Unlocking the Confusion about Proteins

Black hair needs more nutrients than other types of hair. The best treatments are protein based. Proteins are one of the most essential nutrients required by the body. While they are only required in small amounts; they are needed regularly in order to carry out proper hair health and growth. Black hair can be damaged when there is a loss of protein from within the hair shaft. Your hair then loses its capability to regenerate by itself. Using a conditioner that includes varying proteins is important to meeting the three-fold need of your hair – strength, shine, and repair.

We have compiled a list of commonly used proteins to help you know how to better choose your hair conditioning products. Those proteins that are especially good at penetrating the hair shaft will have an asterisk. Let’s get started…

Softening Proteins:
*Silk Amino Acids - Help to seal the hair cuticle, increase detangling & shine, and acts as a moisturizer by preventing dryness. Penetrate the hair to add body and strength.

*Wheat Amino Acids - Wheat amino acids increase the hair's ability to retain moisture and impart shine and gloss to damaged and dull hair. Wheat amino acids easily penetrate the hair shaft and bind to hair's inner fibers.
*Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: - Strengthens and thickens the hair. It attracts and retains moisture. Excellent penetration into the outer protective layer of hair up to the outer cortex. Greatly improve the body, shine, and smoothness of hair.

Hydrolyzed Silk Protein - Nourishes and strengthens while delivering natural sheen and softness. It binds moisture, increases hair volume, and improves its manageability and overall structure.

Hydrolyzed Milk Protein - Conditions and detangles the hair. Provides moisture, great softness and manageability.

Hydrolyzed Elastin: - Helps attract and retain moisture to smooth and soften the hair & give elasticity.

Hydrolyzed Collagen - Adds body, resiliency, shine, and manageability as well as reduced static charge also provides moisturizing benefits. Used to strengthen hair structure. It is the primary element for hair elasticity.

*Hydrolyzed Oat Protein - Derived from oats; adds texture and thickens hair, soothes, softens, and nourishes it. Restores strength and elasticity. Easily diffuses into the hair shaft to give a fuller, healthier look.

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein - Adds shine and luster.

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein - Known to add strength and manageability to hair. It is able to keep the cuticle smooth, repair and strengthen hair. Helps hair retain moisture, adds shine, provides ease of combing, and reinforces the hair preventing breakage.

*Hydrolyzed Rice Protein - Penetrates the hair shaft to rebuild and strengthen damaged hair. Rice Protein strengthens and expands the diameter of the hair shaft to create a noticeably thicker, more luxurious look.

Strengthening Proteins:
Keratin Amino Acids - This amino acid helps to restructure damaged hair. Keratin helps strengthen and build healthy hair.

*Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin: -This protein is the best source, because it contains all 19 amino acids found in the hair. This enables it to penetrate the hair shaft. Provides greater elasticity, reduces breakage and gives a natural, healthy bounce.

*Hydrolyzed Keratin - The true structural protein of hair. Penetrates the hair shaft to rebuild damaged hair and give it increased body. Keratin coats each individual strand of hair to strengthen and protect.

*Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein - A powerful hair strengthening protein complex that instantly & dramatically improves the condition of damaged hair. Vegetable protein absorbs more easily into the hair shaft (than animal protein) and does not create build-up, it leaves the hair very shiny, radiant, luxuriant, and healthy.