Dry hair can appear dull and rough, and is prone to frizz and breakage. One of the best remedies is a deep conditioner hair treatment. It provides moisture and nutrients to your strands. Yet, how often should you use a deep conditioner – particularly if your hair is very dry? It simply depends on what your hair needs.
What Is a Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment?
A deep conditioning hair treatment is a product formulated to deeply moisturize and repair the hair. All conditioners contain moisturizing agents – humectants and emollients. Humectants bind water to the hair, whereas emollients seal in moisture and soften the hair.
However, deep conditioners contain these in much higher concentrations than regular daily conditioners. So more conditioning agents deposit on the hair. Some formulas also contain small molecules—e.g., certain oils/proteins—that can diffuse into the fiber.
The conditioning effects generally last until your next shampoo, thanks to conditioning agents that remain on the fiber. They are designed to restore hydration, smoothness, and strength to your hair.
Who Needs Deep Conditioning the Most?
Except your hair is extremely oily, applying a deep conditioner occasionally can help maintain healthy strands. That said, certain hair types and situations need deep conditioning the most:
Dry Hair
If your hair is naturally dry, you’ll see great benefits from deep conditioning. Hair can lose moisture for many reasons. Bleaching, being one of them, can leave your hair dry, porous, and brittle.
Similarly, extreme heat styling can strip your hair of its moisture. Consequently, adding a deep conditioning treatment for damaged hair to your routine is important if you heat style.
Curly, Coily, or Textured Hair
The scalp’s natural oils (sebum) don’t travel down the hair shaft as easily on curly hair. The result is drier lengths that crave moisture. If you have curls, you need to deep condition more to keep your hair hydrated; regular deep conditioning is a must for maintaining curl health and reducing frizz.
For a more focused approach to frizz for curly hair, follow this 5-Step Curly Hair Routine That Eliminates Frizz Fast
Damaged or Chemically Treated Hair
Your hair may have been subjected to some coloring, bleaching, or relaxing. Thus, it is likely prone to some damage and dryness. Deep conditioning is especially beneficial before and after such processes to fortify the hair. Using a deep conditioner after coloring/lifting helps restore moisture lost during the process.
GK Hair’s Deep Conditioner is a must-have if you have damaged hair. It nourishes, moisturizes, and leaves the hair 8 times healthier!
Long Hair
The longer your hair, the older the ends tend to be. Those ends have been through the most wear and tear – think years of washing, styling, and sun exposure. Long hair also means it’s harder for scalp oils to reach all the way down.
This often leaves the tips of long hair dry and prone to splitting. Applying a deep conditioner on those ends can keep them supple and strong.
Benefits of Deep Conditioning for Dry Hair
Deep conditioning is not an additional step that serves no purpose. It provides tangible benefits, especially for dry or damaged hair. Here are some of them:
- Intense hydration and softness
- Frizz control
- Enhanced shine
- Increased strength
- Breakage prevention
- Improved elasticity and manageability
- Revitalization for dull hair
How Often Should You Use a Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment?
Now to the big question: how often should you deep condition dry hair? The ideal frequency depends on the condition of your hair, its type, and what the hair has been through.
General Rule of Thumb
Deep conditioning once a week would keep dryness at bay. However, you don't have to condition daily.
Excessive use of a deep conditioner may cause an overload of moisture or hair residue. This may create product build-up or even weigh down your hair. Over-conditioned hair may even begin to feel greasy.
Moreover, in case you are unfamiliar with deep conditioning or unsure of how your hair will react, you can begin on a small scale. You can begin with a treatment once a month and increase frequency as needed.
Ultimately, weekly is a common sweet spot, but pay attention to your hair’s signals:
- Should your hair remain dry or still appear frizzy at the end of the week, you may need to condition it a little more frequently or with a richer product.
- If your hair becomes oily after a week, you may be applying the deep conditioner too often. Then you need to reduce the frequency.
Damaged or Color-Treated Hair
Freshly colored hair or damaged hair typically needs extra moisture. As such, the standard weekly conditioning may not be enough – at least not initially. You may need to deep condition more frequently, albeit for a short term, to help repair and rehydrate your hair.
In the case of incredibly damaged hair, hair professionals recommend 1 - 2 in-depth conditioning sessions once a week to kick-start the process. Once you believe that your hair is soft enough and strong enough, you can cut it down to one or two times a week.
You can also combine your deep conditioning treatment with a gentle, color-safe conditioning shampoo such as GK Hair Moisturizing Shampoo to keep it hydrated while preserving color.
Fine/Thick Hair
If you have fine, thin hair, you need to be a little careful with deep conditioning. Fine hair can easily become weighed down by rich conditioners, causing greasiness. For these hair types, deep conditioning about 2 to 4 times per month can be enough.
You can also mitigate against greasiness by applying the treatment only from mid-length to the ends rather than on your roots/scalp. You can choose a lightweight deep conditioning formula designed for fine hair.
If you have thick hair that’s naturally on the drier side, you can deep condition more often. Your hair can handle it. Many people with thick or curly hair find that deep conditioning once a week is ideal. For extra softness, finish with GK Hair Leave-In Conditioner Cream.
The bottom line is to watch your hair’s needs. Your deep conditioning routine should not be static all year. You can even increase or reduce the frequency based on seasonal changes or climate, as they can affect your hair’s moisture craving.
How to Apply Deep Conditioning the Right Way
- Shampoo your hair using GK Hair’s pH+ Clarifying Shampoo occasionally to remove dirt or buildup that could block the conditioner from absorbing.
- Take a generous amount of GK Hair’s Deep Conditioner and apply it to your hair with an application brush.
- Work the product through your hair using a vent brush to ensure even distribution.
- Put on a heat cap and heat at medium temperature for like 20 minutes.
- Then, allow the hair to cool for 10 minutes.
- Rinse out the product thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water.
- Blow dry and style as usual
Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid
Keep these in mind to get the most out of your deep conditioning routine:
- Choose the right products for your hair.
- Deep condition regularly, but don’t overcondition.
- Apply enough product to cover your strands.
- Avoid applying deep conditioners directly to your scalp.
- Add heat for deeper penetration.
- Always deep condition after shampooing (not before).
The Smart Way to Hydrate Dry Hair
Many do not have to apply a deep conditioner more than once a week. However, when your hair is damaged or color-treated, you must raise the frequency. Whichever way, ensure you select a rich conditioner and follow the recommended best practices. You can also treat your dry hair to our Intense Moisture Pack to unlock lasting hydration for your hair.
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