Guest Author - Grace D. Dooley

Last week’s Feature Article was How to Properly Shampoo Ethnic Hair. This week we continue with How to Properly Condition Ethnic Hair. Conditioning your hair should be your next step in your hair care routine after shampooing. Ethnic hair especially needs to be conditioned after shampooing.

Things to Consider
Make sure you have the proper hair conditioning product for your hair type and condition. It is preferable for you to use a system of hair care products that work together. Products from the same line maximize the conditioning results for your hair.

There are different ways and times to condition your hair. For the sake of this article we are talking right after your shampoo. There is deep conditioning. There are hair masks, hot oil treatments, etc to help condition the hair, but the main conditioning is what you do after you shampoo. We will address these in coming articles.

Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions for your conditioner. Whether you use a leave-in conditioner or one that needs to be rinsed out is a preference of the individual. I switch up. I have a conditioner that I rinse out and one that I leave-in.

Applying Conditioner
To apply conditioner to hair, pour a small amount, starting with about the size of a quarter, into your hand.

Rub your hands together and feather the conditioner through the hair. Beginning with the scalp and the roots apply the conditioner by finger combing, working the conditioner into the hair.

Apply more as needed until all the hair is saturated with conditioner.

Massage the scalp
Once hair is coated, begin gently massaging your scalp, using your fingertips to work the conditioner into the hair. Do not roughly shake, tousle or tease the hair.

Recommended Time
The recommended leave in time for conditioners can be found under the directions on the product. Usually between 3-5 minutes work well in the shower and on the go. The condition of your hair will also determine how long you leave the conditioner in too.

During this time the steam from the shower will help in the conditioning process. You can even apply a conditioning cap if you would like.

Rinse
Use very warm water to rinse the conditioner out of your hair. This help to rinse out the excess conditioner. Make sure you rinse your hair carefully and good, being careful not to tousle or tangle it.

Cool Down
Once the conditioner is rinsed out, give your hair a final rinse with cool water. Cool water helps to seal in the conditioning and moisturizing agents.

Rinse with the cool water until you feel the cool water all through your hair. If you rinse with cool water your will feel the difference in the temperature when you rinse.

And from here the rest is up to you; but this is: How to Properly Condition Your Hair. I hope this helps those of you who have been searching.

I love washing my hair. It becomes so silky, smooth and soft. But when it dries, it does not have that same softness. Nevertheless I know I am doing everything I can to give my hair the best chance of being healthy and beautiful.