How to know if your Natural Hair needs Protein
Natural hair is beautiful, but it can be difficult to maintain. One of the keys to caring for your hair is knowing if it needs protein. Protein is essential for strengthening hair, keeping it from breaking and giving it shine. However, too much protein can also damage hair, so it's important to know when to use it. Here's how to know if your natural hair needs protein.
Hair porosity test
Hair porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb moisture. Porous hair has follicles that allow moisture to escape easily, while non-porous hair has tight follicles that prevent moisture from penetrating. If your hair is porous, it probably needs protein to strengthen the cuticles and prevent moisture from escaping.
To test the porosity of your hair, place a clean, dry hair in a glass of water. If the hair floats, your hair is non-porous. If the hair sinks slowly, your hair is porous. If the hair sinks immediately, your hair is very porous.
Feel and appearance
If your hair is brittle, rough, dull and has split ends, it may be a sign that it needs protein. Hair that lacks protein tends to be weak and brittle, which can cause it to break easily. If your hair has a frothy appearance, this can also be a sign of low protein.
Hair Care Routine
If you regularly use hair products that contain a lot of oils and butters, this can lead to product build-up on your hair. This can prevent your hair from absorbing the moisture and protein it needs to stay healthy. If you regularly use oils and butters, it's important to do regular protein treatments to balance the effects.
How often you wash your hair
How often you wash your hair can also affect its protein needs. If you wash your hair regularly, you can strip away the natural oils that protect your hair and give it shine. It can also make your hair more porous and require protein to strengthen the cuticles.
In conclusion, it is essential to understand the signs that your natural hair needs protein to stay healthy and avoid damage such as breakage and split ends. By keeping an eye on your hair's porosity, look and feel, as well as your hair care routine and frequency of washing, you can determine if it's time to give it a dose of protein. Essentially, the healthier your cuticle and cortex is, the more resilient your hair will be from daily styling, heat, and environmental stressors. Protein treatments are a great way to ensure this and reinforce strength into the hair.
By balancing protein intake with the other elements needed to keep your hair healthy, you can enjoy beautiful, healthy natural hair !