Deep Conditioning has been claimed as one of the keys to healthy, strong, hydrated hair that’s full of life. But does it really live up to its star status? Keep reading to see if the love for Deep Conditioning is real or fake, and if it could be your ticket to mane fame.
So, what is Deep Conditioning anyways?
Deep conditioning is a treatment that gets deep inside the hair shaft to give intense/ super hydration and nourishment. Unlike regular conditioners, which normally just sit on top of the hair, deep conditioners contain richer, more concentrated ingredients that deeply hydrate and repair your damaged strands… giving you spotlight worthy hair.
Richer- the ingredients are more nourishing, hydrating and repairing than average.
More concentrated- there’s a higher level of those nourishing, hydrating and repairing ingredients than average.
Do I really need to Deep Condition? Your hair deals with a lot. Heat styling, rough detangling, excessive (and sometimes unnecessary) manipulation… the list goes on. All of that can strip away its natural moisture and leave your mane dry, brittle, and ready to break. D.C. helps get back that lost moisture, strengthen the hair shaft, and restore elasticity, which gives you softer, smoother hair that’s easily to work with and style.
Hair shaft- the strands of hair that you can see on your head.
Elasticity- how stretchy your hair is. If your hair has good elasticity, you should be able to gently pull on it, and it will return to its original shape without any breakage.
When should I Deep Condition? In a perfect world, you should deep condition your hair once a week or every other week, and this can vary depending on your hair type and what it needs.
But we know that sometimes… life just be lifing, and you can’t always take care of your mane when you need to. Aside from that, certain hairstyles like box braids, sew-ins, silk presses (just to name a few) don’t really give you the opportunity to Deep Condition every week, or every other week. (Because if you’re like us, you want those styles to last ALAP - As Long As Possible!)
We say to try for at least once a month… or whenever you wash your hair, or go from one style to the next. If you go to a salon or hairstylist, ask to add a Deep Conditioning treatment to your appointment.
If your tresses are extremely dry or damaged, or if you do chemical treatments (like bleach, color, relaxers, etc) or use a lot of heat styling tools… you may benefit from more frequent treatments. (Just don’t overdo it!)
The only guide you need to Deep Conditioning:
- Start with super clean hair: Shampooing your hair really sets the stage for a good D.C. session, so make sure you’re being real thorough when washing to remove any buildup.
- Put the Deep Conditioner on: Apply the deep D.C. to damp hair (and don’t be stingy!), focusing on all parts of your hair- but ESPECIALLY the middle area and ends, where hair is usually drier and more damaged. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently and evenly get the product all over your hair.
- Turn On the Heat: While this step is technically optional… to us it’s not. It’s actually a KEY to getting the best results with a D.C. You can apply heat (warm, not hot) using a hooded dryer, steamer, or warm towel. All those options work, but we recommend our “Rise to Fame Limited Edition Deep Conditioning Heat Cap”(Coming soon!). Heat helps open the hair cuticles, so the treatment can really soak into your hair and give you 10x better results!
- Let it Work: Allow the D.C. to do its job for at least 15-30 minutes, or longer if you want your hair to give superstar!
- Rinse it Out: After the time has passed, rinse the Deep Conditioner out with cold water to seal the cuticle and make your hair shine!
Hair Cuticle- The outside layer of the hair shaft.
Is it all fake love, or is it real?
The results are in: At Mane Star Styling, we believe the love is real! No fake love around here. Deep Conditioning is definitely needed to keep your hair looking and feeling like the VIP it is! With D.C., the steps are easy, it doesn’t take forever, and the benefits you get in return are SO worth it.
Is it your ticket to mane fame?: Adding Deep Conditioning treatments as a staple in your hair care routine is a game-changer for keeping a healthy, hydrated mane. Depending on your hair type and texture, along with other factors (like if you use lots of heat, if you do chemical processes, etc.) you may need other types of treatments as well. But we know one thing for sure: If you want healthy, bomb hair that makes EVERYONE stop and stare… Deep Conditioning is definitely your ticket to the mane fame.
Until next time,
- Mane Star Styling
Mwah!