0How to Use Hair Conditioner? Tips and Tricks that Can Help You!
No, sorry. You can’t hide them from us anymore. We can see that frizzy and greasy hair, bestie. In fact, what made you think that there was a need to do so, that too from us? Haven’t we always helped you take better care of yourself? Doing the same, here we are with yet another blog. This time, let’s focus on the hair conditioner that you might be using or thinking of. Why? Well, that’s because there are many hair problems one faces like frizziness, greasiness, flat hair, roughness, etc.
For all such reasons, people often use hair conditioners. And they indeed, provide them with certain help like softening their hair, lessening their tangles, etc. However, other than simply applying this conditioner to your hair, there are multiple things you need to take care of as well while using them. What are they- let’s learn!
3 Basic Types of Hair Conditioners You may use
Did you know that there are also different types of conditioners just like shampoos? We are not talking about their specifications according to hair problems like dandruff, hair fall, etc. Instead, we are talking about how to use hair conditioner that defines their differentiation. Though there are many of these conditioners as well, here are the three most used and common ones that comprise all the other categories:
Regular Conditioners
Regular, rinse-off, rinse-out or traditional conditioners might actually be the most common types of hair conditioners that most people prefer. As the name suggests, these conditioners are to be rinsed off after their application.
Leave-In Conditioners
As the name suggests, a leave-in hair conditioner is meant to be let be after the application, unlike the traditional conditioner. They are usually applied on towel-dried wet hair and before styling up. Besides, they are not meant to be rinsed off after application.
Deep Conditioners
Deep conditioners are meant for the better nourishment of your hair. They most specifically are produced for the hair that is more damaged and requires more care. Thus, for this same reason, they are to be applied and left for longer minutes, like 10-40 minutes depending on the product you choose, before rinsing.
How to Use A Hair Conditioner For Better Hair?
Of course, a hair conditioner is meant to improve the quality of your hair and most people also know what the basic way of using it is. However, now that you know that there also exist multiple types of these conditioners, the way to use them might differ. For this very reason, it’s important that we discuss their usage so as to avoid any chances of getting it wrong and letting your hair get hampered.
Regular Conditioners
As mentioned earlier, regular hair conditioners are most probably the most commonly used conditioners. However, read on to know what are some of the steps you need to take when using this hair conditioner:
Following are a few things to keep in mind before you use a traditional conditioner for your hair:
Go for the correct type
This probably is the most important factor when considering the usage of a conditioner. Because everyone’s hair type is different and so are their needs, choosing the correct type of shampoo and conditioner is essential. This implies your hair problems as well. This includes taking into account whether your hair is frizzy and curly, damaged and dry, fine, etc. Choose your conditioner based on such factors.
Use of shampoo
You may think that the usage of a hair conditioner is enough but trust us on this, it isn’t. The reason why you also need shampoo is that your scalp needs cleansing and exfoliation. While you can go without the use of shampoo for a few washes, you will eventually end up needing a shampoo cleaning of your scalp and hair. Thus, it’s better to use the appropriate shampoo on your wet hair as the first step to washing them.
Rinsing
Of course, this is a very obvious reason after the application of shampoo to your hair. Once you are done with the gentle massage of your scalp and hair with shampoo, thoroughly but gently rinse them off. Also, make sure that you properly rinse off all the shampoo from your hair before squeezing out the extra water from them. Unless you are done with this, you cannot really proceed with the next step of using your hair conditioner.
Follow the following steps when applying your selected traditional hair conditioner:
Application of the conditioner
Here comes the star of the blog- the application of the conditioner you have opted for. Remember, we are talking about the traditional conditioners here. This implies that if you do use conditioners, it is how you most likely use them. Take the required portion of your condition on your palm depending on the length of your hair and its thickness. This amount would vary on the same factors. Rub the hair conditioner between the palms and gently apply it to your hair ensuring that application on your scalp is avoided. Besides, you can divide your hair and use small portions of the conditioner accordingly for ease and better application.
Wait time and what to do
When using a condition, you need to have a little patience. But the good news is that you do not need much time in the case of traditional conditioners. If you are in a hurry, you can apply this conditioner and rinse your hair within a few seconds. However, you better know that you most likely won’t get the desired results of wanting silky and smooth hair. On the other hand, it’s best to leave this hair conditioner on your hair for a few(2-3) minutes before rinsing it off till your hair no longer feels slimy.
The post-process of using a traditional conditioner is quite simple and similar to that when you wash your hair correctly. After you are done with the rinsing off of the conditioner, do not tie your hair but gently dry it using a cotton t-shirt or a microfibre hair towel. Besides, you can use the appropriate serum for your slightly damp hair and gently detangle it again right after. If your hair faces the trouble of too many terrible knots, a comb with wide bristles should greatly help. Furthermore, a wooden comb is considered to be the best and the healthiest for your hair health.
Leave-In Conditioners
Of course, because these are leave-in conditioners, you cannot rinse them off after applying them to your hair. Sounds weird and doubtful, right? However, this is a fact regarding the application of this hair conditioner. Come along with us to learn the correct way to use these conditioners!
Following are a few things to keep in mind before you use a traditional conditioner for your hair:
Know what your correct type is
Unlike traditional conditioners, knowing the best type of leave-in conditioner is knowing its form even though there are multiple of these available just like the traditional ones. This means that while you can choose a leave-in conditioner depending on your problem, you also have the option to choose between its cream or spray form. However, let’s clear one thing here. If you have straight and thin hair, using the spray form of a leave-in hair conditioner might be a good idea. On the contrary, its cream form would be the best if you have long and thick hair.
Shampooing
Though the use of a leave-in conditioner might be a little different, the process of shampooing your hair remains the same. You can follow the same process of doing so and carry on with the steps you need to follow further.
Rinse your hair
Since you are done with massaging your scalp with the chosen shampoo, rinse your hair the same way and wring out the excess water in a similar manner as well. However, ensure that your hair is not too wet but just damp so that you can proceed with applying your leave-in hair conditioner.
Follow the following steps when applying your selected traditional hair conditioner:
Application of the conditioner
The application of a leave-in conditioner is undoubtedly different from the other types. As mentioned above, make sure that hair isn’t very wet or dry before you go on with the application of this conditioner. If you are using a cream form of this conditioner, apply it the same as that of a traditional one. But if you are using a spray form, all you need to do is spray the condition on your hair. However, there is one important factor you need to mandatorily follow. DO NOT LET A LEAVE-IN HAIR CONDITIONER COME IN CONTACT WITH YOUR SCALP.
Wait time and what to do
It might even be true that a leave-in conditioner encourages more and healthier hair growth. Therefore, unlike any other conditioner for your hair, there is no requirement of waiting and so, time frame to do so. All you need to do is apply it and towel dry your damp hair. That’s it and then you can follow the further steps mentioned below before you are all set to style your hair the way you want to.
The care after using a leave-in conditioner slightly varies from the others. While you need to dry your hair after rinsing the condition, apply serum, and detangle them, things are slightly different here. Once you are done with the application of your leave-in hair conditioner, you ought to directly use a wide-toothed comb and gently use it on your hair. This would allow the conditioner to be evenly spread to all your damaged hair that requires extra attention. Besides, this would enable the conditioner to form lumps in your hair and remain dry in some parts and greasy in others.
Deep Conditioners
If you did understand what we meant, you might have gotten a subtle hint on what these conditioners are and how to use hair conditioner that falls under this category. However, to clear off any of the confusion that might have been left behind, continue taking a stroll on this subject of the correct usage of deep conditioners!
Following are a few things to keep in mind before you use a traditional conditioner for your hair:
Get the perfect conditioner for yourself
Though there are certain requirements and conditions that need to be met when selecting a rinse-off and a leave-in conditioner, the case with selecting a deep conditioner is varied. In this case, you do not just see your hair problem nor does the form of the conditioner matter. What matters is your preferences and budget while buying it. The reason for such simple conditions is that all of these hair conditioners are supposed to play the same role towards your hair and thus, they all perform the same task, i.e., to help improve the quality of your hair.
Shampoo your hair
The process of shampooing your hair when you are to use a deep conditioner might slightly vary from the other situations. While almost everything remains unchanged, the temperature of water varies. Generally, the most preferred temperature for washing hair is supposed to be warm, when you are to use a deep conditioner after using a shampoo, a cooler temperature of water is much preferable. The cooler the water, the better it would be.
Rinse them
The process of rinsing your hair after a shampoo and prior to applying a deep hair conditioner is the same, except that it would be a better idea to rinse them with cooler water. Furthermore, wringer them out properly so that the application of the conditioner becomes more efficient.
Follow the following steps when applying your selected traditional hair conditioner:
Application of the conditioner
The process of the application of a deep conditioner is slightly different as well. In fact, we may even say that its application is pretty easy for this very reason. Simply take your conditioner and apply a thick layer of it on your hair including your scalp. However, make sure that there are no lumps left of this hair conditioner on your hair and that the coating is evenly spread. You may even use a shower cap or towel to cover your hair after this application.
Wait time and what to do
Once you are done with the application of the deep conditioner, leave it for about 15- 35 minutes. In addition to this, you may even use the warm hair of your dryer as the conditioner sets in. Other than this, you may even follow the instructions that your product’s label says.
The process after you have applied a deep hair conditioner is similar to that of a traditional one. Probably, the only difference would be that a deep conditioner requires more time to be rinsed off than the latter one. However, once you are done with this difficult part, the rest of the process remains unhinged. Take the serum best suited for your hair, apply it to your hair, and tenderly comb it. And of course, remember that you need to be gentle with them not just during this time but also how you treat your precious curls. Furthermore, if you have wavy or curly hair, remember to start combing from the end to avoid much breakage despite using any hair conditioner.
Summing It All Up!
Many might assume that using a hair conditioner isn’t healthy for your hair and scalp. However, this isn’t actually completely true although they may have certain drawbacks. Using hair conditioners in the appropriate amounts, time intervals, and process of application is important if you want to make proper use of them. If done so, they can help make your hair smoother and shinier, reduce split ends and hair breakage, shield them against chemical and mechanical “experiments”, etc. Besides, the type that you opt for according to your hair type is equally essential. Nevertheless, now that you have come this far in this blog, you surely must have gotten an idea of how to use hair conditioner accordingly. So flaunt your hair as much as you desire now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Be the hair conditioners of any type, they are to be evenly applied on your hair and avoided on the scalp and roots.
Washing your hair after conditioning depends on the type of conditioner you are using. For instance, traditional and deep conditioners are to be rinsed off while leave-in conditioners aren’t.
Rinse-off hair conditioners are to be left for around 2 minutes after application and before rinsing off, leave-in conditioners are not supposed to be rinsed at all, and the deep conditioners are to be left on your hair for 20-40 minutes before rinsing off.
When applied to the scalp, a conditioner would make your hair greasy, clog your hair follicles, and hamper hair growth.
A conditioner doesn’t really clean your scalp. In fact, even using a deep cleansing conditioner or a two-in-one shampoo conditioner can’t be enough for long.
Sources:
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Conditioner-to-Your-Hair
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-hair-conditioner
https://www.dermaessentia.com/blogs/knowledge/hair-conditioner
