A majority of Americans use both shampoo and conditioner on their hair, whether on a daily basis or several times each week. After all, conditioner is said to be the best way to soften and smooth your hair after washing. This makes sense, because shampoo and conditioner have always gone hand in hand, and most hair experts agree that conditioning your hair is an important step that contributes to optimal hair health.
But does conditioner work to restore your hair? Great question! Here’s what an experienced hair care service in Greensboro, NC has to say.
What is hair conditioner?
Hair conditioner is a conditioning or moisturizing agent that’s made up of specific ingredients, including silicones, emollients, oils and surfactants (a scientific term for soap that washes away oily elements). These ingredients combine to replenish some of the moisture that gets stripped away after shampooing. Look at store shelves and you’ll notice there are numerous types of conditioners, including deep conditioner (which penetrates strands more deeply), cleansing conditioner (which is a hybrid that simultaneously cleanses and conditions) and leave-in conditioner (a post-shower, no-rinse nourishing treatment that protects hair all day long).
How do you use conditioner, and how long do you leave it in?
There’s actually a right way and a wrong way to use conditioner. The right way is to apply it in fluid motions, being sure to squeeze the water out of your strands after shampooing to avoid dilution. You should leave the conditioner in for about two minutes, or three to five minutes if you’re deep conditioning.
How often should you use conditioner?
Hair stylists across the country recommend conditioning every time you wash your hair. Conditioners are designed to smooth and detangle hair, which helps reduce strand breakage and split ends and is the best way to add moisture back after washing. When your wet hair is conditioned properly, it makes it easier to comb and style.
Does hair conditioning have benefits?
Aside from adding moisture back to washed hair, conditioner also refortifies hair cuticles with a protective coating that keeps hair growing and safe from breakage. The cuticle—the outer lining of the follicle—gets damaged over and over again until it ultimately breaks, but your conditioner is there to fill in any damage, which gives cuticles a chance to thrive.
What are the negative effects of conditioner on hair?
Where there are benefits, there are often some downsides. Luckily for hair conditioner users, very few negatives exist. Likely the scariest issue is having an allergy to an ingredient in a conditioner product. There is potential for allergies in a small number of people, which can cause contact dermatitis. Another negative is found more among acne-prone individuals who don’t rinse conditioner from their hair thoroughly enough. This can lead to breakouts on the face, neck and/or body, because conditioners can clog pores.
To be sure you receive the best hair care service in Greensboro, NC, come to Raveen Hair Replacement. Our team is here to help with everything from hair styling to hair replacement.