There are several signs and symptoms of deep over-conditioned hair to look out for. If you have thick and dry hair, over-conditioning may seem impossible. However, product build-up is possible on any hair type. You'll notice your hair becoming unmanageable, soft, limp, or flat.
Product Buildup: Look for signs of product buildup, such as greasy or limp hair, flakiness, or a lack of volume. If you notice these signs, you may use leave-in conditioner too frequently or apply too much product at once.
The golden rule for applying a conditioner is to utilise it on damp hair. Be sure to get rid of the excessive dripping water from your tresses and apply a quarter-sized amount of conditioner, first on the mid-length of your hair and then work it through the ends.
Like most skincare, beauty, and haircare routines, finding the right balance is crucial. Too little conditioner can leave your locks dry and brittle, while over-conditioning could be the source of many symptoms from damage, hair loss, or just plain bad hair days.
Signs Your Hair's Being Over-Conditioned:
Your hair feels limp or heavier than normal. Your hair has lost texture, slipping from buns or out of bobby pins. Your roots become greasier sooner than you're used to. Simply put, your hair is lifeless and not cooperating.
Although it's hard to say how much conditioning is too much for any specific athlete, the National Center of Sports Safety (NCSS) suggests that younger athletes should not train for more than 18-20 hours per week.
The all-important question... do you have to condition daily? The quick answer is no, but the amount you will need to condition is all based on the length of your hair. New growth, hair near the scalp, won't require too much moisturizing or restoration.
Your hair looks limp and is lacking in volume
One of the most frustrating signs your hair has fallen victim to excessive product build-up is that it looks perpetually limp and is seriously lacking in volume – no matter how many root-boosting products you use.
Here's a general overview: For those with dry, damaged, or color-treated hair, daily wetting may not be advisable as it can further strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture, leading to increased dryness, frizz, and breakage.
If your hair is still frizzy after using a leave-in conditioner, you might be using too much or too little product or not distributing it evenly. Factors like humidity, damage from heat styling, and not using a deep conditioner regularly can also contribute to ongoing frizz.
Buildup. Sebum, dead skin cells, and product residue on the hair and scalp can also add significant weight to strands so they fall limp.
Your hair becomes greasy and lifeless
Putting more than the recommended amount of conditioner on your hair can leave it feeling oily and lifeless. Your hair might also feel too soft and glossy to style and look like it's lost volume. With fine hair, too much conditioner can manifest in stringiness too.
Signs Your Hair Is Overly Moisturized
Your hair is limp and falls flat. Your hair is dull and flat-looking. Your hair feels spongy and mushy when wet and feels too soft and fluffy when dry. Your hair has low elasticity — stretches when wet but doesn't bounce back when released.
If there's white-ish stuff showing up on your hair brush or comb, it's probably buildup. This kind of white stuff is different from dandruff - it won't be flakey, nor will it be oily like sebum. Product buildup typically resembles teeny tiny strands of white hair, and it sticks to the hairbrush quite stubbornly.
Too much conditioner will eventually coat your hair in heavy build-up, leaving you with a lifeless, unmanageable mane. If you don't use enough conditioner, your hair will be hard to comb out and look dry. Be sure to match your application of conditioner to your hair length and type.
A good rule of thumb: If your curls feel dry, try washing less frequently. Washing your curls everyday can remove the natural oils of your curls and makes it difficult to retain moisture. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't wet your hair. "Rinse and condition more often; shampoo less," Hallman advises.
Over-exercising is when we do more exercise than our body can handle. This can include doing too much exercise or exercising in an unsafe way, or not eating enough food alongside exercising. Over-exercising is different for different people. One person might feel ok doing a certain amount of exercise.
In the first ten days to two weeks of inactivity/de-training, there is a measurable loss in cardiovascular fitness, but even this level of decrease is only about 2-3% drop in values such as VO2 Max, MAP (maximum aerobic power), or FTP (functional threshold power).
Applying Too Much
Using too much leave-in may create a greasy feel that makes your hair limp and difficult to style.