Everything You Need to Know About Hair Conditioning

Hair conditioning is an essential step in everyone's haircare regimen. It offers many benefits beyond just moisturizing. With so many different types of hair conditioners on the market to pick from, there is something for everyone and every hair type. Read on to learn what different types of hair conditioners are available, what benefits they offer, and how to properly use them to get the best results for your hair.

What is a hair conditioner?

Hair conditioning after shampooing is a very important step in your hair care routine. A hair conditioner is a moisturizer for the hair. It functions in a similar capacity to a skin moisturizer. Hair conditioner is primarily composed of oils, nutrients, humectants, emollients, and silicones to make hair more manageable and look its best.

Benefits of hair conditioner

If you have ever wondered if hair conditioner is truly necessary, the answer is yes. For every type of hair, the proper hair conditioner is crucial. It offers many benefits to keep your hair shiny and healthy.

Here are some benefits of hair conditioner:

• Protection. Hair conditioner coats the hair shafts with protective ingredients, like silicone. This can prevent your hair from becoming frizzy when exposed to humidity. It can also protect your hair from dryness, brittleness, and breakage.
• Smoothing. Hair conditioners can smooth and tame unruly locks and transform them into silk.
• Strengthening. Many of the oils and nutrients in hair conditioners can fortify and strengthen hair, making it resistant to breakage and split ends.
• Hydration. Hair conditioners contain humectants and emollients that hydrate hair by pulling water into the hair and keeping it there. Hydrated hair is stronger and healthier than dry, brittle hair.

How often should you conditioner your hair?

The job of shampoo is to clean the hair of dirt, oil, debris, and dead skin cells. Unfortunately, shampoo can remove your hair's natural protective oils too. For this reason, hair conditioner needs to be used following each shampoo. But the conditioner needs to be the appropriate one for your type of hair. Your hair may get worse if you use the wrong conditioner.

Different types of hair conditioners

There are different types of hair conditioners based on the level of conditioning your hair requires. This is often based on your hair type or the level of damage your hair has sustained from styling. If you are unsure which conditioner to select, ask your haircare specialist, stylist, or dermatologist for guidance.

The types of hair conditioners include:

• Regular/instant conditioner. This conditioner is ideal for normal hair without much damage and fine hair.
• Deep conditioner. Deep conditioners work best for dry, damaged hair that is frizzy and prone to breakage. However, it is only meant for use once a week; otherwise, it could cause buildup and weigh down hair.
• Leave-in conditioner. Leave-in conditioners benefit fine hair because they will not weigh it down. They are also great for people with moderately damaged hair that needs extra moisture after normal conditioning.
• 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner This type of conditioner provides some moisture without being heavy. It is perfect for fine hair or normal hair without any damage.

How to choose the right hair conditioner for hair type

For most people, selecting the right hair conditioner can be a daunting task. It is sometimes a game of trial and error until you find one that works best for you. These simple guidelines should make your selection process easier.

Here is a basic guide to choosing the right hair conditioner:

• Fine hair. Fine hair needs lighter products to avoid weighing it down and making it look lifeless and greasy. Regular/instant, 2-in-1, or leave-in conditioners can lightly condition this hair type.
• Oily hair. People with oily or greasy hair should use a light conditioner, like a leave-in conditioner or 2-in-1 product, or hair conditioner less often to avoid making oily hair worse.
• Dry, damaged, curly, or coily hair. These hair types will benefit from weekly deep conditioning treatments. Using thick, moisturizing regular hair conditioners plus leave-in conditioners should help rehydrate hair after shampooing. Apply shampoo only as needed and not every day to avoid overwashing and stripping your hair of moisture.

How to apply a hair conditioner

Using hair conditioners correctly is crucial to getting great results for your hair and maintaining its lustrous, radiant appearance. It is important to read and follow the instructions on the back of the hair conditioner bottle.

Depending on the kind of hair conditioning product, there are different ways to apply hair conditioner. Some are applied and left on for only a couple of minutes, while others need to stay on your hair for 30 minutes to work best.

Application of regular/instant conditioner:

1. Wet hair
2. Apply shampoo
3. Rinse well
4. Ring out hair to remove excess water
5. Apply enough conditioner to cover your ends and not your scalp
6. Leave it on for a couple of minutes or whatever the directions on the bottle instructs
7. Comb through your hair with your fingers to distribute the conditioner
8. Rinse hair

How to use deep conditioner:

1. Follow steps 1–5 listed above
2. Leave it on for 5–30 minutes, depending on the instructions on the bottle
3. Comb through your hair with your fingers to distribute the conditioner
4. Rinse hair

Leave-in conditioner usage:

1. Wet hair
2. Apply shampoo
3. Rinse hair well
4. Ring out your hair to remove excess water and towel-dry it
5. Apply the leave-in conditioner to your ends, and do not rinse off
6. Comb your hair to distribute the conditioner

Tips for 2-in-1 products:

1. Wet hair
2. Apply combo products from scalp to ends
3. Leave on the appropriate amount of time
4. Rinse hair

Other healthy hair habits

Using proper hair care products, like hair conditioners, is not the only practice that keeps hair looking its best.

Here are some other habits that help hair look its best:

• Get plenty of sleep (8 hours).
• Stick to a good diet rich in protein and antioxidants and low in sugar.
• Drink enough water.
• Exercise daily.
• Avoid direct sun exposure by wearing a wide-brimmed hat outside.
• Wear a swim cap in the pool to protect your hair from chemicals like chlorine.

Hair conditioning is a great way to keep hair manageable and looking silky smooth. It is always important to use professional-quality hair care products specifically designed for your hair type and goals to ensure the best results. If selecting the right hair conditioner seems like a daunting task, ask your dermatologist or hair care specialist for guidance. They can recommend the highest quality products and the best ones for your hair type.