How to Deep Condition Curly Hair (2023)

FAQs

How much should I deep condition my curly hair? ›

Curls need essential moisture to maintain their bounce and structure, as well as to help control frizz and unwanted flyaways. Those with curly hair should start by deep conditioning once a week, and increase the frequency to twice a week if you're still not getting the nourishment you need.

Deep conditioning works best when left on for at least an hour with the minimum being 15 mins. Some curlies do leave it for longer, so experiment to see what gives you the best results! So catch up on that book you've been meaning to, put on a face mask or simply curl up and take a nap while DC-ing!

Deep conditioners have more concentrated emollient and humectant ingredients and are left on the hair longer than daily conditioners. Most people can use a deep conditioner once per week. Comb through from the mid-shaft to the ends, leave on for 20 minutes, and rinse with cool water.

If you notice your hair is frizzy after you apply conditioner, this may be because you haven't applied it on soaking wet hair. Your hair may also feel frizzy due to a lack of moisture, so you want to apply a deep conditioning masque that will help to prevent dryness.

Depending on your deep conditioner, you might apply the deep conditioner before you shampoo, or after you shampoo. But regardless, you should only apply a deep conditioner to wet or damp hair. This is the best way to ensure the product penetrates your hair strands and delivers all the rich moisture and nutrients.

If you use a lot of conditioner in an effort to make your curls look better, then you are leaving your curls in that weakened state which makes your hair limp and leads to more breakage and frizziness.

Dry, weak, overly soft, limp and/or flat curls, no matter how much conditioner you add to it, are usually the first signs that your hair is over conditioned. Over time, hair that is excessively conditioned with moisture-based conditioners becomes porous and starts to develop dryness as a result.

Over-conditioning can lead to an affliction known as hygral fatigue. This problem is brought on by continuous follicle expansion and contraction from excessive moisture retention. Overusing deep conditioners can put you at risk of developing hygral fatigue, especially if your hair is naturally porous.

• Do not apply deep conditioner to your scalp

Just like regular conditioner, deep conditioners are also meant for your hair strands and not the scalp. Your scalp generates sebum to keep your hair roots moisturised and can make your hair a bit greasy.

Applying a deep condition after you shampoo will help the hair shaft release the barriers of buildup, sebum, and debris and in turn, help the hair shaft absorb the ingredients from your conditioner. So which option is best? For optimal results, deep conditioning on freshly shampooed, wet hair will be best.

Can I deep condition my hair everytime I wash it? ›

You should deep condition after every wash but for some that is a huge time commitment and it may not be necessary. Washing your hair more than once or twice a week may be too often. Too much conditioning can create over-moisturized hair and disrupt the proper balance of moisture and protein that hair needs.

Signs that you may be suffering from moisture overload are if your hair feels excessively soft and mushy, if you're noticing that your curl pattern is looser, or if your hair strands stretch but don't revert or bounce back. It can also lead to excessive split ends, limp or dull hair, a lack of volume, and more.

The most obvious signs are dullness and a sticky feel." If you feel like you've used too much product in your styling routine and can't get the extra product out of your hair by using a spray bottle or light scrunching with a towel, Lemonds suggests rinsing your hair and starting over.

Wet hair is in a weakened state. Excessive moisture leads to something called hygral fatigue which causes damage to your hair, making it limp. That's why I don't recommend leaving a deep conditioner in your hair for longer than 30 minutes or air drying.

If your hair feels like straw, it's most likely a problem with moisture. This can typically be repaired by changing your usual hair products and your hair care routine. If product and lifestyle changes don't fix the problem, see your doctor or dermatologist.

Using The Wrong Products: Curly hair often needs styling products that hold the curls in place. However, overuse of styling products can leave behind product residue, leading to scalp build-up and dry hair. If your shampoo contains sulfates and alcohol, it can strip away your hairs moisture, leading to dry curls.

If you want to soothe your scalp and hydrate your hair, try adding aloe vera gel or juice to your treatment. Containing fatty acids, mashed avocados or avocado oil may increase the moisturizing properties of your mask. Adding an egg to your mask is claimed to nourish your hair, promote shine, and increase softness.

Deep conditioners are to be used after cleansing, not before. Shampoos usually have a pH balance of 8, which is slightly alkaline, enabling the hair shaft to swell and raise the cuticle layers for thorough cleansing. Deep conditioners have a pH balance of 3.5-6 to close the cuticle and seal in moisture.

Limp, gummy, or mushy hair — If your hair feels limp, gummy, or mushy when wet, then that is a strong indication that your hair is over-moisturized.

What does over moisturized hair feel like? ›

The hair will feel mushy, limp and excessively soft. Your curls will struggle to hold their shape, they will have little definition and tend to fall flatter than normal. You will have more frizz than normal, a fluffy, soft type of frizz. Your hair will feel weighed down, as if you applied too much product.

Your hair feels limp when you put too much conditioner on your hair. As over-conditioning adds too much moisture to the locks, your hair becomes very soft, looks sticky, and loses its natural volume. Also, it will look thin and feel heavy due to a lack of volume.

Curls tend to be naturally dry, even when you take care of them. Due to their spiraled shape, it's harder for the natural oils produced from your scalp to travel down and coat the strands, which is why they can get so frizzy.

As a general rule, try applying a leave-in conditioner once a week. If your hair is curly, dry, or damaged, you might want to apply it more frequently.

A Curly Girl-friendly hair care product must not contain sulfates, silicone, drying alcohol, parabens, and certain waxes and mineral oils.

Most deep conditioners should be left on your hair between 20-30 minutes. Anything above this timeframe isn't providing any additional benefits. By 30 minutes, your hair should have absorbed as much as possible and be moisturized enough to continue with your wash day.

Deep conditioning is the process of using a deep conditioner activated by heat for approximately 30-45 minutes to allow for the product to penetrate deeper within the hair shaft.

How Long Should You Leave Your Product On For? It is recommended that you leave your deep-conditioner on for not more than 30 minutes. Over-conditioning your hair can result in product build-up that can weigh it down. This also makes it difficult for other products to penetrate through the hair shaft.

"Your hair will automatically feel thick and bouncy, more manageable, and shinier!" says Philip. “Then apply conditioner to wet hair and let it sink in for a minute before you shampoo. Or, simply shampoo your hair and then apply conditioner from the mid-shaft down to the ends," suggests Philip.

In short form, hygral fatigue is when you've given your hair too much moisture. It is the result of the constant and excessive swelling of your hair cuticle and is often associated with hair porosity. When your hair is constantly swelling, your strands can become weaker, causing your hair to stretch beyond normal.

Should I use heat when I deep condition my hair? ›

Using heat to deep condition can actually help open your cuticle even more, allowing the product to penetrate deeper and really moisturize your hair. This is especially great if you're someone with low porosity hair.

Cold water should be used when rinsing out the conditioner from your hair at the end of wash day. This is because cold water closes the hair cuticles and pores in the scalp. This process adds luster and shine to the hair as the cuticles have been closed.

There is no need to use heat when deep conditioning. Apply the deep conditioner to wet, shampooed hair and leave it. How Long For? Leave the treatment on for 15 minutes to penetrate through the cuticle and reach the cortex.

The natural oils and the chemicals you leave behind by leaving your conditioner in for too long can weigh down your hair, making it look limp, unruly, and unhealthy. And last but not least, not rinsing out the conditioner can also attract dirt and dust, causing your locks to lose their luster.

Curly hair requires some special considerations, since it's so prone to dryness. Experts recommend washing your hair no more than every other day if you can, and as little as once per week if your hair is particularly parched.

Deep conditioning is essential to the hair care routine for people with curly hair. Curly hair is prone to dryness, tangles, and breakage, so deep conditioning treatment helps to hydrate and nourish the hair shaft. Moreover, it makes them super softer, smoother, and more manageable.

Deep conditioning is a process where you use a nourishing mask or treatment on your hair to restore moisture, repair damage, and add shine. It's an essential step in any curly girl's hair care routine as it can help to tame frizz, improve manageability, and give your curls a healthy boost.

Moisture and protein both play a vital role for defined curls depending on the porosity of your hair. A good deep conditioner will not only add back the moisture to your hair but also strengthen the hair with some added protein, helping your curls bounce back into shape.

Deep conditioners are to be used after cleansing, not before. Shampoos usually have a pH balance of 8, which is slightly alkaline, enabling the hair shaft to swell and raise the cuticle layers for thorough cleansing. Deep conditioners have a pH balance of 3.5-6 to close the cuticle and seal in moisture.

If you're noticing your hair is more frizzy than usual or lacking shine, it may be time to consider a deep conditioning treatment. Some people have hair that allows moisture to escape easier, giving it a duller look.

Is Deep conditioner the same as leave in conditioner? ›

The difference between a leave-in and a deep conditioner is that the latter takes things to the next level. Deep conditioning for hair allows you to improve your locks' elasticity, helping prevent further breakage and damage.

Limp, gummy, or mushy hair — If your hair feels limp, gummy, or mushy when wet, then that is a strong indication that your hair is over-moisturized. If you think you may be experiencing hygral fatigue, it's always best to immediately seek help from a hair care professional.

What Kind Of Layers Are Best For Curly Hair? To reiterate, layering is key for curly hair. Many times, the weight of curly hair pulls the curls down and forces it out of shape. When layered, however, curls and coils are more liberated and appear longer and fuller.

Curly hair is drier than other hair types. To keep it moisturized, condition all your hair, not just the ends. Apply a thick conditioner after washing your hair. Then, apply oil or leave-in conditioner after you have finished washing and conditioning your hair to assist with moisturization.

Not only are deep conditioning treatments really great at eliminating frizz and strengthening hair, but they also help in making your hair appear super soft and smooth in no time.

Most deep conditioners should be left on your hair between 20-30 minutes. Anything above this timeframe isn't providing any additional benefits. By 30 minutes, your hair should have absorbed as much as possible and be moisturized enough to continue with your wash day.

After deep conditioning, rinse hair with cold water to close the hair cuticle. Then, proceed with styling. Final verdict? Your hair will be shiny, softer, and feel like heaven.

After washing and conditioning your hair, using a leave-in — like our Quench — Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner — or a moisturizer is pivotal to maintain moisture. Applying the leave-in or moisturizer while your hair is wet or damp will help lock in the moisture that your hair craves.