Conditioning hair is something that should be a regular part of your haircare routine. The primary purpose of conditioning your hair is to retain the moisture and infuse extra moisture if you struggle with dry hair. But can you condition your hair every day? To help answer this question, we researched this topic to provide a detailed answer.
The simple answer is no; you cannot and should not condition your hair every day. Conditioning your hair might seem like a good idea as your hair will be soft and silky to the touch, but it actually will make your hair weaker and more prone to breakage in the long run.
So, how many times should you condition your hair in a week, or how many times should one wash their hair in a week? For some, not washing their hair every day might seem like a strange idea and might even seem unhygienic. Read further so we can dispel these myths.
This article may include affiliate links and elements that were carefully created by our team using advanced ai to help you envision the best style advice.
Can I Condition My Hair Everyday?
It all comes down to how many a person chooses to wash their hair every week. It is a well-known fact that conditioner and shampoo go hand-in-hand with each other; however, some people insist on using the conditioner every day without using shampoo. While this does not cause any direct harm to one’s hair, It can cause thinning, breakage, and even make one’s hair look greasy and oily in the long run.
For people who work out or are athletic in general, washing and conditioning their hair more often isn’t unusual. The oils and sweat that build up in their hair require them to wash their hair more often than an average person. However, just rinsing your hair with water, gently rubbing your scalp, and exfoliating can do the trick to keep your hair healthy.
In general, it is recommended that you wash your hair no more than three times a week for most people, which goes for conditioning. However, the hair type and the hairstyle one may cause this number to change. People with straight and dry hair would be required to condition their hair more often than a person with curly, long, or oily hair.
It all comes down to knowing your hair and what it needs. If you have dry or curly hair, conditioning often can prove beneficial for your scalp and even help tame your hair even without shampooing your hair. Conditioning will usually retain the natural moisture your hair has. In case of dry hair, it will add the moisture needed to make your hair more manageable and give it a healthier-looking appearance.
It advised that one should build a routine for conditioning their hair instead of doing it every day, depending on your hair needs.
Is it Bad to Put Leave-in Conditioner in your Hair Every Day?
Leave-in conditioners are the type of conditioner one uses when they want to deep condition their hair. This is done when your hair requires some extra caring and moisture. It can depend on your hair type, the type of climate you live in, and even the seasons! During the summer months, your scalp is typically dryer than usual, and it may require you to deep condition your hair from time to time.
However, in any case, it is not recommended that you put a leave-in conditioner in your hair every day. Just like everything else, your hair also needs a break. It requires a break from shampooing and conditioning. Using a leave-in conditioner every day will cause more harm than good. The conditioner can build-up and leave residue on your scalp from continuous use.
Should I Condition Wet or Dry Hair?
For most people, their hair care routine is pretty standard. Rinse, shampoo, and then condition. Some people even suggest that reverse conditioning (Putting on conditioner before shampoo) is beneficial for your hair. However, that comes down to personal preference for how you manage your hair.
Putting conditioner on damp or dry hair might not be an ideal choice to make. Putting conditioner on dry hair will make it difficult to lather it on and spread it around. This will cause the conditioner to stick to only certain areas of your hair. So, when you finally rinse it off, it will difficult to not only take it out of your hair, but you would also have a hard time spotting where the conditioner is.
On the contrary, putting in conditioner on wet hair will spread more evenly and make the process much easier and quicker. It is recommended that once you are done lathering your conditioner on, leave it in your hair for 3-5 minutes, let it settle in to get the best results.
How Often Should I Condition my Curly Hair?
Curly hair tends to be more dry and frizzy. This happens because curly hair is so dense that it is difficult for your natural oils to spread through your hair. This is also why the ends of curly hair can seem dryer than straighter hair. Another problem that is caused by this is frizziness. Since there is no moisture in your hair, it ‘poofs’ up and becomes frizzy. This can cause problems in styling, combing, and making your hair.
The first thing people with curly hair need to do is get a conditioner rich in moisture. People who have curly, dry, and frizzy hair should condition their hair more often. This means conditioning your hair up to 4-5 times a week.
An average person conditions their hair on alternate days--however, people with dry hair need to condition their hair more often to keep their hair tame. This happens because curly hair does not get enough natural moisture, to begin with. So, to fix that problem and make one’s hair more manageable and tamed, they are advised to condition hair more than the average person.
What Conditioner is Best for Oily Hair?
For oily hair, it is best to go in with products that are made with natural ingredients and are paraben-free. Since conditioners are made to retain moisture, it is best to go in with the naturally made and would not be too hard on your scalp.
L'Oréal Paris Rebalancing Conditioner
Click Here to See More on Amazon
TRESemmé Deep Cleansing Conditioner
Click Here to See More on Amazon
How Can I Condition my Hair Naturally?
There are some great alternatives to conditioner one can use if they don’t want to purchase manufactured products. Natural conditioners are easy to make and are known to work wonders for people's hair. The benefit of making your conditioner is that you know exactly what you are putting in your hair.
Here are a few natural hair conditioner recipes:
Vinegar and Egg Conditioner
Ingredients: 2-3 eggs, olive oil, honey, vinegar, and lemon juice
Steps:
- Whisk 2-3 eggs.
- Add a tablespoon of vinegar and two teaspoons of lemon juice and mix.
- Add one and a half spoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of honey.
- Mix it with a blender until it turns into a thick paste
- Apply at the ends of your hair and leave it in for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with water
Banana Hair Mask
Ingredients: One banana, three tablespoons of honey, milk, olive oil, and one egg.
Steps: Mix the ingredients until it turns into a paste. Apply on your hair and leave it in for 15-30 minutes. This hair mask works best for dry and frizzy hair.
If you want a natural conditioner, but don't want to make it, here are some excellent products made from natural ingredients.
PureNature Argan Oil Conditioner
Click Here to See More on Amazon
ShiKai Natural Tea Tree Conditioner
Click Here to See More on Amazon
What is the Difference Between a Conditioner and a Deep Conditioner?
There is one main difference between deep conditioning and regular conditioning. While a regular conditioner would not go that deep in your scalp and is only left on for about 3-5 minutes, a deep conditioner penetrates deep into your hair follicles. It is typically left on for 15-30 minutes. One gets better results by deep conditioning, although it is not ideal for regular use or when you are in a hurry.
What Conditioner is Best for Colored Hair?
If you are someone with color-treated hair, it is best to go with a sulfate-free conditioner. Other ingredients to keep an eye out for include: Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, and Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine. These ingredients can negatively affect the color of your hair.
Biolage Colorlast Conditioner
Click Here to See More on Amazon
Conclusion
In any scenario, no matter how curly, dry, or frizzy someone’s hair is, it is not ideal to put conditioner in every day. Too much of anything can be harmful, and the same goes for conditioner. If used as suggested for your hair type, a good conditioner will work wonders for your hair. Always make sure to get a conditioner that is suited for your hair.
To see more hair-related information, check out these other in-depth hair articles here on StyleCheer.
