When caring for your hair, one thing you most likely want to learn is how often to condition hair. You need to learn the ideal frequency of conditioning your hair to prevent you from doing it less or too much.
To guide you, this article will try to provide some answers on using a hair conditioner and how often you should apply it.
Table Of Contents
How Often Should You Condition Your Hair
Applying a hair conditioner on your locks is the most effective way of restoring your life without spending much time on it.
The reason is that you only need a few minutes to condition your strands. Still, this short period will already provide several weeks of protection from harsh elements and environmental conditions.
However, you must avoid excessively conditioning your hair as it may only cause it to become flat and greasy. Generally, it would be ideal for conditioning hair each time you wash it. Note that this will also depend on your present hair’s condition.
For instance, if you have fine or thin hair, you must avoid putting on your hair conditioner each time you wash it. The reason is that it may only weigh down on your strands or create a buildup. This will further result in frizzy and dull hair.
If you do this too often, there is a high risk of your hair shaft becoming brittle. It may break prematurely, causing split ends, too. However, if you have coarse or thick hair, conditioning it each time you wash and apply shampoo is good for you.
Regardless of your hairstyle, length, and thickness, apply the conditioner correctly by concentrating primarily on the bottom half. The reason is that this is the particular area where damage often takes place.
Types of Conditioners
Thickening/Volumizing Conditioner
This type of conditioner contains collagen, protein, and other ingredients designed to give your hair a fuller and healthier look. A thickening or volumizing conditioner suits every hair type but provides maximum benefits to those with fine or thinning hair.
Like how vital washing the hair after coloring is, applying a thickening conditioner can also revive your hair’s fullness and thickness. The volumizing effect is also possible if the conditioner contains certain ingredients, like green tea, biotin, saw palmetto and caffeine.
Deep Conditioner
Compared to regular conditioners, deep conditioners boast a thicker consistency. It works well for color-treated, coarse, coily, and curly hair. The reason is that such hair types are prone to damage and dryness.
You can make your hair silky soft with the deep conditioner, mainly if you apply it once or twice monthly. You can let your hair go through a deep conditioning treatment at the end of the month combined with your regular use of the standard conditioner.
Moisturizing Conditioner
This type of conditioner has more oils designed to smooth and soften hair. Use this conditioner if your hair is moderately dry, thick, or curly since these types require additional moisture. The moisturizing conditioner is not ideal for those with oily hair.
Leave-In Conditioner
With a leave-in conditioner, you can detangle your hair strands, prevent flyaways, and smooth out frizzy hair. It is perfect for those with coily or curly hair because this hair type is often too dry.
For those with naturally oily hair, it is not recommended to use this oil as it is too thick. It may even cause your strands to get oilier.
Pro Tips
Condition Your Hair Frequently If It Is Dry
This can help in hydrating your locks, thereby maintaining their good health.
Apply Conditioner Every Other Day If Your Shampoo Is Rich in Sulfates
This ensures that your hair strands won’t be stripped of all their natural oils.
Clean Your Hair With a Clarifying Shampoo Once Every Week
This should help in deep cleansing your hair and removing residues from the products you are applying to your hair.
Apply Conditioner Considering Your Hair Type
If your hair is dry or you have tight curls, apply the conditioner close to your root. A deep conditioner should be applied from the mid-shaft to the hair ends for oilier hair. Use the usual conditioner near your scalp, too.
Comb Out the Conditioner
Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to comb the hair conditioner to your strands. This ensures that each strand will be coated. Ponytails can damage your hair, so avoid this hairstyle after conditioning.
Mistakes to Avoid
Protect your hair during the night and day by using and applying the right products, like shampoo and conditioner. When using conditioner, you must avoid these mistakes to ensure it will work as intended.
Putting the Conditioner on the Scalp First
It is crucial to begin from the bottom, the part holding the oldest, most damaged, and driest hair. Start from there before working your way up. Do not apply the conditioner on top first since it may only cause your roots and scalp to become too oily.
Applying It Unevenly
This mistake is often made by those who are always in a rush. Avoid this as much as possible, as it may only cause you to be unable to receive the positive effects of your chosen conditioner.
It is advisable to use a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the product evenly, allowing it to moisturize your hair throughout, especially if it is thick or curly.
Not Rinsing Thoroughly
Ensure you rinse your hair properly and thoroughly after shampooing and applying the conditioner. If you don’t, it may clog your hair follicles, leading to a buildup on your scalp and causing dullness.
You have to spend more time rinsing, especially if your hair is on the wavy or thick side.
Not Waiting for the Conditioner to Sit on Your Hair Long Enough
After applying your chosen conditioner, ensure it stays on your hair for at least two to three minutes. This is important in absorbing the product by your hair, allowing it to work its magic. Wait for that period before finally rinsing.
Hair Mask vs. Conditioner
Hair masks and conditioners are two different hair products. They are different in the sense that they serve other purposes. The hair mask contains nourishing ingredients and natural oils to nourish damaged and dry hair.
Meanwhile, hair conditioner aims to moisturize hair and protect it from severe damage. Even if you don’t dye too often, your hair is still prone to damage and the conditioner can help prevent that.
It can even create synthetic sebum oil, which helps hydrate your locks. Hair masks and conditioners also differ based on the frequency of their use. A hair mask should be applied one to two times per week only.
As for the conditioner, you can apply it every time you wash or shampoo your hair. It is also good to use a hair conditioner three times every week. You can also differentiate the two hair products based on their intended users.
Among the users who can significantly benefit from a hair mask are those with damaged and dry hair. It is unsuitable for those with oily hair as it may only aggravate the greasiness of the strands. As for the hair conditioner, it is safe for everyone who uses it.
Those whose hair strands are dry can use it each time they wash them. If you have oily hair, you can still use the conditioner but ensure that you set some limits.
You should also know that the answer to the question “is it bad to sleep with wet hair” is a yes. It can add further damage to your hair, so avoid doing it.
FAQ
Can you condition your hair every day?
Yes. Using a hair conditioner daily is safe as it is not like shampoo, which may strip off the oils from your tresses and trigger dryness. What the conditioner does, instead, is provide moisture to your strands and hydrate them.
How long should you leave the conditioner on before rinsing it out?
The usual recommendation is 2 to 3 minutes. After that, you can rinse your hair as it may have already absorbed the nourishment from the product.
Can you over-moisturize your hair?
Yes, it is possible to over-moisturize hair if you apply hair products excessively, especially the hair mask or hair conditioner. Make sure you know your hair type and the amount of hair conditioner you should use to prevent it from being over-moisturized.
What does over-conditioning do to your hair?
Over-conditioning may be more damaging to your locks. By applying too much conditioner, your hair will risk becoming limp, greasy, brittle, dry and unmanageable.
The excessive application of the conditioner may also heavily coat each hair cuticle, giving more than your hair’s needed moisture. This can prevent other hair products you are using, like serum and oils, from penetrating the cuticles and working effectively.
This may also lead to your hair becoming too soft and losing its volume.
How to properly shampoo and condition hair?
Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water first before cleansing it with shampoo. Apply shampoo directly to your wet hair, then rinse it thoroughly. Take time rinsing to remove everything before applying the conditioner.
Focus on the ends when applying the hair conditioner. Leave it on your hair for around 2 to 3 minutes, then use cold water to rinse the hair thoroughly.
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