diy protein treatment?

[Flynn]

What I've been told is that if it feels stretchy, it wants protein, and already has too much moisture. If it feels brittle, it wants moisture, and already has too much protein.

Take this how you please.

[Flaxen]

REALLY??! soy sauce?! I would never have thought of that!

Yes. One of our long-time members (Fox of Fox's Shea Butter Cream) once bought a commercial protein treatment and noticed that it smelled just like soy sauce. So she tried soy sauce, and it worked just the same!

You see, things like eggs aren't really that great of a protein treatment because the protein is whole, and apparently the molecules are too large to penetrate the hair shaft. If you notice in hair products it will say, "hydrolyzed" this or that. Hydrolyzed means the protein has been broken down into its components, aka amino acids, and guess what? That's exactly what soy sauce is!

What about soy milk? and why must it be low sodium? Is that because salt tends to draw out moisture?

I don't know exactly what soy milk is. I mean, I know what it is, but I don't know if the protein is whole or not. I suspect it is. Experimenting is the only way to know for sure, though. And yes, too much salt is drying for hair. I did a calculation of the salt concentration in low sodium soy once, and it's about the same as human blood. It doesn't hurt the hair to get blood on it, but it is generally recommended to avoid such a thing.

Sorry for all the questions; I don't want to hijack the thread, just curious!

Are you kidding? Around here, some of the most fun threads ever were hijacks.

PS: what about milk or yogurt? or whey from making home made yogurt?

I don't know about milk, but my hair really likes yogurt treatments. I don't think it's a super-duper protein treatment, but it is good. I've never tried just the whey.

[countryhopper]

Thanx for the replies, Flaxen!

My next wash day is going to be an adventure!!

[dropinthebucket]

soy sauce has smaller protein?! too totally cool! that is so fun to know.

[minnie may]

soy sauce? this sounds intersting, but does anyone (Flaxen ? ) know if it would affect colour, espcially blonde hair?

[Animae]

Now I know what to use the giant super sized soy sauce that my dad bought from costco.

I don't think I could ever eat enough sushi to use it up before it expires.

[Flaxen]

soy sauce? this sounds intersting, but does anyone (Flaxen ? ) know if it would affect colour, espcially blonde hair?

I didn't notice any color change, but if you know your hair takes color easily, do a strand test first.

[minnie may]

Thanks a bunch

[Vanilla Mint]

I am so trying the soy sauce thing tonight!

[Cleopatra18]

I thought the protein in the eggs is too large to penetrate hair? I do egg washes regularly and don't wanna protein overload.