I suppose by now most of you are aware of the importance of protein in your hair regimens. If you are not then these articles here, here and here are essential reading for you.
In most of my articles I talk about hard protein treatments like Aphogee 2 Step but I would also like to address light protein treatments and their place in your healthy hair regimen.
A light protein is nowhere near as dramatic as a hard protein treatment. In essence it is just using a product that contains a little bit of protein that is used during or after your wash. You can include a light protein into your hair regimen with a shampoo, conditioner, leave in treatment or any other product that contains protein in it.
The ingredient to look out for would be hydrolyzed protein(keratin) which is different from other types of protein in that the size of the molecules are much smaller allowing the product to better penetrate all areas of the hair shaft.
Hydrolyzed keratin is especially good because it is the protein that most closely resembles the keratin that our hair is made from so try to go for products that have it in their ingredient list.
The main thing to be aware of when choosing a light protein treatment would be how far up the list of ingredients the protein appears. The higher up, the more protein that the product contains which is an important consideration if you are protein sensitive.
Pictured above, you can see a couple of light protein conditioners to show you how their ingredients compare. On the left is Aphogee Keratin Reconstructor and on the right is Tresemme Keratin Smooth Keratin Infusing Conditioner.
Of course the most accurate way would be to figure out the exact amount of protein per ounce of product but that would be difficult to figure out as manufacturers usually keep their exact recipes confidential. Still this is a good rule of thumb to follow when trying to find a suitable product to purchase.
So what does it mean and when would you use a light protein conditioner? Read on…
Aphogee really helps the hair to grow but it’s hard to get that moisture back in your hair
Hydrolized Wheat Protein is the only “true” protein that is small enough to bind to the hair shaft. You can add it to your fav conditioner!
Where can I get it and wht brand do u use?
The apogee one is a conditioner meant to be used after you do the actual protein treatment which is a separate product. The apogee treatment is pure protein. You apply it and sit under a lukewarm dryer until it hardens. After it hardens it is rinsed out and the product shown is applied to put the moisture back. The treatment is very strong so it protects the hair for up to 4 weeks and should never be done after a relaxed. This pic is deceiving because there is a great difference between a conditioner and a treatment. The apogee 3 step process starts with the apogee shampoo for damaged hair.
The Aphogee 3 step treatment worked for me when I had a relaxer. It really does add the moisture back to your hair. I think I will try it on my natural hair. It also good for breakage.
The Real Person!
Many ladies use the term ‘light protein treatment’ when they mean light protein conditioner. I’m pretty sure that I explained in the post that hard protein treatments are different. The picture is just supposed to be an illustration on what to look for in the ingredient list 🙂
Zelekah McClam I tried that aphogee 2 step protein treatment that you’re talking about…I never used the keratin 2 min reconstructor after because i don’t think it’s to be used in conjunction with the hard protein treatment. The aphogee 2 step protein treatment comes with a system and it’s the official protein, the balancing moisturizer (in the purple bottle ) and the shampoo for breakage. The 2 min keratin treatment is a light protein that’s Ok to use weekly or as needed depending on how severely damage the hair is…. I love them all but it can be pricy!
I use the aphogee with a little conditioner, oils and water daily mix in a bottle. I think it has help my hair become stronger over a longer time and it help with growth too.
I love aphogee….helps my hair grow!
I love aphogee. My hair was course its thick brittle n dry. I’ve been using it for a while. Its now bouncy shines and soft good products.
Just use a egg, best all natural protein for the hair
IOk so I’m relaxed, but i only use natural products or mostly natural products therefore neither of these products make the cut for my hair. Any suggesstions?
That tresmme had my hair falling crazy I used the red bottle
Protein is good but has anybody checked out what those other ingredients are like disodium or dmdm hydantoin might be worth checking out
TRESemmé naturals I love love love it. Makes my hair so shiny and healthy looking.
I am a hairstylist, so I do know the difference. Treatments and conditioners are totally different and should be explained as such. Just like a black woman saying that they want a perm when they should be saying relaxed. And to the person who suggested just putting an egg in your hair, the protein should be mixed with other things to balance it out. Would you put an egg and some oil on your sandwich and call it mayonnaise? Whipped eggs and oil are the primary ingredients in mayonnaise but it needs just a little more ingredients to make it mayonnaise.
I used the 2 minute miracle two weeks in a row to reduce shedding and it did nothing for me. It wasn’t until I did a black tea rinse two weeks in a row that my shedding was significantly reduced!
This stuff is the Truth!
Does n e one know if this wrks wit locks?
I would just make my own
Aphogee is too messy
That’s the heavy duty one called the 2 Step. The 2 minute is the lighter one. Try it! They’re both great and work wonders
That two step one is tough to manage. The two minute one is much better to me.
I swear by aphogee, miracle in a bottle
That two minute one does wonders especially when you sit under the dryer
Coconut oil. Leave on hair for 15 minutes and rinse.
I gotta buy me a sit under dryer maybe that will make it better
I thought it’s best to have something without alcohol..
Not all alcohol is bad the ones in both of these products are considered good fatty acid based alcohols
Dapheni Allen
Ladies can u use the sit under dryer as a steamer, is it as simple as putting a shower cap on to get the steam effect with a deep conditioner? New to Natural & trying hard not to go back to the perm …. BUT
This is some excellent information
Idk about all those artificial ingredients
Aphogee