The Best Conditioner for Black Hair
Follow These Guidelines on Choosing the Right Conditioner
Jan 21, 2009
Go into any shampoo and conditioner aisle at your local drug store and you are bound to be overwhelmed and shocked at all of the options. Women with dry and/or extremely curly hair need to use conditioning treatments because it adds much-needed hydration to dry, brittle hair. Conditioners cannot make severely damaged hair healthy again, but it can be used as a protection against further damage from heating appliances and other abuse we inflict on our hair.
Here are tips on choosing the right conditioner:
Read Labels
Reading labels will make sure you're getting what you paid for. Oftentimes, more expensive conditioners will have the same ingredients as less expensive conditioners, which makes you wonder what you're paying for. Always read compare labels.
Also, according to Treasuredlocks.com, avoid the use of the following ingredients or make sure they are at the end of the list of often-unpronounceable products:
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben
- Petrolatum and Mineral Oil
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate
The aforementioned products may cause allergic reactions. They are not harmful in smaller doses and are controversial in terms of if they are truly harmful. Just use caution.
Look for conditioners infused with these natural oils.
- rosemary
- coconut
- jojoba
- olive
The ingredients are great for natural hair conditioners. Luckily, many products on the market are infused with these ingredients. Always look for these ingredients to be near the top of the label on the back of the conditioner bottle.
Use a Creamy Conditioner
Clear, gel-based conditoners tend to dry out curly hair.
Other helpful advice for conditioning black hair:
Minimize the Use of Heat
Heat damages your hair. Reducing the amount of heat will make the need for conditioning your hair less urgent.
Concentrate on the Ends of Your Hair
The ends of your hair are the driest because it takes your hair’s natural oils the longest time to reach them. Likewise, don't put all the conditioner on your roots because your scalp produces oils naturally and the need for conditioner there is less important than the ends.
Remember to Use a Leave-in Conditioner After You Wash and Condition Your Hair
Some would argue that you can throw away your wash-out conditioner altogether if you use an excellent shampoo and an excellent leave-in conditioner. No matter what you decide, always use a leave-in conditioner. Leave-in conditioner acts as protection from heat and normal wear and tear.
Use these tips on choosing the right conditioner and you will find your hair healthier and more manageable. As always, these are just tips and suggestions on how to care for your hair. Of course everyone's hair is different and what you feel may be the best option can be different from the advice suggested here. Remember that the best hair is healthy hair.
Sources:
- Good Hair by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner
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