How Do You Apply a Hair Mask for Best Results?
Hair masks can transform dry, damaged, brittle strands into a healthy, thriving mane. But they won’t work to their full potential if you don’t use them correctly. Though using a hair mask might seem simple enough, there’s a chance you’re not using yours correctly. If you want to know how to apply a hair mask for the best results, this is the article for you. We’ll address just that in this article.
Shampoo your hair.
Start off by hopping in the shower and washing your hair with your usual shampoo or a clarifying shampoo. Your hair needs to be free of debris, excess sebum, and dirt so the hair mask can penetrate. Clarifying shampoo is more potent than your typical shampoo and can get your hair cleaner. So, if your hair needs a little extra cleansing power due to product buildup or an oily scalp, go for a clarifying shampoo.
Towel dry your hair.
Right after washing your hair, you’ll grab a microfiber towel to gently dry your hair. The purpose of this step is to stop the hair from dripping. If you apply the hair mask to dripping wet hair, the product may roll off your strands along with the water. Don’t squeeze your hair with the towel - just pat it all over. You want your hair to be damp.
Apply the mask.
Now, it’s time to apply your hair mask. To do so, you’ll dispense some into your hands and apply it directly to your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. If you have issues with flat roots, avoid putting the hair mask on your roots. Otherwise, feel free to put it on all of your hair.
Take some time to ensure that the hair mask is on every strand of your hair. Any sections you miss won’t reap the hair mask’s benefits. You can also comb through your hair at that point with a wide tooth comb to help with product distribution.
Wait for the magic to happen.
With the hair mask coating your hair, you’ll wait about 5 to 10 minutes. But be sure to check the instructions on your hair mask packaging to be sure. If you DIYed your own hair mask, stick with the 5 to 10-minute time limit. If you want to maximize the effectiveness of your hair mask, you can add heat to the equation by putting on a plastic processing cap (to trap the heat from your head) or sitting under a hooded dryer.
Rinse the mask out.
Once the time is up, it’s time to rinse the mask out. You’ll rinse until all of the mask is out of your hair. If you leave some of the hair mask behind, you risk your hair becoming greasy or your scalp becoming itchy and irritated. After the mask is totally gone, all that’s left to do is enjoy your softer, smoother, better-hydrated hair!
So, there you have it - how to apply a hair mask for the best results. We hope you found the instructions easy to follow, and we wish you the best with your hair’s health!
Author: Andrea Reyes
Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.