How Long Should You Deep Condition 4C Hair?

Regular deep conditioning sessions can transform your mane from brittle and breaking to strong and thriving – but only if you’re deep conditioning properly. One of the most common questions people have about deep conditioning 4C hair is how long they should deep condition for. If you’re wondering the same thing, this article is for you. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to get the most out of your deep conditioning sessions.

This is How Long To Deep Condition 4C Hair

4C hair is unlike any other hair type. It’s highly textured and super fragile. But that doesn’t mean you need 48-hour deep conditioning treatments. On average, people with 4C hair should leave their deep conditioner on for 10 to 30 minutes (sometimes longer).

Factors Affecting How Long to Deep Condition 4C Hair

Everyone’s hair is unique, so your ideal deep conditioning time may differ from the next person's, even if you both have 4C hair. The specific amount of time will vary depending on the following factors:

The Deep Conditioner You’re Using

One deep conditioner may be designed to be left on for 30 minutes, and another may be formulated for quicker 10-minute treatments. It’s always a good idea to look at the instructions on your deep conditioner to see what the manufacturer recommends.

Your Hair’s Porosity

The lower your hair’s porosity, the more time you may need to leave the deep conditioner on (within reason). This hair type doesn’t readily accept outside moisture and nutrients from products.

You can enhance your low porosity deep conditioning routine by 1) increasing the deep conditioning time to 30-45 minutes and 2) using a hooded dryer or processing cap. That heat will open up your hair cuticles so the deep conditioner can more easily get to the inner layers of the hair.

On the other hand, high porosity hair drinks up moisture and nutrients, so you may be able to get away with quicker deep conditioning sessions (~10 mins) if you have this hair type.

How Healthy Your Hair Is

Highly compromised hair may need more aggressive deep conditioning sessions, where you leave the product on for at least 30 minutes each time. Healthier 4C hair won’t need this. Here are some signs that your 4C hair may be compromised:

  • Dryness

  • More knots and tangles than usual

  • Split ends

  • Frizz

  • Loss of natural texture

Can You Overcondition 4C Hair?

Yes, you can overcondition 4C hair. Granted, it can be hard to do so if you have low-porosity hair. When you overcondition, issues like protein overload and moisture overload may follow, resulting in breakage, texture issues, and more. To learn more about these issues, read this article.

Get Your Hands on the Right Deep Conditioner

Your deep conditioner choice is incredibly important – the right one can be life-changing, and the wrong one can be time-wasting (or even harmful). Daily Dose Deep Conditioner is a nutrient-dense, hydrating, and rejuvenating deep conditioner for all hair types. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best with your hair!

 

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 CurlAdvice.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.