Amino Acids vs Proteins — Case Notes #2

Amino Acids vs Proteins — Case Notes #2. We’ll cut through hype and show you what reliably moves the needle.

The core idea: fewer, better steps. Cleanse the scalp well, condition until slip, style on soaking-wet hair, then hands-off until dry.

Steps

1. Detangle with water + conditioner in sections
2. Soak thoroughly before applying anything
3. Layer gel/foam; rake then scrunch
4. Dry hands-off; break the cast only when fully dry
5. Apply leave-in on soaking-wet hair

Toolkit

• Microfiber towel or T-shirt
• Hard-hold gel or mousse for humidity
• Chelating/clarifying shampoo (as needed)
• Wide-tooth comb or flexible brush

“Balance humectants with film-formers when dew points rise.”

Example

For high humidity: leave-in + hard-hold gel, then hover-diffuse to 60% and finish with cup-and-hold. Don’t break the cast early.

Science angle: porosity governs water movement; humectants pull moisture; film-formers create a cast; proteins patch weak spots temporarily.

Common Mistakes

• Touching hair before fully dry
• Applying stylers on nearly-dry hair
• Skipping sleep protection
• Over-cleansing or never clarifying

Related Articles

• Gym Bag Refresh Mini-Kit
• Diffusing Deep-Dive: Heat, Airflow, Timing — Guide #2
• Dew Point Math for Humectants
• Breaking the Cast—Without Crunch

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