If your hair doesn’t vibe with protein, it’s basically saying, “Whoa, too much!” That usually means you’re either dealing with protein overload or you have low porosity hair.
- Protein Overload: Think of protein as the building blocks for your hair. It keeps it strong and healthy, but too much is like stacking too many blocks – it gets stiff and brittle. Your hair might feel rough, dry, and straw-like, and you might notice more breakage.
- Low Porosity Hair: Imagine your hair strands have tiny, tightly closed doors (cuticles). Low porosity hair means those doors are really hard to open, making it tough for moisture and products to get in. Since protein is already good at sticking around, adding more just creates a traffic jam, leading to dryness and brittleness.
What to do:
- Hit the reset button: Use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any product buildup, including that extra protein.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Deep condition your hair regularly to bring back that moisture balance.
- Ditch the heavy protein stuff: Look for products labeled “protein-free” or those with hydrolyzed proteins (they’re easier for your hair to absorb).
- Try different protein types: If you wanna include some protein, experiment with silk, wheat, or soy to see what your hair likes.
- Listen to your hair: Pay attention to how it feels and looks after using protein. If things go south, switch up your routine.
Remember: Everyone’s hair is unique, so it might take a bit of trial and error to find the perfect protein-moisture balance. If you’re totally lost, chat with a hairstylist – they’re the hair experts!