The Hair Court of Popular Opinion Rules on Deep Conditioners

All rise.  Hair court is now in session.  The honorable Judge Judy Sephora presiding. 

Here are the charges.  How do you plead? 

Are you a long time hair abuser? 

Answer: Probably more guilty than not.

Do you have a well-known heat addiction and couldn't give up your beloved hot styling tools even if someone offered you winning lottery numbers? 

Answer: Well, a little guilty sometimes.

Have you ever or do you now have perm damaged or over-bleached hair that's so bad like a polar bear you'd be nearly invisible in a snow storm? 

Answer: Okay but only maybe a time or two a long time ago. 

Painful isn't it? Revisiting past episodes of hair abuse like this.  So how well would you do if you had a date in hair court? 

And don't lie. Because the verdict is easy to come to.  There's a good reason for that hay hair of yours.  And rather than Desperately Seeking Susan, you're desperately seeking something to take that mop of yours from fried to gorgeous.  Does that about sum things up? 

This is why some in their hour of need turn to deep conditioners.  But sometimes you have to wonder.  You read the product description on Amazon and it sounds more like a freakin' miracle in a bottle, doesn't it?  So what is it?  Hype or solid promise?  Again sometimes you have to wonder. 

Especially when you are easily preyed on, desperate for a solution as you are.  Well, no, it's more like you ARE looking for miracle in a bottle.  Yeah, this is exactly what you are hoping for. 

Well truth is those with healthy hair probably want to deep condition at least once every two weeks.  While those who haven't seen healthy hair since Bill Clinton was president want to do so more often.  Using an intense deep conditioner.  One that is loaded with proteins, panthenol and pro-vitamin B5 even. 

Still if you are a color junkie, hot tool addict or have hair that is otherwise seriously chemically dependent, you may find the right product can indeed revive those lifeless locks of yours.  Leaving you once again with silky, shiny, sleek, and bouncy hair.  Or at least something that tames it enough to leave you free to venture forth in public without embarrassment.  Free from the hope you had someone else's hair is on your head. 

Naturally some claim they don't have the time to invest in a regular deep conditioning routine.  In that case, why not apply the product to your locks immediately upon entering the shower?  Lather up the rest of you while the conditioner is absorbed into your strands aided by the warming steam of your shower.  That could work, no?

But the truly serious will apply their favorite deep conditioning product to their damp mane.  They'll wrap their hair in a towel, slip on a shower cap, or wrap things up with plastic wrap.  Sitting under a hair dryer only helps that much more.  Or you might sit out in the sun. After 20 minutes (or as long as you can) comes the unveiling.  And prepare to be dazzled by the difference.  Softer, shinier, healthier looking hair. 

Honestly, some of this stuff is so good if you're not careful your fav brand may end up being the first hair care product you like on Facebook.  Yeah, the difference can be that dramatic.  But for sure good enough to free you from throwing yourself on the mercy of the hair court.  Because who wants to do that?

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.