What Can You Do with a Hair Mask?

Hair masks aren’t as widely understood as other hair products we tend to use on a more regular basis (shampoos and conditioners, for example). It’s for that reason that many folks are at a loss as to what they can do with a hair mask. If you’re unclear on this topic, this is the article for you. In it, we’ll address four things you can do with a hair mask.

Use it to soften your hair.

When your hair is dehydrated, it can take on a wiry, brittle texture and appearance. With the right leave-in, you can leave all of that behind and enjoy pillow-soft tresses. The average hair mask contains moisturizing ingredients like oils that can penetrate your hair to deliver hydration deep within. These masks may also contain hair-sealing ingredients that guard against moisture loss. 

Using your hair mask according to its instructions should be enough to soften your hair. But if you want to enhance the softening effect of your hair mask, you can do one or both of the following after applying the mask to your hair: 

• Put on a plastic processing cap to trap the heat from your head. 
• Sit under a hooded dryer for a few minutes under medium heat. 

Use it for hair repair.

In the vast majority of cases, people are using hair masks to give their hair a pick-me-up after some sort of damage. Bleach, excessive heat styling, relaxers, perms, and more wreak havoc on hair, leaving it in a position of vulnerability. Your hair mask can help your hair bounce back from the edge of ruin.

Hair masks that contain proteins are especially helpful for hair repair, considering that the proteins in the formula can fill in any gaps along the hair shaft and make the hair structurally stronger. 

Use it for shine.

Dull hair is a problem that many people experience and can’t seem to find a remedy for. Hair masks are usually formulated with ingredients like oils and fatty alcohols, which lubricate the strands, making them more reflective.

Protein-containing hair masks also carry the benefit of imparting a luminous shine to dull hair. 

Use it for detangling.

Hair masks are not often thought to be detangling aids, but there’s no denying that the majority of them could double as one. If your hair mask is slippery, it imparts slip to your hair, making it easier for your strands to glide past each other.

To use your hair mask as a detangler, apply it like you normally would, but instead of smoothing the mask through your hair, comb through your mane with a wide tooth comb. You’ll realize that detangling doesn’t take as much time or effort.   

So, there you have it - four things you can do with a hair mask. As you can see, hair masks are more versatile than you might have thought. We hope you found all the information you were looking for and that it enables you to use your hair masks to their full potential.

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.