QuoteReplyTopic: How much conditioning? Posted: January 24 2005 at 6:12pm
As from my other posts, you might know that I am trying to grow my hair long. In this, I want to know the correct way to condition and how much to condition. I heard to only condition below your ears as not to clog hair follicles. I also heard to condition, shampoo, condition to prevent breakage. Isn't this harsh on the hair (I use a natural shampoo with no sulfates in them if it makes a difference).
thanx, A.
Hair is BSL+ as of 9/15/05
DaveDecker
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As the days pass since your last shampooing, the sebum from the scalp tends to work its way down your hair shafts. That's why it's generally recommended to condition your hair from from the ears downward -- since the length above the ears (first several inches) will be "naturally" conditioned from the scalp's sebum.
I used to occasionally use the CWC (condition, wash, conditon) method and it worked well for me. I would glob on an inexpensive conditioner and leave it on overnight, then Wash-Condition in the morning, to excellent effect. Lately, I haven't been taking the time for the initial "C" but I think it would help me.
The main thing to understand is, this is all about what your hair likes. No matter what anyone else does it only matters how it works for you.
I personally do a Conditioner Only wash.
I enjoy my CO routine.
I apply conditioner.
Since my hair is already kinda long I then grab my hair in a tail and kinda put it on top of my head like a horsehoe or upside down U shape. I put a plastic bag / cap on. I then scrunch the bag down to make it close to my head. I then put a claw clip on the outside to hold it down. The reason for the cap is it lets your body heat stay inside and acts like a heat cap a bit.
I then sit for about 20 minutes, with a radio on and drinking my coffee.
I then rinse off conditioner.
I then apply the same conditioner and then rinse right away.
Sometimes I will turn the last rinse water from warm to cool to finish.
The only time I don't enjoy it is when the hot water runs out too soon. I don't mind cold water rinses, but I at least like to go from warm to cold rather than jump into the cold.
That's just how I do mine. You might like some other way?
Your hair might like silicones or cones? Or maybe it will like them sometimes but not all the time?
It's all about experimenting.
I have also at times done a quick wash where I applied the conditioner and rinsed it off, then applied and rinsed off. The same way you would do a regular S&C. I did those using V05 Kiwi Lime Squeeze Conditioner. It's a clarifying conditioner so I pretend it's a shampoo sometimes. Be careful though because some people don't like it. It can be drying or irritating to some. If you aren't sure about it only use it once in awhile.
What are silicones/cones? I am sort of experimenting right now. I went from Pantene (I heard it was really bad) to a natural shampoo and conditionar (I think it was 'Nourishing Spa' shampoo and some citrus conditionar by Trader Joes). My hair felt softer and stayed softer before (when using Pantene) but now it gets tangly easier- is this normal when switiching, especially from such a highly chemical shampoo? Tonight I tried the CSC routine and I guess I'll see how it turned out in the morning
Keep in mind that even if you do use them it's ok. Just be sure to clarify your hair once in awhile. That means wash with something that will remove them and give you a fresh start.
Some people like to use Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
When you do this for the first time it is important that you use a tiny bit of vinegar and lots of water. I'd say try a few spoonfuls of V in a large cup or bottle of water. The next time you can try more V but for the first time you want to be careful. Vinegar does burn some people and some can't use it. Watch out for your eyes too.
I think I actually have some of that, too. When I do this, is it aside from a CSC routine (by the way, it worked out!) or do I use it as a shampoo or conditionar? Also, I know its a stupid question, but how do you know when your ends are split? lol. And how long does it take for them to develope (on average) so I know when to look for them. Its been about 3 months since I trimmed my edges I think.
For splits, which is not a stupid question because I've seen it hundreds of times, open up a page on your computer with a white background. Like a blank text file or something.
Then hold up strands of hair in front of it and look to see if you see any "Y" shapes. Sometimes they aren't right by the ends.
For ACV rinses, you can do them whenever you want really. Don't do them too often though.
When I do mine, I usually do them at the end of a wash. Like in my instructions above it would go after the second conditioner is rinsed out.
But you can do it in the middle, or before, or just hop in the shower and do just vinegar. Whatever you like.
I think a good routine to start is maybe once or twice every month. It doesn;t have to be a lot unless you use a lot of other stuff that would build up. I don't do them very often myself. I did 3 last year for the whole year. But I might try more often. I think once a month is a good average. If you'd rather use a shampoo for that you can buy one that says clarifying. Just remember to not use it often. 1-2 times a month is plenty.
Please don't be afraid to ask questions. These boards work because people are asking these questions. Everytime we answer your question there might be 10, 100, 1000 people who didn't know the answer who now do. Or at least a possible answer.
I didn't know stuff until I learned. I got a little bit of both. I went to some school and also visited boards. Before that I didn't know. Thank you for asking. I'm glad you are. :)
Thanks purplebubba. I will definetly keep posting questions because I have a ton! You said the ACV burns some people, can you test this on your hand before or is it different on your scalp? Do you apply to just scalp or just hair or both? Thanx!
1. An old ketchup bottle. 2. An old Hair product bottle. I used a V05 bottle. 3. You can get one of those hair color application bottles from a beauty supply store. 4. A honey bottle.
I think you get the idea there.
You can use it on the scalp or the length or both. I used the V05 bottle so I could put some on different spots.
You can also just get a pitcher or large bottle and just kinda dump it on but that's when it gets tricky because it could get in your eyes.
It wouldn't hurt to test on your hand first, but I don't know for sure if that's the same as the scalp. It might depend on whether or not you've scratched your scalp at all. Sometimes things will irritate the scalp if you have scratches.
The key thing to remember is more water, less vinegar. Until you know what you can handle.
GoldieLocks92
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I've tried both. Some like the apple cider better cuz it doesn't smell as bad for them. But my first ever was with White. Then I bought some ACV. I did 1 white rinse and 2 apple
Because the point is to remove build up and not to strip your hair every day.
Or at least that's what I think.
Too much is like shampooing every day. It's just too much washing and not enough oiling or conditioning.
If you want to do it once a week that might be ok but try not to do more than that. At least not until you get a routine going and know for sure that vinegar works for you. Some things end up not working after a while.
I don't remember the exact reasons but I don't think it's good.
every other day is good. Most recommend shampoo no more often than that.
If that works for you then I'd say stick with it unless you want to try less often.
CSC I assume is Condition Shampoo Condition and the same as CWC / Con Wash Con?
You only put the shampoo on your scalp right?
I'd say try doing what you're doing now and do vinegar once a week or once every 2 weeks.
I mean see if that works for you. Play around and experiment. Just try not to do too much at one time.
I've seen people doing so much in one day to their hair it was like they were living in the shower and couldn't figure out why their hair was still messed up.
Hair is like a cranky child if you don't let it sleep.
So take baby steps, and see what works.
GoldieLocks92
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Yes, CSC is Condition Shampoo Condition. I only use shampoo on my scalp. How often is it ok to do a leave in conditionar. As you said, too much on your hair is bad and I wanted to try the leave in conditionar some time soon but I don't want it to be too harsh on my hair, after the vinegar.
If you are using one with silicones in it then you just need to clarify once in awhile to get a fresh start. Such as the vinegar. Get used to touching your hair. Maybe take notes.
example:
Day 2 - day after such and such type wash - hair still feels clean.
Day 3 - used leave in but hair feels ok still.
Day 4 - used leave in starting to feel slick.
If you wash every other day you might not get to the slick feel? Depends what you use.
Just remember, no matter what any of us say, it's up to you to do the experiments with your hair.
GoldieLocks92
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Thanks bubba. Is there a "minimum" time you should leave the conditionar in? I know it differs but I left mine in for about half an hour and it doesnt feel much different.
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