How to Deep Condition Natural Hair for the Best Results:

The issue of dry hair is something that many naturals experience and want to alleviate. Kinky, curly, and coily hair types are prone to dryness. The various bends and spirals throughout these hair types make it a little more difficult for the oils produced at the roots of the hair, to reach the entirety of the strand. If you find that your natural hair is constantly dry however, regularly deep conditioning can help to combat this issue.

What is deep conditioning?

Deep conditioning involves the use of a hydrating deep conditioner and restores much-needed moisture back into your strands, often with the aid of heat (e.g. steam, hooded hair dryer). It provides multiple benefits including improved moisture retention and strengthened strands. To make sure you are getting the best results out of your deep conditioning routine, there are a few tips to keep in mind.

How to deep condition natural hair for the best results:

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1) Make sure you are using the right deep conditioner

To make sure you are getting the most out of your deep conditioning process, you should first choose a deep conditioner that is right for you. Any good deep conditioner should contain mostly nourishing ingredients as opposed to chemicals or other additives that can do more harm than good in the long run – silicones, parabens, etc. Good, nourishing ingredients include essential oil blends, butters, natural extracts, plus more.

If your hair is damaged, you may want to consider using a deep penetrating treatment once a month. These types of conditioning treatments contain proteins and other strengthening ingredients to help fill in the gaps throughout the hair cuticle.

2) Deep condition weekly

How to deep condition natural hair for the best results should be done on a weekly basis. Deep conditioning weekly will produce multiple positive effects. Improved manageability, better moisture retention, and stronger strands, are just a few benefits of deep conditioning your natural hair weekly.

A great time to deep condition is on your designated wash day after you have shampooed your hair and have removed your strands of build-up. This will allow the deep conditioner to be fully absorbed. If your schedule does not allow for a weekly deep conditioning treatment, bi-weekly or monthly treatments will still benefit your natural hair.

3) Use a form of heat for the best results

Using heat is a highly recommended way of getting the best results when deep conditioning. This heat can come in the form of a hooded hair dryer, steam, etc., all with a shower cap placed over your hair and the conditioner to trap moisture. The heat will help to open the hair cuticle to more thoroughly and quickly absorb the product.

If you don’t have a heat source or would rather not use heat when deep conditioning, you can still achieve favorable results without it. As long as you are using a shower cap to cover your hair, moisture is still being trapped and absorbed as heat is generated from your natural body heat. The product may just take longer to absorb.

4) Leave the product on for an adequate amount of time

In order for your deep conditioner to be fully absorbed and to see the best results, it should be left on your hair for an adequate amount of time. The product label will usually recommend how long you should leave their treatment on your hair. Generally, leaving the deep conditioner on your hair for at least 20-30 minutes should give the product enough time to thoroughly absorb. If you’re using a more intense deep conditioning treatment, for example one containing protein, the amount of time it needs to be left on your hair may be lessened.

To add to this, it may be tempting to leave your deep conditioner on overnight. However, this should not become a habit as it is possible to over-moisturize your hair and in turn weaken your strands. Also, if you are not letting your deep conditioner absorb for long enough, you may not get any noticeably positive results.

5) Follow up with a moisture sealant

How to deep condition natural hair for the best results – follow up with a moisture sealant. After you rinse out your deep conditioner, your strands should be left feeling soft and hydrated. To retain as much of this moisture as possible, it helps to follow the L.O.C. or L.C.O. methods to seal your strands. These methods involve using a liquid or leave-in conditioner, an oil, and a cream, in the order of your choosing to lock in moisture throughout your strands.