Does My Hair Need Protein or Moisture?
Have you ever been into a beauty store and been completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of products, shampoos, and conditioners available? We can't say we blame you. You may have asked yourself which product would best suit you? or is there a lack of moisture or protein in my hair? If you're stumped, we've got you covered. Continue reading to discover how to distinguish between moisture and protein in hair care products. We'll also teach you how to perform a quick test to see what your hair needs the most.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE: PROTEIN VS MOISTURE?
When natural hair is dry, it's easy to assume it's due to a lack of moisture. Moisturizing treatments or hydrating conditioners may be utilized to aid with the dryness. It might be a lack of moisture in many situations, but if you've tried hair moisturizers and your hair is still dry, you could have a protein shortage. Keratin is a protein and amino acid chain that makes up the majority of hair. Due to chemical treatments, over styling, tugging from protective styles, excessive heat, and environmental stresses (pollution, debris, accumulation), these keratins can get overworked and fatigued. Gaps in the hair caused by burned keratins result in damaged hair, breakage, and dryness.
In the end, hair that is healthy need two things: moisture and protein. Some products just supply hydration, whereas others also deliver protein. Knowing whether you need a hair protein treatment or a moisture treatment for your natural hair is crucial to having healthy-looking and active curls and coils. Find out what the difference between moisture and protein is, how to identify whether your hair needs protein, and all the advantages and ways protein helps your hair.
MOISTURE: DOES MY HAIR NEED IT?
Moisture-deficient hair might feel dry, brittle, or scratchy. In addition, it may appear dull and tangle easily, and be susceptible to split ends. Some reasons as to why one might need moisture are the following:
1: Dry Scalp: When the scalp does not have enough oil, it becomes dry. Itching, flaking, and irritation are all common symptoms of dry skin. In addition, because oil from the scalp helps condition the hair, it can also make it look dry.
2: Dandruff: The scalp sheds dead skin cells just like the rest of the body. Dandruff develops when this process accelerates. Dead skin cells make up dandruff flakes; excessive cleaning skin problems, such as eczema, are exacerbated by dry air, especially during the winter months.
3: Heat Damage: Overuse of heat products like curling irons and straighteners, as well as chemical damage, can cause hair to become dry. However, some hair varieties, such as curly and textured hair, are inherently drier and require more frequent moisturizing.
Using oils and butter treatments can help hydrate parched hair, making it look smoother and more elastic.
HOME REMEDIES & TREATMENTS:
Dry hair occurs when your scalp produces insufficient oil to nourish your hair or when your hair allows moisture to escape. Let's look at ways you can resolve this problem and get complete and healthy hair!
1: Vitamins: The B vitamin, also known as biotin, is crucial for keeping your scalp primed and ready for good hair development. This nutrient shortage can cause a dry, itchy scalp and weak, dehydrated, and easily breakable hair. If your hair appears thin, dry, or brittle, you may be deficient in biotin.
2: Natural Oils: Three layers of hair are present. The outermost layer produces natural oils, which make hair seem healthy and lustrous while also preventing it from breakage. This layer can be damaged by swimming in chlorine water, living in a dry environment, chemical straightening or perming, or using hot styling products. Hair that has been broken down feels dry and looks drab. Coconut oil is abundant in hydrating omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, both of which give shine to conceal and are necessary for scalp health. Poor scalp health might result in soft hair. Almond oil is abundant in omega-9 fatty acids, vitamin E, and protein, all of which aid to strengthen and prevent hair breakage. This nut-derived oil softens hair and protects and moisturizes it with its emollient properties.
3: Bad Alcohol: Bad alcohol ingredients can evaporate quickly, allowing the styling agents to bind and operate more effectively, but on the downside, your hair is literally sucked dry. In addition, with continued use, the cuticle roughens, making the hair dry, brittle, and frizzy and putting it at risk of breakage.
PROTEIN: DOES MY HAIR NEED IT?
Our hair is made up of 80-90 percent protein, specifically keratin. Protein provides the strength and structure that our curls require and other hair textures. Unfortunately, there are so many hair products on the market nowadays that it's easy to become overwhelmed. One of the things that can help you cut through the clutter and figure out which one is appropriate for you is being aware of your strands' specific needs. This is a common issue can be affecting all hair types and texture.
To begin, keratin is a protein found in all hair. Damage to the protein of the hair shaft can be caused by external forces (particularly chemical treatments like hair color and relaxers), making it prone to breakage. A protein treatment can help chemically damaged hair that feels mushy or cotton candy-like.
1: Hair Elasticity: This indicates how healthy your hair is; each strand of hair has many layers, and moisture is held in the cortex, which is located at the center of the hair shaft. "Why is it so difficult to curl my hair?" you might wonder if your hair lacks elasticity. "Why am I losing my natural texture?" or "Why am I losing my natural texture?" This might be attributed to a decrease of hair elasticity. When your hair loses its elasticity, it's an indication that it requires protein treatment. To begin, moisten a strand of your hair that is still connected to your head to test its elasticity. Once the hair is damp, stretch it. If your strands bounce back to their original length without breaking, they are balanced. If the strand does not bounce back, seems limp, or breaks, it desperately needs protein. You can increase the elasticity of your hair by improving its protein levels, which makes it more bouncy, full of life, and simpler to style.
2: Chemical Treatment: When you color your hair, the hair color formula might alter the texture. Hair connections can break if you dye your hair regularly enough, resulting in split ends and hair damage. To give your hair a stronger base for the color, ask your stylist for a protein treatment before the application. By doing this extra step, you may help maintain hair strands strong during the chemical service.
3: Limp Hair: Hair that is stringy, flat, or limp clearly indicates that it needs protein therapy. Hair should generally be solid and complete, so if it begins to droop, pay attention. You can revive your strands and restore their vitality by reintroducing protein to them.
HOME REMEDIES & TREATMENTS:
1: Hair Mask: Many different hair masks help to target specific hair problems. You can use a variety of homemade protein hair treatments. Many of which are produced with natural or household ingredients to cure damaged hair or add protein to healthy hair. Protein hair treatments made at home are great for feeding the outside of the hair and strengthening each hair shaft on the outside to help avoid breaking and fallout. Hot Oil coconut, almond, castor, and jojoba are high in vitamin E and antioxidants, which assist in sealing in moisture and repair damage to the outside hair layer or cuticle. Using hot oil will help restore dry hair, will help strengthen, and provide a natural shine. Recommended to use once or twice a week.
2: Hair Product: Keratin is the structural building block of hair, so you can imagine how crucial it is for the general health of your hair. The more you color, flat iron, blow-dry, and heat style your hair, the more prone you are to have damaged cuticle areas. SureThik is a Sulfate-free, deep cleansing, and energizing solutions made exclusively for men and women. Our Root Penetrating Shampoos clean and rejuvenate the scalp by penetrating deep into the follicle without the use of toxic sulphates. Hair that has been colored or chemically treated is safe to use. Antioxidants help to strengthen hair that is weak or damaged from the roots up. Hair and scalp are left feeling clean and revitalized. After each wash, the scalp will be free of toxins, bacteria, sebum, and debris.