CONDITIONER V.S. DEEP CONDITIONER (WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?)

CONDITIONERS (Creme rinses): – This is the type you put on after you shampoo and rinse out in 5 minutes or less. They’re also known as detanglers. These types of conditioners just coat the hair. They do not penetrate into the hair to help minimize damage. They do a good job of smoothing hair, making it shiny and helping to remove tangles, but that is all they do. They do not really aid in minimizing damage.

DEEP CONDITIONERS (Hair Food): To repair and heal damaged or dead hair is to deep condition or “feed” your hair. Deep conditioning affects the outer layer of the hair, which is called the cuticle. The cuticle resembles shingles on a roof. They overlap each other, and should lay down flat. When your hair becomes dry and damaged, these shingles will stand up away from the hair shaft. This is what gives hair the dull, frizzy look. Deep conditioning the proper way and with the right products will help to smooth the cuticle, making the shingles lay down again, giving your hair a smoother, shinier, healthier appearance. Also, deep conditioning helps to repair damage from relaxers, coloring, or using heat (hair dryer, flat-iron, etc…).

Other Benefits of Deep Conditioners

·     Using a deep conditioner on a regular basis can help your hair bounce back from dryness and damage.

·     You hair's elasticity will improve because of the emollients and other moisturizing ingredients in the conditioner.

·     Other ingredients in the conditioner will help fill holes of damage that lead to poor porosity.

WHEN YOU SHOULD USE A DEEP CONDITIONER: A deep conditioner should be done at least once a month but can be done as often as once a week if your hair warrants it. For African-American hair, this should definitely be done during the driest part of the year.

HOW TO USE DEEP CONDITIONERS: Deep conditioning is pretty simple. The thing that keeps most people from using a deep hair conditioner regularly is the time. There are a few ways to add deep conditioning into your regimen without taking up a lot of time.

Tips for Deep Conditioning.

·         Make sure you detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb before deep conditioning.

·         Pin your hair up and add a plastic cap to keep your hair in place.

·         Deep condition underneath a hooded dryer for 20 minutes. You need to 20 minutes to allow the hair cuticle to open fully, and to let the conditioner completely penetrate and feed your hair.

·         You can also just leave the conditioner on for about 30 - 45 minutes with the plastic cap and let your own body heat work its magic on your conditioner.

·         Wet a face cloth and heat it up in the microwave for about 15-30 seconds, then apply to the top of your hair. Put on your plastic cap and leave on for 15 minutes.

·         A quick and effective way of deep conditioning quickly is to put your plastic cap on while in the shower, then turn up the shower to the hottest you can stand to cause steam. Then bathe, shave, scrub or whatever as the steam helps the conditioner penetrate your hair. When you finish, your hair will have deep conditioned nicely.

DIY RECIPES FOR DEEP CONDITIONERS:

Deep Protein Conditioner

Stops breakage and rejuvenates the hair shaft.

Ingredients:

2 eggs
2 tbsp shea butter
2 tbsp honey
½ banana
1 tbsp aloe vera (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients into blender and mix until smooth.
2. Massage mix into sectioned hair, thoroughly soaking hair and scalp.
3. Cover hair with plastic cap or towel and leave on for 10 minutes. For a deeper conditioning, use a heat conditioning cap.
4. *Rinse completely.
5. Shampoo and condition as usual.
6. Store remaining Protein Conditioner in a tightly sealed container and store up to 7 days.

Deep Conditioner

Ingredients:

1 Avocado
1 tablespoon EVOO
1 tablespoon Almond oil
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
1 banana
Less than 1/4 cup of water

Instructions:

1. Blended all ingredients until everything is smooth and creamy.

2. Massage the mixture into sectioned hair and scalp.

3. Cover hair with plastic cap and/or towel (May sit under a hair dryer for 15 mins.)

4. Leave it in hair for 45 – 60 mins.
5. *Rinse completely.

6. Style as usual.

Deep Conditioner

Ingredients:

1/2 an avocado
pure olive oil
pure honey
organic jojoba oil
1 egg
1 tablespoon of mayo
1 tablespoon of pure coconut water
1 tablespoon of coconut milk
water

Insturctions:

1. Combine all ingredients into blender and mix until smooth.
2. Massage mix into sectioned hair, thoroughly soaking hair and scalp.
3. Cover hair with plastic cap or towel and leave on for 10 minutes. For a deeper conditioning, use a heat conditioning cap.
4. *Rinse completely.
5. Shampoo and condition as usual.
6. Store remaining Protein Conditioner in a tightly sealed container and store up to 7 days.

*Note: For best hair conditioning purposes, use recipes immediately after making without refrigerating first. The reason is, the fats and oil will penetrate your hair follicles better if it is NOT cold. (If using conditioner that has been refrigerated, let sit until at room temperature or heat for 20-30 seconds in microwave) Tip to remember: Warm/Hot opens the hair follicles so that conditioner can penetrate deeper. Cold water closes the hair follicles. So, after you rinse everything out with warm water, rinse again with a blast of very cold water.

You can mix these ingredients and others to suit your hair situation. Add a few drops of your favorite **EO(s). BUT be sure there is a **CO(s) in the recipe before adding EO(s)

**EO = Essential Oil

**CO = Carrier Oil