How to Apply Conditioner to Your Hair

Co-authored by Gina Almona

Last Updated: August 27, 2024 Fact Checked

Shampooing your hair on a regular basis will remove both the dirt and grime buildup in your hair, but also the helpful natural oils. In addition to regular use of hot tools, chemicals, and natural weathering, your hair can be left dry, frizzy, and damaged. However, this can be easily fixed with the use of a conditioner. There are three general types of conditioner - traditional conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and deep conditioner - each performing a similar task of softening your luscious locks.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Regular Conditioner

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Choose the right conditioner for your hair type. A traditional conditioner is applied every time you shower, just after you rinse out your shampoo. This type of conditioner works to repair the damage done by hot tools, chemicals, and general wear-and-tear that your hair experiences on a daily basis. Choose a type of conditioner that is advertised for your specific hair needs; whether you have curly and frizzy hair, dry and damaged hair, colored hair, fine hair, relaxed hair, or limp and lank hair, there is a specific conditioner that can help with each.
- If you need a conditioner that helps repair chronically dry or damaged hair, jump to our info on how to use deep conditioner.
Hop in the shower, and go along with your regular washing routine. You’ll condition your hair after you wash it, so give your scalp and strands a good scrubbing with your favorite shampoo. Focus most of your washing power on the scalp, being careful not to tug at your wet hair as you wash as this can damage the ends and cause more breakage.

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Use warm water to wash out the shampoo. Warm water is safer on your hair than hot water is. Be careful not to tug on the strands if you run your fingers through it. When your hair feels ‘squeaky’, you’ve rinsed out all the shampoo.^{[2]
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If your hair is sopping wet, any conditioner you try to apply will run right off and won’t stick long enough to affect your hair. If your hair is very short, you probably won’t have to do much wringing. If, however, you have long hair, spend a bit of time getting as much water out of it as you can.
Pour a bit of conditioner into the palm of your hand; the amount you need will vary depending on the length of your hair. A dime-sized amount is usually recommended for professional conditioners, while drug store brands may require more because they can be diluted.^{[3]
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Go to source} If your hair is very long, you may need a whole palm-full of conditioner. Run this through the mid-shafts of your hair, trying to apply it to every strand that you’re able. Work the conditioner toward the ends of your hair, as this is the part that is damaged (it’s the oldest).^{[4]
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Expert Interview. 12 December 2019.} Putting conditioner near your scalp and roots can actually clog your follicles, and slow hair growth/increase oil production.
This step is slightly optional; the longer you wait and allow your conditioner to set, the more it will be able to do to improve the health of your hair. If you’re in a rush, you can rinse it out nearly immediately after, but it won’t make your hair as soft and shiny as it normally would. Try applying your conditioner, and then washing the rest of your body/face while it sets. Then when you’re finished (normally a minute or two later), you can rinse out your conditioner for maximum effect.^{[5]
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Assuming you’ve turned the water temperature back up for comfort’s sake, turn it back down as cold as you can handle it. As aforementioned, the cold water is healthier for your hair. Spend a few minutes rinsing out the conditioner; if your hair still feels ‘slimy’, then you haven’t gotten it all out. When your hair is smooth and no longer feels super slippery, then you’re set! Wring out your hair and you’re done conditioning.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Leave-In Conditioner

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As with regular conditioner, there are many varieties of leave-in conditioner depending on your needs. There are two general styles of leave-in conditioner: cream and spray-on. The former variety is best for thick, long, or curly hair, as it weighs down the strands a bit. The latter variety is best for thin or straight hair, as it is a bit lighter-weight.^{[6]
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Go about your regular hair treatment regimen. Leave-in conditioner does not need to be rinsed out (as the name suggests) but does need to be applied to damp hair. Use the aforementioned directions for washing and conditioning your hair, and then towel-dry it so that it is just damp.
Most products will recommend a pea-sized amount for medium length hair of average thickness, but the amount will vary from person to person. You can always add more product to your hair, so begin with less than you think you will need.
Rub your hands together to thin out the conditioner a bit, and then begin running it through the ends of your locks. As with regular conditioner, avoid getting it near your scalp or the roots of your hair; keep it on the most damaged (oldest) parts of your hair, typically from half the length downwards.
Use a wide-tooth comb to brush your hair after applying the leave-in conditioner. This will spread the product out even further, and help to avoid clumps of the conditioner from making certain sections of your hair greasy while others are left dry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Deep Conditioner

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Deep conditioners all have the same goal: to repair chronically dry/damaged hair. Therefore, there aren’t too many ‘types’ of deep conditioners to choose from, just different brands. Find a deep conditioner that meets your hair and budget needs.
Rinse through your hair with warm or cool water (the colder the better). You can choose to shampoo your hair first if you would like, but all you really need to do is to get all of your hair wet. When you’re finished wring it out, removing as much extra water as you can.
Scoop some of the conditioner out of the container with your hands, and apply a thick coating to your entire head. Focus most of the conditioner on the ends of your hair, but feel free to spread it all the way to your roots. Be sure to separate any large chunks of hair so that each strand gets a thorough coating.
Apply a shower cap to your head to keep your hair off your clothes/away from your face. Follow the directions for your specific conditioner, and leave it to cure. Typically, it should take between 20-30 minutes for the conditioner to work its magic. If you want an added boost, you can set your hairdryer on ‘warm’ and heat up the conditioner as it sets.^{[7]
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Remove the shower cap, and turn your water on as cold as you can handle it. Spend 3-5 minutes rinsing out all of the deep conditioner, being careful not to leave any extra to set in your hair. When your hair no longer feels ‘slimy’, you’ve likely removed all of the conditioner. At this point you are free to dry and style your hair as you wish.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How long do you have to leave conditioner in your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

A daily conditioner only needs to sit on the hair for 1-5 minutes. A treatment conditioner may need up to 20 minutes to maximize benefits.

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Question

Can you wash your hair with conditioner?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can; it's called co-washing and it's especially popular on curly hair. Co-washing works best with lightweight conditioner and some are made especially for this purpose.

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Question

How often should you use conditioner on your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You should use conditioner every time you wet your hair, but you don't have to use a lot. If your hair feels soft and smooth already you can just run a small amount through your ends.

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Tips

Avoid using hot tools and chemicals on your hair on a regular basis, as these will damage your hair and require to use even more conditioner on a regular basis.

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Use conditioner at least once a week. Do not use too much or on the scalp, especially if your hair gets oily easily.

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Don't comb your hair when it is wet, as it is more slightly to break or get damaged. If you do prefer to comb it while it's wet, do so while the conditioner is still on your hair.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Don't rub your hair dry with a towel as this will cause breakage and split ends. Instead, gently squeeze your hair dry with a microfiber towel or cotton shirt. These are softer and will make your hair smoother and shinier than a rough towel.
Try to pick conditioners that suit your specific hair. There are special conditioners for straight hair, curly hair, thick hair, fine hair, color-treated hair, and more!
Most of the time, you won't need to apply conditioner all the way up to your roots. Applying conditioner from the middle to the end of your hair will likely be enough!

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