8 Tips to using Hair Conditioner for Naturally Healthy Hair

Hair conditioner is to hair as skin cream is to the face. They both act to hydrate, impart moisture, beneficial actives and protect. If you love having healthy locks then it’s a good idea to not skip a hair conditioner. 

In order to understand more about why conditioner is important, we first need to understand what hair is made of. 

Hair is a filamentous biomaterial consisting mainly of proteins called keratin.  Each strand of hair comprises an inner medulla, a cortex consisting of keratin proteins and structural lipids and a cuticle layer, which are overlapping cells forming a protective coating around the hair.

So, how can we keep hair looking healthy, conditioned & protected?

Very simply, by using a hair conditioner each time you wash your hair and here are 8 tips when you do!

Don’t skip the conditioner.

 After the hair is washed you need to replace any lost moisture to ensure the cuticle layer is flat for maximum shine. When the cuticle layer is raised the hair remains frizzy and dull.

Choose the right conditioner. 

This is really important as different hair types; textures & needs require different ingredients. Fine hair requires lightweight conditioning ingredients to ensure it’s not weighed down whereas thicker hair will generally tolerate and demand more moisture & hydration.

Apply it only to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair and not the scalp and roots.

Hair holds a negative charge and the strength of that charge is based on the porosity of the hair. For example, dry, chemically treated, and damaged hair will have a strong negative charge. Conditioners are formulated with a positive charge, therefore attracting one to the other. This means that positively charged ingredients adsorb to the negatively charged hair ensuring that when you rinse, the functional & active ingredients are not washed away. The scalp and roots of the hair have a higher concentration of natural oil so you don’t apply conditioner to these areas.

Comb it through, good things take time!

We are all time poor but we are also learning that taking time for ourselves and our wellbeing is critically important to your holistic health. It’s no different with your hair care regime. Combing the conditioner through the hair deposits it evenly and ensures maximum benefits. Use a wide-tooth comb to make sure there is no breakage. Leave it on for 2-5 mins.

Rinse it out but don’t be afraid to leave some in.

Leaving a little bit of conditioner in won’t hurt especially with medium to thicker hair textures. It will help retain hydration & moisture. If you have fine hair, then wash it out completely.

Use as a wash-out & a leave-in conditioner.

Holistic Hair conditioners can be used as wash-out or leave-in. Apply a pea-sized amount on dry hair to act as a smoothing lotion. This works well for any hair texture but especially for frizzy or curly hair.

Use conditioner to protect your hair in the great outdoors.

Going to the beach or outdoors for the day? Apply a small amount of hair conditioner to your dry hair for all-day protection.

Thin the dregs down.

If you have a small amount left in the bottle which can be difficult to get out, add a bit of water to thin it down. Shake it well and use.

This article was authored by Trichology (hair and scalp) experts from Holistic Hair.

Holistic Hair products are formulated by Trichologists which means their formulations are specifically made to ensure your scalp and hair are healthy and nourished.

Check out the Holistic Hair full range here, including mini products to sample to help you find the right products for your hair and scalp.