Hair care habits are constantly evolving. There’s always a step, product, or style that’s not perfect. This could mean embarking on a journey to master a natural air-drying routine, or simply looking to take things to the next level. No matter what your goals are for your hair, most of us can benefit from increased volume, clearer texture, and a healthy shine that makes hair look shiny rather than greasy.
Let’s take a look at the conditioner. You can think of it as a lighter, more versatile leave-in treatment that can help moisturize your scalp, add volume, and add shine. If you’re new to products outside of the barbershop, this humble spray could be just the answer to your haircare questions. Next, we’ll break down everything you need to know about conditioner and why it might be a worthwhile addition to your daily routine.
What Is Conditioner?
Conditioners work similarly to toners in a skincare routine. Both are light liquids that are used as a preparatory step before the main activity (in this case the actual hair styling, or in the case of skincare, serums and creams). Like toners, tonics can offer a range of benefits, depending on your needs. As a result, the formulation and use of tonic can vary greatly.
Conditioners are good for both the scalp and hair. The conditioner helps to balance the scalp and promote blood circulation while smoothing hair, increasing shine, reducing frizz, adding volume and texture, and reducing breakage. And they’re more common than you might think. Conditioners are often hidden in plain sight and are obscured by other names like smoothing agents, styling primers, and leave-in treatments.
Benefits of Conditioner
- Balance Dry Scalp: Conditioner can bring a lot of moisture to a dry scalp, helping to condition and balance the area.
- Promotes blood circulation: Conditioners can promote a healthy scalp environment by boosting blood circulation.
- Smooth hair: The conditioner also nourishes the hair itself, helping to soften and detangle hair strands.
- Increases shine: Adding moisture and nutrients can make hair shinier.
- Reduces frizz: By restoring elasticity and moisture, conditioners help to reduce frizz in your hair.
- Add volume and texture: Certain formulations can help add volume and texture to thinning straight hair.
- Prevents breakage: By hydrating and softening hair, conditioners help prevent breakage.
It’s important to note that not all conditioners have all of these benefits. Just as different facial toners target different specific concerns (moisturizing, pH balanced, exfoliating, calming), conditioners address a range of different hair and scalp benefits. It really depends on finding a conditioner that meets your specific needs. But more on that below.
Solve Hair Problems
As a general rule of thumb, conditioners are best for people with dry scalp and hair and knotted ends. However, there are different conditioners for different hair types and concerns, and finding the right formula for your specific needs is key to getting the best results.
If you have a dry scalp, look for a conditioner that focuses more on soothing and restoring this targeted area. At the same time, those with oilier scalps may want to skip the conditioner there altogether and instead use it as a detangler, using it along the length of the hair. Conditioners are especially suitable for those with thinning hair, as they help to strengthen individual strands while adding volume and texture. On the other hand, those with thicker hair and prone to knots should opt for a more moisturizing conditioner formula to help soften and smooth hair. Some conditioners even work like leave-in treatments, just nourishing dull hair, providing more internal benefits than the outside.
How to Use Conditioner?
After cleansing and conditioning, towel dry your hair until it is damp. Then, simply spray the conditioner from the scalp to the ends – but be aware that people with particularly oily scalps may want to skip the scalp area. Then, use a wet brush or wide teeth to comb through your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to your scalp. Styling as usual. It’s that simple!
Conclusion
Conditioners are a great product for those looking to moisturize the scalp, reduce breakage, add shine, and instantly add volume and texture to their hair strands. If you have a greasy or sensitive scalp, choose your formula carefully, as not all products will give you the same results. If you’re still unsure if conditioner is right for your hair goals, talk to your hairstylist at your next salon appointment.