Deep conditioning does so much for your hair from preserving its healthy state to bringing it back to life! There are multiple methods and products you can use to deep condition but first I should state what deep conditioning natural hair actually means.
Deep conditioners are products intended to restore and treat your hair by penetrating the hair shaft. You should aim to add your product of choice thoroughly throughout your hair to receive the optimal results. Then place a plastic cap over your hair and let it sit for approximately 15 mins to an hour depending on how much heat is used (the more heat, the less time. Heat helps open up the hair shaft so the product can better penetrate your hair).
Product varies from person to person. Some naturalistas make their own deep conditioning. When I first started transitioning I made a homemade deep conditioner for my hair. I would use two eggs, six table spoons of mayo and one table spoon of honey. I mixed it all in a bowl, then applied the mixture all throughout my hair then covered my hair with a plastic cap. Applying the mixture to my hair was done easiest when I parted my hair into four sections.
DOS
If you are not fond of using food products on your hair you can also purchase items from the store that say deep conditioner or deep treatment on the container or you can use your favorite conditioner. I now use Mieille Organics Mint Deep Conditioner (order online only @MielleOrganics.com) or Eden’s Coconut Deep Conditioner that you can find at a Walgreens/CVS, Target or Walmart. These are my current choices but they do vary.
After applying the product you cover your hair with a plastic cap or multiple plastic caps. The point of the plastic cap is to ensure that your hair and your ends are soaking in all the moisture.
You can also wrap a towel, shirt or a scarf on top of the plastic cap to make sure that the hair is getting all the heat. Speaking of heat, you can sit under a steamer or a hair dryer for a period of time as well. Deep condition works better and really moisturizes your hair more intensely when heat is involved.
DON’TS
The time you keep the product in is up to you but I don’t suggest longer than an hour. Longer than an hour can cause a moisture overload if hair is already super moisturized. This can lead to mushy, breaking hair. You can keep deep conditioner in for as little as 15 minutes. If you need to run an errand but you have the deep conditioner in, put on a hat or scarf and head out the door. I try to deep condition weekly for an hour. Some people deep condition twice a week because their hair gets dry faster. The more you deep condition, the less time the deep conditioner needs to stay on your hair.
This process really all depends on what your hair needs. As long as you do it, the products you use, how often you do it, how long you keep it in your hair are all determined by your hair needs. I will say that you can over deep condition and the process can make your hair limp which is the opposite of what we want to happen (we want strength!). Be aware of that when determining the length you want to leave the product in.
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