Which Deep Conditioner is Best?
After styling, excessive weather conditions, and just daily wear and tear our hair cries for some love and attention.
When we finally have a few extra minutes to spare on wash day, we go to your favorite hair mask and smear on the good stuff.
But how do we know the deep conditioner we’ve chosen is exactly what our hair is asking for at the moment?
Not all deep conditioning treatments are alike. Some are geared towards providing the hair with moisture, while others are protein based. If we don’t know which deep conditioner is best for our hair, our conditioning treatments could be causing more harm than good. So how can we be sure?
Read on to find out how to choose the right deep conditioner best suited for your hair needs…
What is a deep conditioner?
A deep conditioner is an intensive treatment that nourishes and enriches the hair. Regular everyday conditioners contain a thin slippery consistency and are applied at room temperature for about 1-5 minutes then rinsed out.
Deep Conditioners on the other hand maintain a thicker consistency and can be left on the hair from 10-30 minutes with the assistance of heat to better penetrate the hair with nourishment. Deep conditioners can be used form a weekly to a monthly basis. It’s beneficial to the hair to apply a deep conditioner before hair under goes chemical processing to help protect hair and maintain health.
Which deep conditioner is best? Moisture v. Protein
All hair needs a healthy balance between moisture and protein. Moisture softens the hair making it manageable while protein strengthens the hair making it durable for harsh environments and treatment.
Many opt in for moisturizing deep conditioners not knowing that too much of a good thing is bad. Many claim protein sensitivity but without proper procedure they are leaving their hair stiff. Check out the hair signs below to know which deep conditioner is best for you.
Feel your hair
You hair needs a moisturizing deep conditioner if it's:
Dull
Dry
Tangling
Hair needs constant moisture in order to remain soft and manageable. Those with curls and coils should definitely look into apply a moisturizing deep conditioner weekly as their curls prevent their natural oils (sebum) from traveling down their curl to maintain moisture.
Dry hair tends to shrink and matte together. Always use caution and gently release any tangles you come across with your fingers first.
Use steam or place a plastic cap when you apply you moisturizing hair mask. Heat helps open those cuticles to have the moisture penetrate the hair strand and get the moisture deep into the strands.
Your hair needs protein/ strengthening deep conditioner if it's:
Limp
Gummy
Sticky
Stringy
Weak
If you have experienced damage from, chemical processing like color, straighteners and/or relaxers, it is vital to apply a protein treatment at least once a month to give your hair strength after processing. After enough time chemical processing thins out the hair so you want to make sure you are putting structure back.
Fine hair will also find benefit from a strengthening treatment as protein will bulk up the strands making them appear thicker, while providing extra strength for daily styling and wear and tear as finer hair is more fragile.
Always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner after a protein treatment. This will leave hair softer and manageable after the treatment.
2. Try The Strand Test
Take a strand of your hair
Gently stretch it
(Healthy hair when wet may stretch up to 50% and 20% while dry)
If you hair snaps back to its original length without breaking, you have balanced moisture and protein levels
If your hair stretches more than it should then breaks you are in need of protein
If your hair breaks immediately then you are in need of moisture
Are you in need of moisture or protein deep conditioner?