What's are hair conditioners?
Cleaning dirt and removing product buildup in the hair is the job of shampoo, but what about conditioners? This seems like a rhetorical question to which everyone would respond, "Well yes, it's that creamy product you usually put in your hair after shampooing, rightly called hair conditioner."
And yes, you're right, most of us use a hair conditioner right after shampooing; some move straight to a hair mask, while others decide not to use it at all, which is absolutely not recommended!
Hair conditioners are hair care products that contain moisturizing agents such as emollients, humectants, oils, butters, and even silicones that create a film on the outer part of the hair cuticles. Their job is to hydrate and soften the hair after shampooing, reducing friction and hair breakage.
Different types of hair conditioner There are various types of hair conditioners, yes, you got it right, hair conditioners are products used to restore moisture to hair strands, and the most common of these that we use is usually the post-shampoo conditioner. They're also called rinse-out conditioners, but there are also dry conditioners, like shampoos, although they're not as popular as regular conditioners.
So, back to the types of conditioner, we have deep conditioners or masks, leave-in conditioners, cleansing conditioners like cowashes, and 2-in-1 products like shampoo and conditioner combined.
Why you shouldn't skip the hair conditioner?
Our hair faces a range of agents every day - styling products, tools, and hair accessories, then you step out into the elements - cold, sun, wind, humidity, so after a while, our cuticles tend to weaken and even break. A good conditioner provides a protective layer on the cuticles, prevents damage, and fills any holes in the hair cuticles caused by damage. Shampoos tend to remove not only dirt and product buildup but also natural oils, which in turn can leave our hair feeling dry and stripped of moisture, so replenishing this moisture in the hair is crucial with a good rinse-out conditioner or balsam.
Best way to use your conditioner To get the most out of your conditioner after shampooing, make sure to squeeze excess water out of your hair, so you don't dilute the conditioner (you want to get the most out of your shampoo, and diluting it makes it less effective). With too much water in your hair, the hair won't be able to properly absorb the conditioner.
Your hair needs to absorb all the goodness of that conditioner, so apply it with smooth movements but avoid the scalp. Massage the conditioner into your hair; it's also a great time to detangle your hair. If you have finer hair, it's best to use less conditioner, otherwise, you might feel your hair weighed down.
How long should I leave my conditioner in?
While every brand has its recommendations, a general rule is two minutes; if you're unsure, you can also check the bottle. Deep conditioners, on the other hand, may require up to five minutes or more, while leave-in conditioners stay in the hair. Leave-in conditioners are used to rehydrate the hair between washes and can be followed by creams, gels, or other styling products.
Should I choose a conditioner based on my hair type?
The answer lies in the middle, meaning most conditioning products are typically made of the same ingredients, although they may be formulated differently. Naturally, if your hair is dry and needs a lot of moisture, you should choose conditioners rich in emollients like butters and moisturizing oils.
For curly hair, a moisturizing conditioner should be your first choice on your list, as it not only replenishes moisture in the hair but also helps detangle curls and strands.
If you suffer from frizz, to make your hair silky and tame frizz, anti-humidity products are great for smoothing out frizz and repelling moisture.
If you have damaged hair, colored or chemically treated hair, a restructuring conditioner is your best friend. If you've ever seen a hair cuticle, you'll know they're like fish scales or roof tiles, which tend to lift depending on the state of the hair.
So, damaged or chemically treated hair cuticles are open and very porous, which can lead to breakage and split ends. So, you need all the protein products you can find for your hair routine. A great protein treatment is the Aphogee 5 min Keratin treatment, which is an intensely protein-rich conditioner.
