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Hello Blog Lovers! I’ve recently talked about scalp conditions and overall issues with the scalp and there are a lot more things that could be discussed but I covered the more common issues that some tend to deal with on a regular basis. If you have any other questions let me know!! I want to discuss Conditioners and what the many different types of conditioners and what they should be used for and how often they should be used.
Conditioners are special chemical agents applied to the hair to deposit protein or moisturizer, to help restore its strength and give it body or to protect it against possible breakage. They are only temporary solutions for hair that feels dry, appears damaged, or is damaged. They can only repair to a certain extent but can not necessarily “fix or heal” the hair that is damaged, and can not improve the quality of new hair growth. Conditioners can restore luster, shine, manageability, and strength while the hair that may be damaged will grow long enough to be cut off (keep in mind that once the hair is damaged by either chemicals or heat it’s hard to restore it and the end result may be to cut the hair off and start over; not necessarily all the way down to the roots but where the dead ends begin). Frequent shampooing, use of heat styling tools, use of hair coloring products and heat from blow dryers conditioning is crucial if you wish to maintain “healthy” hair.
Habitual misuse of conditioners can lead to build up on the hair making it heavy and oily. This can lead to you having to frequently shampoo your hair often which will require frequent use of shampoos. Constant frequent shampooing will strip the hair of its protective oils which will lead to more usage of conditioners. Since conditioners are made up of chemicals it’s important to read instructions on how often the conditioner should be used. Using the conditioner the incorrect way will lead to further problems.
Conditioners are available in three different types: Rinse-out, Treatment or repair, and Leave-in.
Rinse Out: These types of conditioners are applied to the hair only to be rinsed out after they have been manipulated through the hair for detangling purposes.
Treatment or repair: These are deep penetrating conditioners (Deep Conditioners) that require 10-20 minutes of time to be effective on the hair. They restore protein and moisture. Sitting under a hooded dryer allows for deeper penetration. SN: If you do not have a hooded dryer or dryer bonnet you can leave it on your hair for 45 minutes to an hour (depending on the conditioner; you don’t want to over do it) the heat from your head will work just as fine (as I’ve stated before).
Leave-in: Applied to the hair after shampooing and not rinsed out. There are some that can be used daily (my new fave Cantu leave in conditioning creme) without having to shampoo the hair.
As we all may know Conditioners contain silicone’s along with moisture-binding humectants. Humectants are substances that absorb moisture or promote the retention of moisture. The silicone (which I discussed further in my Silicone Good or Bad post) makes the hair appear shiny. Other ingredients within the conditioners help to reduce frizz and bulk up the hair (giving the hair body). Most treatments and leave-ins contain proteins, which penetrate the cortex layer of the hair and reinforce the hair shaft from the inside out.
Conditioners are great for the hair when used properly. When it comes to me conditioning my hair the weeks that I don’t deep condition, I may use a rinse out conditioner or I may just use a leave-in conditioner. I will often times combine the two, meaning I will use the rinse out conditioner in the shower and then use a leave in conditioner just for good measure. I use the HCO leave in blow drying conditioner every single time I shampoo my hair simply because it’s used to help protect the hair during the blow drying process and when I say that product is the best it’s the BEST!! Always use the conditioner that works best for your hair type and hair issue. Always follow manufacturers directions. Try not to skip out on using conditioners.
My next post will go into futher detail of the three types of conditioners.
Thanks for reading! Tell a Friend! and Leave Comments! Peace and Blessings ~♥ Miss Nic ♥~