The Protein & Moisture Balance Mystery
Hair needs strength - in this case protein - and softness (moisture) to stay healthy. Our hair is made up of protein - keratin. It gets broken down through mechanical damage from styling, combing and brushing. These activities cause broken gaps to form along the hair shaft and so it needs replacing.
Moisture is softness and we get both of these important elements from our conditioners. Without the balance, hair either breaks or stretches too much.
Protein fills in the weak gaps along the hair shaft, while moisture keeps the hair flexible. Together they both prevent brittleness and nourishes the hair shaft. Your hair needs both protein and moisture to be healthy.
How to spot Protein Overload:
Your hair feels hard
Your hair breaks easily
Your hair lacks elasticity
Compare it to uncooked spaghetti, hard, brittle and snaps easily.
Excessive protein fills the gaps in the cuticle but makes the hair hard and inflexible.
How to FIX Protein Overload:
Add moisture, moisture, moisture
Moisturise your hair through the week with a water-based moisturising cream and seal with a butter or oil. Switch to moisturising conditioners for the next 2 to 3 wash days to restore softness.
How to spot Moisture Overload:
Your hair feels gummy
Your hair feels mushy
Your hair is limp with no curl definition
Your hair is overstretched and won’t bounce back
Compare it to overcooked spaghetti, mushy, and clumps and sticks together.
Overly hydrated hair causes the swelling of the cortex which causes hygrol fatigue weakening the disulfide bonds in the hair. So your hair turns mushy, limp, overly soft and lacks bounce or elasticity, stretching easily without returning to it’s original shape.
How to FIX Moisture Overload:
Add Protein!
Use a light protein treatment every 4 weeks to restore the structure and elasticity. Pre-poo with an oil before Shampooing to protect the hair shaft from excess water intake. Try Argan, Coconut, Jojoba, Grapeseed, or Meadowfoam Oil.
Balanced Protein + Moisture = Healthy Hair