Unbreakeable Hair? The Protein Treatment That Beats Pure Protein

Contents:

• Errr…What?
• The Streets Are Talking
• How Does It Work?
• The Process
• Comparison To Similar Protein Treatments
• Recommendations
• Conclusion

It has been scientifically proven that hair is made of protein. It is responsible for the structure, density, texture, and curl pattern. That’s why we usually turn to protein if we feel that our strands are uncooperative. Enter mayonnaise, raw egg and protein reconstructors like Aphogee*. But what if you could find a super protein that stops breakage instantaneously? What if there was a super elixir that promises unbreakable hair…literally?

Errr…What?

So I see I’ve got your attention and yes, there is such a product! Have you ever heard of Dudley’s DRC-28* Hair Treatment and Fortifier? Well, I didn’t before this (perfect timing too since back to back episodes of postpartum shedding did a number on yours truly). This miracle in a bottle isn’t a new kid on the block; in fact, the source I learned about it from, Nadege on Bellemocha spoke about this way back in 2015. The product itself is at least a decade old (I must’ve been hiding under a rock since I am just now learning about it.) Reviews on the product go as far back as 2008! On the blog, Nadege recounts how she normally used Pure Protein* to maintain her moisture-protein balance when she happened across raving reviews about DRC-28. People reported results in just one week of using the stuff. One great thing is that it seemingly works for every hair type and is excellent for both natural and chemically treated hair.

The Streets Are Talking

If you hop over to Amazon you may notice that of the 71 reviews on the product, 79% gave it a five-star rating. I don’t know about you but that seems like a big deal; especially since some of these reviews could be termed as epistles, not the sparse, barely-there afterthoughts that many reviewers leave sometimes, I mean something that could rival the marketing on the bottle. People just can’t seem to get enough of it. Some of the reviews on Amazon:

I used DRC-28* yesterday and got exactly the results I was looking for: strong hair that does not break.  It didn’t stink (like Aphogee) and it did not make my hair hard (like Aphogee*). My hair feels really good now.  This product works!”

“I use DRC-28. When I use it, honestly my hair DOES NOT BREAK. My old stylist used it on me and my hair was unstoppable……DRC really fortifies my hair with continuous use.

A must have if you color your hair! I put it off and used nexxus and aphogee. Wish I would have gotten it a year ago.”

I did notice the one person who it did not work for and it made me scroll to find out if anyone else gave it one star. It’s important to note that one other person pointed out that the retailer watered down the product so he or she didn’t get the true product and felt that perhaps that’s the reason the results did not meet the expectations. Perhaps that’s what happened to that one person for whom it didn’t work, or there is something else happening that is causing hair to remain brittle or shed prematurely.

How Does It Work?

To appreciate how it works you must have a basic understanding of the proteins that hair needs, so here is a crash course:

Keratin is the main protein in hair and it is a water-soluble protein which is extremely strong. (Horns of animals are formed from this stuff, that’s how tough keratin can be). The Keratin has some chains of amino acids which include cysteine which is what makes keratin so tough.

If your hair needs a revival you will need these proteins:

1. Hydrolyzed proteins in rinse-off products (ding ding; that’s one for the DRC-28)
2. Collagen for elasticity
3. Keratin for strength and to improve the feel
4. Wheat protein also for strength
5. Soy protein to enhance moisture or bolster normal porosity
6. Silk protein to soften your strands

The DRC-28 is deep penetrating, which allows it to build the hair from within by fortifying weak areas. So rather than simply sitting on the hair it can actually get inside the cortex and work its magic. It is said that hair is made up of 22 proteins and amino acids, but the composition of the DRC-28 includes up to 28. This may be part of the reason that this product is making waves. Further investigation of the composition of the DRC-28* revealed that it has hydrolyzed proteins. Part of the packaging content from a bottle reads:

Dudley’s DRC 28* is a deep-penetrating advanced hair treatment and fortifier that is concentrated with most of the hair’s own natural protein and amino acids.  This rich formula works from the inside out – nourishing, restoring and repairing severely damaged or weakened hair to a stronger, healthier state.”

Notable ingredients include:  Hydrolized Animal Protein, Hydrolized Keratin Protein, Biotin, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), and Hydrolized Glycosanminoglycans (shown to promote hair growth in in clinical tests)

Main Ingredients:

Deionized Water, Hydrolyzed Animal Protein Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-11, Glycerin, Polysorbate-20, Panthenol, Acetamide MEA, Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein, Sodium PCA, Methylparaben, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Fragrance, Biotin*

Well, now the picture is a little clearer because even though protein is great for hair and absolutely vital to its existence, not all proteins are created equal. In case you are a little lost, basically, in order for protein to be most effective, the molecules have to be at the right size to be able to penetrate the hair, but not all of them can do that. For instance, when we break an egg and slap it on our heads, this does well to condition the cuticle layer but it doesn’t necessarily get inside the cortex so issues within the strand don’t get addressed. Proteins with the word ‘hydrolyzed’ before them means they went through a process that allows them to be small enough to penetrate the hair or to be absorbed.

Have you noticed how many times hydrolyzed appears in the ingredients list for DRC-28*? That may offer some insights into why the reviews are so great. In addition, that Glycosanminoglycans has the cysteine in there and did you notice biotin* a Panthenol?

The Process

1. It is a two-step process in which 1/2 to 2 oz of the DRC-28 is applied to freshly cleansed damp hair using an applicator bottle* to ensure full coverage of every strand
2. To catch the run-off the hairline should be wrapped with a cotton towel
3. After application, the hair should be covered with plastic cap and heat from a hooded dryer* or dryer attachment should be used to ensure the product gets in under the cuticle of the hair. Heat application lasts 15 minutes.
4. Rinse out and apply a moisturizing conditioner* to hair

Nadege decided to add it to her moisturizing conditioner* but the manufacturers recommend that the product is used as directed and not mixed or combined with any other product. Still, she got great results from her experiment.

Comparison To Similar Protein Treatments

Nadege’s experience with both Pure Protein* and DRC-28 had the latter coming out the winner and relegating all other reconstructors – Aphogee* included – to the bench as pretenders. She noted that the evidence that the product worked was noticeable after the first use. She had been using Pure Protein and hadn’t gotten that effect.

She also noted that her hair didn’t get hard the way many protein reconstructors do; neither did it have the putrid smell that Aphogee* has. Not only does Dudley’s DRC-28 deliver instant results, but the 16 oz bottle could last a full year. Granted, the price is steep at an average of $50; but when you consider the fact that it would last you longer than a bottle of Aphogee and Pure Protein*, you would be getting your money’s worth.

Recommendations

Dudley’s DRC-28 has been in circulation for close to two years now and the majority of those who use it tend to be satisfied with the results. In the event that you decide to buy the product, as always, we caution you to ensure you do the research and only make a decision when you are satisfied with what your search unveils. As with many of these products, the salon grade seems to be potent and may present a challenge if you are unable to mix it to achieve the correct composition that will yield the awesome results people rave about. It would then be wise to not just research the product but check for a reputable licensed Dudley’s contact who has an established reputation of selling a top rate quality composition of the DRC-28.

Conclusion

I hardly know of anyone who would turn down unbreakable hair and our hair needs all the help it can get, especially when our lifestyles make it challenging to put in the nutrients we need to maintain our bodies adequately and still feed the follicles. With that being the case the Dudley’s DRC-28 could possibly be the best topical treatment to breathe life into limp hair battered by the elements, mistreated by unhealthy hair care practices and ravaged by things like postpartum shedding. Here’s to hoping that it’s still living up to the reviews and can still deliver miracles. I will be keeping my eye on this one. How about you?