How Often Should You Condition Your Hair? Here’s The Truth!

Soft, silky flowing tresses are always high on our wish list. Conditioning is a staple for most people’s beauty routines so you might be wondering how often should you condition your hair?

Is once a day too much? Is twice a week not enough? Does conditioner cause hair loss? What does deep conditioner even do?

It can seem like there are more questions than answers with regards to how, when and what to do with this product. But we’re here to help cut through the confusion!

Read on dear friends to find out just how to get healthy hair and a hair care routine that’s right for you.

TL;DR (Key Takeaways)

🔸 Conditioning Frequency: Condition hair every time you wash.

  • For thin/fine hair, avoid over-conditioning as it can weigh it down.
  • For thick/coarse hair, conditioning every wash is fine.

🔸 Application Tips: Focus conditioner mainly on the bottom half of hair (where most damage occurs). Avoid roots to prevent limpness.

🔸 Leave-In Conditioner: Offers added protection. Useful for long or thick hair.

🔸 Natural Conditioners: Consider egg, coconut oil, olive oil, honey, or even beer for natural conditioning benefits.

🔸 Deep Conditioning: A monthly treatment for stronger and shinier hair. Be cautious not to overdo it.

🔸 Clarifying: Use clarifying shampoo weekly to remove product buildup.

🔸 Colored Hair: Deep condition once a week to maintain color vibrancy.

🔸 Curly & Natural Hair: Condition regularly due to its dry nature. Avoid high sulfate shampoos.

🔸 Hair Loss Concerns: Conditioner doesn’t cause hair loss. Breakage might be due to harsh shampoos.

🔸 Protein Treatments: Beneficial for damaged hair. Strengthen strands but avoid overuse.

🔸 Using Only Conditioner: Can leave hair limp and greasy. Most people benefit from occasional shampooing.

Remember, while conditioning is key, understanding your hair type and adjusting your routine is the real secret to lustrous locks.

hair with conditioner in

How often should you condition your hair?

Conditioning your hair is a great way to bring life back into your locks without spending too much time doing it.

It takes only minutes to condition but can give you weeks of protection against harsh conditions. You do not want to over condition though because this will leave your hair looking greasy and flat! Here is some information on how often you should condition your hair:

You should condition your hair every time you wash it. But it can also depend on the condition of your hair.

  • If your hair is thin or fine – conditioning your hair every time you wash it can weigh down or create build up on the strands of your locks leading to dullness and frizziness. If this is done too often, the shafts may become brittle and break prematurely which will lead to split ends!
  • If your hair is thick or coarse, it’s fine to condition every time you shampoo.

Whatever length, style or thickness of hair, make sure that when you’re conditioning, it’s only concentrated mainly on the bottom half of your hair because that is where most damage occurs.

Hair caught under hats or tight headbands should also be conditioned since these actions risk pulling at the roots and creating much breakage.

Conditioner should never be put on your roots because this will add weight to your hair and make it look oily and limp.

After you condition, rinse it out completely! Leaving the product in your locks won’t help retain moisture and prevent frizziness. For that, you need a leave-in conditioner.

How to dilute hair dye with conditioner

Should I use a leave-on conditioner?

A leave-in conditioner helps create a protective coating around each strand that works like an added shield against damage.

For people with long or thick hair, you may want to use more then just one dollop of conditioner for covering all of your strands.

If you feel like though there is still too much build-up after conditioning, try washing it out with cold water instead of hot so that the flat cuticles won’t close up so fast which makes rinsing difficult.

Natural conditioners

Egg is a fabulous treatment because it contains proteins that can strengthen the shafts of your hair while adding volume and shine.

Coconut oil is another great alternative because not only does it contain nutrients like magnesium, potassium, calcium, Vitamin E and iron but it also contains fatty acids that help moisturize the hair!

Olive oil is has anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent dandruff and infections.

Honey is a great ingredient because it has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties which help prevent dryness!

Beer is another (smellier!) option because it’s rich in Vitamin B6 which helps wash away accumulated pollutants caught on the locks.

How often should you deep condition your hair?

Deep conditioning is a treatment that helps make your locks stronger by penetrating each strand with protein giving it a boost of life!

Deep conditioning also adds shine too making locks look vibrant.

After washing your hair, instead of rinsing out all of the shampoo and conditioner, leave some product in for about 5 minutes then rinse out completely afterwards.

If your hair is super dry and damaged, say after bleaching or other harsh processes, you can wear it overnight.

Just slather your hair in deep conditioner or hair mask and pop on a shower cap for bedtime.

You can do this once a month or as many times as you feel your hair needs it!

But keep in mind that if you do this too often, your locks will become weighed down and greasy.

Watch and learn: How to use conditioner (You’re probably using it wrong).

Is it bad to condition your hair everyday?

It’s not bad to condition your hair everyday but you should be using a gentle shampoo and putting only little bit of product on.

This way, the build up that occurs from daily conditioning won’t end up weighing down or making your locks greasy.

Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to do deep cleaning and get rid of any residue from hair products.

After you’re done, rinse with cold water to help close the cuticles which will make your locks shinier and smoother!

It’s important that you clarify your hair at least once a month.

Conditioning too much or using heavy oils in daily shampoo can weigh down the strands causing it to become dull looking even when you have just washed it.

Clarifying every week helps rid your scalp of excess sebum so that there won’t be so much build-up after conditioning.

Hair conditioning do’s and don’ts

Do:

  • Condition your hair after shampooing and leave on for at least 10 minutes.
  • Deep conditioning overnight is recommended but make sure you’re using thick plastic or a shower cap to prevent mould.
  • Apply conditioner from the ears down, making sure not to miss any strands.

Don’t:       

  • Leave product in after rinsing off because this can cause your locks to feel oily and greasy throughout the day.
  • Don’t condition your scalp! This will only promote an itchy, flaky mess which is a breeding ground for bacteria.    

Can you condition your hair too much?

It can work against you depending on how often and the products you use.

A little bit of conditioner used every few days is fine, but after a while, your locks will become weighed down and greasy looking.

So what’s the verdict?

You should never skip conditioning because doing so will dry out strands making them more prone to split ends and breakage.

It’s all about knowing your hair type and how much moisturising it needs day to day.

How often should you condition coloured hair?

Coloured locks require a lot of love to keep them healthy.

Conditioning is essential as it helps maintain the luster and shine that comes from having pigmented tresses.

In order to prevent colour from fading, deep condition your locks at least once a week after shampooing with a gentle hair mask or treatment.

This will really help preserve your hair colour so keep up the conditioning!

How often should you condition curly hair?

Curly hair tends to be dryer and more prone to breakage than straight locks.

This is why it’s important that you condition your hair with every shampoo and deep condition it regularly.

If you use a shampoo with high sulphates like sodium laurel sulphate (SLS) then condition the curls every other day instead so as not to strip off all of the natural oils from your strands.

In this case, stick to lighter products too because they have less ingredients that will weigh down sea-weedy curls.

How often should you condition natural hair?

Conditioning goes hand in hand with washing for natural hair because water is what strips away all of the natural oils leaving our strands dry.

It’s important that moisture is locked into each strand before washing just like curly hair does but without using too many products that will weigh down the curls.

It’s not bad to condition natural hair everyday but depending on your hair type, using a light product or oil will help restore moisture without weighing it down.  

Top Tips!

1. If you have dry hair, condition as often as you can to keep your locks hydrated and healthy.

2. If you use a shampoo with high sulphates like sodium laurel sulphate (SLS) then condition your hair every other day instead so as not to strip off all of the natural oils from your strands.

3. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to do deep cleaning and get rid of any residue from hair products.

4. Don’t forget to rinse with cold water after conditioning!

Does conditioner cause hair loss?

No.

Conditioner doesn’t contain anything that would cause hair loss.

If your strands are constantly breaking off, it’s likely due to harsh shampoos with chemical ingredients like sulphates and parabens.

Using a clarifying shampoo once or twice a week helps eliminate these chemicals so you can get back to your life without worrying about breakage!

Or you can try a protein treatment that can help to replenish your locks with the moisture and nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

One thing to note, having too much product on at once can definitely weigh down locks causing them to seem thinner than they actually are.

Try using only sulphate-free shampoos and scaling back the amount of conditioner in your next wash and see if this helps!

What are protein treatments?

Protein or keratin treatments are typically used on very damaged or processed hair as a way of rebuilding what has been lost through chemical processes or heating tools.  

The treatment coats each strand with protein to strengthen it and prevent breakage.

These should only be done a maximum of once every three months as overusing this product can cause your locks to become brittle and dry!

What happens if I only use conditioner?

Using only conditioner doesn’t do anything to cleanse the hair leaving it looking limp and greasy!

While some people can get by with just using conditioner on wash day, most people need to use shampoo too.

Washing hair every other day is recommended for those who are trying to achieve long locks because frequent shampoos help rid the scalp of excess sebum which weighs down strands over time.

If you want long flowing tresses, try limiting how often you shampoo so you only do it on necessary occasions.  

This will keep your strands light and bouncy while preventing oil and dirt from building up.

Parting words.

So there you have it!

Conditioning is crucial for everyone’s hair, no matter the type. Knowing when, how much and how often to do it is often down to trial and error.

We hope this guide gave you some top tips, advice and good pointers on how to get it right for you!

This article was written and reviewed by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!

  • Enza Piazza, Hair Stylist & Color Consultant
    Hair Stylist & Color Consultant

    I’m Enza Piazza, your go-to hair stylist and color consultant with over 23 years of professional salon experience bringing vibrancy and life to hair of all hues. My Italian roots from sunny Sicily infuse passion into every snip and color, a passion that’s been recognized with top honor awards including bridal and party hair at the National Hairdressers Federation’s Championships. After training in Surrey, UK’s most prestigious salons including Head Master Academy, I embraced the entrepreneurial spirit and set up Enza Hair Styling, offering tailored hair care for 13 years, and treating each client like family. Away from the salon, I cherish moments as a proud Nonna to grandson Joseph and as a playful companion to my Jack Russell, Bo.