What is a Deep Conditioner?

We have all heard the hype surrounding deep conditioners and the numerous benefits they provide to your hair. After all, deep conditioners are famous for their hydrating properties, softening effects, and the way that they can transform even the most compromised hair. Even so, many don’t know the first thing about deep conditioners. And if that’s you, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll share the basics about deep conditioner so you can decide whether you need one.

Deep Conditioner Defined

A deep conditioner is an intensive hair treatment that provides nourishing and hydrating benefits to the hair. It has oils and emollients that penetrate the hair shaft and restore it from within, so it’ll look its best and be more manageable.

A deep conditioner can be used to treat virtually any hair problem and maintain your hair’s health. Problems such as hair breakage, split ends, frizz, dryness, color damage, environmental damage, or even thinning all threaten to steal your good hair days. Thankfully, whatever hair issue you’re facing, there’s a deep conditioner formulated to combat it.  

Deep Conditioner vs. Regular Conditioner

Deep conditioners are often compared to regular conditioners, but they couldn’t be more different. A conditioner does as its name suggests - conditions. It increases your hair’s manageability and softness and protects it from environmental influences (sun, pollution, etc.). But it’s important to know that regular conditioners only treat the outer hair layer, called the cuticle, whereas a deep conditioner treats both the outer and inner layers of the hair. That’s why it’s called a deep conditioner; it penetrates the hair follicle and nourishes it from the inside out.

Conditioners can be used every day (or every wash), whereas deep conditioners can only be used 1-2 times a week or less depending on the condition of your hair. 

Should You Use a Deep Conditioner?

Everyone should use a deep conditioner. Even if your hair is healthy and you have no problems with it, a deep conditioner can protect it from external damage. Plus, every hair type could benefit from the hydrating ingredients found in deep conditioners.

It is crucial to incorporate deep conditioning into your hair routine, especially if you have colored or bleached your hair, or if you regularly use heat tools for hair styling. Although regular conditioning every wash hydrates and smooths the hair, deep conditioning offers benefits that regular conditioners do not.

Try a Deep Conditioner

So, do yourself a favor and add a deep conditioner or two to your hair regimen. If you’ve recently bleached or colored your hair and it’s become weak, dull, and brittle, you need a protein-based deep conditioner. If your hair is dry and unmanageable no matter how much moisturizer you use, a moisturizing deep conditioner could do wonders for your hair.

Now you know exactly what a deep conditioner can do for your hair, how it’s different from a regular conditioner, and learned that it has a place in everyone’s hair product stash. We hope that this article has answered all of your questions about deep conditioner and we encourage you to get your hands on one soon so you can start giving your hair the hydration, strength, and manageability it needs to thrive.

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.