Most deep conditioners are either protein-based to minimize breakage, or moisture-based to hydrate your locks, and they are each better suited for certain hair types.
Moisture-based deep conditioners give curly and textured hair essential moisturization, while protein-based ones should be used to help heal damaged strands.
Choosing to not shampoo your hair before you apply a deep conditioner will make the treatment less effective since it can’t penetrate your locks when they’re covered in build-up.
You should always shampoo beforehand to remove any hairspray, gel, dust, or excess oil. Any shampoo will work, but a clarifying or chelating shampoo will be more beneficial.
Detangling your hair before or during a deep conditioning is essential. Straight or wavy hair can be combed before it’s wet, while textured hair must be wet and conditioned.
Trying to shampoo tangled hair will almost always lead to more knots, so make sure to detangle your hair in sections with a wide-toothed comb working from the ends to the roots.
It’s difficult to actually use too much deep conditioner since most of it would just wash out of your hair, but the product can be expensive so be mindful about wasting it.
Not using enough conditioner is what you need to worry about. For the best results, you want to make sure your tresses are generously saturated with the treatment.
Leaving a hair mask on for too long can lead to hygral fatigue. This is caused by adding moisture to your hair follicles again and again, which makes them swell and un-swell.
This damages the hair follicles and makes them more brittle and frizzy, so to avoid that, it’s best to read the product’s instructions to know how long to leave it on.