NHP is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best Protein Treatment for 4C Natural Hair [NHP DIY Pro Tips]

You wondering which is the best protein treatment for 4C natural hair because you’re struggling with keeping your kinks, coils and curls supremely healthy? Do you feel like you’re absorbing too much moisture?

If so, you’re gonna flip after I quickly teach you how to do a super-effective DIY 4C protein treatment and show you some of the best ready-to-use treatment versions for sale online as well!. 

There are plenty of 4C sistas with natural hair who perform their typical hair care routines but can’t figure out why it doesn’t work anymore when it used to do the trick with no problem. I want to let you know that this is perfectly normal.

[RELATED ARTICLE: How To Make 4C Hair Curly]

It may just be time to give your hair a much-needed nudge in the right direction with the best protein treatment for 4C natural hair!

best protein treatment for 4C natural hairBest Protein Treatment For 4C Natural Hair Guide!

What Is A Protein Treatment for 4C Natural Hair?

A protein treatment is a type of hair mask that adds strength to your strand follicle strength. If you’re unsure what weak hair looks like, here are a few common symptoms:

  • Limp
  • Mushy
  • Lack of body
  • Difficult to style
  • Extremely fragile

Most people experience these symptoms if they use hair dye or have high porosity hair.

If this is what you’re dealing with, you’re wise to search out the best protein treatment for 4C natural hair.

Fortunately, there are many great DIY 4C protein treatments out there.

As well as ready-made products like the Bloommy Keratin Hair mask which is happily free of artificial preservatives and parabens, as well as alcohol and SLS-free.

So let's get down to the nitty gritty and help you get the best protein treatment for 4C natural hair TODAY!

Best DIY Protein Treatments for 4C Hair

Let's get into 3 of the best DIY protein treatment recipes for 4C hair and I'll end this list with 2 ready-made treatments that you can buy at the store.

1. DIY Rice Water Protein Treatment for 4C Hair

If you want a simple and easy protein treatment, I recommend adding rice water to your routine.

Many naturals praise rice water for its quick results and easy application. We love this article all about fermented rice water protein for hair on the BlackHairOMG website that I recommend checking out.

2. Naptural85’s Protein Sensitive DIY 4C Protein Mask

I’m a big fan of Naptural85. She’s been a natural hair rockstar on Youtube for several years now and offers up some of the best protein treatments for 3C-4C natural hair. 

Throughout her career, she’s produced many DIY 4C protein treatment recipes, hair care products, and shared invaluable tips for hair growth as well.

That’s why I didn’t hesitate to add two of her amazing DIY home-made product recipes to this list. I had to add this one in particular because many people have a protein sensitivity.

To all of those who struggle with this, make sure you swatch a small amount of the protein mask on a section of hair and wait. Once you find that there’s no reaction, feel free to keep going.

For this DIY 4C protein treatment recipe, you’ll need the following products:

  • 1 peeled banana
  • 1 cup of aloe vera
  • ½ cup of whole coconut milk
  • ¼ cup of olive oil
  • 5-10 drops of argan oil
  • 5-10 drops of rosehip oil

You’ll also need the following recipe supplies:

  • A strainer
  • A bowl
  • A blender (optional)
  • A whisk or fork for blending

Instructions How To Do This DIY 4C Protein Treatment:

  • Step 1: Combine the banana and aloe vera into a blender. Mix it until smooth.
  • Step 2: Strain the contents into a bowl to remove the pulp.
  • Step 3: Add the coconut milk and olive into the bowl. Mix again until smooth. Add in the essential oils for 4C hair and mix again.

How to Use This DIY 4C Protein Treatment:

  • Step 1: Section your hair into several sections. Apply the mask to your hair from scalp to ends.
  • Step 2: Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair.

3. Naptural85’s DIY Gelatin Protein Mask for 3C-4C Hair

This one is a bit of a dupe of the A(ph)ogee: Two-Step Treatment Protein for Damaged Hair. A(ph)ogee is one of the go-to protein treatment products on Amazon when looking for a “best protein treatment for 4C natural hair” candidate.

It’s a great hair health booster that has helped so many naturals bring strength back to their 4C hair. However, this DIY 4C protein treatment version is a lot cheaper and you can use as much as you need to. So, let’s show you how to do it...

For this DIY 4C protein treatment recipe, you’ll need the following products:

  • 1 tbsp. of pure, unflavored gelatin
  • 2 tsp. of hair conditioner
  • 1 tsp. of organic honey
  • 2 tsp. of olive oil
  • 1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ cups of hot water

You’ll also need the following supplies:

  • A mixing bowl
  • Measuring cup
  • Applicator bottle
  • Fork or whisk

Instructions for This DIY 4C Protein Treatment:

  • Step 1: In a mixing bowl, pour in your hot water. Add gelatin and then quickly mix it before it solidifies – make sure that you mix it until smooth.
  • Step 2: Combine your apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, and conditioner into the bowl. Mix well.
  • Step 3: Leave your mixture to cool for 5 minutes in the fridge.
  • Step 4: Once it’s warm, put it in the applicator bottle. Ta-dah! You’re done.

How to Use Aphogee Dupe DIY 4C Protein Treatment:

  • Step 1: Apply it liberally to each section.
  • Step 2: Let it air dry on your hair for 10 minutes. Then wash it. If your hair is feeling brittle, make sure not to touch it until the water gently moisturizes it.
  • Step 3: Apply a deep conditioner for 30 to 60 minutes and you’re done!

4. Shea Moisture: Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment for 3C-4C Natural Hair

From the corporate openness to the healthy ingredients, Shea Moisture has become a go-to 3C-4C hair care company for many naturals.

So, I can confidently recommend Shea Moisture’s Protein treatment for you.

Not only will it add protein to your hair, but it will soften it as well. It’s all in one bottle and it’s very affordable.

If you’re wary about trying the best protein treatment for 4C natural hair from Shea Moisture, they always sell small sample packets that you can test out.

I recommend looking for one of those first before committing yourself to a large bottle, but rest assured, many type 4C women consider this to be the best protein treatment for 4C natural hair. Check today’s prices for it here...

5. Aphogee: 2 Step Treatment & Aphogee: Balancing Moisturizer

Finally, since I already showed you how to make a dupe of their best protein treatment for 4C natural hair, I’d like to recommend the A(ph)ogee brand protein treatments.

This brand is typically found in salons and it’s considered a very high-end protein treatment for 4C tresses.

One major reason why hairdressers love Aphogee is because of the long-term healing effects.

For four to six weeks, many customers find that their 4C hair is remarkably healthier and bouncier than before.

To use this product at the same level of quality as a salon, you would need the whole A(ph)ogee set.

This would include one bottle of A(ph)ogee’s 2 Step Treatment and one bottle of A(ph)ogee’s Balancing Moisturizer.

Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter because if you do anything like comb your hair at the wrong time, wait too long to wash out the solution or forget to use the balancing moisturizer, you may experience slight hair damage.

But the 4C naturals that have used this great protein treatment properly have experienced remarkably healthy hair according to A(ph)ogee product reviews at Amazon.

Hey sis, heyyy!

I'm Melissa Lee...

Co-founder of NHP. You'd de wise to...

TAKE DELIVERY of NHP Tutorials in your inbox for FREE!

Get EXPERT HAIR HELP at your fingertips weekly!

Let's keep in touch - sign up quickly by clicking RIGHT HERE...

Conclusion: Best Protein Treatment For 4C Natural Hair

DIY 4C Protein treatments are an amazing tool to have in your 4C hair care "how-to" arsenal.

Once you find the right one, you can enjoy your healthy, beautiful curls.

Let us know in the comments below how these products and recipes worked for you. And please share this “how to do a DIY 4C protein treatment” guide with your girlfriends on Facebook!

Follow Author of Best Protein Treatment for 4C Natural Hair Tutorial...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Lee 

Melissa Lee is a Contributing Editor to NHP and a former owner of the BlackhairOMG website. She formed 4C Trichology Growth Services, LLC., a US based hair care consultation service. She has also contributed as a writer and consultant for various hair and beauty websites. Melissa can be followed on Twitter here.



Get TYPE 4 hair tips delivered to your inbox every week!

Plus, the NHP Black Hair Growth Guide FREE.