Are deep conditioners good for your hair
Deep conditioners are great for keeping your hair healthy, particularly if you have very long hair; “Hair with any sort of length in it is going to be so much older so will need much more attention,” flags Jason Hogan, hair colourist at Josh Wood Atelier – but all hair types can really benefit from masking, as long as you use a suitable product.
“Deep conditioners are a great way to give dry or damaged hair a more intensive hit of moisture and conditioning than your everyday conditioner,” says Hadley Yates, celebrity hair stylist and extensionist.
“They’re great when it starts to feel rough, dull or harder to style,” notes Harriet O’Neill, senior stylist, hairdresser & supervisor at Duck and Dry.
How do deep conditioners work?
“When hair is damaged, the outside of the hair becomes rougher, which is why you can start to see more frizz, tangling and breakage. A deep conditioner helps to smooth the hair and put some moisture back in,” explains Harriet.
“Deep conditioners contain a higher concentration of conditioning ingredients, which means they can give the hair a more intensive treatment,” says Hadley.
Apart from the much-needed moisture, they also help with overall smoothness and softness and improve moisture retention, explains Hadley.
What is the best way to deep condition your hair at home?
First off, there’s no need to leave your deep conditioner on for hours, or even overnight, Hadley explains. Simply follow the brand’s instructions, which change depending on the product.
“Apply the deep conditioner to clean, towel-dried hair, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends where you tend to have the most dryness and damage,” adds Hadley.
Turns out having to towel-dry your hair before applying a conditioner or mask isn’t a myth; “Applying a treatment to soaking wet hair can dilute the product,” says Harriet. After you leave it on for the recommended time, make sure to “rinse it out really thoroughly. Product residue is one of the biggest reasons hair can feel heavy, flat or difficult to style afterwards. People often think they’ve rinsed it all out when there is still a little left behind,” adds Harriet.
Who should use a deep conditioner?
Hair products should be tailored to your hair type to avoid product build-up and a ‘heavy’ feeling to the hair. Due to their thinner consistency, deep conditioners (as opposed to masks) may be more suitable for fine to medium hair, used as a treatment once a week, or even less, depending on hair thickness and how easily products build up.
For more textured or curly hair, a deep conditioner may not offer enough hydration to the hair shaft, and a richer mask with butters and oils may be more suitable. Picking the most suitable product for your hair type and concern is important.
What is the best deep conditioner for damaged hair?
Combining hydration and strengthening ingredients to repair the hair is important, explains Hadley.
“My number 1 go-to is always K18’s leave-in mask; it’s so easy to use and reverses damage at a molecular level. It’s definitely best for long-term use to properly repair damage, so if you want something that delivers instrant hydration, I like the Kevin Murphy Hydrate-Me.Masque” adds Hadley.
For Harriet, the best deep conditioner is the one best suited to your hair type. “If it has been bleached, highlighted or damaged through frequent heat styling, look for a strengthening or protein-based treatment. If your hair mainly feels dry, a more nourishing moisture mask may be enough.”
“The most important thing is choosing a formula based on your hair rather than simply picking the richest product,” Harriet says.
While at-home treatments can work well, a professional in-salon treatment once a month may be really helpful, especially if your hair is damaged.
What ingredients should we look for in a deep conditioner?
This depends on how dry or damaged your hair is. In the former case your hair will benefit from proteins, amino acids, ceramides and bond-building technology, explais Harriet. If dryness is your main concern, “look for shea butter, nourishing oils and hydrating ingredients such as glycerin” she says.
“Peptides or proteins can help improve the hair’s resilience,” echoes Hadley.
And for dyed or damaged hair, “choose products which contain plenty of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein to help strengthen the hair strands,” agrees Dr Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist and hair expert.
How often should deep conditioners be used?
“You don’t need to apply one every time you wash your hair, it can be heavy on the hair” says Hadley.
“It is good practice to include a hair mask regularly into your routine even with healthy hair,” adds Dr Sharon.
Overall, it depends on the condition of your hair, very dry or damaged can use a deep conditioner once a week and others, less often. “Once a week is a good starting point for most people. Very dry, curly, bleached or frequently heat-styled hair may benefit from regular treatments, while fine hair might only need one every couple of weeks,” explains Harriet.
Generally speaking, it’s important to notice the results on your hair, and adjust accordingly if needed. “If the hair is softer, shinier and easier to style, the treatment is doing its job. If it starts to feel heavy, greasy or coated, you may be using it too often, applying too much or not rinsing it out properly,” adds Harriet.