new thread
Hello, everyone. A few years ago a very decent hairdresser shared with me the proper way to condition the hair. Since several recent posts have addressed the "conditioning" issue, I think everyone would benefit from the advice I received. Here it is:
After shampooing, you must remove as much excess (rinse) water from the hair as possible in order for the conditioner to work its magic. Why? Excess water blocks the conditioner from entering the hair filament.
What to do: Once the hair is clean, step away and stop the running water. Squeeze the water out of the hair (yes, like you would a mop). Then, with a dry towel, **pat** the hair, allowing the towel to soak up the residue. (Don't rub your hair...you'll create split ends). Once the hair feels damp, massage the conditioner all the way to the scalp. Leave the conditioner in for 3 to 5 minutes. When ready to rinse, ***only rinse in tepid or slightly cool water*** to shrink the filaments and seal the conditioning. (A hot rinse will strip the conditioner right out and there goes all your work and $$ down the drain).
What to expect: A nicely conditioned mane. This "ritual" will quadruple the time you spend conditioning, but that's OK. Also you will use a larger amount of conditioner at first, but over time your hair will be better-conditioned and the actual amount you use may very well decrease.
The hair-care industry leads us to believe that proper hair care is rocket science and that we don't deserve to know about the healthiest way to treat ourselves. Well, once in a while you run into a hair-care professional who doesn't believe it either. That's the time to listen.
All the best,
Gandharva
Hmm, that's some great advice! Lots of the members will appreciate it, Gandharva and it makes sense. Unfortunately, my aim is to get as little conditioner as possible because I have oily hair. Nevertheless, I'm sure it will work out great for others.
Thanks for the advice. I spend a lot of time conditioning as it is, the only thing that you have said that I don't really follow is now rubbing your hair to dry it. I always comb my hair out quickly with a wide tooth comb and pat/gently rub down the hair to get the water out. I have yet to see a split end, but I guess it wouldn't hurt refraining from this.
-animosity
Hi, animosity. What I mean is not to rub it with a rough towel. As I understand it, friction between the towel and the hair is one particular cause for split ends. But if you don't see any, then I'm sure you're doing what's right for you, especially if it's a "gentle rub" as you describe it. Your hair is very straight while mine is quite wavy with some curl. Rubbing my wavy/curly hair to dry with a towel really creates some very irritating problems for me, such as frizz.
Gandharva
Thanks for the advice...I have to try that someday,drying my hair before applying conditioner.
a.
(n/t)