How Do You Use a Hair Mask? A Complete Guide

Hair masks can provide a reprieve for hair that has been subjected to heat styling, blow drying, colouring, and the elements. Treatments like these can lock in moisture for fried locks that require a little tender loving care.

Knowing how a hair mask is and how it differs from a normal conditioner will ensure that you can use the product efficiently and get better results from it. Picking the right formula to suit your type of hair and problems you have will also ensure that you are getting the best out of a hair mask.

In this article, we’ll outline how hair masks work, how to use them, and why they are beneficial for your overall hair care routine. We’ll also explain how Hairy Hair can help with your hair loss.

What is a Hair Mask?

Hair masks are designed to provide intense nourishment through more concentrated ingredients than regular conditioners and help to combat frizz. While they may not offer the same dramatic results as a salon hair treatment, they can still offer additional care and target common hair problems.

They are meant to be used once a week, but if you have thick or very dry hair, you can use them more often. Hair masks work best when they have time to sit on the strands, reaching deep into each strand to provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Topical applications of products require time to be effective. The extra time that hair masks are used means that they can better seep into your strands and create an improvement. Science Direct found that stimulants used in hair growth shampoos, for example, cannot provide effective results because of the short contact time and ingredient dilution from water.

How do you Apply a Hair Mask?

First, choose when to apply a hair mask. Avoid combining it with a conditioner in the same wash routine since it can weigh down your locks. Hair masks should be used semi-regularly in place of a conditioner. 

Each hair mask can have different instructions when it comes to application, so it’s always best to adhere to what’s on the packaging. Here are some tips for general use:

• Prepare your hair by washing it with shampoo and rinsing.
• Soak up excess water with a microfiber towel or t-shirt without completely drying the hair.
• Comb the hair mask through the mid-lengths and ends of your damp hair for thorough application.
• Avoid the roots
• Allow the formula to sit on the strands. 
• Adhere to instructions regarding application time. Some hair masks need to be washed out, while others are designed to be used as leave-in treatment.

You shouldn’t apply hair masks to dry hair. This is because it won’t penetrate as effectively since the cuticles in your hair aren’t as open. Freshly washed hair is cleaner, so acting quickly with a hair mask after you’ve shampooed it means impurities are less likely to get in the way of an effective treatment.

How Often Should You Use a Hair Mask?

How frequently you use the treatment will depend on your hair type and wash schedule. Some people use a conditioner twice a week while others only require it once a fortnight. Your hair type plays a major role in this since thick hair or low porosity locks may need extra attention from a hair mask.

Hair masks easily weigh down thin or fine hair, so you won’t need to use them as often. If you’re overusing high-conditioning treatments like hair masks, it can do more harm to your hair than good. 

Research from the International Journal of Trichology indicated that irreversible damage can occur when hair is stretched by more than 30% of its original size. This can be caused by a condition known as hygral fatigue. Swelling and unswelling of hair follicles from too much moisture in hair strands, like from overusing hair masks, can cause this issue.

What Kind of Hair Mask is Right for my Hair?

Hair types can dictate the kind of mask that will work best, just like skin types. Using the wrong kind of product can not only mean you won’t see results, but you could also end up causing hair and scalp issues.

Knowing what kind of problems you’re trying to address will let you know what the best hair mask you should be looking for is:

• Dry and damaged hair will benefit from an intensely rich mask
• Greasy or oily hair needs a clay-based formula that can absorb excess oils
• Dyed and bleached hair needs protective and restorative ingredients
• Curly hair requires moisture to tame frizzy strands

Oil-based masks, including those that contain coconut oil, work differently from regular masks since oil will repel water. Oils can be pushed away from wet hair rather than seeping into the strands. Applying hair masks with these kinds of formulas to dry hair will be more beneficial in this case.

How Can Hairy Hair Help with Hair Loss?

Using a hair mask can boost hydration, particularly for dry or damaged hair. With the right formulation, you can help lock in moisture for strands that need extra attention. Picking an effective hair mask for your hair requires knowing your type, structure, and porosity so you’re using compatible ingredients. 

Finding the right way to incorporate a hair mask into your routine is also important. It can take some trial and error, but using a hair mask at the right frequency can give your hair relief from the damage it goes through on a regular basis. Hair masks aren’t a cure-all for every hair problem, however. In fact, if you’re using a hair mask too often, it can clog your pores and cause damage.

Contact Hairy Hair today if you want to take control of your hair loss. Our hair growth treatment contains a comprehensive combination of ingredients that work in tandem to address a range of concerns. The treatment acts as a vasodilator to help improve nutrient delivery to your follicles. It also aims to block DHT production, the hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink and leads to thinning.

Getting started couldn’t be easier. Simply fill in a short online questionnaire so we can get to know you and your hair loss. One of our hair loss expert GPs will then create a personalised plan to target your thinning issues. They’ll give you a call, outline the treatment for you, and answer any questions you have. Your prescription will then be delivered to your door for a convenient and discreet treatment.