There are some important rules to follow for the sake of healthy hair: limit how often you wash your hair, exfoliate regularly, and rinse well. When it comes to conditioner, things can get slightly more confusing.
There are a few mistakes that people make in their conditioning routines. A conditioner is one of the main ways to keep your lengths shiny and moisturized, so you’ll want to be sure that you are using it correctly.
Here are 5 things you should not be doing with your conditioner, plus how to apply it for healthier, shinier strands.
1. Don’t Slather It on the Roots
While shampoo’s job is to keep your scalp healthy, conditioner is responsible for nourishing your lengths. Therefore, keep it away from your root area and instead focus on your ends.
When you shampoo your hair, the objective is to cleanse the scalp of any oils or product buildup, and when you apply conditioner to the scalp area after cleansing it, you are actually putting oils back onto the area you just cleansed. This can cause your hair to be flatter and less voluminous.
Think of putting your hair in a ponytail and only applying the conditioner to the area below your fist.
2. Applying It in Reverse
Start by applying your conditioner at the ends of the hair and work upwards towards the roots, but not directly on the roots. This will give your most damaged, dry area the most attention.
Then comb through your hair using a wide-tooth comb, which will help to evenly distribute the product without causing additional stress on the hair. Wet hair is more elastic, so it is easier to cause additional damage and breakage if you put too much stress on it.
Let it stay in the hair for up to five minutes, or more if you are using a deep conditioning mask. Conditioner should go where the tangles, damage, and stressed hair is, which is always more towards the ends of the hair.
3. Skipping Out on Deep Conditioning
Every once in a while, your hair needs more than your regular conditioner can offer, which means it also needs a mask. The biggest mistake customers make when it comes to conditioning their hair is not giving the hair a deep conditioning treatment at least once a month.
Deep conditioning promotes the elasticity of the hair, which is a sign of healthy and well-nourished hair. It also increases shine, supports the strength of the hair, and improves the texture.
4. Using the Incorrect Amount
If your hair feels heavy and weighed down, you have possibly used too much. If your hair still feels dry and rough, then you may not have used enough. If you have short hair, the size of a quarter is sufficient. However, for longer hair, you will need two to three quarter-sized amounts, depending on the length and thickness.
After combing through the conditioner with a wide-tooth comb, run your fingers through your hair. If they glide through easily, you’ve used enough. If not, add another quarter-sized amount at a time until you can. Even women with fine hair who hesitate to use conditioner for fear of their hair going flat still need conditioner for all the reasons mentioned above.
There are great haircare regimes for women who have fine hair, such as Shu Uemura Muroto Volume, Lightweight Care for Fine Hair.
5. Using the Incorrect Conditioner for Your Hair Type
Alternatively, you may not be using the correct conditioner for your hair type and condition. There are various regimes that can be tailored to your specific concern, including coloured hair that fades quickly, blonde hair that needs additional care, and naturally dry hair that requires extra moisture.
The list is endless. If you do not use the correct conditioner for your specific hair, you may not achieve the best possible results. Ask your professional for their advice and look for products with natural oils such as wheat germ, argan, camellia, sunflower, and other nourishing ingredients suited to your hair type.
The Right Conditioner Can Make a Big Difference
With the right combination of shampoo and conditioner, your hair can be transformed into the hair of your dreams.
Not sure which conditioner is right for your hair? Book a consultation with the FORD Salon team in Downtown Kelowna. Our stylists can recommend a professional haircare routine based on your hair type, texture, colour, and condition.
