Q&A for How to Apply Conditioner to Your Hair

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  • Question
    How long do you have to leave conditioner in your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    A daily conditioner only needs to sit on the hair for 1-5 minutes. A treatment conditioner may need up to 20 minutes to maximize benefits.
  • Question
    Can you wash your hair with conditioner?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can; it's called co-washing and it's especially popular on curly hair. Co-washing works best with lightweight conditioner and some are made especially for this purpose.
  • Question
    How often should you use conditioner on your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You should use conditioner every time you wet your hair, but you don't have to use a lot. If your hair feels soft and smooth already you can just run a small amount through your ends.
  • Question
    What does conditioner do to your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Conditioner hydrates the hair and smoothes the cuticle so that it's less likely to catch and tear. Some conditioners also include protein for strengthening or powder that makes hair appear fuller.
  • Question
    Is conditioner good for thin hair?
    Gina Almona
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes. However, you should avoid using a deep or heavy conditioner since it may be too moisturizing for your hair type.
  • Question
    Can you apply conditioner on your scalp?
    Gina Almona
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    This isn't necessary. Applying conditioner to your roots will only make your hair oily and weigh it down.
  • Question
    Is it necessary to rinse after using conditioner?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you must rinse out conditioner unless it specifically states that it is a leave-in conditioner.
  • Question
    How do I find suitable conditioner?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    You will find a suitable conditioner by trial and error, meaning, finding what brands work best for you. It is best to conduct research and read reviews before making a purchase.
  • Question
    Can you wash your hair with conditioner?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Washing hair only with conditioner is known as "co-washing." Many people find it works much better for their hair type than using shampoo. The rationale behind co-washing is that conditioner is softer and less harsh than shampoo, a quality that can be useful for damaged or unruly curly hair, for example. What is important is that you wash out the conditioner as completely as possible, and you’ll probably have to scrub a bit more, as there is none of the lathering you’d get with shampoo. And co-washing can cause a buildup of conditioner that needs to be washed out with a clarifying shampoo every now and then before resuming the co-washing. Remember, this only works for some hair types, it may be a terrible choice if your hair tends to the oily side, and if it doesn’t work for you, then at least you tried!
  • Question
    How often should you use conditioner on your hair?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Most people use conditioner after shampooing, so as often as you shampoo, you can also be using conditioner. In fact, shampoo should be used less often than conditioner, as it is harsher on your scalp and hair oils, so you could choose to use conditioner more frequently than you use shampoo (just be sure to rinse it out properly). It is important to choose a conditioner suited to your hair type for the best results and you only use small amounts evenly distributed through your hair to avoid buildup.
  • Question
    Can you leave conditioner in your hair?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The standard rinse-out hair conditioner for regular use is meant to be washed out within a few minutes of application and not left in your hair. Leaving it in your hair provides no benefits but could increase oiliness/stickiness or weigh your hair down, making it appear limp and lifeless. Deep conditioners are also inappropriate to leave in for longer than the conditioning treatment instructions recommend. Leaving such conditioners in too long can make it hard to clean your hair properly and may cause an itchy scalp. There are leave-in hair conditioners purposefully made for leaving in your hair, which are much lighter than rinse-out or deep conditioners.
  • Question
    Can I apply conditioner when my hair is dry?
    Community Answer
    You cannot apply conditioner if your hair is dry; you have to wet it first. Once your hair is wet, you can apply a regular conditioner and rinse it out, or you can apply a leave-in conditioner instead. If your hair becomes unruly during the day, consider applying a hair-smoothing cream instead; those can be applied to dry hair.
  • Question
    Can I damage my hair by using too much conditioner?
    Community Answer
    Not at all. The most you will do is waste money on conditioner as you will go through it fast if you are constantly using too much. Use the best amount of product. If you have average hair length and thickness, divide your hair in half and work dime-sized amounts into different sections until every strand below your ears is covered evenly.
  • Question
    Can we use conditioner once a week?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can, depending on the thickness/thinness of your hair. If you hair is thick, then you can use it once a weak. On the other side, as in the case of fine hair, you have to use it twice a week. In short, after every hair wash, you need to use conditioner for shiny look.
  • Question
    Is it necessary to wash hair after applying conditioner?
    Community Answer
    No, you wash your hair before applying conditioner. If you're talking about rinsing, yes, you have to rinse the conditioner out. If you want a treatment you can leave in your hair, there are leave-in conditioners and other leave-in treatment products available.
  • Question
    After applying oil, can I use conditioner after a head bath?
    Community Answer
    Yes. But before you do that, remember to first use a shampoo to remove the oil from your scalp and then you can condition it. Remember that it's best to oil your hair in the night and shampoo and condition it in the morning, this will help your hair be healthy, and you don't want that greasy look throughout the day.
  • Question
    Do I need to oil my hair right after I use conditioner?
    Community Answer
    You can do it whenever you prefer. It's not mandatory to oil your hair.
  • Question
    If I use conditioner on my scalp, will it damage my hair?
    Community Answer
    No -- it just makes your hair a bit greasy wherever you apply it.
  • Question
    What does conditioner do to my hair?
    Community Answer
    It moisturizes and softens your hair, repairs some of the damage that can be done by shampoo and other products (as well as heat styling and general wear and tear), and generally helps keep your hair healthy.
  • Question
    Is it true that sperm can make my hair grow faster?
    Community Answer
    No. Sperm does not influence the growth rate of hair.
  • Question
    Do I apply conditioner to the scalp as well?
    Community Answer
    No. You should only be applying shampoo to the hair roots and scalp. You should focus the conditioner on the ends of your hair, and part of the main shaft, if necessary. If you apply conditioner to your scalp, your hair may look limp and greasy once it dries.
  • Question
    I have dry and damaged hair - which conditioner suits me?
    Community Answer
    Add in a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week and then condition normally the other days. If this isn't enough, use a leave-in conditioner also.
  • Question
    Do I always need to rinse after applying conditioner?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you do, unless it says on the bottle of conditioner that you should leave it in. If you still don't know what to do, look on the back of tge bottle. It almost always says how to use the conditioner.
  • Question
    Can I shampoo my head after I use conditioner?
    Community Answer
    You could, but it would defeat the purpose of the conditioner. Shampoo strips away the natural oils of the hair and the conditioner helps replenish the oils and seal in moisture.
  • Question
    Can I use conditioner on my wet hair every day without shampooing first?
    Community Answer
    You can. However, for most people it's a good idea to shampoo at least some of the time.
  • Question
    What's the purpose of using hair conditioner?
    Community Answer
    It keeps your hair healthy, soft and shiny. It reduces breakage and makes it strong.
  • Question
    After deep conditioning, is it necessary and/or safe to use a leave-in conditioner?
    Community Answer
    It's optional and harmless. It could make your hair super greasy though. It is probably best to just choose one option, not both. It depends on your hair though. If you have dry hair, conditioning might not be the best option -- argan oil can be a pleasant and effective alternative, or avocado or coconut oils.
  • Question
    Does conditioner reduce the thickness of the hair?
    Community Answer
    No, it does not reduce the thickness. Conditioner strengthens your hair against breakage by moisturizing it.
  • Question
    Does conditioner cause hair loss?
    Community Answer
    No, not at all, if anything it helps repair damage. I use it daily, and it helps a lot.
  • Question
    What can I do if my hair is still rough after applying conditioner?
    Community Answer
    You might need to use more conditioner, or you might want to try a different brand. You might want to ask a professional hair stylist what conditioners they recommend.
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