Conditioners: The 3 Types and What They Do for Your Hair
By Christina A. Jefferson
At the most basic level, the purpose of conditioner is to treat your hair following a shampoo. From pumped-up volume to increased moisture, conditioners can be formulated to provide many different benefits. For instance, Oscar Blandi's Balsamo di Jasmine smoothing conditioner contains wheat and soy proteins to help strengthen hair, while Russian Amber Imperial Conditioning Cr�me by Philip B. is formulated to make normal and color-treated hair bouncy and gleaming with health.
Considering how many different types of conditioners are available today, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure which type of conditioner to choose. Have no fear - the guide below will give you the confidence to choose the perfect conditioning formula for your hair.
In general, there are three types of conditioners:
1. Conditioners that Replace the Oil that Shampoo Strips Away
The detergents in shampoo can remove your hair's naturally present oil, which is called sebum. Glands at the scalp release sebum; the amount of sebum released to each hair shaft varies from person to person. Those with curly, coarse hair are likely to find that shampooing removes too much sebum and leaves their hair feeling dry, brittle and frizzy.
To counterbalance low sebum levels, moisturizing conditioners are available in a variety of forms, including leave-in conditioners, conditioning creams and oil treatments. Philip B.'s rejuvenating oil is an intensive treatment that combines the essential and carrier oils of ten different plants to replicate hair's natural oils.
2. Conditioners that Make Hair more Manageable
Those with fine hair may battle tangles following a shampoo. Some conditioners are designed to make hair more manageable by removing tangles while adding shine. Often, conditioners intended to make hair more manageable have a low pH, meaning they are more acidic and less basic.
Acidifier conditioners, as they are called, are said to close the hair's cuticle scales. Like scales on a fish, cuticle scales are overlapping and create the external layer of each shaft of hair. When hair is exposed to harsh chemicals such as those found in relaxers, bleaches and perms, cuticle scales tend to lift away from their neighbors, which makes hair appear dull and rough. Acidic conditioners smooth down lifted cuticle scales, returning luster to the hair.
Acid rinses are one type of manageability conditioner. A simple recipe for an acid rinse you can apply at home calls for combining 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 pint of warm water. Or, if you're looking for a lightweight toner that can be applied anytime, consider Philip B.'s pH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist, which combines apple cider vinegar with essential oils to detangle hair and reduce frizz and static.
3. Conditioners that Make Hair more Voluminous or Shiny
Luxurious, thick hair is something most women dream of having. If your locks aren't quite as full as you'd like, choose a conditioner designed to increase volume. Conditioners formulated to boost volume or shine temporarily treat hair by coating the shafts and ends in a protein, polymer or other substance. Oscar Blandi's Pronto Wet Instant Volumizing Conditioner, for instance, uses a polymer to coat the hair shaft and instantly pump up the hair's volume.
Within this category of conditioners are restorative formulas intended to revitalize your hair from roots to ends. Lovin' Leave-In Hair Conditioning Cream by Philip B., for example, nourishes dry, brittle ends with amino acids and extracts of nettle, horsetail and henna. Some restorative conditioners are specially formulated to rejuvenate colored hair.
We should mention that many of today's hair products combine several of these approaches. As an example, Trattamento di Jasmine smoothing hair treatment from Oscar Blandi seals the cuticle to combat frizz, but it also contains wheat and soy proteins to strengthen hair, jasmine extract to increase flexibility and Italian olive oil to provide moisture.
Overall, conditioner is to hair as fabric softeners are to laundry. If you don't use a dryer sheet or fabric softener, your clothing may be clean, but it will also be rough on the skin. In a similar way, you can certainly get your hair clean without applying conditioner, but your style will lack that extra pizzazz or sparkle of health unless you condition.
For top of the line hair care advice, tricks, and products, such as those by Oscar Blandi hair care, visit the website for b-glowing.com, an online provider of premium beauty brands and products, at www.b-glowing.com.
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