How to Use a Hair Mask for Healthy Hair

 

Whether your hair needs a serious dose of moisture or substantial repair after taking a beating, a hair mask treatment is a necessity. But if you don’t use the product correctly, you’re just wasting your time. In this article, we’ll share how to use a hair mask to promote your hair’s health, and we won’t leave anything out.

Step 1: Give Your Mane a Clean Slate

Before using any hair mask, hop in the shower or go to the kitchen sink and wash your hair first. The shampoo will eliminate any debris and oils coating your hair and scalp. The act of washing can also open up your hair cuticles, allowing the hair mask to penetrate your hair better. For this step, you’ll choose a clarifying shampoo instead of your regular one - clarifying shampoos are much more effective at cleaning your hair.

Simply wet your hair, lather it with shampoo, rinse, and repeat only if necessary.

Step 2: Get Rid of the Excess Moisture

After rinsing out the shampoo, your hair will probably be dripping. Get a microfiber towel and gently blot the excess water out of your hair.

You don’t want your hair to be dry - it should be damp by the end of this step. That is, unless you’re using an oil-based hair mask.

Step 3: Apply the Hair Mask

Your hair is all prepped - it’s time to apply your mask. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Separate your hair into 2 to 4 sections (the thicker, longer, or curlier your hair is, the more sections you may need). Secure each of the sections with a ponytail holder or hair clip.

  2. Undo one of the sections - you’ll apply the hair mask to this section first.

  3. Dispense some of the hair mask into your hands and apply the product directly to the hair. You can break the section into several subsections to ensure even product distribution. If you deal with oiliness or flatness near your roots, avoid applying the mask to your roots and focus it instead on your mid-lengths and ends.

  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on all the rest of the sections until all your hair is covered in the hair mask. If you want to be extra thorough, comb the hair mask through with a wide-tooth comb.

Pro tip: Be generous with the hair mask to ensure you don’t miss any spots.

Step 4: Wait for the Hair Mask to Process

The time you’ll wait for the hair mask to process depends on the specific product you’re using. So, check the directions on your hair mask’s packaging and follow them. Most of the time, you’ll wait anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour or more. If you’re unsure, you can wait 5 minutes and see how your hair reacts.

Step 5: Rinse the Mask from Your Hair

Rinse the hair mask from your hair and then shampoo (as necessary). If your hair mask doesn’t make your hair sticky or smelly, skip the second shampoo. After that, you can style your hair as desired.

So, there you have it - how to use a hair mask for healthy hair.  Use this guide to get the most out of your mask and be sure to use a high-quality leave-in, like Daily Dose, whenever your hair feels less than its best. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best as you strive for a healthier mane.  

 

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.