Well we are all a little bit addicted to conditioner, and we have this idea that more is better!!! Who told ya that, cause its just not true. Actually by overloading our hair with conditioner we can cause more damage then good. If you have a long, thick head of hair then the more conditioner you put in the harder it is to rinse out. And if you have light, fine hair then the more you use the more it will weight down your hair making it harder to style. If your products are not rinsed out fully and you go ahead and start to style your hair you could cause severe damage…. We have all had the “wow is that smoke coming from my hair” moment!!!!!!
So number 1 Rule for conditioning is LESS IS MORE & RINSE WELL and number 2 rule is CONDITION YOUR HAIR, NOT YOUR SCALP. Our scalp produces its own natural conditioning agent in the form of oil. By adding conditioner to the scalp it can actually clog the follicles and hinder active hair growth.
Different Types of Conditioners
There are 3 main types of conditioner and they are: SURFACE, DEEP-PENETRATING & LEAVE IN. They have many different ingredients to help coat and seal the hair but not all ingredients are healthy for your hair. Conditioners are mainly acidic in pH value which so they can serve the purpose of closing the hairs cuticle.
Surface Conditioner
This is basically your every day conditioner. It is the most common used conditioner of all. The basic layout of the hair strand has an outer layer called the cuticle and this type of conditioner works by sealing the cuticle closed from the surface which in turn keeps the cuticles closed and the hair easier to comb and brush out and smoother to the touch. Silicone’s are a big issue in surface conditioners as they can accumulate or build-up on the hair and cause issues with coloring and other chemical services.
Deep Penetrating Conditioner
So this is typically the treatment, masque/mask or deep penetrating conditioner. These types of conditioners have extra ingredients which help the product penetrate the hairs inner cortex and repair damage from the inside out and prevent breakage. This is normally done with the help of heat, as heat helps the outer layer of the hairs cuticle to open so the product can penetrate easily.
Leave In Conditioner
Designed for detangling hair, these are normally found in a spray or creme form and are applies to towel dried hair. They can be very effective for people with fine, oily, limp hair and do not benefit from a surface conditioner. This product is not rinsed out so less is more also!
How to Condition your Hair
STEP 1 – After ensuring your shampoo is fully rinsed out, take a small amount of conditioner and apply from your mid-lengths through to the ends. Using a wide tooth comb, comb the product through to distribute evenly. If using a deep-penetrating conditioner at this point wrap your hair in a warm towel for the required time. All products will give an indication of how long to leave the conditioner on for.
STEP 2 – Using warm water, rinse the product thoroughly from you hair ensuring the water runs clear. To help seal the hair and scalp give a final rinse with cold water. This will also help promote shine.
STEP 3 – Using a towel, pat your hair dry and wrap your hair to dry. Do not rub. If you are only using a leave in conditioner now is the time to apply. Comb out your hair and style as usual.
So just to sum up, know the product to use for your hair. Do not use to much product. Do not apply to your scalp & rinse well. These might seem like simple enough steps but if this product is used in the wrong way it can make your hair quite hard to handle & can cause long term issues. If you are unsure of the right product for you don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email silkehair8@gmail.com or call me on (094) 9620811.
Be your own kind of beautiful
Michelle x