How to get the most out of your conditioner

No matter what your texture, type or concern – your scalp and hair will benefit from the regular use of a hair conditioner.

Why do I need a conditioner?

As the great people at Philip Kingsley, one of England’s leading trichological authorities, explain – conditioning is an important step in your hair maintenance routine. Hair conditioners smooth the hair cuticle, aiding light reflection and ensuring a glossy appearance. The closing of the cuticle helps to protect your hairs’ inner layer (the cortex) from damage and the loss of moisture through evaporation (which leads to dehydrated hair) – it also ensures your hair remains tangle-free.

Condtioners sometimes get a bad rep, because when applied incorrectly they can weigh the hair down or leave it looking greasy/dull. That depends on the application!

A good hair conditioner provides compounds that protect the hair. When we shampoo our hair, and cleanse the scalp of product build-up, dead cells and dirty, the hair cuticle layer swells slightly. The cuticle layer usually covers the hair shafts tightly, but it is lifted away post-cleanse which leaves the hair vulnerable to heat, chemical and environmental damage.

Hair conditioners reduce cuticle swelling and do their best to guard hair until the next shampoo.

How to apply conditioner

Squeeze a cherry-sized amount of conditioner into the palm of your hands, rub them together and smooth the conditioner over your hair paying special attention to the mid-section and ends. You can apply a pea sized amount to your roots, and massage it in, but we really mean a pea-sized amount. Depending on the conditioner, leave it in for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, or longer if it’s a deep conditioner, and rinse thoroughly.