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How To Deep Condition Hair? A Guide For Beginners 2024

Lisandra Fields

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Melissa Mitri, MS, RD

how to deep condition hair
Deep conditioning benefits dry and damaged hair types

Healthy, shiny hair is something that many of us strive for, but harsh weather, pollution, and daily styling[1] can take a toll on our locks. That’s where deep conditioning comes in – a hair care technique that can help restore moisture, improve texture, and boost overall hair health. 

Deep conditioning can be a game-changer if you have dry, damaged hair or simply want to give your locks a little extra tender, loving care.

With so many hair products and techniques out there, it can be overwhelming to know what’s best for your hair type and concerns. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to deep condition hair, including its benefits, how to do it at home, and the best products and DIY masks.

How To Deep Condition Hair?

To deep condition your hair, wash it with a gentle shampoo, then apply a thick layer of conditioner to damp hair. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave the conditioner on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and style as desired. Add a few drops of hair oil or mask to your conditioner for extra conditioning. Do this once a week to maintain healthy, shiny hair.

What Is Deep Conditioning?

Deep conditioning is a hair treatment that uses a concentrated product designed to provide intensive nourishment and hydration to the hair. It is a process that aims to go beyond the regular conditioning method to address specific hair concerns such as dryness, breakage, and damage caused by environmental stressors and hair treatments.[2]

The deep conditioning process involves applying a thicker, more potent product to clean, damp hair and allowing it to penetrate the hair shaft for an extended period. This enables the active ingredients in the conditioner to provide deep nourishment to the hair, helping to restore moisture levels, improve texture and elasticity, and repair any damage.

Benefits Of Deep Conditioning Treatment

Deep conditioning hair treatment is like a spa day for your hair! It offers a lot of benefits that make your hair look and feel amazing. Here are some reasons why you should deep condition your hair:

Provides Nourishment And Hydration

The primary benefit of deep conditioning is that it provides intense nourishment and hydration to your hair, which is essential for keeping it healthy and strong. By deeply penetrating the hair shaft, the conditioner helps to repair and rejuvenate damaged hair and reduces breakage caused by daily wear and tear.

Improves Hair Texture

Deep conditioning helps improve the texture of your hair, making it softer, smoother, and more manageable. It also helps to reduce frizz and flyaways, leaving your hair looking more polished and less unruly.

Counteracts Chemical Damage

Deep conditioning treatments are also great for anyone who uses heat styling tools or chemical treatments on their hair. These processes can be harsh on your hair and cause damage over time. Deep conditioning can help counteract this damage and keep your hair healthy and vibrant.

Extends Hair Color

Finally, deep conditioning treatments can help to extend the life of your hair color by keeping your hair moisturized and preventing color from fading too quickly. Just be careful about how long to leave the deep conditioner in your hair, and stick to 20-30 minutes on most occasions. 

How To Deep Condition Hair At Home

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on deep conditioning your hair at home:

Step 1: 

Start by washing your hair with a gentle shampoo to remove any dirt or product buildup. Rinse thoroughly and gently towel dry your hair to remove excess water.

Step 2: 

Choose a deep conditioning product that’s appropriate for your hair type and concerns. Look for a rich, creamy product with nourishing ingredients like natural oils, proteins, and vitamins.

Step 3: 

Apply a generous amount of the deep conditioner to your damp hair, focusing on the ends and any particularly dry or damaged areas. Be sure to use enough product to fully coat your hair, but avoid applying too much to your roots as this can weigh down your hair.

Step 4: 

Once the conditioner is evenly distributed, gently massage your scalp[3] for a few minutes to stimulate blood flow and help the product penetrate your hair. Then, comb through your hair with a wide-toothed comb to ensure the conditioner is evenly distributed.

Step 5: 

Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap to trap heat and moisture. You can also wrap a warm towel around your head to help open up the hair cuticles and enhance the conditioning treatment.

Step 6: 

You’re probably wondering how long to deep condition hair. At least 20-30 minutes is more than enough. You can also leave it on overnight for an extra deep conditioning treatment.

Step 7: 

Rinse the conditioner out thoroughly with cool water, which helps to close the hair cuticles and lock in moisture. Avoid using hot water, as this can cause your hair to become dry and frizzy.

Step 8: 

Style your hair as desired, using a leave-in conditioner or hair oil if necessary for added moisture and shine.

Natural Deep Conditioning Remedies

Yes, there are many other natural remedies that you can try for deep conditioning your hair. Here are a few more options:

  • Aloe vera: Aloe vera is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. You can apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to your hair and scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
  • Egg yolk: Egg yolks are rich in protein, which can help strengthen hair. Mix two egg yolks with a tablespoon of olive oil and apply it to your hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
  • Yogurt: Yogurt is a great source of protein and lactic acid, which can help exfoliate the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. Apply plain yogurt to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can help balance the pH of your scalp and remove buildup from styling products. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water and apply it to your hair. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it out.

DIY Deep Conditioning Masks Recipes

Here are three easy tips on how to deep condition hair at home using natural ingredients:

Coconut Oil And Honey Mask

how to deep condition hair
Coconut oil and honey mask helps soften damaged hair

Mix two tablespoons of coconut oil[4] with 1 tablespoon of honey in a small bowl. Apply the mixture to your hair, focusing on the ends and any dry or damaged areas. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the mask on for 30-60 minutes, then rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual.

Avocado And Olive Oil Mask

how to deep condition hair
Avocado and olive oil mask offer a relaxing hair treatment

Mash one ripe avocado[5] and mix it with 2 tablespoons of olive oil[6] in a bowl. Apply the mixture to your hair, making sure to coat it evenly. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual.

Banana And Yogurt Mask

how to deep condition hair
Apply banana and yogurt mask on hair for 30 minutes

Mash one ripe banana[7] and mix it with 1/2 cup of plain yogurt[8] in a blender or food processor. Apply the mixture to your hair, working it through from roots to ends. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the mask on for 30-60 minutes, then rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual.

Precautions & Safety

Here are some precautions and safety tips to keep in mind when using deep conditioning masks:

  • Perform a patch test: Before using new hair products or treatments, it’s important to perform a patch test to check for allergic reactions or irritation. Apply a small amount of the product to your inner arm or behind your ear and wait 24 hours to see if there is any reaction.
  • Follow instructions: Always follow the instructions on the product label or recipe when using a deep conditioning mask. Overuse or leaving the mask on for too long can cause damage to your hair.
  • Don’t use too much: Using too much product can weigh down your hair and make it look greasy. Use only the recommended amount or a small amount if you are using a DIY mask.
  • Rinse thoroughly: Be sure to rinse the mask out of your hair thoroughly with cool water. Leaving any product in your hair can cause buildup and make your hair look dull and greasy.

By following these precautions and safety tips, you can help to ensure that your deep conditioning mask is safe and effective and that your hair stays healthy and beautiful.

The Bottom Line

By following the tips and precautions outlined in this article, you can ensure that your deep conditioning hair treatments are safe, effective, and tailored to the unique needs of your hair. So why not try deep conditioning and enjoy the healthy, luscious locks you deserve?


+ 8 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. Malkani, R., Shirolikar, S., Karmakar, S. and Setia, M. (2020). Hair styling procedures and hair morphology: A clinico-microscopic comparison study. Indian Dermatology Online Journal, [online] 11(4), p.551. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.idoj_452_19.
  2. Qu, X., Niu, L., Kroon, B. and Foltis, L. (2018). Pollution Damage and Protection of Asian Hair. Cosmetics, [online] 5(1), p.17. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics5010017.
  3. Nayak, B.S., Ann, C.Y., Azhar, A.B., Ling, E.C.S., Yen, W.H. and Aithal, P.A. (2017). A Study on Scalp Hair Health and Hair Care Practices among Malaysian Medical Students. International journal of trichology, [online] 9(2), pp.58–62. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_76_16.
  4. Saxena, R., Mittal, P., Clavaud, C., Dhakan, D.B., Roy, N., Breton, L., Misra, N. and Sharma, V.K. (2021). Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals. Scientific Reports, [online] 11(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86454-1.
  5. Nam, Y.H., Rodriguez, I., Jeong, S.Y., Pham, T.N.M., Nuankaew, W., Kim, Y.H., Castañeda, R., Jeong, S.Y., Park, M.S., Lee, K.W., Lee, J.S., Kim, D.H., Park, Y.H., Kim, S.H., Moon, I.S., Choung, S.-Y., Hong, B.N., Jeong, K.W. and Kang, T.H. (2019). Avocado Oil Extract Modulates Auditory Hair Cell Function through the Regulation of Amino Acid Biosynthesis Genes. Nutrients, [online] 11(1), p.113. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11010113.
  6. Gabarra, M. and Campos, P. (2018). Development and efficacy evaluation of hair care formulations containing vegetable oils and silicone. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332582347_Development_and_efficacy_evaluation_of_hair_care_formulations_containing_vegetable_oils_and_silicone
  7. Sampath Kumar, K., Bhowmik, D., Duraivel, S. and Umadevi, M. (2012). Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, [online] 1(3). Available at: https://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue3/Issue_sept_2012/9.1.pdf?_ga=2.93710877.1822841834.1619743020-2124124910.1619743020#:~:text=Banana%20is%20rich%20in%3A%20Potassium
  8. Zaid, A.N., Jaradat, N.A., Eid, A.M., Al Zabadi, H., Alkaiyat, A. and Darwish, S.A. (2017). Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the West Bank-Palestine. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, [online] 17(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1858-1.‌
Lisandra Fields

Medically reviewed by:

Melissa Mitri

Lisandra Fields is a freelance medical writer from Pennsylvania who creates articles, blog posts, fact sheets, and website content for health-related organizations across North America. She has experience working with a wide range of clients, from health charities to businesses to media outlets. She has experience writing about cancer, diabetes, ALS, cannabis, personality psychology, and COVID-19, among many other topics. Lisandra enjoys reading scientific journal articles and finding creative ways to distill the ideas for a general audience.

Medically reviewed by:

Melissa Mitri

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