Deep Conditioning your HAIR!!!

Before you ask yourself the following questions, you need to know why it’s important to deep condition your hair. First, a good deep conditioner will hydrate dry hair by penetrating the hair shaft to restore moisture and to prevent breakage. Second, a deep conditioner can help to alleviate the daily damage we inflict upon our hair by the use of excessive heat, chemical treatments, sun damage, braids, etc. Third, deep conditioners are treatments and usually are required to remain in the hair for 15-30 minutes. NEVER over condition!!

Asking yourself the following questions about deep conditioners will guide you in the right direction.

1. How often should I deep condition my hair?

It vary on how often you should deep condition your hair. A good rule of thumb is to use it according to how often you use heat, what elements your hair is exposed to on a regular basis, product use, and hair type. Some suggest that deep conditioning once a month is sufficient even with dry or damaged hair. Others suggest at least twice a month. According to the literature that is out there, it’s not really necessary to deep condition more than a couple of times a month.

(For the best results, most deep conditioners will advise you to use a heating cap or sit under a hooded dryer with a plastic baggy. This helps to open the cuticle layer and penetrate the hair shaft.)

2. What type of deep conditioner is best for my hair type?

There are so many different types of deep conditioners on the market for different hair types. There are those that are infused with essential oils and herbs, others with keratin proteins, silk and wheat proteins. You should determine right away if your hair needs a moisture-based deep conditioner or a protein-based deep conditioner. I have learned from different sources that if your hair is dry and it snaps and breaks easily, you should use a moisturizing deep conditioner. If your hair is fine, and stretches then snaps, a deep conditioner with protein should be used.

2. Can I use a regular rinse out conditioner as a deep conditioning treatment?

I have read in some places that it’s ok to use a regular rinse out conditioner as a deep conditioning treatment. This is the point where you will have to be investigators and read the ingredients list to distinguish which ingredients are similar and which are different in rinse outs and deep conditioners. Some say that rinse out conditioners only coat the top layer of the hair strand and doesn’t contain ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft. Typically a conditioner that is for deep conditioning will let you know.

Conditioning Tips:

Deep conditioning treatments need to perform double duty. You can make your hair stronger, but it will still be vulnerable. Well-formulated treatments also condition your hair leaving it easier to comb so you don’t lose precious strands from trying to break through tangles. In the world of cosmetic chemistry, opposites attract. Our hair has a negative charge and responds well to conditioning ingredients that have a positive charge. The ingredients listed here are called “cationics” and they stay on your hair even after you do your final rinse.

Common conditioning ingredients in deep treatments:

• Amodimethicone
• Behentrimonium Chloride
• Behentrimonium Methosulfate
• Cetrimonium Chloride
• Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
• Stearalkonium Chloride

Sealing ingredients:

You don’t want to spend the extra time and money to deep condition your hair if the results aren’t going to last. Even the best conditioning treatments are only semi-permanent, not permanent. A deep conditioner that contains good sealants will help your hair stay strong and moisturized for days at a time. Cosmetic scientists perform tests to see which ingredients do the best job at sealing porous hair like ours. You will get the most value out of your deep conditioning treatment if it contains at least 1 of these very effective sealants:

Ingredients for sealing:

• Petrolatum
• Mineral Oil
• Lanolin
• Dimethicone
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Shea Butter
• Soybean Oil

Key Tips for Deep Conditioning

• Shampoo your hair with moisturizing shampoo before applying a deep conditioner. If you only co-wash or rinse before you apply the product, your hair won’t be able to absorb as much protein that's needed.

• Follow the instructions on your product. The best deep conditioning treatments contain a careful blend of ingredients that will give you maximum benefits in 3 to 15 minutes. Don’t put off deep conditioning because you feel like you don’t have time to sit under the dryer. That’s usually unnecessary and you’ll end up deep conditioning your hair less often.

• Only condition the hair you want to keep! Choose a deep conditioning treatment that you can afford to use generously. It won’t matter if your product is filled with great ingredients if you don’t apply it to every inch of your hair.


Recommended Treatments Products

Your treatment products don't have to be the most expensive product in your cabinet. You can keep your beauty budget in check by choosing less expensive shampoos, conditioners and leave-ins conditioners.

You can use mayonnaise, with an egg and a table spoon of olive oil as a deep conditioner/hot oil treatment.. Mix it in a bowl, apply and sit under a hooded dryer with a cap for 20 minutes.. Just like grandma use to do..

Queen Helene Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream, $3.29-15oz

Step before the Two-Step Protein Treatment ApHogee Deep Moisture Shampoo, $7-8oz
Step 1 - ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment, $12-4oz
Step 2 - ApHogee Balancing Moisturizer, $9-8oz
Step after the Two-Step Protein Treatment - ApHogee Balancing Moisturizing $7-8oz

****Available at your Local Beauty Supply Stores****

ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment has been around for many of years. This is an effective and affordable treatment but it has an unpleasant smell and the protein step can get messy. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s the definitely the best way to go. This product requires 5-10 minutes under a hooded dryer. Make sure to follow the instructions exactly as written or you could end up with UNNECESSARY breakage!!

Step 1 - Jane Carter Solutions Scalp Renewal, $20-2oz
Step 2 - Jane Carter Solutions Moisture Nourishing Shampoo, $8-8oz
Step 3 - Jane Carter Solutions Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner, $13-8oz -OR-
Step 3 - Jane Carter Solutions Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner, $9-8oz
Step 4 - Jane Carter Solutions Hair Nourishing Serum, $20-1oz
Step 5 - Jane Cater Solutions Hair Nourishing Cream, $22-4oz