What is the function of hair conditioner and how to use it?
Who doesn’t want to have shiny healthy hair? One way to make it happen is to wash your hair regularly. Not only that, there are many hair care products available to support your beauty privilege with lot of cosmetics, including conditioners. using conditioner also increases our confidence when appearing in public places
What is the function of hair conditioner?
Conditioner is a care product to make hair more manageable. In addition, conditioner also helps increase the volume of hair which has an impact on appearance. Actually, the use of conditioner aims to prevent hair strands from rubbing together when combed.
Using the right conditioner according to your hair type can reduce split ends. In fact, this one hair treatment helps strengthen the follicles (hair roots) to prevent hair damage.
Even so, some people still believe that washing their hair is enough to keep them clean. In fact, shampooing without shampoo and conditioner can actually strip away the natural oils your hair needs to stay healthy.
That is why shampoo and conditioner are necessary in your shampooing routine. However, the proper shampooing method will depend on each person’s hair type and length. Basic lab is an example of a conditioner that can be used for all hair needs, from blonde hair, anti loss hair, oily hair, etc
How conditioner works
When viewed from a microscope, strands of hair will look like flakes that are stacked on top of each other. These flakes are dead cells that form the cuticle layer to protect the inside of the hair which is fragile and easily damaged.
When the hair is bouncy and looks tangled, it means that the cuticle layer has been damaged. Like a mine where the fibers start to fall off, the splinter in the cuticle layer doesn’t pile up evenly.
Over time, the chemical structure that binds the cells to the cuticle layer weakens. These cells then become loose and rub against the cuticle layer on other hair strands. As a result, hair becomes damaged, easily broken, and tangled.
The role of conditioner is very important. This is because conditioners contain cationic surfactants, which are compounds that can bind to negative ions in the hair strands.
The bond between cationic surfactants and hair strands forms a layer that protects the hair cuticle. In fact, the acid content in this treatment product also makes the cuticle layers bond together, so the hair feels smooth.
Ideally, conditioners contain not only surfactants, but also silicone (dimethicone). Silicone functions to form a waterproof sheath that locks in moisture to prevent hair from drying out or getting damaged.
Types of conditioner for hair
Most people probably choose a conditioner that is used after the hair is rinsed from the shampoo. Actually, there are a number of types of conditioners available in the market. However, whether this treatment product is suitable or not depends on your hair type.
- Mask conditioner
Mask conditioners or better known as hair masks are designed to penetrate the hair follicles. This is so that the hair follicles get protein and moisture intake. As a result, hair looks healthy, shiny, and beautiful.
- Deep conditioner
Unlike ordinary conditioners, deep conditioners are products that are commonly used by owners of dry and damaged hair. This is because deep conditioners offer more moisture than regular conditioners.However, this product is not recommended for normal hair. The reason is, the extra oil and emulsifier content in it actually causes the hair to look limp.
- Rinse conditioner
This conditioner is the most commonly used product. How to use it is fairly easy. You only need to apply this hair care product to your hair after shampooing.
- Leave-in conditioner
In fact, the function of a leave-in conditioner is the same as a normal conditioner. However, this hair conditioner does not contain oil, so there is no need to rinse.
Therefore, this type of conditioner is quite helpful for owners of fine and oily hair.
How to use conditioner
Before using conditioner, you should read the instructions of conditioner use first. Many products recommend using conditioner after shampooing. This is because shampoo usually strips hair of moisture and makes it dry.
By using conditioner after shampooing, your hair may regain its moisture. In addition, avoid using conditioner to the roots of the hair. You only need to apply this product from the stem to the ends of the hair.
Also, don’t use too much conditioner, which can actually make your hair look less voluminous and flat. It’s best to use just enough conditioner.
Why shouldn’t conditioner touch the scalp?
If you apply conditioner to your scalp, the silicone in the conditioner can clog the pores of the area. As a result, the natural oils from the follicles cannot reach the hair strands, causing them to dry out.
Although it can form a protective sheath for hair, silicone has its drawbacks. These minerals can strip the natural nutrients and oils from the hair strands. This can make the hair prone to breakage.
However, this condition may not apply to everyone. For people with a scalp that produces a lot of oil, the silicone in the conditioner can clog pores and cause scalp problems.
On the other hand, those with dry, damaged, or chemical-treated hair may be able to do this from time to time. The reason is, the conditioner that sometimes hits the scalp can actually keep the hair moist.
Are there any side effects of conditioner?
In fact, the side effects caused by conditioners are quite rare. Even so, shampoos and conditioners with acidity levels (pH) higher than 5.5 are at risk of causing irritation to the scalp.
For those of you who have sensitive skin, you should do a patch test before using the conditioner. This aims to prevent allergic reactions or skin irritations affected by this hair care product. In addition to using conditioner, it is also accompanied by the use of hair oil from Onlybio, so that hair health is maintained
If you have further questions, consult a dermatologist or dermatologist to get the right solution.