The healthy hair care journey can sometimes be a tedious task. At times we search high and low to find the perfect remedy to repair or prevent damage. Many times, the answer is in the information we can’t easily find in our YouTube binge watching sessions. However, for those of us that let our inner scientist reign supreme, we’ve learned that protein is a core necessity for healthy hair. Let's look deeper at the composition of hair to better understand how protein treatments work. "Hair is made up of water, keratin, lipids, minerals, and pigments and divided into three parts, the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla," says Annie Chiu, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute. "The cuticle is the outside wall of hair and is the first part that becomes damaged when hair is mistreated. Keratin is found in the cortex and is composed of 18 amino acids. Keratin can become deformed with water vapor, it can also be affected by dietary deficiencies which can lead to structural defects in the hair shaft," Chiu explains. Olaplex is not a protein treatment. While they have similar functions, protein treatments tend to dry out the hair; a side effect that’s absent when you use Olaplex. You may find formulas that not only repair damage to your hair but also protect it against future damage. A protein hair treatment also helps protect styles in humidity and is recommended as a regimen for dryness and the ends of long hair. With ApHogee’s protein treatment, you can rejuvenate your hair and restore its health and bounce. Directions for use

For seriously damaged hair, use once every 4-6 weeks, depending on your shampoo frequency. As your hair grows following the damaging event, you may find you can switch to a convenient, one-step, such as our Keratin Reconstructor and maintain your hair’s condition.Water (Aqua, Eau) Stearalkonium Chloride Glycerin Cetyl Alcohol Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum, Huile Minerale) Cetearyl Alcohol Tocopheryl Acetate Panthenol Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-propyl Silanetriol Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil Silk Amino Acids Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract Phytantriol Proline Alanine Polysorbate 60 Petrolatum Stearyl Alcohol Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone Tryptophan Squalane Collagen Amino Acids Allantoin Cyclotetrasiloxane Acetamide Mea C11-15 Pareth-7 Trideceth-12 C12-16 Pareth-9 Cyclopentasiloxane Propylene Glycol Dmdm Hydantoin Disodium Edta Fragrance (Parfum) ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment has been used by salons for years as a service which provides more effective and longer lasting results than any single step treatment or intensive conditioner. This unique treatment is formulated with activated proteins and magnesium which fuse into the hair with the application of heat. Hair breakages is drastically reduced for 4-6 weeks following use.

Leave hair uncovered, DO NOT use a plastic cap. Seat client under medium heat dryer. (Alternatively, a hand dryer may be used, but hair SHOULD NOT be agitated while drying.) NOTE: When ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment is dried into the hair, the hair becomes extremely hard. DO NOT comb or brush hair while ApHogee Two-Step ProteinTreatment is dried and in the hair. Also, Olaplex isn’t just for damaged hair. You can also use it on virgin hair as it can help you maintain its health and keep it in good condition.

Aphogee vs Olaplex: Are they Different?

The product is ideal for color-treated or permed hair. As evident from the name, the product includes a step one product called Amino Acids Blend and a step two product called the Protective Moisturizer. Will not hold color. (use PRIOR to color application for 30% less fade after 10 shampoos and truer shades)

David Petrillo, chemist and founder of skin-care brand, Perfect Image also says that people typically use keratin treatments to smoothen and straighten their hair in a way that is weather-proof and more manageable. "Keratin is also used to fill in the gaps of protein in the hair, which helps give it a fuller, 'healthier' look," says Petrillo. And according to hairstylist Kiyah Wright, natural hair, being more vulnerable to dryness and breakage, is in even bigger need of consistent protein treatments. Curly and more textured hair can benefit not only from the hydration that keratin offers but also for increasing manageability. "It's made to help relax the cuticle, which in turn makes curls more tamable," says Wright. As your hair dries with the protein treatment in it, your hair will get very stiff. It will feel similar to how hair feels when it’s in a hard gel cast. If it begins to stiffen and then you move it too harshly, it could break your hair.

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Damage from chemical processing may be heavier over some areas of the head than others. This may be due to uneven application of product, varying textures of hair or varying processing times across the head.

This question tends to go under heavy scrutiny because many naturalistas have a different answer based on the condition of their unique head of hair. To eliminate all confusion, protein treatments–especially deep treatments–should be done every 4 to 6 weeks. First of all, do you need a protein treatment? It depends on the protein-moisture balance of your hair. If you’re unsure, here are 3 telltale signs you need a protein treatment you can look out for. And if you’re still not sure if your hair needs protein, consult a haircare professional before having a protein treatment done. 1.Can I do a protein treatment at home or should I go to the salon? I’d wash and style my hair the same way, using the same products as before, but I’d barely get a cast when I used to get a hard cast. Plus, my waves would fall flat after just a few hours or less than a day, when they used to last multiple days. I couldn’t avoid protein any longer. You don’t need it, however, if you’re going to just use Olaplex. So, if you’re trying to compare Olaplex and protein treatment, you don’t need to, since they work together.Your hair type should factor into the protein treatment you choose. Not all treatments will work for all hair types, despite what the label says.