Proper hair care is essential for healthy hair. Many think that shampooing the hair alone is sufficient to clean, protect and nourish it. While most of the dirt and dust is removed with proper use of a good shampoo, shampooing the hair is by no means enough. The use of a good conditioner must follow.
The chemicals in the shampoo have a tendency to dry out the hairalong with the cleaning process.
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Coupled with the harsh conditions the hair is otherwise exposed to, mere
shampooing leaves hair dull and lifeless.Conditioners help hydrate and
moisturize the hair, giving it asilkier and a shiny look. Conditioning
helps to protect and improve hair texture, thereby reducing hair loss.
This extra protection makes the hair easier to manage and reduces
tangles.
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Conditioning is essential for dry type of hair as it prevents further drying out.For oily hair, mild conditioner should be used and mainly at the hair tips.
Choosing the wrong conditioner would result in the hair being lifeless and limp.Knowing how to choose the proper conditioner and how to properly apply conditioneris essential to hair health. |
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Choosing the ideal hair conditioner
Oneshould choose a hair conditioner based on one’s hair's unique needs.Hair conditioners can be categorized according to the job they perform.The different types of conditioners are:
Acidifiers: Conditioners with acidifiers aresuitablefor people with fine hair. These conditioners put acid into thehair,which helps to close the cuticle of the hair and hence producesshinyhair that is bouncy and flexible.
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Conditioning oils: Suitable for dry hair as these provide the essentialoils that are needed for healthy maintenance of hair. Detanglers: Detanglers shieldthe hair shaft and close the cuticle to prevent tangles. Most detangling conditionersare also acidifiers.
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Glossers: Glossers contain oils derived from silicone,which coatt he hair and reflect light, making it shine. They also helpin controlling frizz.
Moisturizers: Hair conditioners labeled as moisturizers contain compounds that attract and hold moisture in the hair. Moisturizing condition ersare good for people with dry, coarse hair.
Reconstructing conditioners: These contain protein to strengthenthe hair and are suitable for people with thinning hair or hair prone to breakage.
Thermal protectors: Thermal conditioners protect the hair fromheat and are ideal for people who use blow dryers, curling irons, straighteningirons, etc.
Leave-in conditioners: These conditioners require to be run throughthe hair using the fingers once the hair has been washed and left in. They do notneed to be washed off and gives the hair a shiny and smooth look once the hair hasdried off.
Conditioning tips - All hair types require conditioning to keep the hair shiny and flexible.
- Conditioning is a must for dry hair.
- For oily hair, use conditioner only onthe ends of the hair.
- For damaged hair use protein-rich conditioners.
- For dry hair use moisturizing or intensive-care conditioners.
- Do not applyconditioner on the scalp.
- Avoid using shampoos that will strip your hair and leave it dry.
Select a good conditioner which is meant for your hair type. Once you have shampooedyour hair well, take a coin-sized amount of conditioner (the amount used ideallydepends on the length of the hair) and rub it gently onto the roots of the hair.Conditioner is not to be used on the scalp. It is meant only for the protectionof the roots. Leave conditioner in the hair for about 1 min and rinse out thoroughly.The change in the quality of the hair is almost instantly noticeable. |
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How to condition your hair
Once the right conditioner for your hair has been found out, it is essential to know how to apply it in the proper manner. - After shampooing the hair, gently squeeze the excess water from the hair.
- Comb the hair with the fingers from the roots to the ends gently to remove the tangles.
- Take
a coin-sized amount of the conditioner in your palm (the amount depends
on the length of the hair). Using too much conditioner can weigh-down
your hair.
- Rub your palms together to distribute the conditioner.
- Using
your fingers, gently coat your hair with the conditioner, starting at
your forehead and working to the ends. Never rub on your scalp.
- Leave in on the hair for a few minutes.
- With
your fingers or a wide-toothed comb, gently pull the conditioner
through your hair, carefully working to remove tangles to loosen the
conditioner.
- Using lukewarm water, rinse off the conditioner
from the hair. Do not use hot water,as it can cause excessive drying of
the hair.
- After rinsing, gently squeeze the excess water from
your hair. Gently blot the moisture from the hair using a clean towel.
To prevent breakage, do not rub the hair vigorously with the towel.
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Beautiful, healthy hair is everyone’s right. It is with our own apathy and neglect that we cause problems to the hair. Care and caution are allit takes to own soft, trouble-free hair.
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