You probably use conditioner every day when you wash your hair, but there is a way to nourish your hair more deeply, using a hair mask.
Hair masks are a special kind of deep conditioning conditioner that help nourish, moisturize, and protect your hair.
A hair mask has more concentrated ingredients in their formulas, and you leave them on your hair longer than regular conditioner. This gives the formula time to sink in and permeate your hair.
What is a Hair Mask?
Conditioners and hair masks both work to hydrate and nourish hair, but a hair mask is a more effective, penetrating conditioning treatment.
A hair mask is a more concentrated, thicker, deeper permeating version of conditioner that you leave on your hair for longer periods of time, delivering a more intense nourishing treatment.
Consider a hair mask the halfway point between regular conditioner and professional hair treatment. Masks are meant to be used about once a week to deeply nourish and condition hair, making it look healthy. lustrous, and shiny. If you have abnormally dry or porous hair you can use a mask more often.
Hair Mask vs Conditioner – Do You Need Both?
Using hair masks in coordination with regular conditioners can be a way to make your hair healthier and more hydrated. There are a few differences between the two.
Conditioners are used every day during your shower, after you wash your hair. They provide some protection and hydration to the surface of the hair follicle.
Hair masks are used once a week, more or less, depending on the condition of your hair. Masks penetrate the hair shaft and provide extra nourishment and hydration. Masks are left in the hair for several minutes after being applied to towel dried hair, then rinsed out.
Benefits of a Hair Mask
There are different mask formulas for different hair types but these are the main benefits of using a hair mask:
- Hydration. Hair masks infuse the hair with extra moisture from within, using natural moisturizing oils to hydrate the hair.
- Stronger hair. Using a mask can help reduce hair breakage and make hair stronger.
- Smoother hair. A hair mask can help coat the hair shaft, restoring a soft and supple coating to hair.
- Moisturizing curls. Curly hair can benefit from masking, as the curls get extra moisture helping them to stay defined.
- Extra heat protection. Masks can help coat the cuticle and protect it from blow drying and heat damage.
- Hair repair. A mask can help repair and nourish hair that is damaged, dry, brittle, or porous.
Who Should Use a Hair Mask?
Hair masks have a lot of benefits for anyone who wants their hair to look healthier and more beautiful.
If your hair is exposed to heat, weather, chemical treatments, or coloring, you probably can benefit from regularly using a hair mask to replenish proteins and hydrate your hair. Masks can help repair hair, calm frizz, add bounce and shine, and replenish hydration to hair. There are different types of masks made for different types of hair, so look for one that fits your hair type.
Who Should Use a Hair Mask?
If your hair looks dry, brittle, or damaged, it might be time to use a hair mask. Hair masks help nourish, heal, and hydrate damaged hair. If you have recently used lots of heat styling or got your hair colored, a hair mask is a good way to help repair the damage from heat or chemical processing. It’s also oaky to use a hair occasionally to help make your hair healthy, shiny, and voluminous, even if you don’t have damage from styling processes.
How Long Can You Leave a Hair Mask In?
The instructions for most hair masks say to leave them in for 3 to 5 minutes, but some can be applied for up to 20 minutes for damaged or dehydrated hair.
How to Apply a Hair Mask
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a hair mask at home.
1. Wash your hair
A hair mask is applied to wet hair once you shampoo out any residue and buildup. This ensures your hair is ready to absorb the key ingredients of the mask.
2. Pat your hair dry with a towel
Do not rub your hair with a towel as this causes friction damage to your hair. Damp hair can absorb the nourishing components of the mask, dry hair cannot, soaking wet hair will dilute the mask. Microfiber towels are best for hair care, but patting it dry with a cotton towel is okay.
3. Apply your mask
Rub the product in your hands, start at the mid-length part of your hair and work towards the ends. Work the mask into your hair, moving downwards. This will help the ingredients absorb into your hair.
4. Let the mask soak in
Follow the instructions on the product for best results. Most masks say from 3 to 10 minutes. This is long enough for the mask to penetrate and nourish your hair shaft.
5. Rinse thoroughly
Use cool to cold water to seal the cuticles of the hair shaft, sealing in the moisture. Rinse your hair well, so your hair isn’t weighed down with leftover product.
How Often Should You Use a Hair Mask?
How often you use a hair mask depends on the condition of your hair and your hair type. Most people use a hair mask about once or twice a week. If your hair is consistently frizzy or dry, you might use it two to three times per week. Be consistent with your schedule for best results.
Can You Leave Hair Masks on Overnight?
Hair masks are meant to be left on the hair for long periods of time, and you can leave them on a bit longer than directed, but you must rinse off the mask to see results. Masks are not the same as hair treatments, which are sometimes designed for overnight applications. Masks should not be left on overnight, as this can weigh down the hair and leave unwanted residue.
How to Find the Right Hair Mask for Your Hair Type
Hair type has a lot to do with selecting the right type of mask. Fine hair requires weightless hydration while coarser hair needs thicker richer hair products to soak in the nourishment. Low porosity hair needs more hydration more often. Straight hair and curly hair have different needs, so when you shop for hair masks, look for a formula that fits your hair type.
Ingredients to Look For in a High-Quality Hair Mask
A nourishing hair mask should contain natural ingredients which will make your hair healthy. These are ingredients which will often appear in hair mask formulas.
- Keratin: Keratin is a protein found naturally in hair, but environmental and heat damage can strip the protein from hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Keratin builds up the hair, strengthening it and making it able to retain moisture.
- Honey: Honey is a natural ingredient which helps attract moisture from the environment, making the hair more supple and elastic. Honey helps guard against mechanical stress, such as detangling, and is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making it good for your hair and scalp.
- Glycerin: Glycerin, like honey is natural humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to the hair, assisting in long-term hydration.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a deep moisturizing agent that has a low molecular weight, meaning it can penetrate the hair shaft. It moisturizes the hair and help repair the damage caused by heat and weather.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the hair from environmental damage, while nourishing the hair, stimulating hair growth, and giving it a luxurious shine.
- Wheat Proteins: Hydrolyzed whet proteins help the hair retain moisture, improving the hair strength, making the hair supple and less prone to breakage.
- Macadamia Oil: Macadamia oil is very rich in vitamin E, repairing hair and making it healthier. It penetrates the hair, repairing damaged hair and leaving it silky and bouncy.
- Almond Oil: Almond oil is rich in protein, omega-9 fatty acids, and vitamin E, all helping to repair and moisturize the hair. Almond oil is a natural emollient, filling in the gaps in the hair follicle at a cellular level. This oil help make the hair softer, and protects it from breakage and split ends.
- Boabab Oil: This oil renews damaged hair, nourishing the hair, restoring elasticity and strength to the hair strands.
As for ingredients that you never want to see in your hair mask? Make sure your mask does not contain sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, these can do more damage to your hair than healing. Sulfates are damaging to the hair cuticle and this can cause your hair to loose hydration over time.
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