The journey to healthier hair is much more than deep conditioners and protein masks. It requires understanding your hair type, natural hair features, texture, and so on, more so if you have black hair.
With most hair products being advertised as multipurpose, finding the best protein treatment for black hair becomes difficult. In light of that, we take a deep dive into the benefits of protein treatment and the product labels to bring you five of the best types of products for hair protein treatment.
Best Protein Treatment for Black Hair
1. Nexxus Keraphix Protein Fusion Conditioner
- Product Brand: Nexxus
- Product Quantity: 33.8 oz
- Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Nexxus has created a line of products specifically for people dealing with problems of treated hair such as heat damage, hair with split ends due to color treatments, or weak hair due to chemical processing.
Two active ingredients include Keratin Protein and Black Rice which help replenish hair follicles, leaving them revitalized, healthier, and detangled. The complex blend of keratin works on damaged hair with every use.
Professionals suggest using this product once a week to see visibly shinier hair.
Pros
- It is safe for color-treated hair
- It has a gel-like consistency
- It lathers well
- It can be used for curly hair
Cons
- This product is not free of silicone
- The smell can be overwhelming
2. Hi Pro Pac Extremely Damaged Hair Repair Intense Protein Hair Treatment
- Product Brand: Hi-Pro-Pac
- Product Quantity: 8 oz.
- Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you have exhausted all of your options regarding your brittle hair, you have to try this Hi Pro Pac product. It contains wheat proteins which improve hair porosity by embedding additional proteins into the hair fibers.
If you live in a temperate region, your hair stands a higher risk of heat damage and more hair loss due to environmental pollution. The Hi Pro Pac product promises not only to restore the dead cuticle layer, but as some reviewers have pointed out, it has also reduced scalp dandruff.
Pros
- It acts as a good leave-in conditioner for chemically relaxed hair
- It works wonderfully on bleached hair
- Very quick and easy to use
- The product’s packaging is effective and portable
Cons
- It is one of the more expensive products on our list
3. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment
- Product Brand: SHEA MOISTURE
- Product Quantity: 8 oz.
- Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
One key ingredient when it comes to hydrating natural hair is shea butter. Millions of people have used it to make their hair smooth and soft. Combining this with the benefits of Manuka honey, a rich ingredient that promotes moisture retention for all hair types gives you one of the best protein treatments for black hair.
The product label boasts a great balance between protein and moisture, with a light smell. This doubles as a deeper moisture conditioner for your pre-shampoo routines.
Pros
- It has no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or mineral oils
- The product is cruelty-free and organic
- It can be used on wet hair
Cons
- None found
4. Aphogee Serious Hair Care Double Bundle
- Product Brand: Aphogee
- Product Quantity: 8 oz. and 4 oz.
- Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Suppose you have an affinity for heat tools or hair coloring. In that case, the Aphogee keratin treatment perfectly balances achieving shining and nourished hair and ensuring that the color lasts longer. Most users have seen visible results, in which color fading is reduced by 30% with religious use of the shampoo.
Pros
- It has an adequate protein-moisture balance to treat dry hair
- It restores the curl structure
- You can see visible results after just one wash with this product
Cons
- The product’s smell can be overwhelming
- Users with 4c hair may need one extra conditioner
5. Castor Oil Biotin and Collagen Conditioner
- Product Brand: Maple Holistics
- Product Quantity: 10 oz.
- Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Combining the twin powers of argan and jojoba oil, this Maple Holistics product is a bang for its buck. Promising to repair damaged hair cuticles and improve scalp help, it can promote hair growth or, at the very least, make hair strong and soft. This product is also known to incorporate castor oil and biotin, which make hair soft and add volume.
Pros
- Sulfate free and good for all types of hair
- It reduces the formation of extra oil on the scalp
- It helps promote hair growth
Cons
- None found
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Often Should I Use Protein Treatment for Relaxed Hair?
Your hair structure is damaged if you have relaxed hair or have recently used chemical treatments. Compromised hair elasticity leads to hair damage and needs deeper treatment. If you have relaxed hair, then you need to include protein and keratin treatment into your hair care routine at least twice a month.
2. Does Curly Hair Need Protein Treatment?
Yes, curly hair needs protein treatment. Any textured hair tends to dry out faster, leading to frizzy hair and loose curls, and therefore needs protein-strong treatment. Of course, we suggest curly hair-specific protein conditioners that repair damage and help reduce severe breakage.
3. How Do I Understand if My Hair Needs Protein?
To understand if your hair needs protein, you should first understand the type of hair you have. If you have porous hair, loss of elasticity, or simply dry hair that won’t behave, it is time for protein hair treatments. Highly porous strands have tears in the hair shaft, exposing the outer layer to environmental stressors. This increased porosity leads the hair strands to release moisture faster than healthy hair, producing tangled and frizzy strands.
Due to harsh chemicals and heated styling tools, natural moisture is stripped from the hair. This gives you frizzy hair.
4. Can I Use Natural Ingredients for Protein Treatment?
Yes, you can use natural ingredients for protein treatments. Although hair can only absorb so many natural ingredients, they make an excellent source of additional protein.
Any shea moisture product such as virgin shea butter, cold pressed coconut oil, olive oil, black castor oil, or even a blend of oils is laden with amino acids that treat damaged hair, reducing hair breakage and promoting hair health.
Conclusion
Keeping your hair healthy can be challenging, especially if you live in areas with high pollution levels or hard water. Nonetheless, with the best protein treatment for black hair, you can have the hair of your dreams.
However, when it comes to deep treatments such as this, the rule is “less is more.” Deep conditioning treatments should not be used frequently as they can lead to product buildup or cause protein overload. Always remember that your hair is like any part of your body. Just because it is made of dead cells does not mean it doesn’t need any care.
