Back To Basics - Home-made Protein Treatment

We already know how important protein is for black hair but just in case you’ve been living in a cave and didn’t know, here’s some light reading for you here, here and here.

Not all of us however are in a position to purchase Aphogee two step protein treatment, Nexuss Emergencee or other protein treatments. If you are unable to find a suitable one or you are just after a more natural solution, there is a simple recipe that you can use to strengthen your tresses with ingredients you probably already have or can pick up easily at most supermarkets.

It feels wrong calling this a recipe with so few ingredients but what you will need is:

• 1 packet unflavoured gelatin (about 10g)
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or conditioner

Gelatin I hear you ask? Absolutely. If you look at the ingredients on Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment*, you will notice that the second ingredient is Hydrolyzed Animal Protein so vegetarians look away now! Wikipedia has this to say about gelatin:

Gelatin (or gelatine) is a translucent, colorless, brittle (when dry), tasteless solid substance, derived from the collagen inside animals’ skin and bones. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing. Substances containing gelatin or functioning in a similar way are called gelatinous. Gelatin is an irreversibly hydrolysed form of collagen, and is classified as a foodstuff, with E number E441.

Hydrolysed protein is fabulous for hair because the protein has been broken down and the molecules are able penetrate all layers of the hair better to repair damage and make the hair stronger.

To make and use the protein treatment:

• Shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo* to get rid of build up. Your hair must be clean to absorb maximum protein.
• Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water and mix with your mayonnaise/conditioner until well combined.
• Apply to wet hair combing through to ensure all strands coated.
• Sit under a dryer for 20 minutes to half an hour with your head uncovered
• Rinse the treatment thoroughly with warm water and follow up with a moisturising conditioner.

This treatment is suitable for both relaxed and natural hair. Bear in mind however that this is a ‘hard’ protein treatment and as such you should only  use it once ever six weeks or so depending on your hair’s moisture-protein balance.

See the other articles in the back to basics series here >>