Find the Right Moisturizer for You An easy, step-by-step guide to deep conditioning your hair
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Dr. Alpana Mohta Ranka, MD, DNB, IFAAD, is a dual-board-certified dermatologist with over 90 research publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

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An easy, step-by-step guide to deep conditioning your hair

Updated: Jun 24, 2023


A woman washing her hair after deep conditioning.

Introduction

You've been dreading it, you want to get rid of those split ends and damaged ends. You don’t want to spend too much time on it but you also don’t want to damage your hair. Well, I have good news for you—deep conditioning is not only safe for short hair but also very effective at repairing defective strands of damaged hair. That’s why deep conditioning is such a popular treatment nowadays for women who want their hair to be smooth and healthy before going out in public.


Why is deep conditioning important

Deep conditioning is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your hair. You see, it’s not just about making sure it looks good or feeling nice in the shower—it actually helps your hair to look and feel better in general!

Deep conditioning involves applying a product that contains ingredients that repair damaged hair and help prevent further damage from happening. It also keeps moisture locked in for longer periods of time, which means less frizzing and breakage for you!


Deep conditioning versus ordinary conditioner

Most common conditioners only function on the outside of the hair shaft by softening the hair, smoothing the cuticles, reducing static, and in some circumstances assisting water retention in the cortex. They are unable to open up the hair cuticles. Some conditioning chemicals are left behind when conditioners are rinsed out, keeping hair silky.

If you have curly hair, it's possible that just water and a few oils can penetrate your hair's closed cuticles. According to the International Journal of Trichology, coconut oil, and olive oil are two oils that can pierce the cuticle.

Follow these recommendations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your deep conditioning treatment:

Apply a conditioner on damp hair

You should apply conditioner on damp hair, and it should contain coconut oil or olive oil among its constituents.

DIY options include applying curd or egg on your hair as a deep conditioner.

If the conditioner being used doesn't already contain these components, they can be quickly added. If you are using a deep conditioner, you can apply it from your roots all the way down to the hair tips. But if you are using your regular conditioner for the purpose of deep conditioning, it's best to keep the hair roots untouched and applying the product atleast one inch away from the scalp.

The Palmer's Olive Oil Deep Conditioner is my quick fix whenever I am on the go!

Untangle your hair with a wide toothcomb

● Apply conditioner uniformly to all of the hair. It works best to divide the hair into small portions before applying conditioner to them.

● Use a wide tooth comb to untangle your hair.

● Start at the bottom and work your way up, don’t pull at it!

● When you are done with this step, apply more conditioner if desired.

Add some heat!

Warm water can be used to add heat. So, soak a towel in hot water, and squeeze out the extra water before putting it on your hair. Alternatively, you can also microwave a damp towel for 30 seconds before wrapping your hair in it.

Another thing you can do to help your hair stay warm is to add a shower cap. A shower cap is an easy way to keep your hair moist for longer, and it's also great for protecting your scalp from being dripped on by condensation. So, just sprinkle some warm water on your hair and put on a shower cap.


How long should you keep the deep conditioner on

It's up to you how long you want the conditioner to stay on your hair, but generally, 30 minutes is a good amount of time.

Wash the deep conditioner out with cold water

Now it's time to wash the deep conditioner out of your hair. While you can use warm water, this will help remove some of the nutrients and sealant from your hair. Therefore, it's best to use cold water for sealing in moisture and locking in all of those amazing ingredients that were put into your deep conditioner!

By washing with cold water (or even just rinsing), you'll be able to keep all of that goodness locked in while also removing any excess product from your strands.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to deep condition your hair, it’s time to get started! There are so many different methods and products out there that can make deep conditioning as easy or difficult as you want. But don’t let the options intimidate you—we hope this guide has given you some helpful tips on how best to approach this step in your routine. Now go forth and deep condition with confidence!

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