Hair Conditioned: The Basics

In order for hair to obtain and maintain proper moisture and elasticity, conditioning is an important part of your hair care regime. Conditioning is done in a variety of ways, from the instant conditioner you use after shampooing, to deep, intensive conditioner that penetrates the hair to give as much moisture to hair as possible, to leave in conditioner that you can apply throughout the day.

Instant conditioner is probably the most common and often used conditioner. Most of us use instant conditioner to counteract the drying detergents that are in shampoo. Instant conditioner forms a barrier on the hair, usually using wax, that attempts to lock in moisture to the hair while it is wet. Instant conditioner may also help with controlling static electricity that can make for flyaway hair, add body to limp and fine hair, and prepare hair for styling. For some, instant conditioner is good for applying to the hair like a leave in conditioner, especially for coarser hair. I like to put it on after cleansing my hair, and leaving it in as my hair dries. It keeps my hair soft and moist. Not all instant conditioners are created equal, though. You must find the best conditioner for your hair type. That goes for any type of conditioning method you choose.

I like to use the inexpensive conditioners to cowash my hair, not only to save money and keep buildup at bay, but so that I can customize it to what my hair needs. For example, to add strength and moisture, I add shikikai(protein and strength) and brahmi(moisture and strength) powders, with a bit of amla(moisture) oil. This way it makes a specialized conditioner from a cheap conditioner that is a boost to my hair health. Recently for a small boost of color and extra moisturizing, I have added hibiscus powder to the conditioner also. The hibiscus powder I have is reddish in color, so if you have blonde or light-colored hair, you might want to be careful with it. Hibiscus powder is sometimes used to make conditioner.

You can find these powder and oils online or at a local Indian grocery.

Deep conditioning can keep your hair protected from the elements

Here's my favorite: deep conditioning. Deep conditioning is a great way to impart penetrating moisture into the hair. This type of conditioner is applied to either wet or dry hair, then is left on for several minutes to several hours. This allows time for the conditioner to penetrate deeper into the hair cuticle so that proper elasticity can be obtained to the hair. This type of conditioning can be done from once a month to a few times a week, depending on the type of hair you have, and the condition of the hair from day to day. I like to deep condition because it's like having a mini spa day for myself. To make it penetrate even more, I apply my DC to dry detangled hair, put on a conditioner cap, and sit under the dryer for about 45-60 minutes. This is important, as it raises the cuticles of the cuticles of the hair, so that the conditioner has no barrier to get to where it needs to go. Doing this on dry hair makes sure that water does not displace the crucial benefits that are coming from the conditioner. If I need an extra boost, I do a homemade steam for my hair. How do I do the homemade steam and what is it? Read on.

Steaming while deep conditioning imparts as much moisture to your hair as your hair will be able to take. While most heads of hair can benefit from the steam treatment, I find that it works best for hair that is more coarse in texture, such as African American hair.

There are salons that offer steam conditioning treatments, and if you've ever been to one, you well know what a treat it is indeed. The machines look similar to hooded driers, but instead of hot air, there is wonderful, wonderful steam. Not only is the hair shiny and soft after treatment, but hair that is prone to puffing up in humidity is less likely to do so. This is because the steam has infused moisture into the hair. Our hair has a limit to how much moisture it can take in. Therefore, hair that has been given a steam condition treatment is practically humidity proof. When my naturally curly hair starts to frizz and fight against my hairstyles, I know it's time for a steam treatment. After, I can tell the difference right away; my curls stay curly, and if I happen to straighten my hair for a special occasion, my style not only stays straight, but it keeps its style much better than when my hair is need of intensive care. Read on for a home steam treatment.

Thanks to a wonderful woman from this message board, I was able to take a steam treatment for a test drive before investing in a professional hair steamer.

What you will need are:

2 microfiber turban towels
2 conditioner caps
microwave
water
rubber gloves
deep conditioner

1. Once the conditioner is applied to your hair, take a microfiber towel and completely soak them, then wring them out until they are a little more than damp.

2. Put them into a large storage bag. Heat them in the microwave until they are hot and steamy.

3. After they are steamed, put on your rubber gloves.

4. Take one towel and let it cool a bit before wrapping it around your hair.

5. Fasten the towel and put a conditioner cap over it.

6. Take the other towel and wrap that over the first conditioner cap.

7. Put the second conditioner cap over that towel.

You can either wear the towels this way for about 30 minutes, rewarming the towels as they cool, or you can sit under a bonnet or hard top dryer if you have one.

After the allotted time, remove the towels and conditioner caps and rinse your hair with cold water. After rinsing, you should notice that your hair is oh so soft and moist. I dare you to keep your hands out of your hair! Either let your hair air dry or style as usual.

Sold at Walgreen's and the walgreens website.

Ingredients: Deionized Water - Aqua , Rosemary Leaf Extract - Rosmarinus Officinalis , Peppermint Leaf Extract - Mentha Piperita , Cetyl Alcohol , Stearalkonium Chloride , Polyquaternium 11 , Olealkonium Chloride , Peppermint Oil - Mentha Piperita , Panthenol , Glycerin , Jojoba Oil - Buxus Chinensis , Wheat Amino Acid , Tocopherol , Grapefruit Seed Extract - Citrus Grandis , Diazolidinyl Urea , Quaternium 22



Looking for an affordable conditioner one day, I came across this one. The rosemary and mint grabbed my attention. The rosemary because of its ability to aid in hair growth, and the mint for its tingling effects. I bought this before a jaunt to the East Coast, where the weather is not as warm as where I live (Southern Cali). At any rate, this conditioner is rather thick in consistency and feels nice going on. I use it for conditioner washes and let me tell you, the tingle is absolutely fantastic! Even after rinsing it off, I felt a cooling tingle for at least a day. It gives a fair amount of slip to the hair, but not enough in my opinion to take the place of a more penetrating conditioner.

Walgreen's has it for about 7.99. There are a variety of BioInfusion products, and I'm going to give some other ones a try. All in all I say the rosemary mint is a keeper for me.