4. Hydrolized proteins
Hydrolized proteins are proteins that have been altered to seap into the cuticle and fill in the cortex. They help coily hair to regain strength from daily wear and tear by replacing proteins that are lost through manipulation. CurlyNikki’s Finding Your Perfect Deep Conditioner – The Ultimate Guide is a great reference for a list of hydrolized proteins and more information.
5. Use heat
Deep conditioning with a processing cap under a hooded dryer for a minimum of 15 minutes is just devine. It is possible for your hair to absorb nutrients from conditioners without confined heat, but it will take longer. Not only does using heat expand the hair shaft to give the conditioner more access to seap through, but it also helps certain ingredients bond to the cuticle.
6. Cool water
Rinsing your hair with cool water after deep conditioning helps to close the cuticle. By rinsing with warm water, you re-open the hair shaft and possibly lose nutrients that were just put into the hair.
Whenever moisturizing and sealing don’t work and your hair keeps laughing at your co-wash conditioner, it’s probably time to deep condition. Your hair thrives when it starts with a good foundation. A great analogy is your body’s need for hydration. To some, a Coke sounds great on a hot summer day, but the body is not truly hydrated without water. Your hair is the same. Product build-up and synthetic ingredients are like that false sense of hydration. You keep drinking looking to quench that thirst until you finally drink water. Deep condition your coils with the best of the best and you will definitely see a difference.
