Deep Hair Conditioning: What It Is, How To Do It and Recipes

For people with dry hair or for those with curly hair, you understand the struggles of having drier hair than others. This means hair breakage and more hair fall. The only solution to your hair problem is to deep condition.

What are deep conditioners?

Deep conditioners are not the same with regular conditioners, as it specializes on uber-dry hair. Regular conditioners can moisturize the hair, but as we have said, some hair types need more moisture. Deep conditioners, on the other hand, provide more intense moisture as you leave it on your hair for a longer time, allowing it to soak in. But deep conditioners stay on for around 30 minutes and even continue working in the days after application.

All of these magical properties are due to the emollients and humectants. Emollients have the ability to reduce moisture loss from your hair by forming a little waterproof protective barrier around your strands. In other words, it becomes like a glass bottle that keeps all the moisture in and that nasty dryness out. Humectants bind to water, adding it into your hair strands. It’s like having tiny sponges attached to your curls, sucking all that moisture in and giving it to you.

What you need

Ideally, you’ll want:

• deep conditioner
• hair clips/bands
• a shower cap or grocery bag
• towel
• comb

7 steps for deep conditioning

1. Hop in that shower. You can just do it over the sink, but you want to make sure that you get your hair moist enough before applying your deep conditioner. The shower is just easier — and you get clean at the same time! #Bargain
2. Apply shampoo, or give your hair a good rinse. You mainly just want your hair to be clean. If it’s a little oily or greasy, get that shampoo lathered up. If it’s looking good, you can just give it a thorough wetting.
3. Apply the deep conditioner. If you’ve got tight curls or dry hair, slather that stuff all over. If your hair tends to be oily, you’re better off avoiding your scalp — go about halfway up your strands.
4. Comb it through. You can do this with your hands or use an actual comb. Either way, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve applied a good, thorough coating onto your hair.
5. Clip or tie up long hair. Putting in a clip to keep long hair secure may help with the next step…
6. Cover it up! This is where the shower cap or humble grocery bag comes into play. Put that bag over your hair. Don’t be shy! The heat that gathers under either cap or bag helps the conditioner soak in.
7. Leave for a while. Check the instructions on your deep conditioner, but 20 to 30 minutes is usually about right.

What to do after deep conditioning natural hair

After deep conditioning your hair, the first thing you want to do is give it a good rinse out with cold water. As tempting as it may be, avoid using warm water. That’s because cold water helps your hair cuticles to close and gives you that sleek, glossy look while warm water can open up your hair cuticles. Use cold water to keep that lovely moisture and cuticles looking great.

Recipes for DIY deep conditioners

• Honey and banana. You’ll need 1 ripe banana, and 1 tablespoon honey. Bananas are full of vitamins and good stuff. Honey is a natural humectant. Mix these two ingredients together, and it’ll whip your hair into shape!
• Avocado awesomeness! Grab 1/2 avocado, 1 egg, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Smash it all together. Leave on for 30 mins. Eat an avocado and egg sandwich while you wait.
• Go Greek. Get yourself 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 avocado, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 tablespoon honey. All the good oils and moisturizers you can possibly get, combined for extra effectiveness!