Protein moisture balance is one of the key determiners of how healthy your curls look and feel. However, it is also one of the biggest things most people struggle with on their curly hair journey. Why? Because some do not even know what it is while others also struggle to identify what their hair actually needs. Well, it's time to clear up the confusion once and for all.
In the article, we'll be discussing all you need to know about protein and moisture as it relates to your curly hair, and how to tell the difference between the two. Plus how to create a perfectly balanced hair routine with both.
What Is Protein Moisture Balance?
Imagine if your hair was a person, what would it take to keep it healthy? A balanced diet right? Well, that is pretty much what protein moisture balance is. It is a healthy state of hair where your strands are adequately nourished, hydrated, and strengthened from both moisture and protein. This balanced state is what gives you the hair of your dreams with the perfect shine, definition, softness, bounce, and perfect hydration.
Now, the default of everyone with curly should be this perfect protein-moisture balance. However, many people struggle to achieve it because they tend to focus on making sure their hair has a lot of moisture but end up neglecting protein or they load their hair up with protein while neglecting moisture. Protein and moisture are both essential for maintaining healthy curls–protein is what our hair is literally made of so it gives it strength and structure while moisture is what you need to prevent dryness and frizz. So you can not afford to focus on only one while neglecting the other. If your hair is lacking either of the two, you will start to notice a few unwanted signs that your protein-moisture balance is all over the place.
Signs Of Moisture Overload
If you've been loading your hair with too much moisture without balancing it up with protein, you'll notice your curls have the following symptoms:
● Poor elasticity with your hair stretching without bouncing back like normal curls
● Hair is that limp and lifestyle, feeling almost gummy
● Looks frizzy even when it is wet
● Hair is easily weighed down and is overly soft
Signs Of Protein Overload
Using too much protein on the hair can make it look and feel uncomfortable with some of the following symptoms:
● Dry curls with a wiry straw-like feel
● Hair that snaps and breaks easily
● Dullness and frizz
● Dryness and lack of shine
How To Tell What Your Hair Needs
If your hair is showing signs of moisture overload, then that is a pretty good sign that you need more protein in your hair. However, if it is showing signs of protein overload, then that tells you it's time to up your moisture and reduce the protein in your hair routine.
Additionally, your hair porosity can help determine what your hair needs. High-porosity hair generally requires more protein because of the open cuticles that create cracks in the hair shaft and leave room for protein degradation. On the other hand, low-porosity hair tends to require more moisture because it struggles to absorb it. Now remember, all hair types need both moisture and protein whether high or low porosity. High porosity just needs more protein than low porosity.
Tips For Creating The Perfect Protein Moisture Balance On Curly Hair
● Always Check Your Hair: Paying attention to your hair is one of the best ways to figure out what it needs. Feel your hair and look at the signs it's giving you, this will allow you to easily determine when it requires more protein or moisture.
● Do Not Use Too Many Protein-Based Products: Many hair products contain protein even if it's not directly stated on the label and if you do not check the ingredients, you can end up using too many protein-based products in your routine and end up with protein overload. Generally, If you have high porosity hair, you should not use more than 3-4 protein-based products in one routine. Meanwhile, those with low porosity hair should stick to a maximum of 2 or 3 protein-based products in their routine.
Protein can be found in pretty much anything from shampoos to conditioners, and even styling products so check all your hair products to confirm. There are many different types of protein, but here are some of the common names you may come across when checking your products:: keratin, wheat protein, collagen, oat protein, silk protein, rice protein, milk protein, and almost anything with the word hydrolyzed.
How To Fix Protein Overload
Clarify Your Hair
If you're suffering from protein overload, using a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair will help remove the film of protein around your hair strands. This essentially resets your hair and allows you to start over.
Deep Condition Your Hair
Using a deeply moisturising deep conditioner like our Manuka Honey Deep Conditioning Treatment will infuse your hair with a boost of moisture and help offset some of the effects of the protein overload. Use heat while deep conditioning to enhance the effects of the deep conditioner.
Use hydrating Products
If you have protein overload, chances are, it was caused by using too many protein-based products. The best way to fix the problem is to incorporate more hydrating products into your routine. You can start by using our Hydration Shampoo, Moisture Rich Conditioner, and Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner on your wash days and styling your curls with the moisturising products in our My Curls My Way Styling Bundle.
Check Your Hair Products
Sometimes you may be using too many protein-based hair products without even realising it. Many products contain ingredients like amino acids, keratin, and vegetable protein even if they are not boldly written on the front of the label. So if you're noticing signs of protein overload, carefully go through the ingredient list at the back of your hair products and see which ones contain proteins. As we mentioned earlier, you should try to limit the number of protein-based products in your routine to 2-4. Anything more than that can result in protein overload.
How To Fix Moisture Overload
Do A Protein Treatment
If you're dealing with extreme moisture overload the best way to fix the problem is to do a protein treatment. This will enrich your hair with the protein it needs to regain Its strength and elasticity.
Use Protein Rich Products
Incorporating more protein-rich hair products like our Manuka Honey Deep Conditioning Mask and Everyday Curl Refresh Spray Is a great way to infuse your hair with moderate doses of protein and combat moisture-overload.
Protein and moisture are both extremely important for curly hair but if you want your hair to thrive, you need to establish a balance between the two. Now that you know how to nourish and balance your hair with both, get ready for your curls to flourish.