Deep Conditioner and Natural Hair: Everything Beginners Need to Know

 

Have you decided to embrace your natural hair? One of the most liberating things about making this choice is that you have the opportunity to get to know your mane. Deep conditioner and natural hair are often mentioned together, and that’s because they’re a match made in heaven. If you want to learn about what deep conditioner can do for your hair, how to use it, and more, this is the article for you. 

What is Deep Conditioner?

We’ll start with a quick definition: deep conditioner is an ultra-nourishing hair product that penetrates your hair cuticle and inner layers to deliver moisture, protein, and/or nutrients to natural hair. The product is different from regular conditioner - it’s thicker and more concentrated.

You’ll use deep conditioner right after cleansing your hair and rinse it out after a certain amount of time has passed (more on this later).

Why Deep Conditioner is So Great for Natural Hair

You may already have an idea, but deep conditioner is so great for natural hair because of its reparative abilities. There’s a deep conditioner that can alleviate virtually any hair issue you’re dealing with, from dryness to elasticity issues to breakage and more. For this reason, so many people who rock their natural hair include deep conditioner as part of their hair regimen. 

How to Choose the Right Deep Conditioner for Your Natural Hair

There are countless deep conditioners on the market. How exactly are you supposed to choose the right one for your natural hair? It’s easier than you might think. Here’s how to go about it:

  • Get to know your hair type. Do you have straight type 1 hair, wavy type 2 hair, curly type 3 hair, or coily type 4 hair? Is it low, medium, or high porosity? The answers to these questions will help narrow down your options, as some deep conditioners will be specifically labeled for a certain hair type.

  • Think about what you’re looking for in a deep conditioner. Are you in need of moisture and nourishment, protein-based strengthening, or something else? Be on the lookout for deep conditioners that target your specific hair issues.

  • Go to the store or online and see what your options are. Read product descriptions and look at ingredient lists. Avoid deep conditioners with questionable ingredients (or any that your hair doesn’t particularly like). Favor those with moisturizers like coconut and argan oil, proteins like keratin and hydrolyzed wheat protein, and humectants like aloe vera and honey. There are many more great ingredients, but these are some of the best.

  • Check reviews. Before taking a product home, research the product online to get an idea of its quality. If it’s got loads of bad reviews, pass on it.

How to Use Deep Conditioner for Natural Hair

The way you use your deep conditioner can make or break your results. Always reference your deep conditioner’s packaging if you’re unsure how to use the product. The instructions there will usually tell you to wash your hair, apply the deep conditioner (avoiding the roots), and wait while the product does its thing (timing will vary based on the product). Then, you’ll rinse the deep conditioner out and move on with the rest of your hair care and styling routine.

So, there you have it - what you need to know about deep conditioner and natural hair. We hope you found all the information you needed. Leave-in conditioner is another essential product for natural hair, and Daily Dose is one of the absolute best. It can give you your dream hair in as little as one use. Check it out here!

 

 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.