Protein Conditioner
The Key to Strong Hair

protein-conditioner A protein conditioner should be used on a regular basis whether you're experiencing breakage, overly soft hair, or just want to keep your hair strong.

This page will explain who should use protein conditioners, how they work, how often to use them, where to use them, and how exactly to use them.

At the completion of this page, you should understand whether you need to incorporate a protein treatment into your regimen.

Who Can Benefit from a Protein Conditioner?

Conditioning with protein can be helpful in almost anyone's regimen whether natural or relaxed. If your hair is relaxed, there are no if, ands, or buts whether or not to use a protein conditioner. You must! A relaxer breaks down the bonds in your hair and it is essential to use a protein conditioner to make the hair stronger. Click here to read more about relaxers and how they work.

Protein offer the following benefits:

Strengthen dry, brittle hair
Keep hair strong in preparation for relaxers and after relaxers
Treat damage from heat styling
Temporarily mend split ends

What are Protein Treatments?

Protein treatments contain various types of protein that attach to your hair in the areas that are weak to build up the strength in the hair. The protein hardens the cuticle layer and puts a protective barrier around the weakened hair.

There are various types of protein conditioning treatments: the hardcore reconstructors, deep penetrating conditioners or light protein treatments, and protein paks.

Hardcore reconstructors like Aphogee Treatment for Damaged Hair contain very strong protein to assist in rebuilding the most damaged hair. However, directions must be followed closely it must be used very carefully.

Deep penetrating conditioners or light protein treatments like ORS Hair Mayo are not as strong and are a little easier to use without the worry of misuse. Organic Root Stimulator also makes a protein pack called Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner that's available in 1-treatment packets or a bottle.

Joico K-Pak and Aveda Damage Remedy are also often-recommended products for protein.

The effects of using protein conditioners are only temporary which is why they must be used regularly.

How Often Should You Use a Protein Conditioner?

Depending on the state and texture of your hair and whether it's relaxed or natural will help you determine a schedule for you.

If your hair is relaxed, you should try to do a treatment at least once a month but more preferably every other week. You should use one within two weeks of relaxing your hair.

With natural hair, you can use a treatment every month or every 2 months depending upon the condition of your hair.

Only use a hardcore treatments if you're experiencing severe breakage and make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle on how often to use. Typically, it only takes one treatment.

Where Should You Do a Protein Treatment?

You can do treatments at home using the products that I mentioned at the beginning of this page. If you don't feel confident in using a hardcore protein yourself, get your stylist to do it for you. If you have a great stylist, they should be strengthening your hair with protein regularly anyway.

Otherwise, protein treatments can be done pretty easily at home.

How to Condition with Protein?

In order to condition with protein you need just a few tools: your protein conditioner, a moisturizing conditioner, a plastic cap, and a hooded dryer.

After washing and conditioning your hair, apply your protein conditioner thoroughly.
Pin it up and put on a plastic cap.
Sit under the dryer on warm for at least 15-20 minutes. Let cool.
Rinse and apply a moisturizing conditioner.

Conclusion

As you can see, using a protein conditioner is not difficult and it can be extremely beneficial to hair in keeping up its strength enabling you to have healthier, longer hair.

Whether or not you're currently experiencing damage, protein treatments should be a regular part of your hair care routine.