WHY SHOULD I DEEP CONDITION MY CURLS?

Curly, kinky, coily hair tends to be dryer compared to straight hair due to the structure of the hair strand, which makes it harder to get the hair's natural oils (sebum) to move down the hair shaft. Dry hair is far more prone to breaking and damage. Hair is much more manageable when it is moisturized. Whether you're dealing with dry hair, damaged hair, or your hair needs a little TLC; deep conditioning is an essential part of any hair care routine.When you deep condition, you strengthen the ends of your hair, which are the oldest and weakest part of your hair.  If you look after and strengthen the ends of the hair, you can slow down the process of split ends. 

Top 4 Reasons to Deep Condition:

·      Strengthens hair 

·      Promotes elasticity

·      Reduces split ends

·      Infuses moisture

HOW DO I DEEP CONDITION NATURAL HAIR? 

Step 1: Section Hair

After cleansing your hair with shampoo, part your hair into multiple sections.

Step 2:  Apply Deep Conditioner

Apply a generous amount of deep conditioner to each section until the section is fully saturated. Applying to soaking wet har helps with absorption. Concentrate on the ends of your hair as they are the oldest part of your hair and need the most love.

Step 3: Comb Through

Using your favorite detangling brush or wide tooth comb, move from ends to roots to ensure that the conditioner is evenly distributed to each strand. 

Step 4: Cover 

Cover your hair in a plastic cap.

Step 5: Apply Heat

Next, you want to warm the deep conditioner to help with penetration. This step is especially important for people with low porosity hair. Allow conditioner to stay on your hair between 15-45 minutes. You have many options to accomplish this step. You could sit under a hooded dryer, steamer or quickly warm the outside of the plastic cap using a blow dryer. You could wrap a bath towel on the outside of the cap and allow your body heat to warm the conditioner. You can even purchase a heat cap specifically designed for this step. Heat caps are less bulky than most hooded dryers, making them easy to store. 

Step 6: Rinse

Rinse hair with lukewarm to cold water. Using water that is colder helps seal your hair's cuticles, locking in moisture and reducing frizz. Conversely, rinsing your hair with hot water may lead to reduced moisture retention and frizzy curls.

Step 7: Style Hair

Move to the next step in your curly hair regimen and style your hair as usual. Then, step back and enjoy your soft and poppin' curls.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DEEP CONDITION MY NATURAL HAIR?

The frequency of your deep conditioning treatments will depend on your hair's individual needs. Most naturalistas deep condition once per week to once per month. Ideally, I try and deep condition once per week. The most important takeaway here is to deep condition regularly and consistently for the best results.

SHOULD I DEEP CONDITION MY HAIR OVERNIGHT?

There has been much debate on this topic in the natural hair community. The truth is, everyone's hair needs are different, and you need to learn what works for your hair. With that said, there has been no evidence that leaving a deep conditioner on overnight improves hair any more than leaving it on for 45 minutes to an hour. I have most certainly had days where I fell asleep with the deep conditioner still on my head and did not notice a difference in the softness or look of my hair compared to shorter conditioning sessions. Additionally, there have been instances where deep conditioning overnight excessively can lead to hygral fatigue or a moisture/protein imbalance resulting in limp, weak hair. 

WHAT TYPES OF DEEP CONDITIONER SHOULD I USE ON NATURALLY CURLY HAIR?

Deciding what type of deep conditioner to use will be determined by what you are trying to accomplish with your deep conditioner. For example, if you are looking to combat dry hair and increase moisture, you likely want to use a hair mask that mentions hydration. Masks or Masques tend to be thicker and heavier than other deep conditioners. If you need to add strength or repair damage, then you will want to look for a protein-rich deep conditioner. Be careful when choosing this option, as some people may be protein sensitive.  I typically alternate my deep conditioning treatments between moisturizing and protein week to week. 

Some of My Favorite Moisturizing Deep Conditioners:

Some of My Favorite Protien-Rich Deep Conditioners:

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Like: