The Truth About Deep Conditioner
How does a deep conditioner work?
If you didn’t already know, deep conditioners are rinse-out conditioning treatments with a thicker consistency and they’re one-step up from your traditional conditioner (which provides a lightweight form of conditioning). Deep conditioners are also formulated with ingredients (usually higher levels of fatty alcohols) that aid in treating and conditioning dry and/or damaged hair much more than your normal conditioner would. During daily styling, moisture is depleted from the hair, to replenish hair with moisture a deep conditioner. In most cases deep conditioners are formulated with emollients like natural oils (coconut, olive, and avocado oils) amongst other ingredients, that are able to penetrate the hair shaft which gives it the ability to moisturize hair from the inside out. In the absence of these natural ingredients, the deep conditioner is likely to simply sit on top of the hair’s cuticle which gives it the coating effect. While many of us would rather have a deep conditioner that penetrates the hair, the coating effect (treating the surface of the hair) from deep conditioners aren’t so bad. Once applied, the product smooths and guards the hair’s outer layer which is known as the cuticle. Wouldn’t you want something that protects the hair’s outer layer and seals in moisture? Sure you do. However, many people are getting around this by using heat as a hack by either heating up their deep conditioner (not via microwave but adding the container to a bowl or sink full of warm water) or by applying a heating cap onto their head. Heat opens up the hair shaft allowing the absorption rate of the deep conditioner to increase.
On the Road to Better Hair With a Deep Conditioner
Unlike conditioners, which are lightweight, the thick consistency of deep conditioners usually cause the hair to be weighed down (and there are those that don’t), but of course, this occurs because the hair is coated and protected with the deep conditioning treatment (at least you know it’s definitely still there) for a longer period of time which is great. For many, the weight can work against your normal styling routines, but all in all, the treatment is still truly beneficial to your hair as most deep conditioners temporarily fill in the damaged areas of your hair. With that said, the use of deep conditioners leaves your hair smooth, replenishes moisture, and is constantly working even after the product has been washed out, but they don’t actually replace your conditioner. Opt for using a deep conditioner about once or month or twice a month if needed before or after your normal conditioner. You can try a protein based conditioner (we like Nexxus Emergencee Reconstructing Treatment) that will strengthen and improve elasticity as well as balance out the porosity. As a result, your hair would be able to withstand further damage. Use a moisturizing deep conditioner like Suave Professionals Coconut Milk Infusion Deep Moisture Conditioner or Dove Quench Absolute Intense Restoration Mask for adding moisture to the hair especially when it’s feeling dry due to daily styling or cold weather conditions.
3 Quick, Efficient Deep Conditioner Treatments You Need to Know
You might be thinking, “What? I have to stand around in the shower waiting for this stuff to work?” Here’s a quick trick you can use when you use a deep conditioning treatment. First, wash and condition your hair. Then add the deep conditioner to your locks, or you can also skip your regular conditioner and go straight to this step in a pinch. You can either pin up your hair, or for a more intensive deep conditioning treatment, wear a shower cap—your body heat will make the deep conditioners infuse more deeply into your strands. You can go about your whole shower routine (lathering up, shaving, what have you) while your hair is sitting, making for an efficient multi-tasking routine. Here are three deep conditioning treatments to try:
Product Spotlight: Deep Conditioner
Suave Professionals Deep Moisture Conditioner Dry and/or damaged hair can benefit from this deep conditioning treatment. Made with panthenol and keratin, these ingredients help make hair softer. Suave Professionals Coconut Milk Infusion Deep Moisture Conditioner We’ve all heard about the power of coconuts; how they can instantly transform skin and hair. Using coconuts on hair can make hair instantly glossy, healthy, shiny, years-younger looking and easy to style. Suave Professionals Coconut Milk Infusion Deep Moisture Conditioner is great for healthy and damaged hair. It harnesses the power of coconut milk and makes hair shiny and healthy. Suave 2 Minute Intense Moisture Super Conditioner In a rush? (Who isn’t?) Suave 2 Minute Intense Moisture Conditioner instantly covers hair in a deep conditioning treatment. It’s super lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down. Its formula locks in three times the moisture than a regular conditioner and injects hair with healthy nourishment.
