What it is and what it is for?
When washing your hair, dirt and excess oil are eliminated. However, nutrients essential to its health are also removed, so products were developed to replace them, this being the main function of conditioners and balms.
After washing the hair, we can use a conditioner to help replenish the nutrients removed by the shampoo and also to facilitate brushing of the hair, as it reduces the friction between the hair strands. The balm is more focused on replacing nutrients and natural oils, not being effective in helping brushing.
What are the most used ingredients and their function?
Conditioners and balms have several ingredients, the most common of which are:
Cationic polymers, molecules that are added to the hair together with moisturizers to moisten the strands, giving them a silkier texture and easier to comb.
Preservatives, one of the most important ingredients as they prevent the appearance of fungi and bacteria caused by humid environments.
Natural or refined oils to replenish the oil levels of the hair, leaving it healthy, such as avocado oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil and camellia seed oil.
Because many conditioners contain oils, they must also contain emulsifiers to stabilize their texture.
To provide shine and to thicken hair strands, it is necessary to add waxes, such as beeswax or candelilla wax.
Which types exist and what are their differences?
Conditioners and balms are divided into three categories:
Common conditioners to hydrate hair, restoring lost oils and nutrients with the use of hot appliances and more aggressive shampoos.
In case it is necessary to do a deeper hydration, we can opt for the balms. Its function is to deeply moisturize the hair, restoring its shine through the use of oils and waxes. Balms are not the most suitable for oily hair and their function is not to facilitate brushing the hair.
Finally, conditioners that do not require washing are thin and light and moisturize and protect hair quickly after washing. These products are usually sprayed after washing and do not require further washing.
Some examples: Mad About Waves Windswept, Conditioner Mad About Waves Windy Texture Balm, Mad About Waves Light Splash Conditioner by Schwarzkopf.
What is the most used packaging format and what are the most frequent sizes?
The packaging of conditioners and balms are usually in bottles, dozers or jars, depending on their quantity.
In the case of conditioners, the most common packaging is bottles and dispensers. Its most frequent quantity is 250ml and can, however, vary from 125ml to larger formats with 500ml or 1000ml, which are usually sold in packs with dispenser.
In the case of balms, as they are a more punctual treatment, they are sold in smaller quantities, in jars or in bottles.
What to take into account when choosing a conditioner or balm?
When choosing a conditioner or balm, one of the most important factors is the type of hair, as not all conditioners are suitable for all types of hair.
The ideal is to opt for a product that, in addition to moisturizing, also facilitates hair brushing.
Preferably, use the complete line corresponding to the conditioner (shampoo, mascara, among others).
If you have oily hair you should avoid balms, because with their high hydrating power they can leave your hair excessively oily.
In case you have dry hair you should choose to use a balm, as it will restore the hair's natural hydration, making it more showy and healthy.
What are the recommendations for use and tips?
It is very important to make the correct choice of product, that is, evaluate your hair type and look for a conditioner that suits it.
You should wash your hair thoroughly before applying the conditioner. The wash should be done with cold water, as it is beneficial for the health of the hair. After washing, twist the hair to remove most of the water, then put a small amount of conditioner in your hands, depending on the length of the hair, and apply to the ends of the hair.
You should also wash your hair thoroughly after applying the conditioner, so as not to cause damage to the scalp.
In the case of conditioners that do not require washing, wash thoroughly, including drying, and then apply the conditioner.
Quais os prós e contras de usar um condicionador ou bálsamo?
With the regular use of a conditioner, it is possible to greatly improve the health and, consequently, the appearance of the hair. If used well, conditioners can give a more silky and healthier texture to the hair.
However, if not used properly, conditioners can have serious consequences for hair health: excess oil, breakage of hair, among others.
In certain cases, allergic reactions can be triggered by these products. In such cases, it will be important to check the composition of the product and make sure that none of them could be harmful.
Quais as marcas de referência de condicionadores ou bálsamos?
Currently, conditioners are common and there are several specialized brands in the area.
Regarding reference brands, Schwarzkopf was the brand that started the shampoo industry. With its experience in the area of hair, this brand is also very involved in the area of conditioners with several successful lines, such as BC Fibre Force Fortifying.
Kérastase is also one of the best brands on the market at the hair level, with an immense range of highly successful conditioners and shampoos, such as Chronologiste, Blond Absolu, Soleil, among others.
L'Oréal Professionel also contains lots of excellent conditioners, such as Absolut Repair Gold Conditioner, Nutrifier DD Balm Liss Unlimited Conditioner, among others.
