Do I need protein or moisture?

**louisemg82** · April 22nd, 2011, 04:23 AM

Yesterday I went on to Kirin's hair diagnostic article and thought I'd give it a go. I've got this week off work - why not use it to make my hair fabulous?

So I clarified, I clarified again to make sure and left it to dry. Well, what on earth does 'wadded' hair look and feel like??? I couldn't decide if I was wadded or just plain old dry. I just couldn't work it out. I mean how do you know if your hair has formed bundles because it's wadded or just dry and tangly?
I ended up mixing up some yogurt with olive oil and honey to get both protein and moisture and of course now my hair looks great again but I don't know why. Was it the protein or the moisture? Any hints for how I can tell the difference between wadded and dry?

**bunzfan** · April 22nd, 2011, 05:55 AM

I don't know if i am correct here but i remember reading if you stretch a wet hair and if it snaps quickly and easily you need moisture and if it is stretchy it needs protein, i did this yesterday and it said i needed protein and after doing a protein treatment followed by moisture it is lovely and soft now.

**louisemg82** · April 22nd, 2011, 06:09 AM

Ohh thanks. I'll try that and see what happens,

**LisaMonster** · April 22nd, 2011, 06:13 AM

What did you use to clarify? I'd say that doing so twice in a row is probably what left it tangly.

**louisemg82** · April 22nd, 2011, 06:44 AM

I used tresemme vitamin c clarifying shampoo - only one I could get. On Kirin's hair diagnostic guide though it says to clarify twice or even three times to get rid of build up if you need to and I haven't clarified for nearly 5 years - so I thought it needed twice.

**Panth** · April 22nd, 2011, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by louisemg82

I used tresemme vitamin c clarifying shampoo - only one I could get. On Kirin's hair diagnostic guide though it says to clarify twice or even three times to get rid of build up if you need to and I haven't clarified for nearly 5 years - so I thought it needed twice.

Clarifying is a good start. However, not only does it remove all build-up (especially if you do multiple clarifying washes in a row) but it also removes all the sebum that protects your hair.

I suggest doing the trick that bunzfan mentioned on a couple of shed hairs. If the hairs snap immediately, moisture is needed. If they stretch out a little before breaking, and if that gentle stretching is reversible, that is what you're aiming for. If they stretch masses, and the stretch is irreversible (e.g. like gum vs. like a hair tie) then you need protein.

However, if you do decide on a protein treatment it is best to do so in moderation and to follow up with a bit of moisture. A little goes a long way for most people and often the treatments are drying. In contrast, many people find they just can't get enough moisture and it is impossible to overdose on it - their hair just drinks it up. So, if you need protein try a little to start with and increase if you seem to need more. If you need moisture you won't have to be so careful and can (on most people) just slather it on.

**pepperminttea** · April 22nd, 2011, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by bunzfan

I don't know if i am correct here but i remember reading if you stretch a wet hair and if it snaps quickly and easily you need moisture and if it is stretchy it needs protein, i did this yesterday and it said i needed protein and after doing a protein treatment followed by moisture it is lovely and soft now.

I thought healthy hair was meant to be able to stretch?

**Anje** · April 22nd, 2011, 08:33 AM

I haven't been able to make much sense out of what "wadded" feels like either. I'm sure it makes sense if you feel it, but I can't help much.

I like the descriptions of assessing protein/moisture balance found in this article. Maybe that'll help you more?

**louisemg82** · April 22nd, 2011, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Anje

I haven't been able to make much sense out of what "wadded" feels like either. I'm sure it makes sense if you feel it, but I can't help much.

I like the descriptions of assessing protein/moisture balance found in this article. Maybe that'll help you more?

Thank you, it does make more sense. I've also done the stretch a shed hair thing now and I'm pretty convinced I need moisture. I suppose I've got too much protein from my henna treatments. It would still be interesting to find out what 'wadded' feels like though!!