Conditioners are ideal for maintaining soft and tangle-free hair. But according to professional hairstylists, most people don't realize that other things are needed if the hair is too dry or damaged. Hair masks are ideal for dealing with the worst cases of hair damage.
Why use hair masks for damaged hair?
Regular conditioners treat the surface of the hair. But when you rinse, most of the conditioner goes down the drain. Masks go deeper and they nourish the hair with healing ingredients and moisturize damaged hair. In addition, the thicker consistency adheres better and longer to the hair. It acts as a filler for the damaged hair strand. What it comes down to? Any form of hair damage – from hair coloring, chemical straightening or overstyling, environmental exposure or the normal wear and tear of the hair over time – can benefit from the deep conditioning of hair masks.
How to use masks for damaged hair
For the use of a hair mask, you can omit the conditioner. Shampoo the hair as usual, use a good amount of the mask (enough to cover your hair thoroughly) and comb through with a large comb. Wait about five minutes and rinse. Or you can apply the mask, cover your hair with a plastic cap, and relax under a dryer or in the sun for 20 minutes before rinsing. The extra heat opens the epidermis of the hair and allows the mask to penetrate. Another strategy is to use a mask before washing the hair. Before shampooing the hair, wet the hair slightly, apply the mask, and wait for about 30 minutes. Then use shampoo and conditioner. Or put the mask in your hair before going to sleep, giving the mask ingredients a full eight hours to work!
When using hair masks for damaged hair, most hairstylists recommend a hair mask once or twice a week. But there is no quick rule. If the hair is very damaged and responds well to a hair mask, use it after every shampoo. If the hair becomes limp or greasy after a while, reduce the frequency of application.
