What am I looking for?
 

I think my hair needs protein, but I'm not sure how much. It also needs lots of moisture. I have done one homemade PT (it was interesting) and I noticed a HUGE difference in the texture and feeling of my hair (especially my underneath layers). And that's really about it. I have no clue how much protein my hair actually needs vs. how much moisture it needs. I know I need a pretty good amount of moisture. though.

My question(s): What type of proteins are best to look for in products?

I currently have KCCC, Devacurl, shea moisture shea butter masque, Renpure conditioners (red and green bottles), TN, GFTN, BioInfusion conditiong balm, JC revitalizing leave in conditioner, organix moroccon (sp?) curl perfection defining cream, organix coconut milk weightless mousse, HETMS mousse, HETT gel, LALSG, one n' only Argan Oil volume mousse, l'oreal eversleek smoothing cream, and that's all I can think of at the moment.

How often should you use a PT and products with protein?

How can you tell if you get too much protein?

I read that hydrolized proteins are the best to look for, as they actually bind to the hair shaft. Nature's Gate conditioners have hydrolized proteins, and they work very well as a pt...at least for me.

I'd say to do a pt every 6 weeks or so. You'll know that you've had too much protein when, even after doing a moisturizing treatment, your hair feels brittle and straw-like.

You'll definitely be able to tell if you go overboard with protein. Unfortunately a lot of this is trial and error. I'm able to do a strong PT once a week and rotate in a protein heavy RO once or twice each week in addition. I basically figured it out by increasing the strength and duration of my PTs and not seeing any signs of too much protein. Then I started adding the protein RO several weeks ago.

Do you know what other products contain this protein? Besides NG?

What products do you use for this?

I've heard good things about spiral solutions repairing protein treatment, shescenit okra reconstruct or, mop c hydrating conditioner, and curl junkie repair me

I use protein products about the same amount as Corrina and I use IAgirl's PT (recipe can be found on the 2 board I think, it's really easy to make), and for my protein heavy rinse out, I use Cure Care (can be found at Sally's) and Aubrey Organics GPB. I'm also going to try Ion Effective Care for a rinse out.

I usually use IAGirl's PT recipe for my weekly PT- I sit under heat for about 30 minutes, then follow with a DT. In a pinch I use Aphogee 2 step (IAGirl's recipe was designed to give very similar results to Aphogee, which has a very strong smell).

Prior to trying IAGirl's PT, I tried (in order from what I felt was weakest to strongest)
GVP Reconstructing Conditioner
Giovanni Hair Reconstructor
CJ Repair Me

I now use these other products as my RO once or twice a week (I blend with a regular moisturizing conditioner to get my protein and moisture in one step- I normally mix with GFTN). I also added ION Effective Care in the protein RO rotation. Typically fine hair can handle (and likes) lots of protein.

I'm unfamiliar with IAgirl. Where do you get it? Also, when I washed my hair tonight I used the GFTN as my RO. It felt like my hair literally sucked it up and when I rinsed it didn't feel like it was moisturizer enough. What could this mean?

Are there any drugstore brands I could try for my protien? I'm not too thrilled with Sally's to be honest. I did get a sample of the ion protein reparative thing that I have not tried yet, and a sample of some sort of DT.

Hopefully as your hair gets healthier you won't need to use as much of the GFTN. Most of us use way more conditioner when we first start CG because our hair has been waiting for more moisture.

IAGirl is a member here and her recipe is for a homemade PT (super cheap and easy to make). The thread with the recipe is on the 2s forum.

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Corina is my hair twin - I, too, use a ton of protein. I do IAgirl's gelatin PT - works wonders!!! And I use others during the week.

I use GVP k-pac (from Sally's), nexxus's protein condish - can't think of the name... And I'll use Colorful Neutral Protein Filler (also from Sally's). I'll add a few drops to condish, put some in my refresher spray, in my FSG, as well!

Then I leave my moisturing RO half if and add a LI, just to balance the moisture. There are proteins in most of my stylers, too.

And I always follow my PT's with DT's.

Hth!!

Where do you get FSG? Everyone talks about it, but I have no clue. I know it's flax seed gel but I still don't really know what it is. :-/

Most people on here make FSG, basically by boiling flax seeds in water for around five minutes and straining to get the gel. Hopefully someone can put the link on here.

Yeah, I make my FSG and put several additives in it.

Jessicurl makes an FSG called Rockin Ringlets. I've never tried it, but I hear good things. I just make my own because it's quick, easy, CHEAP, and I can add whatever I want in whatever amounts I want.

So is FSG protein? And where do you get the seeds?

Also, I've noticed in products that there are different tpes of proteins. Does this mean that if it says "protein", it's a protein?

Flax seeds are not protein but I add gelatin to my FSG so mine has protein in it. Most people who are protein sensitive are able to use FSG fine. You can generally get flax seeds at health food stores but I found mine at Kroger.

As far as whether or not something is a protein, idk this as well as others but generally it will say something like soy protein or hydrolyzed wheat protein. I know silk amino acids are considered a protein also.

Flax seeds are a source of proteins, as well as fiber, and omega-3.

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I have several products that say silk proteins or silk amino acids.

Thanks.

Beeduh, proteins in products may say just that, silk protein for instance. Some may leave off "protein" and just say what they are, like Keratin or Collagen. They can also be hydrolyzed, which means the protein has been broken into pieces, such as hydrolyzed wheat protein. They can also appear as amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, like silk amino acids.

You might want to check out Ingredients Commonly Found in Hair Care Products. It's a good reference for what's what in a product.

Thanks Geek_chic.

It looks like my hair really likes protein. :]