Limp or greasy looking hair or hair that looks puffy and undefined are signs of over-conditioning. To help reverse this, wash your hair with shampoo and use much less conditioner or simply just a lighter formula.
Your hair feeling kind of squishy when it's wet is another sign of too many moisturising products coating your hair strands. Most people think frizz is caused by dry hair, but if your hair is struggling to hold its structure due to overconditioning, this can cause a lot of soft halo frizz to appear.
Yes, it is possible to over-condition your hair, which can lead to issues such as limpness, greasiness, and a lack of volume. Over-conditioning typically occurs when: Excessive Product Use: Using too much conditioner or using it too frequently can lead to product buildup. This can weigh hair down and make it look dull.
Like overusing most products, over-conditioning hair does eventually lead to damage. But don't worry. There is a way to fix over-conditioned hair breakage. Paying close attention to the signs and symptoms of over-conditioned hair will help you deal with the problems before it gets too far.
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.
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.
By sliding a strand, or a few, between your thumb and forefinger, you might be able to feel for the health of your hair. A smooth, easy slide, likely means your hair is healthy, while a rough and bumpy feeling means you likely have some damage.
This build-up can prevent moisture from penetrating the hair cuticle effectively, resulting in frizz and a lack of definition in your curls. Over-conditioning can leave your hair feeling limp, greasy, and weighed down.
HOW TO DO REVERSE HAIR WASHING ? It's simple. Wet your hair, apply conditioner along full length of hair strand (focusing more on the bottom two-thirds, where the hair receives the least amount of natural sebum) and leave it on for 5-10 mins. And then shampoo as usual and rinse.
Shampoo suds or conditioner that accumulate near your hair follicles can leave hair with a wax-like feeling. How often are you washing your hair? Not washing often enough could lead to a waxy texture. Your hair has natural oils that help keep it healthy, but it still needs regular washing.
3-4 Times a Week or Even Daily:
Consider using a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week for extra hydration. Apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the scalp if it's oily. Use leave-in conditioners to provide continuous moisture throughout the day.
One major sign is a change in the look and texture of your hair as it may start to look dry, dull, and brittle. Your hair may feel more coarse and struggle to hold a curl when dealing with protein overload. Too much protein may also cause split ends and breakage, leaving hair to shed more.
How to Fix + Avoid Over-Conditioned Hair: Clarify your hair from all its build-up once a month. You can pick up Kenra's Clarifying Shampoo at Socias, or DIY a cleansing treatment at home. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and add to 1 cup of warm water.
"To tell if you have too much moisture in your hair, pull a strand of hair and stretch it," said Simmons. "If it stretches without bouncing back, there is too much moisture. Your hair can look and feel limp, lifeless and extremely soft, almost fluffy.
Coarse, straw-like texture. Split ends. Lackluster, dull color with absolutely no shine. Lacks bounce and suppleness.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
Besides just looking flat and greasy, conditioner is bad for your hair when there's excess sitting on the strands and scalp. Your hair may feel limp, unmanageable, piecey, and as though you cannot hold an updo to save your life.
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.