Curls are notorious for dryness! Deep conditioning can quench your curls, but did you know there is a tried and tested way to deep condition to ensure maximum curl benefits! Check out these curly hair tips…
Let’s take a look at the mistakes you may be making whilst deep conditioning your curls.
The product itself
With all the curl hype in recent years, you’re sure to know your curl type? If not, take a look at our blog about curl types. If you have a loose, thin hair texture; type 2 and 3a, you need a deep conditioner that is not too heavy. Tighter type 4 curls on the other hand should opt for a the opposite; a heavy product.
As well as consideration to your curl type, it is necessary to determine whether your hair is low or high porosity, chemically treated, damaged, or has breakage/brittleness. While every deep conditioner is of course made to deep condition and nourish, some will be packed with ingredients to add protein. Protein filled products rebuild and strengthen hair strands, however, too much protein can lead to split ends and breakage. If you want to know the signs of your hair having too much protein, read this blog.
Insight has recently launched a wondrous curl mask that is the ultimate deep conditioning treatment for type 4 curls! The product won 2 awards at the 2023 Hair Awards!
ELASTI-CURL TEXTURED CURLY HAIR DETANGLING MASK
Your Timing
Do you deep condition too long? Too short? Not often enough? We suggest deep conditioning on a regular basis rather than for extended periods of time (overnight for example). For most curly hair, once per week is perfect! However, listen to your hair! If you feel you need more/less, then do it! Experiment until you find the ideal curl routine!
So, you have your frequency spot on, how about your leave on time? Deep conditioning treatments have instructions for a reason, take note! Leaving products on far longer than the required time can be damaging to your curl pattern, cause scalp irritation and build up that weigh your curls down.
Insights ELASTI-CURL TEXTURED CURLY HAIR DETANGLING MASK only needs to be left on for 5-10minutes.
The right way round
We hear so many influencers and social accounts shouting about the new innovative way to do things, until those myths are debunked and we stick to the solid way of life!
Always deep condition your curls after you shampoo, not before. Shampoo cleanses and strips the hair of natural oils (moisture), so shampooing after you apply deep conditioner will simply strip away all the moisturising goodness. Deep conditioner restores hair moisture and rebalances after you shampoo.
Deep conditioning your hair and then shampoo is technically a pre-pop. Pre-pooing is fab when extra moisture is needed but it’s NOT counted as a deep condition! For the perfect pre-poo, try Hair Awards 2023 double winner, ELASTI-CURL BOUNCY CURLS HAIR OIL.
“The mixture of phyto-oils inside makes it perfect for different uses, both as a finishing product and as a pre-shampoo treatment . This last use, especially recommended for thicker and denser curls, consists in applying a dose of elasticizing oil to dry hair before shampooing, and keeping it on for a few minutes, or even longer. This process will help untangle them and give the hair a boost of nourishment.”
Heat things up
We hear that adding heat is always bad right? Welllllll… not always when it comes to deep conditioning.
If you have low porosity hair, adding heat whilst you deep condition is a game changer! Adding heat will open up the hair cuticle so the moisturising formula can penetrate deep into the hair. Low porosity hair is very resistant to moisture absorption, it will gather product on top of the cuticles, not letting the rich conditioning action take place.
So, how can you add heat safely? Firstly, you can heat up your deep conditioner before you use it; place your product in hot water (not too hot as to damage the packaging). You can sit in a steamy bath whilst the deep conditioner is on your hair. Make sure you slather on body butter after, to replenish your sure to be dry skin. You may also use a hooded hair dryer to blast some indirect heat on your head.
Have you been making any of these mistakes? Let us know! Do you have any tips we could add to ensure our customers have the healthiest curls possible?
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