“Open the cuticles with heat water earlier than you apply conditioner. It’ll assist it higher penetrate your hair and make it stronger.”
If I had a penny for each time I’ve heard this recommendation, I’d be wealthy… Drawback is, it doesn’t work! Let me clarify…
You Don’t Need To Open Hair Cuticles!
Like all junk science ideas, this too appears to make lots of sense at first. Besides that cuticles don’t actually open. You can solely elevate them – and that’s one thing you need to keep away from.
Right here’s why: the cuticle is the outermost a part of the hair shaft, the layer that protects it from injury. Consider it just like the shingles on a roof: they’re meant to lie flat and defend what’s beneath. When the cuticles are broken, hair turns into dry and brittle.
Each time you wash your hair, the water makes the shaft swell. This raises the cuticle, damaging it. The identical occurs whenever you comb your hair too harshly, rub it too vigorously or have some stress-free or bleaching remedies achieved.
And as soon as these cuticles are raised, your hair’s mainly defenseless. Moisture is gone in a flash. Frizz is uncontrolled. And for those who throw warmth styling into the combination? Say hiya to much more injury. Curly and coily hair (which naturally has a extra lifted cuticle) tends to be drier and breaks extra simply – there’s simply nothing preserving the moisture locked in.
So for those who’re pondering heat water is doing all your hair a strong by “opening” the cuticles, nope. It’s really simply making them simpler to mess up.
Cease losing your money and time on stuff that doesn’t work. Click on on the picture under to obtain “Skincare That Works” and eventually get your greatest pores and skin day – on daily basis.
Raised Cuticles Don’t Make For Higher Conditioning
So as to add insult to harm, a raised cuticle doesn’t enable helpful elements to penetrate contained in the hair shaft. That’d be too straightforward.
Whether or not an ingredient can get contained in the shaft or not relies on its dimension and form. If it’s too massive, for instance, it stays on the floor of your hair. Some elements, like hydrolyzed proteins and amino acids, are sufficiently small to slide in. However many of the great things in conditioners (assume silicones, oils, and fatty alcohols) work by coating the hair shaft, sealing in moisture, and smoothing down the cuticle. They by no means penetrate your hair.
A raised cuticle is simply an indication of injury. That’s why, after washing your hair, it is advisable use conditioner to assist the cuticles get again of their place.
What Truly Helps Conditioner Work Higher?
A conditioner accommodates elements that may easy down the cuticles once more. They received’t restore the injury down (hair is lifeless and, as soon as it’s broken, it’s broken for good), however, with its smoothing motion, it might assist defend hair, make it really feel delicate and look wholesome and glossy.
If you happen to actually need your conditioner to work higher, right here’s what really makes a distinction:
Squeeze out extra water earlier than making use of conditioner, so it received’t get diluted (sure, this occurs).
Go away it on for a couple of minutes, so the energetic elements have time to coat your strands and easy all the things down.
Select the proper conditioner to your hair sort. In case your hair is ok, go along with a light-weight method with proteins and amino acids to assist strengthen it. If it’s thick and dry, you’ll need one thing richer with nourishing oils and butters.
Don’t skip a leave-in conditioner or serum. These create an additional layer of safety to maintain moisture in and frizz out.
The Backside Line
So, there you go. Subsequent time somebody tells you to “open” your hair cuticles, inform them no, thanks. Cuticles don’t open. They elevate when broken, and that doesn’t do your hair any good. Interval.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – on daily basis. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that can assist you determine what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that can assist you create the most effective skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
