Many think that to take care of the hair it is enough to wash it and occasionally use any conditioner, but just take a quick tour of the perfumery or the supermarket to understand that in reality this is not the case. Washing is an aggressive procedure that dries up the sebum, an oily material necessary for healthy hair. The conditioner, on the other hand, serves to moisturize them after shampooing, in order to repair damage and protect the stem. There are many products on the market, each specific for a particular type of hair. Obviously the needs of a fine and flat hair are different from those of afro curls. Similarly, oily hair needs different care than dry hair. For healthy hair, find out what type of conditioner to treat it with.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Examine Your Hair Type
Step 1. If you have fine, flat hair, use a volumizing conditioner
Straight, silky, frizz-free hair needs a product that creates volume, otherwise it will look glued to your head. Volumizing conditioners are lighter than regular ones, so using them regularly won't weigh down your hair.
Those with fine, flat hair should never use a straightening conditioner, otherwise they will weigh down even more
Step 2. If you have wavy hair, look for a light, moisturizing conditioner
Wavy hair is difficult to manage: when the air is humid, it can wrinkle, while when it is dry it can appear dull. The more a strand is curly, the drier it will be on the ends, because it is difficult for the sebum to be distributed from the scalp to the lengths. Wavy hair doesn't tend to be as dry as curly, but you still need to use a moisturizing conditioner to make up for the lack of oil on the ends.
- However, since wavy hair can still flatten out over the course of the day or when the weather is dry, avoid too nourishing conditioners, which will weigh them down.
- Look for products designed for wavy rather than curly hair.
Step 3. If you have thick, curly hair, use a nourishing conditioner
The more curls they are, the more they tend to dry out. Since the sebum does not distribute itself from the scalp to the tips, you will need a product that nourishes deeply to remedy. Otherwise, you will end up with dry and dull hair, prone to frizz.
- Look for deeply nourishing or conditioners specifically for curly hair.
- You should also have a moisturizing mask once a week or every 15 days. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse it off. With regular use you will observe a clear change: the curls will be elastic and defined, without frizz.
- You should also buy a leave-in spray conditioner. Spray it on dry or damp hair to keep it soft and hydrated.
Step 4. Protect afro curls with a nourishing or oil-based conditioner
This type of hair can be very unruly. However, with the right products, even the most curly hair can become shiny and healthy. Look for conditioners specially designed for afro hair - they offer much deeper hydration than others.
- We recommend products based on shea butter or various types of oils, from coconut to argan.
- Going off topic for a moment, remember that you shouldn't wash too frequently. Shampoo every 7-10 days, even better every two weeks. Overdoing it will drain the sebum, causing even more dryness and counteracting the benefits of hydration rituals.
Method 2 of 2: Examine the Health of the Hair
Step 1. If you have dyed hair, use a color-protecting or tinted conditioner
Wash after wash, the dye loses its shine. To maintain a vibrant color, choose a suitable conditioner.
- It is the water that drains the dye during the wash, not the conditioner.
- The conditioners that protect the color close the cuticles, allowing the hair to keep the color longer. The packaging should indicate that the product is sulfate-free, or specially designed to protect the color or extend its shelf life.
- Color conditioners release pigments each time they are used. Not only do they keep the color brilliance, they also hide the inevitable regrowth.
- Choose a tinted conditioner in a tone that matches your hair color.
Step 2. If you have oily, dull hair, avoid conditioner or use volumizing products
It is not necessary to hydrate the stem after shampooing. But if you don't feel like skipping this step, avoid moisturizing or nourishing products, otherwise they will make them look even more oily and flat.
Look for volumizing, light, strengthening or balancing products
Step 3. If you have slightly or moderately dry hair, use a moisturizing, nourishing or balancing conditioner
They shouldn't be severely brittle or damaged, just a little dry. If they are wavy or curly, choose a specially designed moisturizer.
Step 4. If you have extremely dry and frizzy hair, use a repair conditioner
In fact, you will need a richer formulation. Hair is often damaged and dried out due to prolonged exposure to the heat of styling, but that's not the only reason. Dryness can also be due to the fact that the scalp does not produce enough sebum to be able to distribute it along the lengths. In any case, conditioners designed for damaged hair are effective for dry hair, whether dryness is due to heat or natural causes.
- In addition to the usual conditioner, you should also buy a nourishing mask, to be used at least once a week.
- A coconut oil mask is another effective weekly treatment for extremely dry hair.
Step 5. If you have done the final ironing, look for specific conditioners and masks
Many women who have curly hair decide to undergo chemical straightening, a process that allows you to obtain a perfect smoothness, but it can also dry out the shaft. To combat the problem, do not overdo it with washing: do not shampoo more than twice a week. When washing them, you should use a nourishing mask or conditioner specifically formulated for hair treated with permanent straightening. You can also alternate shampoo with cowash, a technique that allows you to wash your hair with conditioner.
- Balms of this type are readily available in perfumery, in the supermarket or on the internet.
- When making a mask, leave it on for at least 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off, otherwise it won't have the material time to thoroughly moisturize your hair.
Step 6. Treat dandruff with a light, fragrance-free conditioner
Dandruff is a disorder that affects the scalp, not the hair. The skin on the scalp grows and dies at a faster rate than normal, leaving white flakes on the hair and shoulders. To combat it, shampoo plays a more important role than conditioner, but there are still many products on the market designed for this problem.
- Prefer light conditioners to nourishing or oily ones, which can make the problem worse.
- Hair products containing rather intense fragrances often irritate the scalp, worsening itching and dandruff production, so avoid them.
