Why Deep Conditioning is a Game Changer for Healthy Hair

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By Verna Meachum · Updated November 18, 2019

When it comes to our hair, it is important to keep it healthy. With all the manipulation, daily wear and tear, exposure to the elements during the week, it’s okay to give your hair an occasional deep conditioning treatment to help support health, hydration, strength, and overall appearance.

Deep conditioning is a process between shampooing and styling your hair designed to help restore and maintain moisture. Deep conditioners contain a concentrated mixture of cationic, moisture-boosting elements and sometimes proteins to both reinforce the hair cuticle and impart moisture. The proteins in the formula ensure that the hair retains the moisture it receives and secures it deep within their fiber to support hair until the next deep conditioning treatment. Incorporating a deep conditioning treatment in your regimen can help you maintain healthy hair.

There are many benefits of a deep conditioning treatment for your hair. Though many people use it, some people are still confused if they should use one or not.

Whose hair needs deep conditioning?

Not everyone’s hair. For those with healthy hair, deep conditioning is not necessarily needed. You can simply choose to use conditioner each time you wash your hair, but that is your choice. Using a deep conditioner on a regular basis, however, may cause your hair to look greasy and dry your scalp out. In this case, it’s okay to skip the deep conditioner.

Let’s look at what Wendy, the Hair Scientist had to say as to whose hair needs deep conditioning:

Bleached hair (highlights, “lightener,” hair dyed with permanent-color or demi-permanent color”>
Very long hair that feels dry and rough on the ends
Hair that tangles easily (it may be straight, wavy, curly or tightly coiled”>
Hair that is experiencing a lot of breakage (at the ends, mid-shaft splits, or anywhere else”>
Hair that is acting frizzy or poofy or flyaway and needs weight and/or slip to pull itself together
Hair that feels constantly dry
Hair that has spent many hours in the full summer sun, in swimming pools, in saltwater, in dry wind
Hair that feels dry, rough, inflexible and dull
Hair frequently straightened or curled with high-heat styling tools (high heat blow dryer, curling iron or straightening irons”>
Hair that has been chemically straightened or curled

Benefits of deep conditioning

Restores luster and shine
Promotes elasticity
Restore dry or damaged hair
Prevents damage
Adds moisture
Restores pH balance of hair
Mitigates damage from other treatments/chemical processes

Do’s and Don’ts

Now that you understand whose hair needs a deep conditioner and its’ benefits let’s discuss a few do’s and don’ts and how to know when your hair needs a deep conditioning treatment.

Don’t deep condition your hair daily
Make sure that you are not over conditioning your hair by leaving it on too long
Use indirect heat when deep conditioning to help it penetrate your hair shaft (especially low porosity hair”>
Use cool water to rinse, which will close the hair cuticle and keep the moisture in your hair

How to know when your hair needs a deep conditioning treatment

How often you should deep condition will depend on the condition of your hair (as mentioned above”>. Some people have dryer hair that may require deep conditioning 1 – 2 times a week. Deep conditioners should be used weekly on damaged hair and hair that is just beginning a new healthy hair regimen. Once hair regains its strength, deep conditioning frequency then becomes a matter of personal choice.