Washing your hair is a simple process, right?
Well, apparently there's more to it than you might have thought, as one hairdresser has claimed that none of us know how to properly apply conditioner to keep our tresses silky smooth and healthy.
Martina Kralikova, who is a hairstylist at The Bohemians, has said that almost all of us will make at least one of the five most common mistakes whenever we wash our hair - including using too little or too much, not applying the product in the right places, and using the wrong type of conditioner for our locks.
The expert also claims that making mistakes when it comes to conditioner could be ruining your hair while getting everything right will have your tresses looking the healthiest they've ever been.
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Applying conditioner to the wrong area
While speaking to The Sun about her haircare tips, Martina said one of the most common mistakes people make has to do with where they put their product.
It might seem obvious to some people, but you should never apply conditioner to your roots, as this could make your hair "too greasy and flat".
Instead, only apply the product from the mid-length to the tips, which will be the oldest and therefore the driest part of the hair. Let it soak in for a few minutes and then rinse with cold water to "close the cuticles".
Using the wrong product
There's a seemingly endless list of conditioners available on the market, but choosing the right one for your hair type is detrimental to your hair's health, Martina says.
Lightweight conditioners work best for fine hair, but a deep conditioning mask can weigh locks down too much - even though they're packed full of natural oils that can be important for other hair types.
Martina explained: "Look for a mix of silicones to smoothen the strands, amino acids to strengthen the hair, provitamins or panthenol to moisturise, and mineral oil or petrolatum to protect, depending on what you're in need of."
Using the wrong amount
We all know it's important to use conditioner to keep our hair healthy, but using too much can be damaging as well. Martina says too much conditioner will "cause product build-up" that will in turn make your hair look greasy.
The amount you'll need will depend on your hair type and length, but Martina recommends using "one or two dollops".
Not waiting long enough
Conditioner should never be rinsed off immediately, according to Martina.
The expert said conditioner should be left on for a few minutes at the very least to allow it to "emulsify into the hair".
Deep conditioning masks, on the other hand, should be left on for anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes, ideally with a shower cap on to keep the hair in place. This should leave your locks looking "hydrated and glossy".
Leaving residue behind
Of course, one of the most important things to watch out for is whether or not you're rinsing your hair properly when you come to wash out your conditioner.
Leaving some conditioner behind in the hair can result in "greasy and dirty" tresses, so make sure you're properly getting rid of all product when you rinse.
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