Another Lesson on Protein

Just when I thought I knew everything there was to know about how to care for my hair, I'm thrown a curveball. Here's what I've been dealing with for the past two weeks and how I fixed it.

Approximately two weeks ago, but hair started acting up. It presented with these symptoms:

• Became stringy and frizzy as I rinsed out my conditioner
• Stayed stringy and frizzy even with the addition of Pink Boots (aka clump-maker)
• Shrinkage shrank to just 1/2 inch
• Volume disappeared
• Hair was as dry as the Sahara

This continued for several washes.

I initially thought that my hair was just really thirsty. I did two DTs with CJ Curl Rehab, added plenty of GVP Conditioning Balm during the wash process, and even replaced KCKT with generous amounts of GVP CB for my leave-in. My hair lost the dry, frazzled feeling, but was still frizzy, stringy, and limp.

At this point, I figured I needed some protein. Usually I'll add it to my co-wash, since I have so few products with protein in them. I use protein regularly enough so that I don't ever have to do a Protein Treatment. Nothing changed after the protein co-wash; still frizzy and stringy, barely making waves.

My next thought was overconditioning. I'd somehow overdone it and killed my hair with conditioner. An ACV rinse did nothing. Meanwhile, my hair went back to being dry and frazzled.

This was the point where my mind started turning to more drastic decisions: shampooing to remove possible build-up or cutting my hair. The last time I used shampoo was in December when my brother was home for the holidays. I stole his low-poo since it was the only one in the house that did not contain oils (since I shampoo so infrequently, I haven't felt the need to spend the $$ on an oil-free low-poo). A build-up problem seemed unlikely since I have been really good about co-washing regularly and meticulously. I think my last cut was in October. I've loved the way my hair has looked (before this incident of course) and really didn't want to have to cut it.

Wednesday was my last ditch effort at saving my hair. I have been doing a lot of reading at NC trying to figure out my problem. This post was ultimately the answer. I had used protein in my co-wash, but what if that wasn't enough? I have a small bottle of Nexxus Emergencee, a potent PT I picked up at the very beginning of my CG journey (before I discovered my protein sensitivity). I used a nickle-sized amount for the length of my hair. I left it on for probably only 30 seconds; it started to feel weird and I was scared. I followed it up with my usual rinse-out and routine. The results? Better curl! A few clumps! Some shrinkage!

It still wasn't up to usual standards, so I used it again this morning for about a minute and a half. Et voila! Clumps and spirals (which are probably closer to the corkicelli curl type described in the new CG book)! Consistent curl everywhere! Insane shrinkage! Which all adds up to one happy curly girl :)

So I am now convinced of the need to do regular PTs (because co-washes aren't enough) like some of my fellow protein-sensitive curlies. Finding the right protein-moisture balance is harder than it looks!