How Often Should You Deep Condition Natural Hair?

How Often Should You Condition Natural Hair?

Deep conditioning is an important aspect in the “Journey” to great natural hair. There is also no end to deep conditioning the hair, as long as you want your hair to be strong, shiny, and moist.

Deep conditioning is the application of thick conditioner (with nourishing and natural ingredients) into the hair. With the use of heat, the conditioner can penetrate deep into the hair. Deep Conditioner restores the hair moisture, makes it soft, and reduces the damage that has been caused by chemicals and styling products.

Before considering deep conditioning the hair, it is important to understand the state of your hair, to know what is needed for the hair at that particular time.

What you need to deep condition your hair

The first step to conditioning your hair is to get a conditioner that works for the state your hair is in. There is the protein-based conditioner and the moisture-based conditioner, however, you need both for a balance.

  • Get the product: Before picking your product, make sure it’s a product that is made up of natural ingredients like coconut oil and olive oil; these ingredients penetrate the hair better.
  • Apply on the end: They are usually the driest part of the hair, hence they need all the conditioning they can get to avoid breakage
  • Cover the hair: After applying the deep conditioner, cover the hair with a plastic bag or a shower cap and wrap a towel around your head for heat and leave for at least 20 minutes.

Rinse out the conditioner with cold water, this will help retain the moisture. You can also rinse with shampoo.

For a better result, as stated earlier, if your hair is really damaged, you have to deep condition the hair regularly for it to get the desired goal.

How often should I condition my hair?

Some people believe that there is no perfect time to deep conditioning the hair, as it depends on the state of the hair and the hair type, that is why knowing one’s hair cannot be overemphasized.

Some people need to deep condition their hair more than others, depending on what they’ve put the hair through. For example, It is advisable for you to deep condition your hair about two to three times a week if your hair is really damaged.

Conditioning the hair often will leave the hair greasy, which isn’t ideal. Not conditioning the hair when due will also leave the hair dry and brittle. There has to be a balance for your hair to attain that growth that you want.

You know your hair needs deep conditioning when;

  • You swim regularly
  • You use heat tools for styling
  • You have applied color to your hair
  • You spend a lot of time in the sun
  • Your hair is dry.

Deep conditioning can be done after washing the hair. (Note that washing the hair more than once in two weeks can make your hair dry) so it is safe to say that one can deeply condition their hair once in two weeks.

FAQ

Is it okay to deep condition natural hair every day?

No, you shouldn’t deep condition your natural hair every day however it should be done regularly. You should condition your hair after every wash to make it soft and manageable but washing every day may be too often and might disrupt the protein and balance the hair needs.

What happens if you don’t rinse out the conditioner?

If you do not wash out the conditioner from your hair, it can lead to clogged pores and stop natural oil production. Most conditioners are formulated with heavier ingredients hence should not be used as leave-in.

Does deep conditioning grow hair?

Yes, deep conditioning can help you grow your hair. Regular deep conditioning can help stimulate nutrients and lock in moisture which in turn improves the health of your hair. They may also help prevent breakage and make it less prone to damages.

What should I do after deep conditioning my hair?

After deep conditioning, your hair, rinse your hair with cold water to close to get rid of build-ups and close the hair cuticles, and allows the deep conditioner to penetrate into your hair. Then you can go ahead to style your hair.

How do I moisturize my hair after deep conditioning?

Moisturizing your hair is just as important as deep conditioning. There are three ways to lock in moisture after conditioning your hair which is leave-in conditioners and oils.

Why does my hair feel like straw after deep conditioning?

Straw-like hair after deep conditioning is often a result of common hair care oversights such as: using styling and drying tools at temperatures too high or not including a moisturizing hair mask in your hair care routine.

Conclusion

Deep conditioning is an essential natural hair care routine. Keep in mind that normal or regular conditioners do not contain all the ingredients that make a deep conditioner effective at restoring dry damaged hair.

However, you can try some DIY at your home yourself or simply have oil such as avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil in your regular conditioner to make up for it.

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