How To Deep Condition Your Hair?

Are you looking for a solution to fix your lifeless, dry and brittle hair? Deep conditioning treatments can be a great way to revive your dry and dull hair, no matter what your natural hair type is.

In this article, we tell you about the different deep conditioning treatments and how these treatments can enrich your hair with essential nutrients and hydration.

Let’s begin!

Highlights:

• What Is Deep Conditioning?
• Is Deep Conditioning Good For Your Hair?
• Benefits Of Deep Conditioning Treatment
• How To Do Deep Conditioning?
• How Long Should You Deep Condition Your Hair?
• Can You Condition Overnight?
• The Dos & Don'ts Of Deep Conditioning
• How Often Should You Deep Condition Your Hair?
• Should You Condition Your Hair After Deep Conditioning?

What Is Deep Conditioning?

Deep conditioning hair treatments involve the processes of applying different hair masks or oil formulations that may contain a combination of humectants and emollients [1]. While the humectant agent helps in hydrating your manes, the emollient agent imparts softness and shine besides adding a protective layer around the hair strands.

“Unlike the normal conditioners available in the market, deep conditioners penetrate more deeply into your hair and protect it from different kinds of damages for days after the application,” says Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.

Is Deep Conditioning Good For Your Hair?

Yes. Regular deep conditioning reduces hair breakage. It keeps your hair hydrated and healthy irrespective of your hair type. If your hair is already in a healthy condition, deep conditioning is still recommended to strengthen it further and prevent it from damages caused by heat, traction, environment, chemicals, etc.

Benefits Of Deep Conditioning Treatment

• Deep conditioning delivers required nutrients and proteins to your hair that helps in repairing the damaged and integrated cuticles. This is how it nourishes and strengthens the hair that is dry, brittle and broken.
• It helps in trapping the moisture inside and restoring the lipid (sebum) barrier in your hair shaft, which improves the elasticity and shine in your hair.
• Deep conditioning keeps your hair detangled for days.
• If you live in humid conditions and can’t get rid of frizziness in your hair, deep conditioning can be your best option to deal with it.
• You can notice enhanced softness and smoothness in your hair texture after a few sessions of deep conditioning treatments.

How To Do Deep Conditioning?

1. Ayurvedic Herbs For Deep Conditioning

A. Amla

Amla can be used for any hair type.

Procedure

• Prepare a hair mask by adding 2-3 spoons of amla powder to a cup of yogurt.
• Apply it from the roots to the tips of your hair.
• Leave it for half an hour and then rinse it off thoroughly using cold water.

B. Aritha

Aritha or Reetha can be used for any hair type.

Procedure

• Mix a spoon of reetha powder in half a cup of freshly made aloe vera juice.
• Add another half cup of water to it to prepare a fine solution.
• You can use this solution as a no-lather shampoo by pouring it all over your hair.
• Massage your hair for a few minutes and leave the solution on your hair for 15-20 minutes.
• Finally, rinse your hair with cold water.

C. Bhringraj

Bhringraj can be used for any hair type.

Procedure

• Add 2-3 spoons of bhringraj powder to a cup of yogurt.
• Add a spoon of coconut oil to it and mix the ingredients well to form a fine paste.
• Apply the paste to your hair properly and wash it off after half an hour.

D. Brahmi

Brahmi can be used for Vata and Pitta hair types.

Procedure

• Add 2 spoons of brahmi powder to 2-3 spoons of freshly extracted aloe vera gel.
• Mix the ingredients well to form a thick paste.
• Apply the paste all over your hair.
• Leave it for half an hour before washing it off using a mild herbal shampoo.

E. Henna

Henna can be used for Pitta and Kapha hair types.

Procedure

• Add 2-3 spoons of henna to half a cup of water.
• You can also add 1-2 spoons of yogurt to the mixture to prepare a smooth paste.
• Now, apply the henna paste thoroughly to your hair.
• After half an hour, wash it off properly using a mild herbal shampoo.

F. Methika

Methika can be used for Vata and Kapha hair types.

Procedure

• Soak fenugreek seeds overnight and grind them into fine paste the next morning.
• Apply the paste to your scalp and hair.
• Wait for half an hour and then rinse your hair properly with cold water.

2. Warm Oil Therapy With Essential Oils

Treating your hair with essential oils adds a protective shield to your hair shaft and enhances the cuticle integration, thus, preventing moisture loss in your hair.

“Applying warm oils helps in opening up the cuticles, which maximizes the penetration of the oil into the internal layers of your hair shaft. This way your hair is deeply conditioned,” says Dr. Zeel.

Procedure

• You can use any essential oil like peppermint [3], geranium, lavender, clary sage, rosemary, tea-tree, grape seed oils for a deep conditioning treatment.
• Add a few drops of any of your favorite essential oil to 3-4 spoons of any carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil.
• Warm up the oil on a low flame and put it aside.
• Now divide your hair into small sections and apply the warm oil from roots to tips.
• After applying thoroughly across your hair and scalp, wrap your hair with a damp hot towel.
• Leave it for 30-45 minutes before washing your hair with a mild Ayurvedic shampoo.

3. DIY Deep Conditioning Hair Masks At Home

A. Honey + Olive Oil For Dry Hair

Procedure

• Mix honey and olive oil in equal quantities.
• Shampoo your hair thoroughly.
• After your hair dries completely, apply the mixture of honey and olive oil all across your hair.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it for half an hour.
• Wash your hair again using a mild Ayurvedic shampoo.

B. Egg + Coconut Oil For Dry Hair

Procedure

• Add 2 spoons of coconut oil [4] to 1 egg yolk and mix them well to form a smooth paste.
• After shampooing and drying your hair, apply the mixture to your hair from the roots to the tips.
• After half an hour, rinse your hair with cold water.

C. Mayonnaise + Avocado For Normal Or Combination Hair

Procedure

• Add 1/4 cup of mayonnaise to the pulp made of half avocado. Mix them well to form a smooth paste.
• Add a few drops of any essential oil of your choice to the mixture and stir it again.
• Apply the paste to your clean hair and cover it using a shower cap.
• After half an hour, wash your hair using cold water.

D. Honey + Banana For Any Hair Type

Procedure

• Add 1 spoon of honey [5] to the pulp made of 1 ripe banana.
• Mix the ingredients well and apply the mixture to your damp hair.
• Leave it for half an hour and then wash your hair as usual with a mild Ayurvedic shampoo.

E. Honey + Apple Cider Vinegar + Yogurt For Any Hair Type

Procedure

• Add 1 spoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 spoon of honey to 1/2 cup of plain yogurt.
• Mix the ingredients well to form a fine paste.
• Apply the mixture to your damp hair and rinse it off thoroughly after half an hour.

4. Store-Bought Deep Conditioning Products

If you can't allocate time to make deep conditioning masks at home as per your hair type and needs, then you can opt for ready-made deep conditioning products to restore the health of your hair.

Some of the key ingredients of the ready-made chemical-based deep conditioners are sodium PCA, propylene glycol, glycerol, erythritol, etc. However, ensure the products do not contain any harmful chemicals and alcohol.

Vedix Tip: You can choose a heavy deep conditioning product if you have textured hair that is dry and brittle. If you have a greasy, fine or straight hair type, then you can choose a lightweight product for deep conditioning.

Procedure

• Ensure that your scalp and hair are free from dirt and excess oils by having a thorough hair wash with a mild shampoo.
• Apply the deep conditioner to the shaft portion of your hair generously. Ensure that the dry regions of your hair shaft such as tips or split ends are sufficiently fed with the deep conditioner. Do not apply it to your hair roots.
• Leave the deep conditioner on your hair for about half an hour or as per the instructions given on the product. This allows the product to set into your hair.
• You can use a hair steamer for 10-15 minutes to speed up the conditioning process.
• Finally, use cold water to rinse off the conditioner from your hair thoroughly and leave it to air-dry naturally.

How Long Should You Deep Condition Your Hair?

You can leave your hair with a deep conditioner mask for 15-30 minutes depending on the intensity of your hair damage. If your hair is too dry, then you can put the deep conditioner on for as long as 40 minutes in a single session.

Can You Condition Overnight?

It is not recommended or necessary to leave your hair with deep conditioning masks overnight. However, if you are deep conditioning your hair with warm oil treatment, then you can leave your hair with oil overnight and wash it off the next morning.

The Dos & Don'ts Of Deep Conditioning

Dos

• To make your hair less prone to breakage and frizz, treat your hair with deep conditioning regularly. You can include deep conditioning in your weekly hair care regimen if your hair is weak and getting limp.
• Heat your conditioning masks or oils to 95-degree Fahrenheit before applying them to your hair for increased absorption. This doubles the nourishing and moisturizing effects on your hair while making it more soft and smooth.
• Keep altering your deep conditioning treatments. If you are applying a hair mask in one session, then go for a warm oil treatment for the next session. This helps in maintaining the protein-moisture balance in your hair.

Don'ts

• Do not overdo deep conditioning. Putting on deep conditioning masks for longer hours or applying them daily may be detrimental to your hair.
• Never use deep-conditioning masks as leave-in conditioners.

How Often Should You Deep Condition Your Hair?

The effect of deep conditioning treatments may last for 2-4 weeks. However, you need to set the frequency of deep conditioning depending on your hair needs. If your hair is normal or oily, then you can do deep conditioning twice or thrice a month. If you are someone with dry hair that is in highly damaged condition, then you must do deep conditioning once a week for quick revival.

Should You Condition Your Hair After Deep Conditioning?

It is not necessary to use a conditioner after deep conditioning treatment. A deep conditioner has much deeper and lasting benefits for your hair than a normal conditioner.

Important Note:

Please consult your doctor before using a deep conditioner on your hair, especially if you have pre-existing conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, etc. on your scalp.

The Last Word

Deep conditioning helps in regulating the distribution of sebum across your hair strands, keeping it hydrated and more manageable. While the water-based deep conditioning treatments help people with greasy hair type, the oil-based ones are recommended for those with extremely dry hair.

At Vedix, we customize an Ayurvedic hair care regimen by evaluating your hair problems and needs by understanding your dosha imbalances.