Deep Conditioning: what is it and how!

July 29, 2024

What is Deep Conditioning?

Deep conditioning is a vital step in caring for curly hair, and it involves applying a rich, moisturising treatment to the hair to nourish and strengthen it from within. It's designed to penetrate deeply into the hair strand, replenish moisture, repair damage, and restore elasticity.

Curly hair tends to be drier and more prone to damage due to its structure (discussed in this blog), which makes deep conditioning especially important.

Here's how deep conditioning works:

Moisturises

Deep conditioners are formulated with ingredients like natural oils, butters, and proteins that penetrate deeply into the hair shaft. These ingredients help to replenish lost moisture, hydrating the hair from the inside out.

Repairs and Strengthens

Many deep conditioners contain proteins such as keratin or collagen, which help to repair damage to the hair's protein structure. This strengthens the hair, reducing breakage and split ends.

Better Curl Definition

By restoring moisture, repairing damage and providing protein, deep conditioning over time will improve the hair’s elasticity, allowing it to bounce back into shape more easily and reducing frizz. Your hair will also be softer and smoother.

Prevention of Damage

Regular deep conditioning treatments can help prevent future damage to the hair, keeping it healthy and resilient over time.

How to Deep Condition?

Step 1: Cleanse and Detangle

Start to cleanse your scalp as you normally would with a low-poo shampoo then rinse and follow using a conditioner and a wet brush to detangle your hair while its wet, before rinsing out.

Step 2: Apply Deep Conditioner

Section your damp wet hair into 4 sections and generously apply your deep conditioner to each section. Use a wide tooth comb or wet hair brush, brush the conditioner through your hair for even distribution.

Step 3: Leave it in

Claw clip your hair and place a plastic cap over it. Leave it for a minimum of 30 minutes and longer. For maximum hydration, place a head towel in the microwave and heat it up before placing it over the plastic cap. Heat opens the hair cuticles and allows for the conditioner to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft. You can consider using a Flaxseed HEAT cap, which is designed for this purpose, and can be an alternative to heating your head towel.

Step 4: Rinse and style

Rinse your hair ensuring the mask is out and then proceed to style as usually.

Aim to do this: