COs / reconstructors containing Keratin for FINE hair needs?

CurlyCowgirly

I was thinking of writing this post in the Keratin category, but my purpose is to get the opinions of people with fine hair versus everyone and anyone since we have extra picky hair needs.

My very fine hair is dull, and I want to change that by trying Keratin. Another reason I'm interested in using Keratin is because I straighten my hair occasionally, and the result looks like dry and fried. Keratin is known for adding shine and lessening frizz. Additionally, Keratin products seem to usually contain proteins, which is beneficial for fine hair. However, there are several reasons why I do not want a salon-done Keratin treatment. Instead, I'm thinking a simple product with Keratin may boost my shine and decrease the 'straw hair' effect.

That said, here's some products that I think may help. Note that they are NOT 'keratin treatments'. Instead, they are COs, deep COs, or sprays that happen to contain Keratin of some sort. I was careful to pick products that have keratin near the top of the ingredient list (that means there's a higher %age of that ingredient in the product).

If you have tried these, please give your review Click the links to view the product ingredients:
-ApHogee Intensive 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor
-ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructor (reviewers loved this. Many use it in conjunction with straightening).
-Biotera Leave-In CO for Normal to Dry Hair
-AGEbeautiful Fullness and Body Conditioner
-Beyond the Zone Protein Cocktail

crimsonshedemon

Keratin is a type of protein like silk amino acids, hydrolyzed wheat protein, oat protein, etc- lots of different proteins. The keratin section is for those who are interested in a keratin smoothing treatment like the capolla (sp?) smoothing treatment which is similar to a brazilian or japanese smoothing. From what you wrote, you are interested in adding protein to your routine and keratin is the type of protein you are interested in using. This is different than the magical keratin treatment that will smooth, shine and solve all our curl problems. It can get confusing that's for sure.
The products you listed are a protein treament, 2 protein sprays, and a leave in with protein. I've used 2 and have looked at the beyond the zone spray but it's too cone heavy for me, iirc.
If you have fine hair, your hair needs protein. If you straighten, your hair needs more protein to help rebuild it.
Curls will never be as bright and shiny as straight hair but we can fake it. I use a drop or two of grapeseed oil to smooth any flyaways and that gives my hair sheen. Also the more you damage your hair the more dull and fried it will be. But you can mitigate some of that damage using protein based products like the aphogee 2 min. I use protein daily and a protein treatment at least once a week. I have fine hair that I color but never straighten.
I'm on my phone so I cant go into detail but protein is a very good thing for fine hair. It'll help strengthen your hair, define your curls and most importantly helps to maintain the moisture balance that we yearn for.

I use the aphogee 2 min and the spray all the time. When using a protein treatment like the 2 min, you need to follow with a moisture treatment. Too much protein and not enough moisture will dry out your hair so you'll have to experiment and see what your hair tolerates.

Btw, you should post this on the general discussion. You'll get a bigger response.
This forum is for those with thinning hair... Meaning our hair is falling out or has fallen out.
Hth

IAgirl

If you're wanting to try keratin protein, get some "Colorful Neutral Protein Filler" from Sally's Beauty Supply. Add it to your conditioner at around 1 teaspoon per tablespoon, or just use it on your hair "as it comes" (that's what's directed on the bottle). It is both keratin and some wheat protein.

Give it a try. I know one fine-haired wavy who pours it in a spray bottle and uses it that way. I put it in FSG. Somebody else adds it to conditioner for a protein boost. It's great stuff and very inexpensive.

CurlyCowgirly

Thanks so much crimsonshedemon and IAgirl!
Great info. Yes I am looking to use Keratin as a protein treatment, but I thought perhaps it could create more shine. I don't use heat on my hair much at all, yet my hair looks so damaged. Have either of you (or anyone reading this for that matter) tried sweet almond oil? How does it compare with other oils, jojoba, etc? I will post this in the General discussion forum like you suggested, crimson.
Thanks!

CurlyCowgirly

I just re-posted this thread in the General discussion for curly hair, here: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/general-discussion-about-curly-hair/127813-cos-reconstructors-containing-keratin-fine-hair-needs.html#post1689661

crimsonshedemon

Be sure to increase your moisture as you increase your protein. It can be difficult to find a good balance. Also if you're not happy with the results, try different types of protein.
As your hair healh improves, you will get shinier looking hair but sadly curls will never shine like straight hair.
I use grapeseed, jojoba and avocado and recently coconut. I'm always trying to add moisture. Plus it adds shine and smooths flyaways when applied to dry hair one drop at a time.
Have you done the curl wizard evaluation yet? It's very helpful. She'll give you product suggestion too.
My hair has changed (health issues) over the last 1-2 years so what worked before doesnt always work now. The eval confirmed that I was looking in the right direction. Definitely worth it imo.

IAgirl

I like grapeseed and jojoba for shine - but to be honest, protein is awesome for creating shine. Try both. Apricot kernel oil is super and not heavy. I have not tried sweet almond oil, but I think it's similar to apricot kernel.

Sometimes you need to do PTs every week or every other week for a while before you get there. FSG is good for shine too.
This recipe is a good one for shine and elasticity, well-tested by gals with wavy curls http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/2/116257-pt-recipe-promised.html
One of them calls PT her "protein perm." Funny gal.
It's collagen, not keratin.

CurlyCowgirly

crimsonshedemon wrote: »

Be sure to increase your moisture as you increase your protein. It can be difficult to find a good balance. Also if you're not happy with the results, try different types of protein.
As your hair healh improves, you will get shinier looking hair but sadly curls will never shine like straight hair.
I use grapeseed, jojoba and avocado and recently coconut. I'm always trying to add moisture. Plus it adds shine and smooths flyaways when applied to dry hair one drop at a time.
Have you done the curl wizard evaluation yet? It's very helpful. She'll give you product suggestion too.
My hair has changed (health issues) over the last 1-2 years so what worked before doesnt always work now. The eval confirmed that I was looking in the right direction. Definitely worth it imo.

Yep--I have been increasing my moisture...I just need to fine-tune how much CO is getting on the hair near the roots so I don't get a case of greasy scalp by the end of the day. lol. Is the curl wizard evaluation better for people brand new to learning about curly hair? I've been with this site for almost 2 years now, and I've read a good deal of info; I'm 85% sure I've figured out my hair's texture/porosity/elasticity, so I wonder if it's worth paying $20 for someone to possibly tell me what I already may know. Would the curl wizard evaluation be able to specifically tell me what kind of proteins to use, what ingredients to stay away from, etc? Because that would be most helpful.

IAgirl wrote: »

I like grapeseed and jojoba for shine - but to be honest, protein is awesome for creating shine. Try both. Apricot kernel oil is super and not heavy. I have not tried sweet almond oil, but I think it's similar to apricot kernel.

Sometimes you need to do PTs every week or every other week for a while before you get there. FSG is good for shine too.
This recipe is a good one for shine and elasticity, well-tested by gals with wavy curls http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/2/116257-pt-recipe-promised.html
One of them calls PT her "protein perm." Funny gal.
It's collagen, not keratin.

Can I get apricot kernel oil and sweet almond oil from Whole Foods? I haven't had much luck with jojoba...I've seen grapeseed at Whole Foods.

rivermutt

I started using MegaTek Rebuilder (by Eqyss) over two years ago when my hair was dry, frizzy, and lifeless. Although I am caucasian, I came across the recommendation from someone who posted on the "nappyhair.com" site that is no longer up and running. Well, after a couple of months, my hair was full of life and growing like a weed. The product can be used for horses OR humans and it's amazing. All of my friends now use it and have experienced the same great results. I apply it after I shampoo, while still in the shower, and leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse....in the beginning, I did it 3 times a week, now I only apply it twice a week. It's not oily and leaves no residue. Since it did such a good job, I tried Survivor Detangler by Eqyss also...another great product...my hair is soft and shiney.

CurlyCowgirly

rivermutt wrote: »

I started using MegaTek Rebuilder (by Eqyss) over two years ago when my hair was dry, frizzy, and lifeless. Although I am caucasian, I came across the recommendation from someone who posted on the "nappyhair.com" site that is no longer up and running. Well, after a couple of months, my hair was full of life and growing like a weed. The product can be used for horses OR humans and it's amazing. All of my friends now use it and have experienced the same great results. I apply it after I shampoo, while still in the shower, and leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse....in the beginning, I did it 3 times a week, now I only apply it twice a week. It's not oily and leaves no residue. Since it did such a good job, I tried Survivor Detangler by Eqyss also...another great product...my hair is soft and shiney.

Good old Eqyss :love10:...I shampooed and conditioned my former horse with that product line before competitions. It made him super shiny (and he no longer smelled like a horse). I think I used megatek on his tail at one point, but I switched to another product that was 1/2 the cost and worked better for him. Speaking as a horsewomen, Eqyss is an excellent brand and I'm glad you brought this up. FYI there's a $30/16oz and a $13/2oz sizes available.

Here's the ingredients in Mega-Tek:

Deionized water, hydrolyzed keratin protein, stearalkonium chloride, glyceryl stearate, peg 100 stearate, marine protein, peg 40, panthenal, dimethicone copolyol, magnesium citrate, allantoin, amino acids, methylparaben, mucopolysaccharides, propylparaben, imidazolidinyl urea, fragrance.

Here's a CurlRead article on Mega-Tek too for those interested:
The Scoop on Mega-Tek | NaturallyCurly.com