If there’s one thing that everyone can do for their hair and scalp, regardless of how curly, fine, or thick your hair, it’s to deep condition your locks!

Our hair and scalp, just like our skin, is exposed to the elements and they lose moisture and nutrients throughout the day.

A common misconception is that deep conditioning is only for people who chemically treat their hair. Wrong! While it’s important for people who perms, highlights or colors their hair, deep conditioners are jam-packed with benefits for those who don’t.

So how is it different than an everyday conditioner? Well, its ingredients and its added moisture are what gives your hair a boost, and helps put in what you’ve taken out with chemical processes and styling.

Here’s what to expect when you get a Deep Conditioning treatment from LookAfter. We apply the deep conditioner, and then use heat to allow the conditioner to penetrate deep into the hair shaft. Translation? You get softer, silkier, shinier, healthier hair.

How often you deep condition depends on your hair type. Not sure what type you are? Listed below are some guidelines you can follow to best treat your hair.

Damaged (color treated/over processed/platinum blondes) If your hair is being colored on a regular basis (every 4-8 weeks) deep conditioning your hair 1-2 times a month will benefit your hair by adding shine, moisture, longevity of the color, and manageability. Your hair colorist will assess the amount of damage, and assign the proper deep conditioner for your hair type. If you allow more time in between color applications, then your deep conditioning treatments can be extended as well, however, the best time to do this is right after your color application (this will help seal the color into the hair shaft, which will fight fading) and then about halfway until your next application (which will keep the ends from looking dry and keeps the hair shiny and smooth).

Highlighted hair If you highlight your hair, you should follow the regimen of Damaged hair (above), unless you are going from very dark to very light. For over-processed, platinum or heavy highlighted hair, deep conditioners should be done ever week or every other week, depending on the distress your hair is in. In these cases it is best to deep condition once a week for one month, and then every two weeks the next month, followed by once a month after the condition of the hair has improved. You should be able to feel a difference in the hair especially the ends… along with a faster dry time. (Sweet!)

Thick, coarse, and/or grey hair  No matter the length of your hair, if your hair is thick or grey, deep conditioning treatments should be done either every two weeks to once a week, depending on the dryness and texture. Coarse hair can be deep conditioned once a week, while fine, grey hair should be conditioned only once a month. If you color your grey hair then see above. Someone with fine hair can get greys that are often the exact opposite of the texture of the rest of their hair (I know, it’s frustrating!). It often becomes wiry and unruly. BUT, deep conditioning your hair will help with this issue, if coloring is not an option or priority.

Very dry (over processed, excessive use of heat tools)  Excessive use of heat tools robs hair of moisture. While a protecting spray should always be applied before using any heat on the hair, a deep conditioner twice a month will help pick up the slack and revive the hair. Again depending on the texture of your hair will determine how often you actually want to deep condition the hair.

Long hair  The longer your hair is, the further it is away from its moisture source (oil from your scalp). Without regular maintenance haircuts (a half inch every 1-2 months) and no deep conditioning treatments, the ends of your hair become fragile and break as opposed to showing its growth. So while growing out your hair remember to deep condition at least once a month (again depending on texture) to give those ends the moisture they need.

Wash ‘n go (little or no heat/product applied to hair)  For those of us who prefer to not fuss over our hair (shall we say, “low maintenance”), but instead just wash and run out the door, we can also benefit from deep conditioners. Depending on the climate and time of year our hair is exposed to many different elements, and while we cannot always see them, they are affecting our hair. A deep conditioner once a month with help replace what is lost and will help with manageability. Now it’s not going to make your curly locks straight, but it will help manage your frizz and will give you more control over your hair.

Fine/thin hair  While individuals with fine hair don’t often think of themselves as someone who needs to apply a deep conditioner, it will still benefit the hair. You will not want to over condition (once a month is plenty, unless your hair is highlighted) to prevent the hair from being weighed down and heavy. Your stylist should be able to recommend a lighter deep conditioner that will penetrate and moisturize without making the hair to heavy for styling.

Deep conditioning at home
Any Hair Company can give you a Deep Conditioning treatment, so all you need to do is sit back, enjoy a scalp massage and relax. But if you need to deep condition more often than time allows you to stop into one of our Hair Companies, here are a few at-home tips:

• Shampoo and towel-dry your hair (especially the ends)
• Grab a shampoo cap (or plastic wrap, although it is more difficult to use with longer hair)
• Apply the deep conditioner to the shaft and ends of the hair first, working down (avoiding the scalp)
• Once it is worked into the ends, then move back to your scalp and massage in (If you suffer from dry or flaky scalp then it might be necessary to add more conditioner)
• Once it is applied, comb through the hair with a wide-tooth comb and then put on the shampoo cap or plastic wrap. This allows your body heat to be trapped and will activate the conditioners, and open your cuticle so the hair accepts the treatment.

Let this sit for about 10-15 minutes and then rinse. The cooler the water the better the results. This closes the cuticle and traps all the moisture and nutrients inside the hair.

If you are going to start a monthly regimen it is necessary to have a professional stylist assist you in picking out your conditioner so you are using the right one for your hair type.

Follow the steps for your hair type and enjoy that silky hair of yours!