For hair to be healthy-looking and shiny, conditioner is essential because it smooths the hair cuticle, which helps with light reflection and gives hair that brilliant, glossy appearance. So how do you apply hair conditioner properly?
Before applying conditioner, you must thoroughly wash your hair and scalp with shampoo, thoroughly rinse your hair with water, and then rub your hands together.
The Benefits of Using a Conditioner
Hair is nourished and safeguarded by conditioner. In order to protect your hair from heat damage and to block outside elements like pollution, it works by sealing the cuticle of your hair. Your hair has a soft, shiny finish thanks to this barrier against damage. As the conditioner absorbs into the hair shaft, the fibers become hydrated and robust.
Particularly effective at restoring dry, brittle, and chemically treated hair is conditioner. To detangle and enhance all hair types, conditioner is a necessity.
How to Apply Conditioner Correctly
Considerably focus on the older, more weathered ends of your hair by pouring a small amount of conditioner into the palm of your hand, rubbing your hands together, and smoothing the conditioner over your hair. Do not rub conditioner into your scalp or the hair near your scalp to avoid weighing down your hair. Rinse immediately.
A well-formulated conditioner should work right away, so there is no need to leave it in in for longer than a few seconds. Use a wide-toothed comb to gently comb the conditioner through your hair in the shower if it is particularly knotty before rinsing. Work your way up from the ends of your hair first.
Check to see if you are using the right conditioner for your hair texture if you notice that your hair loses body after conditioning. Additionally, make sure you’re rinsing thoroughly and applying it far enough away from your scalp.
Traditional Conditioner
The best way to keep hair healthy is to use a traditional hair conditioner after washing it with shampoo on most hair types.
- Shampoo should be used to thoroughly wash hair and scalp.
- Completely rinse your hair with water.
- Dispense a quarter-sized amount of conditioner into your palms.
- Massage the conditioner into your hair, working from the tips to the roots.
- Spend two to three minutes letting conditioner soak into your hair.
- With water, rinse the conditioner.
- Dry hair as usual.
Leave-In Conditioner
A weekly leave-in conditioner is the ideal way to quickly improve moisture levels and hair health for people with drier hair types or those who have moderate hair damage. A bimonthly application can help even hair types with normal hair stay in top condition.
- Thoroughly wash hair and scalp with shampoo.
- Rinse water through hair thoroughly.
- Dispense a quarter-sized amount of leave-in conditioner into your palms.
- At the hair’s roots, apply conditioner directly.
- Apply the conditioner to the hair from the roots to the tips using a comb or hairbrush.
- Let your hair air dry.
Deep Conditioner Or Hair Mask
The best way to deliver intense, quickly penetrating moisture and nutrition when you need to bring the big guns is with a deep conditioner or hair mask. This is an intensive treatment that should only be used when necessary, such as after an intense hair or chemical treatment or when the weather or climate has caused your hair to feel especially dry.
- Use shampoo to thoroughly clean your hair and scalp.
- Rinse water through hair thoroughly.
- Put about a quarter’s worth of deep conditioner into your hands.
- Work the product into your hair by massaging it in from the roots to the tips.
- To ensure that the hair is completely saturated, cover the scalp and hair with a shower cap or hair mask.
- At least 45 minutes and up to an hour should be given for the product to sit.
- Remove the cap and rinse with water.
In general, your hair should have enough time to absorb the nutrients and hydration that deep conditioners offer if you leave it on for 5 to 30 minutes (depending on the state of your hair).
Who Should Use Conditioner
If you wash your hair, you should probably also use conditioner. Shampoo removes the sebum that your head naturally produces as a conditioner.
Especially dry hair should be regularly treated with conditioner, as should hair that’s frequently styled with hot tools, permed, or colored.
But even people who don’t blow-dry or curl their hair can have damage from pulling hair back in headbands and ponytails. This constant use and abuse can harm hair shafts over time, resulting in frizzy and lifeless hair.
How to Choose the Right Conditioner for Your Hair
Consider the type of your hair and your styling routine when selecting a conditioner.
Different ingredients are needed to treat hair of various textures. Additionally, your hair will require more moisture if you blow-dry it every day or frequently get it colored.
Color Treated Hair
If your hair has been bleached, colored, or permed, it will have extra wear and tear. Buy shampoo and conditioner formulated for colored hair. Request recommendations from your salon as well.
Textured Hair
Some people have thicker hair shafts than others. If this is the case for you, you may want to look for a stronger conditioner that will better heal and protect your hair.
Curly Hair
Curly hair can be prone to dryness and frizz. You might need to be more careful when applying conditioner to your head evenly if you have curly hair. When you finish using conditioner, comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb you keep in the shower.
Side Effects and Precautions
The side effects of using conditioner should be minimal.
If you’re prone to acne, pull your hair up with a hair clip or claw while the conditioner sits on your hair in the shower to keep it off your skin.
Even though reactions are uncommon, you should pay attention if your scalp feels irritated by the product you’re using. The primary danger is getting product in your eyes or nose, which could result in a momentary burning sensation.
How to Condition Hair With Coconut Oil
Popular substitutes for coconut oil to condition hair include almond, avocado, and jojoba oils. Many of these are safe and worth a try if you’d like something more natural.
Less exposure to additives like dyes and fragrances is a benefit. You risk having heavier or greasier hair, which is the drawback. Using oils may work best as a deep conditioner.
Try using an oil for a week or so to see how your hair reacts.
Be sure to read labels carefully to make sure you have 100 percent pure oil.
Can I Wash My Hair With Conditioner Only?
Some individuals with extremely dry hair might choose not to use any shampoo at all. Co-washing is the name given to this process. Co-washing may be kinder to hair, especially hair that is already prone to breakage.
But a lot of excess product will remain on the hair. Every two weeks, clear the buildup by using a clarifying shampoo. If you’re interested, co-washing is safe and worth a shot.
Takeaway
There are several kinds of conditioners and ways to use them. Make a conditioner that is specific to your requirements.
Though it may seem like a purely cosmetic treatment, daily conditioner is recommended for all people to help maintain healthy and strong hair.
FAQs
Is It Better to Condition Hair Wet Or Dry?
With damp or wet hair, it works much better. Since conditioner is easier to spread through damp or wet hair, no strands are missed and your hair receives the maximum benefit from the conditioning treatment.
How Long Should I Leave Conditioner in My Hair?
Experts concur that 2 to 3 minutes will typically suffice.
Do You Put Shampoo First Or Conditioner?
Applying conditioner first results in less stripping, which reduces frizz because shampooing can make hair appear frizzy because it strips the hair of the natural oils that give it a smooth appearance.
What Happens If I Put Conditioner on Dry Hair?
Applying conditioners or hair butters to dry hair does not moisturize the hair; instead, it just leads to product buildup, which makes the hair tangle. Water moisturises your hair, while oils, conditioners and butters seal in the moisture into your hair.
