Basic hair care at home is only possible with the use of conditioner. Only washing and combing the strands will not be enough and harmful, so you must choose a set of products, including a hair conditioner.
Traditionally, conditioner is the second step in washing hair after shampoo. The shampoo formula is primarily aimed at penetrating between the scales of the hair's protective cuticle and washing out excess sebum, dead skin cells, dirt, or care products. To correctly complete the cleansing, the scales need to be closed so that the hair does not fluff up and does not dry out, as well as to protect it from further exposure to external irritants. That is why conditioner is used.
Conditioner is a means to soften the strands, which makes it easier to comb and style after washing by nourishing and moisturizing without feeling greasy. It complements the cleansing alkaline action of the shampoo with a more acidic pH to avoid disturbing the acid balance, saturates the hair with active ingredients, and seals it in the structure by closing the scales previously opened by the combination of shampoo and water. These functions are the minimum for a standard conditioner, but in the hair cosmetics market, you can find products with a wider range of action depending on the situational needs.
Can I use conditioner every day?
Almost every person who washes their hair with shampoo will need a conditioner. The natural analog of conditioner is sebum, which we get rid of when we clean our hair with shampoo.
Although modern shampoos contain caring active ingredients, it is still necessary to open the hair's cuticle and wash the cavities as well as possible for thorough cleansing. Therefore, during washing, you can clean the hair from unwanted dirt, residues of styling products, etc., and wash out some of the natural elements of the structure, such as lipids. In addition, shampoos have an alkaline chemical composition, which can dry out the hair without countermeasures.
The conditioner will be an indispensable tool to complement the effect of shampoo properly, smooth the hair structure, and restore its softness and lost valuable components. It will equalize the acid balance after cleansing and close the hair scales, retaining moisture inside. This directly affects the smoothness and shine of the strands and their beautiful appearance. In addition, the integral structure is essential for effective protection against external factors, such as salt or chlorinated water, polluted air, hot styling tools, or tightening hair with elastic bands. A conditioner will create a protective layer around the hairs, simplify detangling and protect against breakage. You can use conditioner after every shampoo if you choose the right product.
What is the difference between balm and hair conditioner?
Balms are used for additional control of split ends, protection from heat, moisture saturation, or other needs, but they are not interchangeable. The conditioner differs from the hair balm in closing the scales and the peculiarity of acid balance immediately after shampooing. The balm is the next step of care.
How to use a hair conditioner?
Traditional rinse-off conditioner is applied immediately after shampooing to damp hair along the entire length. It should be combed with fingers and left for 1-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. You should not apply the product close to the scalp to avoid burdening the roots.
Also, use conditioners that can be left on clean damp hair without rinsing. Such products add smoothness as needed and help facilitate combing and styling as a substitute or supplement to a rinse-out conditioner.
Conditioners can be used every time you wash your hair, even every day. It will help to qualitatively complement the action of shampoo, soften strands and make them smooth and manageable for an unsurpassed look.
