A conditioner is used for 2 main purposes. The first one is to protect your hair. And the second one is to moisturize it. Haircare products have the power to nourish and strengthen your scalp while coating the cuticle in a protective seal. The extra layer protects your hair from damage and boosts the shine.
However, how often should you condition your hair? Can you over condition your hair? Yes but in order not to, you need to condition it a maximum of three times per week. Now, let’s learn a few tips on how to condition your hair right, what products you can use for and how to have healthy shiny hair.
Is it OK to condition your hair every day?
If you talk to stylists about this matter, they will tell you that it’s important to use a conditioner but it’s also important to use it the right way. It’s enough to apply your conditioner from mid-shaft to ends.
Yes, conditioning your hair will make it stronger but the strong formula will also make it almost impossible to style. Also, it could affect your scalp in a bad way if you ever over condition your hair.
Your scalp needs moisture regularly in order to stay healthy and keep an optimal condition for your hair follicles according to dermatologists. Therefore, when not hydrated properly, your scalp turns dry, tight, itchy and flakey.
I believe that I just described every woman’s nightmare, am I right ladies?
However, it’s not just women who suffer from dandruff but men too. However, I’ll talk about males later in this article, so stay with me. As I already said, your scalp can become extra dry if you apply products in the wrong way.
Also, it can cause hair loss which is everyone’s nightmare and a problem no one wants. According to experts, you need to condition your hair every time you wash it with shampoo.
Same goes for hydrating your skin after showering. However, it’s very important to apply this advice during the cold days because the dry conditions can cause dry skin as well. And this applies to your scalp and hair too.
However, keep in mind that washing your hair with shampoo every day isn’t recommended by experts.
Same applies to conditioners because of the loss of natural oils your hair and scalp produce on a regular basis. Every time you treat your hair with shampoo and conditioner, your natural oils are stripped away and your hair and scalp stay unprotected.
Yes, your conditioner provides temporary protection but what happens when it wears out?
Just like facial moisturizers, conditioners can’t restore your natural oils.
What about us with hair that releases extra oils, you wonder? It’s enough to condition your hair three times per week to keep it healthy-looking and remove all the excessive oil. I’m not saying that keeping your scalp is not important. However, stripping it from all the natural oils is not healthy at all.
Did you know that less washing allows your scalp to do its natural hair conditioning?
Also, have you ever wondered why experts suggest that you keep your hair unwashed and unconditioned for a few days before you apply a color to it?
How often should you condition your hair male?
As promised, I will discuss this matter from a male perspective. If you’re a man who takes care of his hair and body, congrats because rarely who man does.
However, it’s likely that you have less info on this subject because it’s not a popular conversation starter among men. But don’t worry because I’m here to help.
Yes, men do condition their hair just like women do and the same rules apply to them. It’s the same hair.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman, the suggested use of conditioner is three times per week.
Yes, some men use it daily. However, it’s not recommended because it can damage your hair and cause problems like an irritated scalp, flakes, dandruff, psoriasis and so on.
So, if your hair is prone to these issues, it’s recommended that you condition it 3 times a week.
Another common question is can you use your conditioner without using shampoo? The answer is yes, you can. However, in order to learn more about this matter, stay with me until the very end.
How often should you condition your natural hair?
If you’re wondering about deep conditioning, you’re in the right place. However, if you don’t know what deep conditioning really is, let’s talk about it before I continue with my tips. So, deep conditioning needs to be practiced by everyone. But not often because it could cause the same issues as over-conditioning.
Also, not everyone should use the same deep conditioning technique because we all have different hair. What works for you might not work for someone else and so on. However, why should you practice this process?
According to my research, it protects your hair if done properly. In fact, it repairs your hair and scalp. It also protects your scalp and hair from dryness and damage. But if you lack hydration, a deep condition is the key. Another benefit is healthy-looking vibrant hair.
You can choose between hundreds of deep conditioning treatments in the market. However, you can also make your own treatment at home.
How often should you deep condition your hair, you wonder?
Well, it depends on your hair’s porosity. This represents the level of moisture in your hair.
If you have low porosity, a regular deep conditioning treatment will get the job done but if you have high porosity, it’s super recommended that you avoid deep conditioning because it could worsen your hair’s state.
In order to determine if your hair has low or high porosity, you need a clean strand of your hair.
Next, fill a glass with warm water and carefully submerge it in the glass. After 15 minutes, check its status. If your strand sinks to the very bottom, it means that you have a hair with high porosity.
However, if it floats it’s a sign of low porosity. If your hair strand keeps floating in the middle, it means it has a regular porosity.
Once you have determined this, you can also determine the frequency of your conditioning. If you have a damaged hair, you need to apply a deep conditioner or a mask a maximum of 2 to 3 times per week in order to repair it.
If you have healthy hair, once per week will do. Also, keep it on your hair for about 30 minutes, no more.
Another question that I get a lot is if it’s allowed to sleep with your conditioner on?
The answer is negative. Experts don’t recommend sleeping with your conditioner in your hair. This might cause damage to your hair. Instead of creating a safe environment for your hair and scalp, it will imply bigger damage to it.
Instead of sleeping with your conditioner in your hair, keep in for 30 minutes max.
Can you over condition hair?
Yes, you can over condition your hair. And when this happens, your hair will become difficult to style.
This is why it’s important to understand the purpose of conditioning. Otherwise, instead of ensuring a safe environment for your hair, you will destroy your hair’s texture and you will not be able to style it.
Every time you condition your hair, you’re providing a fine coating that will protect it. However, if you over condition your hair, you keep oils, serums, and other hair care products from penetrating and doing their job. How can you over condition your hair, you wonder?
Well, it can happen if you’re using too much product. It could also happen if you’re leaving it in your hair for too long. Not washing away all the conditioner can also cause over conditioning.
That’s why experts suggest that you wash it twice to make sure that it’s all gone.
You can also over condition your hair if you condition it too often. Using the wrong product and involving other styling products can add to the issue as well.
However, how can you tell if you’re over conditioning your hair? Well, if your hair is dry and thick, there’s not a great chance at over conditioning it, you think. But that’s not true.
Built-up can happen on any type of hair. The first sign that you have over-conditioned your hair is when it becomes unmanageable and flat.
If you have fine hair, you will notice that it’s becoming oilier than usual. However, the question is what can you do?
After hours of research, I found out that using a clarifying shampoo is the best solution. You can also try a clarifying scrub. Did you know that exfoliating your skin once a week can prevent this from happening?
You can use a protein treatment in order to strengthen your hair or bring it back to normal.
But why heal when you can prevent it from happening in the first place? If you wonder how to prevent over conditioning, keep reading.
First and foremost, it’s important to use the proper amount of product. Second, always wash your hair twice after applying a conditioner to make sure it’s all out. Third, is important to use the right product in order to get the best results. Last but not least, don’t apply a conditioner more than 3 times a week.
Otherwise, you’ll not only damage your hair but also causes dryness and dandruff.
Can I condition my hair every day without shampooing?
It’s a common belief that conditioner and shampoo go together at any cost. However, it’s not true. You can use them separately or together. It’s a matter of personal preference. Erase the thought that using them in tandem is mandatory because it’s really not.
I have great advice for you when it comes to conditioning. You can shampoo your hair a few times per week and you can condition it on off days. This will prevent damage and keep your hair protected from over conditioning. Using a conditioner every day without shampooing is NOT recommended at any cost.
Yes, there are rules that are meant to be broken. However, this isn’t one of them. Going against this ‘rule’ can make your hair feel weird and irritate your scalp.
Also, it could cause dryness and dandruff and we don’t want that now, do we?
Yes, shampooing your hair keeps it clean while conditioning it keeps it soft and protected. However, you know that even medicine can act as a poison if you use too much of it. Same goes for your conditioner.
Does conditioner cause hair fall?
I’ve done my research on this matter and you can finally relax because conditioner can’t cause hair loss. It’s just a myth that conditioners have the power to make your hair fall out. On the contrary, they’re one of the best products that protect your hair from damage if you use them properly and not frequently. If you start to lose your hair, I kindly suggest that you visit a doctor because it could point out a disease.
Conclusion
Obviously, we all have different types of hair and react differently to different hair products.
However, there are a couple of universal rules you need to follow when it comes to shampooing and conditioning your hair. Of course, you’re not obligated by law to follow these rules but if you do, your hair will shine.
One of those rules is washing and conditioning your hair no more than 3 times per week.
I recommend this ‘rule’ because it works for me. Try it out and if it works for you, continue. If not, you can share your experience in the comment section below and ask for my advice on how frequently should you wash it.
I sincerely hope that my guide will help you take better care of your hair and scalp. Having a beautiful, healthy hair is not the most important thing in the world, however, it sure boosts your self-confidence.