A deep conditioning treatment keeps the hair moisturized and conditioned, especially after heat treatment, such as braiding. The heat from the other treatment usually causes a lot of damage to the hair’s cuticle layer. Deep conditioning helps restores moisture to the damaged area and prevents future problems with your scalp or dryness.
Remember that it is easier to add volume after doing your usual protective style like braids or human twists. It takes time for your hair to become new and find its standard shape after being stretched and pulled by your usual routine of holding it up for long periods. So, it’s always better to visit a deep conditioning treatment salon.
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What is a deep conditioning treatment?
A deep conditioning hair treatment is a process in which your hair is treated with nourishing substances. It is not an aid to keep the hair moisturized and conditioned while braided, twisted, or pulled.
It is also not a hot oil treatment for the scalp to give a shine and bounce to the hair, and it is not a health benefit to the hair and scalp. It is a deep conditioning treatment for curly hair.
It does not help with updos or braids, and this is just misinformation from people who have no idea what they are talking about.
A deep conditioning treatment has many benefits, including a healthy scalp, stronger strands, and more effortless detangling. It is a moisturizing treatment for the hair, and many women also use it as a protein pack to strengthen their strands.
Different types of conditioning treatment
There are different types of conditioning treatments. They are all used for the same purpose, and they all create a lot of questions and confusion. The truth is simple: they are all deep conditioners with different ingredients. Your hair condition will determine which is good for you and which is not:
Hair moisturizer
This is a gentle treatment that restores moisture to the hair and scalp. It is just a mixture of water and oil (flavorless and scentless baby oil works the best). You mix them in your palm until the combination has a thick lotion consistency.
It works well for normal hair but does not moisturize dry hair very well. If you have dry hair or coarse strands, check out the intense moisturizing treatments below for more conditioning results.
Protein pack/Deep conditioning treatment
Its best form is made with natural ingredients like eggs, mayonnaise, gelatin, and olive oil. You can also use milk or butter (for light hair). You apply the mixture to your hair during the process of detangling or after you have finished. See jelly and eggs for more information on protein treatments.
Hot oil treatment
Hot oil treatment is a deep conditioning treatment that nurtures the roots of your hair. It is a process to make your scalp nourished and done before washing. You mix hot oil and water in a container to achieve the right consistency. After applying to wet hair:
- Massage well into the scalp
- Apply the mixture over your scalps, including the back, so your entire head gets laced
- Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
You can use baby oil, olive oil, and many other oils. If you have thick or coarse hair, you may need to add more oil or hot water.
Dry protein/deep conditioning treatment
This is a mixture of egg white, olive oil, mineral or almond oil, mayonnaise, and gelatin. It is best used on curly hair with high porosity. You can mix it all in a container with desired consistency and apply it to wet hair before washing.
Leave the mixture on for 20 – 30 minutes, then rinse well with lukewarm water before washing your hair. This will give dry strands softness and shine without weighing them down as much as the other deep treatments. Please check out a protein pack for more information.
Leave-in treatment
This is probably the most effective way to get moisture into your hair without worrying about tangles or knots because you do not have to comb through your hair when using this kind of treatment.
Deep conditioning treatment product
You can buy many deep conditioning products, but they are best to use as maintenance after washing your hair with a shampoo and conditioner. They also come in all types of scents, colors, and flavors, which some people prefer, but if you think about it, all hair products come in colors, and many conditioners and moisturizers have scents.
They are not proteins or moisturizers; they are just deep treatments that cost a lot more than simple treatments that you can make at home for free. If you have a lot of hair or a little extra money, you can always go for deep conditioning treatment products by checking the ingredients on the label.
Cold Water Shampoo Treatment
This is a straightforward method that you can use to condition your hair deeply. Still, it can be very drying to your hair and affect its softness, so anyone with thick or coarse strands should avoid using this method because it will be hard on the hair cuticle and make it frizzy instead of soft tangle-free.
Most effective deep conditioning method
- Apply lukewarm water and then the conditioner you plan to use for at least 20 minutes.
- Gently separate your hair into sections and apply conditioner using a wide-toothcomb or wide toothbrush and your fingertips.
- Leave in for 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of conditioner that you are using, but no less than 30 minutes or more than 2 hours.
- Rinse hair with a mild shampoo and then gently rinse using cool water.
- Apply a protein treatment and leave it in for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Rinse hair with cool water and then apply a clarifying treatment.
- Apply a deep moisturizing protein treatment and leave it in for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Rinse hair with cool water and then apply a clarifying treatment again before rinsing with cool water until the conditioner is completely out of your hair (do not shampoo in between).
- If using conditioner, you may need to apply another 1-2 capfuls of conditioner after the protein treatment to smooth out the texture of your strands before you rinse it out completely.
- After the protein treatment, you will not need to apply 1-2 capfuls of conditioner.
- If you are using a protein treatment, follow up with a deep moisturizing conditioner and leave it in for 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the type of conditioner that you applied).
- After your hair is completely dry, use light heat with a flat iron or blow dryer to smooth out your hair.
Benefits of deep conditioning hair
- Deep conditioning can help eliminate frizz and flyaways
- It can protect your hair strands against heat and UV damage
- It can help smooth out the texture of your hair and make it softer, healthier, stronger, and more manageable.
- Conditioning reduces the time you spend styling your hair (e.g., curling, flat ironing, blow-drying).
- Deep conditioning will increase the color retention in your hair and moisturize it so that it is left shine-free but also hydrated with moisture that it needs to maintain its healthy look, feel, and texture for a long time to come.
Dos and Don’ts of deep conditioning
Dos
- Do use a deep conditioner at least once a month (it is unnecessary to deep condition every time you shampoo your hair).
- Leave the conditioner on your hair for as long as it says to apply it.
- Apply a protein treatment after each time you wash your hair if your hair has been chemically processed.
- Do use a clarifying protein treatment every time you wash your hair if it has been chemically processed or over-processed (if you want to avoid potential build-up, then use one of the other types of protein treatments).
- Do deep condition your hair if it feels dried out after using a clarifying treatment.
- Do deep condition your hair if it feels brittle, weak, and damaged after using a clarifying treatment.
Don’ts
- Please do not wash your hair too often because washing it too much can cause dryness in the strands, but make sure that you are thoroughly rinsing out all the build-up from previous shampoos and conditioners from your strands before applying deep conditioning treatments to your hair.
- Do not deep condition if you have split ends. Split ends mean that your hair has lost its natural moisture and become brittle.
- Do not deep condition if you are going to have a hot chemical service done on your hair because this can damage your hair cuticles and make them frizzy instead of smooth and shiny, so avoid having any chemical treatment applied to your strands before deep conditioning.
- Do not use a protein treatment every time you wash your hair because they are solid and can quickly build up on the strands, which is counterproductive to keeping your hair hydrated with moisture and shine because you will dry brittle the hair instead.
DIY Deep Conditioning at Home
For Dry Hair
Coconut Oil + Egg
- At first, add two spoons of coconut oil to one egg yolk and then mix them appropriately to form a paste.
- Apply the mixture to your hair from the roots to the tips after washing and drying it.
- Now, rinse your hair with cold water.
If you want the strength in your hair, then go for this combo. This mixture works magic on dry hair. This combo can increase moisture and decrease protein loss and breakage.
Olive Oil + Honey
- Mix olive oil and honey in equal amounts.
- Cleanse your hair thoroughly.
- Once your hair is completely dry, apply the mix of olive oil and honey throughout your hair.
- Cover your hair with an elongated shower cap and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse your hair with mild Ayurvedic shampoo.
Olive oil is well known for bringing moisture to dry hair. Adding honey to it is a bonus. Try this combo for moisturizing hair.
For Normal Hair
Mayonnaise + Avocado
- Add 1/4 cup mayonnaise into the pulp composed of half avocado. Mix them until they form an even paste.
- Incorporate a small amount of any essential oil you prefer into the mix and mix it once more.
- Apply the paste onto your freshly washed hair, and then protect it with the shower cap.
- After about 30 minutes, Wash your hair with cold water.
Avocado and Mayo have antioxidant vitamins E and C. Applying this mixture to your hair make your hair look soft, hydrated, and shiny.
For Any Hair Type
Banana + Honey
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the pulp comprised of 1 unripe banana.
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and apply the mixture to damp hair.
- Allow it to sit for half an hour, then shampoo your hair like you normally do use gentle Ayurvedic shampoo.
When coupled with honey, the potassium, vitamin C, and biotin found in bananas (which stimulates hair growth, volume, and shine) make for an effective deep conditioner. This combination may help make hair silky, strong, and thick if you want to avoid dandruff, moisturize your scalp, increase shine, or all above.
Greek Yogurt + Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey
- Add 1 spoon of honey and apple cider vinegar to one and a half cups of plain yogurt.
- Mix honey, apple cider vinegar, and yogurt well.
- Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it for half an hour; then, rinse off thoroughly.
To be free from frizzy hair, you can easily apply the Greek yogurt, apple cider, and honey mixture. The Greek yogurt gives the protein your hair craves, while the apple cider vinegar stimulates hair development, detangles hair, and makes it shine.
Final Thoughts
Deep conditioning treatment helps your hair to get the proper nourishment it needs. It makes your hair more hydrated and manageable. By taking salon deep conditioning treatment to your hair, you will get softer, healthier, and shinier hair.