How hair masks work

Hair masks work by delivering condensed nutrients to your hair that your normal conditioner doesn’t do. It works from the inside out to help reverse damage from color processing and using hot styling tools.  Conditioner works by coating the outside of the hair while hair masks penetrate deeper. Hair masks are one of those things that people don’t utilize enough. There isn’t a single person who can’t benefit from regular hair mask use.

Color treated hair

Color treated and bleached hair often become dry damaged hair. If you use a hair mask regularly you will can see improvements in your hair damage.

Licensed Cosmetologist Jessica Woods explains the damage that occurs during the coloring process:

“The human hair shaft has 3 layers, the outer layer is the cuticle, then cortex, and the inner most layer (medulla) is where the pigment is found. When you bleach or lighten your hair you essentially remove the cuticle of your hair through the bleaching process. Blondes almost always have drier hair & lots of breakage from overlapping when they have a retouch done.”

The best hair mask for processed hair

Since hair masks work by delivering much needed moisture deep within the hair shaft, using one regularly in your color treated hair routine can help reverse damage.

Cherioll Hair Treatment Mask

With almost 200 4.8 star raving reviews, This product seems to be holding up to its promises. This mask is specifically designed for overly processed and damaged hair.

Curly hair

If you have curly hair, you know not to brush it when its dry, use drying hair products, or blow dry it without a diffuser. All these things can lead to a crazy hair day!  But did you know curly hair can actually be more dry than other hair types? That’s because the oil from the scalp has a harder time getting down the hair shaft. Using a hydrating hair mask in your hair care routine can leave you with more defined curls and less frizz.

Hair masks for naturally curly hair

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask

Oily hair

Hair masks for oily hair are going to be different than dry or damaged hair masks. Oily hair treatments are more like detoxifying scrubs and serums and less like a mask. They are going to focus on the scalp, balancing PH, and deep cleansing instead of hydrating damaged ends.

Apple Cider Vinegar scalp serum: this serum Features apple cider Vinegar to help rebalance your scalp with natural oils & remove flakes, leaving your hair feeling refreshed & conditioned!

Unscented hypoallergenic hair masks

If you are very sensitive, here are a hair masks to try. Any scent in this brand is from essential oils and not chemical fragrance.

This mask restores PH balance in the scalp and hair and ensures that dry hair is softened and stays frizz-free.

Manuka Honey-This formula with Manuka Honey helps provide moisture and boost shine. Yogurt Extract: This formula with Yogurt Extract adds nourishing moisture to your hair. Mafura Oil: This damage control formula with natural Mafura Oil softens and promotes healthy-looking hair.

Do DIY hair masks work?

There are a number of DIY hair masks floating around the internet, but do they really work?

Not all DIY hair treatments are created equal. You want to make sure the products you are using are actually going to penetrate the hair shaft and not do a whole lot of nothing.

Here are a few DIY hair mask ingredients that will penetrate the hair shaft. 

• Coconut oil
• avacado oil
• shae butter
• sunflower oil
• olive oil

Anyone of these oils ( or combination of ) would make a great hydrating treatment. Apply I would recommend only applying them to the middle of your hair and down mostly concentrating on the ends. It sounds like a good idea to apply to your whole head but it can be really hard to wash and rinse out.

When should I apply it?

Apply the oil to your hair before you do to bed and lay a towel over your pillow.  If you are in more of a time crunch you can apply the oil to your hair and leave it in 15-30 minutes and then wash it out.