The Condition of Conditioning
Conditioners can impact how our hair holds a style as well as its overall health and appearance. With so many feeling confused by the options of this product, do you leave it in or rinse it out, and which kinds are best to use? We connected again with Maya Smith to anwer these questions. She is an International Master of Natural Curls and founder of The Doux®, a haircare line created specifically for naturally curly hair which includes The Fresh Rinse® conditioner. ATHLEISURE MAG: What are the benefits of a conditioner? MAYA SMITH: Conditioners help protect the hair from dryness and breakage by coating the hair shaft to help it retain moisture and softness. People tend to use it mainly for the added benefit of detangling hair however, it’s important to choose a conditioner that won’t weigh your hair down. AM: What are the benefits of a rinse?
MS: A rinse, unlike a conditioner, does not coat the cuticle of the hair. A rinse has a much thinner consistency and is in actuality a detangler. AM: Do I use a leave in conditioner or a conditioning rinse? MS: You can use both if your hair is dry, course, or color treated, however, fine hair or hair that tends to be porous should stick to conditioner only. AM: Should everyone with curly or kinky hair use a conditioner? MS: Yes. Conditioners help maintain the hair’s elasticity, or its ability to stretch and expand without breaking, which is essential for curly hair. AM: Do I use a leave in conditioner or a conditioning rinse? MS: You can use both if your hair is dry, course, or color treated, however, fine hair or hair that tends to be porous
