What is the point of conditioning?

[soulie]

Is the point to have the conditioner absorbed INTO the hair shaft, or is it to coat the hair? If the reason is to have the good stuff absorbed into the hair, how do we determine the optimal time for conditioning? I would argue that "the longer the better" isn't correct. Think of a sponge. When it is dry it absorbs water. Once it is saturated it doesn't absorb any more water, so any water that is run over the sponge just runs off - it is rejected by the "full" sponge. A strand of hair has a maximum absorption capacity too, so when is it reached, and can it be determined?

 

[Auburn]

I see what your saying & the first thing I thought of is pre pooing. With that, it only absorbs the conditioner?

I CAN tell you that with L'anza, my hair actually ABSORBS that stuff & I love it. I never had that feeling before and it feels weird. Imagine wetting your hair, applying it & it feels smooth, silky, and whatnot, then feeling like you ONLY wet your hair.

ETA: I guess things like silicones, mineral oil, & etc coats the cuticle to help with water retention too?

 

[HappyHairDreams]

Is the point to have the conditioner absorbed INTO the hair shaft, or is it to coat the hair? If the reason is to have the good stuff absorbed into the hair, how do we determine the optimal time for conditioning? I would argue that "the longer the better" isn't correct. Think of a sponge. When it is dry it absorbs water. Once it is saturated it doesn't absorb any more water, so any water that is run over the sponge just runs off - it is rejected by the "full" sponge. A strand of hair has a maximum absorption capacity too, so when is it reached, and can it be determined?

I think this is why most deep conditioner instructions say towel dry the hair before applying the conditioner.

 

[msa]

Is the point to have the conditioner absorbed INTO the hair shaft, or is it to coat the hair? If the reason is to have the good stuff absorbed into the hair, how do we determine the optimal time for conditioning? I would argue that "the longer the better" isn't correct. Think of a sponge. When it is dry it absorbs water. Once it is saturated it doesn't absorb any more water, so any water that is run over the sponge just runs off - it is rejected by the "full" sponge. A strand of hair has a maximum absorption capacity too, so when is it reached, and can it be determined?

I think it depends on the person and their hair's needs. If your hair is damaged and you want to rebuild it, then you'll probably need the conditioner to be absorbed (or at least certain elements of it). Whereas a cone filled conditioner might be beneficial to coat the hair shaft and make it easier to detangle or straighten.

I do know that hair is different from a sponge in a fundamentally important way. Once the sponge is filled up, it won't absorb anymore. The hair cuticle on the other will swell (which can end up causing problems with elasticity) and burst, so you have to be careful of that.

I'm sure someone will come in with a very scientific explanation to answer your question though.

 

[Chevelure618]

The purpose of deep conditioning with heat is to open up the cuticle (outside layer) of the hair to let the protein get into the hair and bond to the broken protein bonds of the hair. It holds the bonds together, but is not permanent, that is why you have to do it weekly for optimum effect.

Coating the outside of the hair is called Instant conditioning and does nothing more than smooth and seal the outside cuticle layer of the hair. That is why it is not good to repeatedly use instant conditioners. They do nothing to repair and improve the internal condition of the hair.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Bumping...Interesting Thread

 

[IDareT'sHair]

For Me, the Purpose of Conditioning is to put something back into my Hair, that Might be Lacking i.e. Protein & Moisture. To assist in the Strengthening with Protein and to Follow Up by supplying it with Suppleness and Elasticity with Moisture.

And the types of Conditioners you incorporate into your Regimen will greatly help with that. As well as finding that Perfect Balance and adding things that also support your Conditioners if necessary such as Oils, SAA's, Protein Fillers etc...

And correcting any deficiencies in Porosity as well as lowering the ph balance of your hair if there is a need.

Also, what you use as your Leave-In will also help to further condition your hair as well as what you use for your Daily Conditioning Treatments.

IMO: All of these play a major role into the Point Of Conditioning

 

[soulie]

I think it depends on the person and their hair's needs. If your hair is damaged and you want to rebuild it, then you'll probably need the conditioner to be absorbed (or at least certain elements of it). Whereas a cone filled conditioner might be beneficial to coat the hair shaft and make it easier to detangle or straighten.

I do know that hair is different from a sponge in a fundamentally important way. Once the sponge is filled up, it won't absorb anymore. The hair cuticle on the other will swell (which can end up causing problems with elasticity) and burst, so you have to be careful of that.

I'm sure someone will come in with a very scientific explanation to answer your question though.

The bolded addresses my point. If the cuticle swells and potentially bursts, it has exceeded capacity - comparable to the sponge runoff. I think it would be considered a supersaturated solution in a chem lab.

Still waiting for someone to come in with the scientific explanation.

 

[msa]

The bolded addresses my point. If the cuticle swells and potentially bursts, it has exceeded capacity - comparable to the sponge runoff. I think it would be considered a supersaturated solution in a chem lab.

Still waiting for someone to come in with the scientific explanation.

Oh, I guess to me the difference is with a sponge the extra just runs off. With hair it seems like it doesn't.

Check out Gymfreak336's recent blogs about porosity...there's some information in there regarding conditioning that may be helpful.

 

[LaidBak]

Oh, I guess to me the difference is with a sponge the extra just runs off. With hair it seems like it doesn't.

Check out Gymfreak336's recent blogs about porosity...there's some information in there regarding conditioning that may be helpful.

I was just going to suggest that.

 

[LushLox]

Well, what I do know is my hair looks a helluva lot better now I deep condition consistently as opposed to when I didn't. It probably isn't a coincidence.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

BUMPING........................

 

[gymfreak336]

You want the conditioner to do both. Coating the hair shaft with emollients helps the hair style more easily, giving your hair some slip to resist breakage from manipulation.

 

[Pandora1975]

http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/2009/03/monday-myths-can-you-really-deep.html

This is an article from The Natural Haven. Its a lot of info- so I'm not gonna retype it. Now, while I'm sure the science in the article is right, I disagree on one point- heat and steam do help deep conditioning. She doesn't say one way or the other, but if I don't use heat of some type when I dc, its useless.

 

[gymfreak336]

The bolded addresses my point. If the cuticle swells and potentially bursts, it has exceeded capacity - comparable to the sponge runoff. I think it would be considered a supersaturated solution in a chem lab.

Still waiting for someone to come in with the scientific explanation.

You are right, the hair shaft has a breaking point. Pumping too much of anything into the hair shaft will cause it to break. You create weak point in the strand and eventually they will break. I have some theories as to why some people have issues with thinning ends and dryness that deal with this aspect of hair care but we can talk in pm land about that

Now when is enough enough? That depends on the state of the hair and what exactly you are trying to pump in to.