Conditioners for Black Hair

Weaving, relaxing, and even braiding hair can damage it. If you’re like most people, you love the way conditioners for black hair restores the luster and texture back to your hair. Conditioners can temporarily make your hair look healthier, and help it appear undamaged until it can grow out. Using the wrong conditioners, though, can cause more harm than good. Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all conditioner for all hair. Based on your hair type and the treatments that have been applied, a professional beautician from a salon can recommend which conditioners are best for you. In many cases, these are the very same conditioners they use in their salons.

Conditioners for Relaxed Hair

Hair that has been treated chemically needs a conditioner that can help to restore its pH to the correct level. Relaxers are alkaline, which means these conditioners contain an acid to even out the pH change. Many cosmetologists recommend using these conditioners immediately after having your hair relaxed, because it is better able to absorb the moisture at that time.

Keratin is a protein that gives hair its luster and flexibility. Chemical treatments strip it from hair, so keratin conditioners are a good way to replace this protein. Your beautician should be able to recommend if a cream, setting lotion or pak would be best for your hair.

While Keratin treatments should not be used more than twice monthly, other moisturizing conditioners can be used as often as necessary. These conditioners are the typical thick, white conditioners that contain humectants, shea butter and oils. In many cases, they are applied in conjunction with a hooded dryer or other heat source. At home, you can use a warmed towel to help it better penetrate your hair.

Conditioners for Natural Hair

Hair that hasn’t been chemically treated has its own set of needs. While moisturizing conditioners can be used on natural hair, too, there are also other conditioning products which can be used to make it more manageable. These include instant conditioners and detangling products.

Instant conditioners are applied to the hair after showering, and they don’t need to be rinsed out. They smooth the hair, and make it easier to comb it without damage. They usually have natural oils, added proteins, lanolins and other moisturizing agents. There are a number of brands who make instant conditioners, including products sold exclusively at your local salon.

Natural hair is known for being kinky and unmanageable. A high-quality detangling conditioner can do much more than just restore moisture. Many times these come in spray bottles and are a type of leave-in conditioner. Others are a cream that must be rinsed. Your beautician should be able to recommend one, or you can find options at your local beauty supply store.

To learn more about the products and treatments that are best for any hair type, you may want to consider taking some cosmetology courses.