It’s no secret that as we age our hair becomes drier and harder to manage. To offset the effects of aging, we reach for our hot tools and overuse mousses and gels, which actually makes aging hair even more dry, dull, and prone to breakage. Luckily for us, deep conditioning masques exist. Deep conditioners are a saving grace when it comes to minimizing the toll menopause and aging can have on your hair and scalp. Deep conditioners improve the softness and manageability of your tresses, making them less prone to frizz and damage. The benefits of using a deep conditioner are clear, but how often should you use a masque on your hair? Continue reading to learn how often you should apply a deep conditioning masque to aging hair.
What is a Deep Conditioning Mask?
Give parched, split, or broken strands a boost of hydration with an intensive hair masque or deep conditioner. Hair masques often have a higher concentration of conditioning agents like plant oils and butters, which makes them thicker in consistency compared to a traditional conditioner. A deep conditioning mask is formulated to penetrate your hair shaft to deliver intense moisture, helping improve the texture and appearance of your locks. These products act as protective layers to lessen damage and improve the softness and manageability of strands.
Why Use a Deep Conditioner with Age?
No matter your hair type, everyone’s hair suffers from damage inflicted from sun exposure, daily heat styling and chemicals. Whether your hair is healthy or has some breakage, all hair benefits from regular deep conditioning. Below you will find reasons women use deep conditioning masks in their 40s and beyond:
Dry Hair
With age, your hair becomes drier as your sebum production slows. Without these nourishing oils, our hair may not receive the moisture it requires to appear smooth and silky.
Brittle Hair
Many women experience their tresses becoming more brittle with age. Aging, chemical treatments and heat styling can lessen our hair’s elasticity.
Thinning Hair
Hormone fluctuations during menopause can shrink your hair follicles, which can lead to thinning hair. Deep conditioning masques are packed with ingredients that are vital to hair follicle and scalp health, helping to stimulate new growth and revive follicle function.
How Often to Apply a Masque on Aging Hair
It’s important to figure out how often to apply a masque on aging hair to maximize its restorative benefits. If you condition your mane too much, your strands may become greasy. On the other hand, if you condition too little, your hair may become too dry. Deciding how often to do it will depend on the condition of your hair and how porous it is.
If you have low porous hair, the structure of your hair makes it difficult for moisture to be absorbed by your hair shaft. For this reason, a conditioning masque will stay on the outside of your strands rather than soaking in. Those with low porous hair are safe to deep condition once a week. If your hair has high porosity, your hair cuticles are raised, which can make strands weaker and more prone to damage. For dry and highly porous hair, you may need to apply a deep conditioning masque every four days. Additionally, if you spend a lot of time outdoors, heat style often and get color treatments, use a hair masque every three or four days.
Remember, you can have too much of a good thing. If your hair starts to feel mushy, sticky, limp or lifeless, cut back on how often you use a masque.
What to Look for in a Hair Masque
The ingredients found in a conditioning masque should replenish moisture in your hair to allow strands to better resist tension, which minimizes breakage. Below you will find crucial ingredients meant to nourish and mend your locks:
Mango Butter
Mango butter is a magical ingredient found in many conditioning products as it is abundant in vitamins A and E. The natural butter helps strengthen strands from the inside out, softens dry hair and soothes split ends.
Murumuru Butter
Murumuru butter is rich in lauric and omega fatty acids, allowing it to penetrate the hair shaft and improve moisture retention in strands. Murumuru butter protects hair against sun damage and improves the hair’s overall texture.
Argan Oil
Argan oil supports scalp health and moisturizes the hair, protecting your tresses from everyday damage. Argan oil has been linked to hair growth improvements as it is rich in antioxidants that promote cell production and strengthen hair follicles.
The Hair Redemption Restorative Butter Masque from Better Not Younger contains these nourishing ingredients to repair dry and brittle hair, while adding softness and shine. The plant-based butter blend also protects strands from environmental stressors and reduces frizz.
Conclusion
A deep conditioning masque is a much-needed addition in any hair-care routine geared towards dry, brittle aging hair. Depending on the state of your hair, it’s best to apply a masque to aging hair a few times a month to moisturize and nourish your mane.
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