Excessively dry hair? Frizzy hair? Damaged or hair with split ends? Your life may get very challenging. After all, dealing with severely dried hair can be a herculean task. And to tackle that, you have to rely heavily on conditioners. But sometimes, you are unable to understand “how to apply conditioner” correctly on dry hair. But before finding the answer to this standard, yet tricky question, we will try to find why your hair needs deep-conditioning treatment.
Conditioners are like the second step of washing your hair after shampooing them. The shampoo is explicitly prepared to remove dead cells, hair products and sweat etc. from your hair. On the other hand, conditioner works on your hair to make them softer and easier to manage.
But, conditioning your hair is not enough always. At times, you need deep-conditioning treatment to have healthy, thick, soft, and voluminous hair. In this guide, we will address in detail “what”, “whys”, and “how” of deep-conditioning treatment.
What is deep conditioning?
Deep conditioning is a process in which your hair is treated with various nourishing products to make them healthy, well-nourished, voluminous, and lengthy. A deep conditioner is known for maintaining moisture, especially at hair-roots. It controls hair damage due to excessive dryness and overuse of various chemicals and hair-styling products. A deep conditioner is specifically beneficial for hair that’s frequently colored, permed, bleached, or styles with hot tools. In short, a deep conditioner is the final short at the arm for those who have done so much damage to their hair after unnecessary experiments with a wide range of hair products and styling.
Benefits of a deep-conditioning treatment
Deep-conditioning is not only about repairing your hair after the damage due to plenty of experiments and mistreatments. It is loaded with various other benefits, including:
1. Controls Hair Damage
Regular (not excessive) deep-conditioning maintains your hair’s health and natural structure. Deep conditioner gives your hair the nutrition required for healthy, split-free growth. It also strengthens and repair the hair and prevents from excessive breakage, and reduce your hair’s proneness to damage.
2. Deep Conditioning Hydrates Your Hair
Dryness is among the most common factors responsible for unhealthy hair. People are usually right when it comes to keeping their skin hydrated, but don’t give enough attention to the hydration of hair. And that becomes a reason for unhealthy hair with time. Deep-conditioning treatment is excellent to retain your hair, especially the scalp’s moisture. Most of the deep-conditioners contain humectants that control breakage and damage by drawing out the moisture.
3. It Strengthens Your Hair
Deep-conditioners are very useful to increase your hair’s strength by working directly on hair follicles, repairing the hair from roots, and reducing the hair breakage.
4. Deep conditioning improves shining
Who doesn’t love a good shine on hair? But is it always easy to get that shine? Most probably, No! Deep conditioner provides your hair with the required shine by providing with the needed moisture and nutrients.
When to apply a deep conditioner?
Here is a crucial question you have to focus on. It is critical to understand “when” to use deep conditioner just like “how” to apply it. A deep conditioner is applied only after cleansing, not before – and there is an excellent reason for it. Most of the shampoos come with a pH level of 8, means they are slightly alkaline and allow hair shaft to raise and swell the cuticle layers for proper cleansing. On the other hand, deep conditioners’ pH level is usually between 3.5 to 6, and they seal the moisture by closing the cuticles.
Both shampoo and conditioners are packed with entirely different surfactants with absolutely different functions. Cleansers including shampoos attract oil and dirt from the scalp’s layer, and conditioner forms a moisturizing layer on the strands. That’s why beauty experts advise against using shampoos with harsh chemicals even before applying conditioner – as their effect may hamper conditioners’ function and may also be harmful to your hair and scalp.
How to apply a deep conditioner?
Knowing “how” of deep conditioner is also very important as a lot of people do it wrongly.
1. Choose the Right Product
First of all, you have to understand, not every conditioner is recommended for all types of hair. You have to choose the product according to your hair type. Not all conditioners “claiming” to be useful for your hair are actually good. You have to ensure you get the condition which is only tailored according to your specific needs.
If you have fine and straight hair, the light-weight product will do for you. And if you are blessed with textured hair, the heavier product should be your choice. Type of scalp plays a vital role in the selection of the product as well. If you have a sensitive or itchy scalp, we suggest you see a dermatologist before circling a specific conditioner.
2. Wash Your Hair Properly
Before informing yourself on “how to use hair conditioner”, you have to give some attention to washing your hair. You must have washed your hair accurately, ensuring there is no dirt or oil whatsoever. Using a mild, chemical-free shampoo may help.
3. Apply Deep Conditioner Accurately
After shampooing your hair correctly, here is a tip for you for “how to deep condition hair at home”. Apply a thick layer of conditioner evenly on your hair shaft, avoiding close contact with hair roots. Work the condition smoothly through the hair ends – focus more on hair ends to ensure they are properly conditioned. Because hair ends are usually the driest part of the hair.
4. Give Some Time to Deep Conditioner
Leave-on time may differ according to different products. Check out the instructions on deep-conditioner of your choice to know the exact leave-on time. Allow enough time so that deep conditioner can rightly affect your hair. Most deep-conditioners need an average of thirty minutes to have a decisive effect on hair.
5. Use Heat – Only if Required
Some products may ask you to apply some heat with a blow-dryer or any suitable source of heat. Heating your hair improves the conditioning process and ensures proper absorption. However, not all deep conditioners require heat. Also, ensure the dryer is not very hot to avoid potential damage to your hair.
6. Wash Off with Cold Water
Wash your hair off with cold water after leaving the product for the recommended duration. Instead of drying your hair with towel or hairdryer, allow drying naturally.
Must Read: 10 Natural Conditioners for Dry Hair
How Long Should You Deep-Condition Your Hair?
As said earlier, leave-on time may vary according to different products. But it will help if you do not leave deep conditioners on your hair for more than half an hour. Over-conditioning may cause an unwanted build-up that can bring your hair down, and make them look messy. Over-conditioning can also make it difficult for other hair products to work through the hair shaft.
How often should you deep-condition your hair?
The frequency of deep-conditioning your hair depends mainly on your hair type. Deep-conditioning once or twice a month is usually enough for fine and straight hair. Over-conditioning may cause a protein-moisture imbalance. It can also make your hair fall flat, making it challenging to manage and style.
For dry and textured hair, deep-conditioning once a week will be suitable. Depending on hair type, your hairstylist will guide you correctly on how often you should go for deep-conditioning.
Best homemade moisturizing deep conditioner for natural hair
You can use a wide range of kitchen ingredients to make all-natural, gentle and safe deep-conditioners for your hair. Here are some very effective DIY recipes
1. Honey and Coconut Oil
Honey is known as a skin and hair moisturizer since ages. And that’s why it is one of the most common ingredients used in a lot of beauty and hair products. Honey embodies enzymes, minerals and vitamins that can ensure proper repair of damaged hair. Coconut oil is also a very potent hair moisturizer, and can also strengthen your hair follicles.
Steps to use
- Add one cup of honey to one cup of warm coconut oil and mix well.
- Apply on your hair avoiding hair roots and wash off after half an hour.
2. Olive Oil and Egg Hair Mask
The combination of olive oil as an excellent natural moisturizer and eggs as a great source of protein makes a very formidable deep-conditioner, especially for dry and frizzy hair.
Here is how to use hair conditioner made with olive oil and egg:
- Add two to three tablespoons of olive oil to one beaten egg.
- Now, add two tbsp of freshwater.
- Mix evenly, and apply on your hair, giving some extra attention to hair ends.
3. Banana Hair Mask
Bananas comprise of various natural oils and vitamins. Deep-conditioner made with banana can be proved a blessing, especially for people with dry and frizzy hair.
Steps on how to use one of the smoothest homemade deep conditioners:
- Add two to three tablespoons of yoghurt to one mashed banana.
- Blend two tablespoons each of honey and olive oil.
- Mix well and apply thoroughly on hair, again, avoiding the hair roots.
Should You Condition Your Hair after Deep-Conditioning It?
Deep-condition is more than enough to provide the required moisture and nutrients to your hair. It can make your hair very soft and shiny, of course, if used according to your hair type. There is no point why you should go for the conditioner after deep-conditioning your hair. If you do so, you will only end up getting sticky, weigh-down hair. So, avoid conditioning your hair once you have opted for deep-conditioner.
What happens if you don’t wash out conditioner?
Several things can happen if you don’t wash deep-conditioner. Most of the deep conditioners are formulated with ingredients that should not remain in contact with your hair or scalp for so long. Even those homemade, natural deep-conditioners are not meant to be left for more than half an hour. Here are some possible problems you may face if you don’t wash deep-conditioner at all.
- Unwanted Build-up: Your hair may get coated, sticky and heavy due to prolonged exposure to deep-conditioner ingredients.
- Itchy Scalp: Overexposure of deep-conditioner, especially those having protein can cause scalp irritation and itchiness.
- Dusty Residue: When the wash-out conditioners dry, they tend to form a dusty residue over your scalp. A wide range of ingredients can cause the formation of residue, including silicones and proteins.
Dos and Don’ts of Deep Conditioning
For best results, you would like to keep these “dos and don’ts” of deep-conditioning
Do’s
- Deep-condition Regularly
If you want the desired results, you should not stop using deep conditioners after a few trials. They are for occasional but regular usage. You may get some instant results after using it once, but it will not repair your hair correctly, not at least from within.
- Always Choose the Perfect Product for Your Hair Type
It can be a bit challenging, but you will have to do some hard work to avoid unwanted results. Always look for products that are formulated according to your hair type. If you find it very difficult, try getting some help from your hairstylist.
- Use Heat and Steam
Using steam and heat will speedup the repair process. Also, it will ensure deep penetration and absorption of ingredients.
Don’ts
- Don’t Always Focus on the expenses. If you can manage, prefer using homemade deep-conditioners.
- Don’t leave the deep-conditioner for very long: Almost all deep-conditioners come with recommended time. If you don’t find with a specific product, leave it on your hair only for half an hour.
Deep-conditioning is a requirement for your hair. If applied properly, you can surely and finally achieve shiny, soft, lustrous and voluminous hair. We recommend you to opt for homemade deep-conditioners only. If you don’t get the desired results, go for the most suitable formulation only after consulting your hairstylist.
