Deep conditioning is a key part of the wash day routine for many curlies, but have you ever thought about incorporating heat into your deep conditioning treatments?
In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of using heat during deep conditioning, so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it's right for your curls.
What is deep conditioning, and why is it important for curly hair?
A deep conditioner is a hair care treatment that is designed to penetrate the hair shaft and provide extra nourishment and hydration to the hair. As curly hair is generally drier than straight hair (and therefore, more prone to breakage), deep conditioning is (for most, but not all curlies) a key element in keeping curls healthy and defined.
Why incorporate heat into deep conditioning?
Heat is often used during deep conditioning as it is believed to help open up the hair cuticles (the outer-most parts of your hair shaft) and allow the conditioning ingredients to penetrate more deeply. This, in turn, is thought to lead to a more effective deep conditioning treatment, with better results in terms of hydration and nourishment for the hair.
What are the purported benefits of incorporating heat?
Increased effectiveness: Incorporating heat into your deep conditioning treatment can help to increase its effectiveness, allowing the conditioning ingredients to penetrate more deeply and provide greater benefits to the hair.
Improved hydration: The added heat can help to open up the hair cuticles, which can improve the overall hydration of the hair.
Better product absorption: The heat can also help to improve the absorption of the deep conditioning treatment, making it easier for the curls to retain the benefits of the treatment over time.
What are the potential drawbacks of incorporating heat?
Heat damage: Heat, as we all know too well, can cause damage to the hair, particularly if it is used too frequently or if the hair is already damaged (if you're using a low-heat option for your treatment, you'll be able to minimise the damage caused by heat).
Increased porosity: Excessive heat can lead to increased porosity in the hair, making it more prone to breakage and damage.
Drying out of hair: Again, if you go a little too heavy on the heat, you might find that incorporating heat into your deep conditioning treatment can also dry out the hair, which can defeat the purpose of deep conditioning in the first place.
So, should we be incorporating heat into our deep conditioning routine?
Incorporating heat into your deep conditioning treatment is not entirely necessary, but it can be beneficial in some cases. Overall, it is important to any use heat in moderation, as excessive heat can cause damage to the locks you're striving so hard to keep healthy.
When considering whether or not to incorporate heat into your routine, we'd advise you to first consider your hair profile, as some curls may benefit from heat during deep conditioning more than others.
If you have low porosity hair, you may benefit from adding heat to your deep conditioning routine, as it will help to open up your hair shaft, allowing for better penetration of your deep conditioning treatment. On the other hand, if you have high porosity hair, you may not benefit as much from the added heat, given your hair can already easily absorb moisture (go you!).
If you have decided to incorporate heat into your deep conditioning routine, here are some steps you can follow to ensure that you are doing it correctly:
Choose a heat source: There are several ways to add heat to your deep conditioning treatment, including using a hooded dryer, a heated cap, or a towel that has been warmed in the dryer. Choose the method that works best for you, and make sure that the heat source is not too hot, so as to avoid any damage from excessive heat exposure.
Prepare your hair: Before deep conditioning, make sure that your hair is clean and detangled. This will make it easier for the treatment to penetrate the hair shaft, and will also reduce the risk of breakage during the deep conditioning process.
Apply the deep conditioner: Apply your deep conditioner to your hair, making sure to cover all strands thoroughly.
Cover your hair: Once you have applied the deep conditioner, cover your hair with a plastic cap or a heated cap to trap in the heat and help the treatment penetrate the hair shaft more deeply.
Apply heat: Depending on the heat source you have chosen, you can either sit under a hooded dryer, wear a heated cap, or wrap your hair in a warm towel. Make sure that the heat source is not too hot, as excessive heat can damage the hair.
Allow the treatment to sit: Allow the deep conditioner to sit on your hair for the recommended time, which is typically 20-30 minutes (but be sure to check on the particular product you're using).
Rinse the treatment: Once the treatment time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove the deep conditioner.
Following these steps, you can incorporate heat into your deep conditioning routine to help to increase the effectiveness of your treatment, and provide some extra benefits to your curls. Keep in mind, though, that it is important to use heat only in moderation. If you do decide to use heat when deep conditioning, make sure to monitor the temperature of your heat source, and avoid using it too frequently. Happy conditioning!
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