How to Deep Condition Hair

Hair

Learning how to properly deep condition your hair can transform your curls! Deep conditioning is a great way to add extra moisture, but it’s important to have the right technique. Clarifying your hair, removing buildup from products, and using the right formulas are critical for deep conditioning properly.

Deep conditioning your hair is easy when you know what your hair needs. Finding the perfect deep conditioning routine might take some trial and error at first. However, once you lock in a regimen that works for you, your wash day won’t take all day.

How to Deep Condition Your Hair

Deep conditioning involves using a moisturizing product to deliver intense moisture in a short amount of time. There are a few steps you’ll need to take to effectively moisturize your hair.

Clarify your hair
Choose the right formula for your strands
Identify the correct technique for your curls

Clarify Your Hair

First you’ll need to clarify your hair with a product that removes buildup from your scalp. You’ll also need to remove any product left over from your last wash day. Styling products for curly hair can be heavy, especially if you’re using a gel or mousse to maintain your curl definition.

You’ll need to choose a clarifying method that works for you. Often, a double wash with conditioner will do the trick.

Innersense is an organic hair care brand that offers gentle shampoo formulas as well as a scalp scrub and detox mask. The formulas won’t strip your hair of moisture, but they will remove build up. Remember not to over-clarify your hair. If you shampoo your hair too often, you could dry out your strands.

Choose a Conditioning Formula For Your Hair

Choosing a deep conditioning formula will depend on your needs. You’ll need to determine your hair’s porosity (how porous your hair is) to determine the best routine.

If you have high porosity hair (highly porous hair that absorbs and releases moisture quickly) you might be able to get away applying a thick formula for a short amount of time.

If you have low porosity hair, you might need to open up the hair cuticle with the seam from your shower and apply a lighter formula that your hair can easily absorb.

Your formula will depend on the amount of protein and moisture in your strands as well. Some days you might decide to use an oil treatment and other days you might have a protein-infused conditioning mask.

How to Build the Perfect Deep Conditioning Routine

The last step is to choose the correct conditioning technique for your hair. To determine the best routine, you’ll need to observe how your hair responds to different deep conditioning environments.

You might see the biggest transformation when you apply a deep conditioner in the shower.For example, maybe the steam from the shower provides the perfect amount of heat and moisture to open your hair cuticle.

It will take a few weeks of experimenting to see how your hair responds to different deep conditioning methods. I personally deep condition my hair once to twice per week.

The hair cuticle usually responds better to moisturizers when heat and moisture are applied to your strands. This means applying your products in the shower will often product the best results. Steam from the shower opens the hair cuticle and allows your hair to absorb products more effectively.

Deep Conditioning Techniques

Everyone approaches their curly hair routine differently and there are several techniques to consider when choosing a deep conditioning routine that works for you.

Common methods include applying products on the shower, the greenhouse method, and the baggy method. If you need extra moisture the lco method is a styling technique that provides intense moisture as well.

The Best Clarifying Shampoo Tips
Everything You Need to Know About the No Poo Method
How to Maintain Your Protein Moisture Balance
The LCO vs LOC Method: Tips Every Curly Girl Should Know

Deep Conditioning Risks

Deep conditioning comes a risk of over conditioning. If you have curly hair, conditioner can feel like the best thing ever. It makes your curls bouncier and proper moisture can make your curls last longer in between washes.

Although curly hair tends to be dryer than other hair types, deep conditioning also comes with the risk of protein moisture imbalance. It’s important to maintain the proper amount of protein to keep the hair healthy and prevent breakage.

If you over-condition your hair, your curls can loose shape or become difficult to style due to excess moisture.

Recap: How to Deep Condition Hair

Building the perfect deep conditioning routine is well worth the time. Having a go-to routine will make your wash day smoother.

First, you need to clarify your hair to remove build up. After you clarify your hair, you’ll need to choose the right formula and technique for taking care of your curls.