How Often Should You Do A Hair Mask?

You must have heard about face masks and their wonders, but what is a hair mask?

You can think of it as a conditioner but with longer-lasting results. It conditions, strengthens, and nourishes your hair.

Store-bought hair masks and even DIY ones contain many nurturing ingredients which improve your hair health.

These ingredients range from hydrating oils to various vitamins, all targeted toward different hair needs.

If you have severely damaged hair, then you should give them a try. There are specific hair masks for color treated hair, heat damage, frizz control etc.

Now you might have a lot of questions like “how do I use hair masks”, “what are the benefits of using a hair mask”, and “how often should you do a hair mask”.

Don’t worry because we have answers to all your problems! Keep reading to find out the solutions to your problems.

Why Should You Use A Hair Mask?

Okay, picture this: you’re a working woman; you are busy all day and don’t have much time to spend on yourself.

Or maybe you can’t afford frequent trips to the salon. Your hair looks like a wreck because of all the heat, sun, etc.

Indeed using chemicals on your hair can ruin its beauty and leave you with straw-like hair. So if you don’t want to end up with a bald head, you must invest in hair care.

Hair masks contain beneficial compounds like protein hair mask, keratin, and vitamins that repair your tresses and make them better.

They make your hair shinier, healthier and softer. Your hair will feel hydrated and less frizzy with only a few uses of a hydrating hair masks.

How To Use Hair Masks On Your Hair?

If you have a store-bought hair mask or made it yourself, you must know how to use it properly. 

Some newbies can make many mistakes with hair masks, worsening the situation. They might not know how to apply hair masks or how often should you do a hair mask.

Follow our guide to prevent such mishaps.

1- First, wash your hair. A hair mask will not be effective if your hair is dirty. 

2- Conditioning is optional. You can condition your hair if you want, but if you don’t, then it’s okay. We have a hair mask for that.

3- Dry your hair. Don’t use any heat to dry your hair. Let it air-dry.

4- When you have half-dried and half-wet hair, section and brush your hair.

5- Don’t brush aggressively, as it can damage your tresses.

6- Take the hair mask in your palm and evenly spread it on your hair so that it reaches your hair cuticle and hair follicles.

7- It would help if you did this section by section so that it is a little less messy.

8- After applying the hair mask, from the roots to the ends, it’s time to wrap it.

9- You can wrap your hair in a bun or loosely braid it. 

10- Cover your hair with an old t-shirt or a towel, and let the hair mask do its thing.

How Long Should You Keep The Hair Mask On? 

You might be familiar with the term “the more, the merrier”, but it is not valid in this case. 

Each hair mask comes with its instructions and should be used accordingly. The reason is that these masks are made up of certain chemicals for chemically treated hair.

While they may be suitable for your hair when applied for a certain amount of time, they can also cause harm if the usage is prolonged.

The same goes for homemade masks. The ingredients can get spoiled and cause more harm than good.

You should keep a hair mask on for at least 5-10 minutes and, at most, 20-30 minutes. If you exceed this limit, your hair will feel dried up and dehydrated. 

How Often Should You Do A Hair Mask?

The answer to this question depends upon your hair type. Some people have fine hair; some have curly frizzy hair, while others have thick hair. You should use the right hair mask according to your hair type.

Each hair type has different needs and conditions of the hair mask frequency. If you have fine hair and use hair masks more than once a week, it will lead to more refined-looking hair.

Similarly, if you have dried and damaged hair, you need more nurturing to make it healthier.

1- Healthy Hair

It requires a moisturizing mask only once a week. It helps retain the moisture lost over the days.

2- Dry Hair

If you have dry hair, you should use hair masks at least twice a week. Frequent use can make it more hydrated and ample.

3- Greasy Hair

It gets moisture from the oils, so you should use a hair mask only once a week. It can help with giving volume and prevents greasy hair.

4- Curly Hair

You can use hair masks 2-3 times per week. It makes your curls less frizzy and more defined.

5- Thick Hair

You can use masks 1-2 times depending upon the condition of your hair. 

6- Damaged Hair

If your hair has been damaged from heat, dyes, and environmental factors, use masks 2-3 times. It will help restore your hair and make it healthier.

Different Types Of Hair Masks

There are various kinds of hair masks serving many different functions. Different hair types mask a unique blend of ingredients. 

So, different ingredients repair different problematic areas. You should select a mask according to your hair needs.

1- Protein Masks: Repairs the protein content of your hair. Keratin in most hair masks makes your hair shinier, silkier and more potent.

2- Hydrating Masks: These masks are best suited for people with dried-out locks. Hydrating masks saturate the water content of your hair.

3- Moisturizing Masks: Add moisture to your hair and lock it in the follicles. People with dry and damaged hair should use moisturizing masks.

4- Oil Masks: Hot oils can be used as deep conditioners. They also stimulate hair growth.

5- Strengthening Masks: Contain ingredients that make your hair thicker and more strong.

Bottom Line

Due to everyday styling and heat damage, our hair can get dry and lifeless. We must take care of it by investing our time and money into hair care.

Luckily, many hair care products are on the market, but if you want to go all-natural, you can also DIY a hair mask.

Hair care is a form of self-love, so ladies, invest in yourself and take care of your body.