good way to tell if you need protein is to do a strand test.

Quote:

You take a strand of hair, wet, hold it at each end and stretch. If it snaps immediately or stretches very little, you need moisture. If it stretches 20%-30%, you probably have a good moisture/protein balance. If it stretches much more than about 30% and doesn't shorten up again (strand stays all limp and strectched out) you may need protein. I usually do a few hairs just to get an average.

Another way is that if you see your curls getting limp and dragged out (and you can't blame it on a low dewpoint) you may need a shot of protein.

If you are protein sensitve, your hair will feel like dead grass or straw when you use protein. In extremes, the hair can snap. It will feel dry and brittle, and adding more of a protein conditioner will just make it worse. Now, this won't mean that you are sensitive to all proteins. Wheat is a commonly seen as an offender, but some can use it. So, you may be unable to use wheat protein, but be OK with silk or soy or keratin.

The frequency of a protein treatment all depends on your hair. I had been using one once a week, but it's down to bi-weekly now. It all depends. That is something you'll have to learn on your own. The strand test can be helpful in figuring this out.

Protein can be really confusing...I have yet to really understand it myself. Knowing if you are protein sensitive is really trial and error. I found out I was a little protein sensitive by cutting out protein for a week. I have found that I still need products with protein about once a week but no more. We all need some protein but everyone differs on how much. My advice is stop using your shampoo and only-co wash for a week. Maybe your only problem is that. No need to go buy all new stuff right away. A good co-wash is Suave naturals coconut and I am really liking the tangerine right now. I can't tell you what a difference stopping the shampoo has made for me and I was using Deva Low-poo for months. If you feel like you are getting build-up you can clarify with baking soda and an ACV which is still cheaper than the best low-poo and works just as good (in my opinion). By the look of your products they aren't terribly filled with proteins anyway. Ingredient experts?

curlyjenn10 · 02-28-2009, 03:25 PM

I wouldn't stay away from anything until you've experimented and know for sure it's not working for you. I have coarse and highly porous hair that was fine with protein for a few months. I was aware I might develop a sensitivity, but didn't stop using it until it dried me out.

Laura Lee · 02-28-2009, 03:38 PM

My attitude toward avoid things is that you should only avoid it if you learn from using it that it is giving you problems. It also takes a lot of experimentation to determine if it's one ingredient, ingredient group, or just the product itself your hair doesn't like

lazywaves · 02-28-2009, 05:14 PM

Well, I just started going CG and I've been trying to change or introduce one thing at a time. I did notice that my waves have kind of a crunchy feeling though. I'm getting better definition but I still have a lot of frizz. I'm wondering what might be causing it...so I thought maybe it was the protein.