How To Use Deep Conditioner Treatments

With so many hairstyle trends and hair styling products to try, there’s a good chance you’ve neglected your hair care routine. You might forget that hair needs a little TLC, just as your skin does. If you have dry, damaged, or color-treated hair, using a deep conditioner is a great way to revive and moisturize your mane. Here, we’re sharing a complete guide to deep conditioning treatments, including naming our best deep conditioner to use based on your hair type and answering some of the most popular questions on the topic.

WHAT IS A DEEP CONDITIONER?

A deep conditioner is a hair care staple that provides your locks with deeper, more thorough conditioning than a standard conditioner. Typically available in creamy formulas or mask offerings, this essential goes the extra mile to tackle a wide range of hair care concerns.  

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONDITIONER AND DEEP CONDITIONER?

You may find that some people refer to conditioner and deep conditioning hair treatments interchangeably, but both of these hair care products have distinct differences that make them unique. For starters, with conditioner, the goal is to replenish your hair with moisture that you may have lost during your wash session. The best way to think of a conditioner is as a moisturizer for your hair. 

On the other hand, a deep conditioner packs a mighty punch. As we noted above, this essential provides a deeper conditioning of your strands than a standard conditioner can provide. Usually, it’s much thicker than traditional conditioners, which works in your favor to refresh and revive your locks for a hydrated and nourished look and feel. It’s an ideal hair treatment for when your locks are looking a little dry and frail. 

DO YOU USE CONDITIONER AFTER DEEP CONDITIONER?

It may seem smart to double up on the conditioning treatments and use conditioner after your hair conditioning treatment. However, this simply isn’t necessary. On the days that you reach for a deep conditioning treatment, you don’t need a regular conditioner, too.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU DEEP CONDITION YOUR HAIR?

How often you deep condition your hair is dependent on the state of your hair and the deep conditioning hair treatment you choose to use. In general, you should deep condition your hair whenever you feel like your locks need extra attention. This can be after getting your hair colored or enduring a lot of heat styling, or simply to pamper your locks as a form of self-care.

Usually, deep conditioning treatments are intended to be used a few times per week, but if you use a daily deep conditioner (which we’ll talk more about soon), you can deep condition your strands every day.

6 DEEP CONDITIONING TIPS FOR HYDRATED HAIR

Ready to add a deep conditioner to your routine? Here are six tips to try!

TIP #1: PICK THE BEST DEEP CONDITIONER FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE

First and foremost, the most important part of deep conditioning your mane is to grab the right deep hair conditioner—and not just any deep conditioner. You’ll want to look for a deep conditioner that’s formulated for your hair type, such as a deep conditioner for natural hair or a deep conditioner for color-treated hair.

If you like the idea of a daily deep conditioner, which can be used in place of regular conditioner each time you wash your hair, take your pick from the three options below. You’ll apply whichever one you choose onto wet hair from lengths to ends after shampooing and leave it on for one minute before rinsing thoroughly.

If you have dry hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner. This deep hair conditioner for dry hair deeply moisturizes. The formula, which contains 20% conditioning serum and camellia and sunflower oil, helps hydrate each strand for silkier, softer hair.

If you have color-treated hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner. This deep conditioner for color-treated hair revives your strands while also enhancing shine. Formulated for colored hair, it contains 20% conditioning serum, antioxidants, and pomegranate, and helps hydrate each strand for hair that’s shiny and silky.

If you have damaged hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner. If you find yourself Googling, “What are the best deep conditioners for damaged hair?” you can stop your search. This deep conditioner for damaged hair deep conditions while repairing the hair. The conditioner is formulated with a 20% conditioning serum, almond, and protein, and helps fortify each strand, reinforcing the hair fiber.

Another option for deep conditioning damaged hair is to use the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm. This rinse-out hair mask repairs up to one year of damage for healthier, revived hair in just one use. The formula instantly repairs the five signs of damage—split ends, weakness, roughness, dullness, and dehydration. Apply it to your strands after using the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo, leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse. (Watch the video above to see exactly what to do!)

TIP #2: USE A DEEP CONDITIONING CAP

When your locks are extra thirsty for moisture and conditioning, you can take your conditioning treatment to the next level with a deep conditioning cap. Similar to a shower cap, this hair care tool is designed to be heated up so your hair can absorb the deep conditioning treatment better. As a result, it helps to provide your hair with extra nourishment and moisture, which goes a long way in improving the look and feel of your hair. Intrigued? Head on over to our article, How to Use a Deep Conditioning Cap, for more information. 

TIP #3: USE A MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

Deep conditioning your hair also calls for using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner when washing your hair. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner will replenish your hair with moisture for lush-touch softness.

An alternative option is the L’Oréal Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Conditioner. This hair care system has apricot oil in its formula and helps replenish dry, brittle hair with vital nourishment and deep moisture. Your hair will be left looking healthier and with a silky-soft texture. When using, make sure to leave the conditioner on for the full two minutes, so your hair gets optimal moisture.

TIP #4: INVEST IN A LEAVE-IN HAIR TREATMENT

There are a variety of hair treatments on the market that can help you deep condition and moisturize your hair. And yes, you can use a hair treatment in addition to a deep conditioner. Here are a few of our best hair treatments to replenish moisture:

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Treatment: This protein hair treatment will help increase the strength and flexibility of your hair while also nourishing it. Apply a small amount of the treatment to wet hair after shampooing and conditioning. Do not rinse out and instead style as you usually would.

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair Remedy Balm: This hair balm includes acai palm and an exclusive antioxidant complex to care for damaged hair. With continued use, your locks will be stronger, shinier, and renewed. Apply the balm to wet hair after shampooing and leave it on for up to five minutes before rinsing.

TIP #5: GET A HAIR MASK

Want to give your hair even more TLC? Use a hair mask! Hair masks are to hair what face masks are to skin—and we love them! Here are a few hair masks worth trying:

If you have dry hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Curls Re-Nourish Mask. This hair mask for dry, curly hair hydrates to reveal bouncy, defined, lustrous curls—eliminating dryness in just one wash. Apply to wet hair, massaging through wet ends, after shampooing. Leave on for three to five minutes, then rinse. 

If you have color-treated hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair and Protect Balm, a luxurious mask that will give your hair intensive, post-color care by smoothing and protecting your strands. Apply the mask after shampooing, leave it on for up to five minutes, then rinse out! You can use this mask one to two times per week in place of conditioner.

If you have damaged hair…try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Mask. This rinse-out, rich healing hair mask repairs the hair fiber of extremely damaged, sensitized hair in need of urgent recovery. The luxurious formula conditions and instantly penetrates, reinforcing and deeply renewing broken fibers of damaged hair for healthy-looking results. Use this hair mask for damaged hair weekly, applying after shampooing for three to five minutes before rinsing.

TIP #6: DON’T LEAVE A HAIR CONDITIONING TREATMENT ON ALL NIGHT

Are you wondering, “Can I deep condition my hair overnight?” With all of the benefits of a conditioning treatment in mind, it’s easy to assume an overnight treatment would enhance those benefits even more. However, simply put, it’s not the best idea for your locks. Hair conditioning treatments are only meant to be used for a specific period of time. If you decide to leave them on overnight, you can offset your hair’s moisture levels and cause more harm than good. Play it safe and follow the instructions listed on the packaging of your deep conditioning hair treatment to get your desired results. If you prefer a product that can be left on overnight, seek out night hair masks or leave-in formulas.

Next: 10 Ways to Stop Hair Breakage