Conditioner: Yes, Virginia, You Really Do Need It

Two friends, Tiffany and Virginia were standing in the hair care aisle behind a shopping cart debating the finer points of conditioner.  Because it seems Virginia had bought into some of the myths commonly heard on the street.  That suggested hair conditioner was optional.  Especially during summer months.  When there was enough moisture in the air to float a cruise liner. 

Yet Tiffany was adamant.  "Yes, Virginia, you really do need conditioner.  It's essential if you want healthy hair." 

While Tiffany may be certain about the benefits of conditioning her hair, perhaps you are not.  Perhaps you could use a brief refresher course. 

For starters think of it this way.  As one stylist to the stars put it, conditioning products finish what your shampoo starts. It goes a long way to making your hair more manageable.  It helps fend off dryness.  Healthy hair holds a style better.  In other words is simply looks better.

4 Conditioning Rules to Live By

Don't Skimp on the Conditioner.  You need enough to do the job.  That and a quality product will actually fill the holes in the shaft itself.  It helps to settle down and smooth rough cuticles or the outer layer of the strands.  And it offers a degree of protection from heat or even pool chemicals. 

Don't Apply Aggressively.  By that I mean, you want to stay far away from the roots.  That's where the oil naturally is found anyway.  Which is to say the area near the scalp is the part of your hair shaft that really doesn't need conditioning.  It's the older hair, generally anything past your ears, that you want to focus your conditioner on.  Especially the ends. Especially during the summer. 

Don't Be In A Hurry.  Too many of us don't leave the conditioner on long enough for it to do its job.  This isn't a 30 second process.  Three, four five minutes is more like the duration you are looking for.  There is no need to rush the rinsing of the conditioner down the drain.  It does your naturally colored locks no good down there.

Don't Forget Deep Conditioning.  If you want to put the brakes on breakage then you'll want to deep condition like once a month.  Here's one way to go about it.  Simply apply the conditioner, cover your head with a plastic cap and sit under a dryer for 15 to 20 minutes.  A great way to add needed moisture to parched locks. All the more if those locks have been colored or highlighted. 

Stylist Tip: During the hot summer months see if you can't give your blow dryer a rest.  But if you insist on firing it up, note the word fire, then set it to the lowest temp to do the job.  Remember the higher the setting the hotter the air your appliance blows.  The hotter the air the dryer your ends will get.  And fried ends split super easily. 

Truth be told, everyone's hair is damaged.  It simply a matter of how badly damaged it is.  A way to improve the health of your hair is to properly condition it.  And the key to conditioners is finding a product that works with your hair.  And as the saying goes you may have to kiss a lot of frogs but once you find one that works with your locks you'll notice the difference. And so will your friends.

One more thing. Those who want more helpful info like this should check out FullerHeadofHair.com.  Whether you are a hair care novice, or the one your friends turn to, like Tiffany here, you're bound to find new ideas and tips you can use at that website.