How to Use a Deep Conditioner

Deep conditioners are a godsend on days when your hair is dry, frizzy, or unmanageable. They boast a ton of benefits, ranging from intensive hair hydration to restoration and strengthening. But the way you use a deep conditioner determines whether you’ll reap these benefits. So, in this article, we’ll tell you how to use a deep conditioner the right way.

How to Use a Deep Conditioner Step by Step

Deep conditioners, also called hair masks, are intensive hair treatments designed to be used around 1-2 times a week or less for softer, shinier, healthier hair. Here’s how to use a deep conditioner step by step for the best results:

  1. Shampoo your hair with a deep cleansing or clarifying shampoo. Massage the shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips. Avoid the ends of your hair.

  2. Rinse the shampoo from your hair completely. You don’t want to leave any behind.

  3. Apply deep conditioner from the mid-lengths of your hair down to the ends. Be sure to coat every strand of your hair.

  4. Gently comb the deep conditioner through your hair with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to ensure even distribution.

  5. Put on a heat cap or a shower cap for maximum deep conditioner penetration.

  6. Leave the deep conditioner in for the duration instructed on the label. Most deep conditioners should be left in for at least 5 minutes.

  7. Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.

  8. Dry and style your hair as usual.

Deep Conditioner Dos and Don’ts

The way you use your deep conditioner will either make or break your hair. You can use it correctly and get amazing results or misuse it and get less-than-desirable results. Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure that you get the best possible results from your deep conditioning treatments.

Dos:

  • Use it as needed (as often as twice per week). 

  • Use a shower or heat cap to enhance product absorption.

  • Apply it on the mid-length and ends of hair only.

  • Alternate between moisturizing deep conditioners and protein-based deep conditioners.

  • Focus on the ingredients in the deep conditioner, not the price.

  • Follow the instructions on the deep conditioner label.

 

Don’ts:

  • Leave the deep the deep conditioner in for longer than instructed or overnight.

  • Apply to the roots of your hair.

  • Use it more often than twice per week.

  • Use expired deep conditioners.

These are the basic rules of using a deep conditioner for your hair. Some deep conditioners are different from others, so make sure you read the label before using them. Your hair moisture levels and protein levels need to be balanced out. 

So, it’s best to buy two different deep conditioners; one that is protein-based and another that is rich in moisturizing ingredients like oils and creams. Alternate between both. You want to make sure that you’re giving your hair the best of both worlds!

We hope that this article has been helpful to you as you learn how to use deep conditioners. Following the steps above, as well as the dos and don’ts, will ensure that you’ll have a great deep conditioning session every time!

 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.