Tip 4 Deep Conditioning and Reconditioning

I first learned about this method in Lisa Akbari's book: The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair: A Positive Approach to Managing any Hair Type and Style. You've also heard me refer to it as the 15-10-10 Method. I've been using this method for over 3 years. I do it once a week (as the book recommends) sometimes twice and I swear by it.

Here's what I do...

• Apply deep conditioner to hair in sections making sure to reach every hair strand. (I prefer organic deep conditioners by Giovanni and Aubrey Organics).
• Apply plastic shower cap and sit under a Conditioning Heat Cap or warm dryer for 15 minutes. 
• Run your fingers over your head to feel for dry parts and apply more conditioner there and smooth. Also be sure to apply more conditioner to areas prone to breakage.  
• Sit under the heat cap again for 10 minutes.
• Apply more conditioner to weak spots, hairline and ends.
• Sit under heat cap or dryer w/plastic cap (for the 3rd and final time) for 10 minutes. 
• Rinse out in shower w/conditioner.
• Detangle under showerhead. 
• Finish with a cold water rinse to lock in moisture.

Why bother? Heat from the heat cap or dryer opens the hair cuticles, allowing the ingredients in deep conditioners to penetrate the hair shaft. The idea is to keep applying until your hair stops taking it in. How do you know your hair has stopped taking it in? The conditioner will just sit on your hair. You don't want to waste product, so when you're satisfied, you can rinse it out. Sometimes I use the method above and apply an oil and sleep with it overnight. If I'm rinsing out the same day, I apply an oil for the last application: 15 minutes under heat cap with deep conditioner, 10 minutes under heat cap with more deep conditioner followed by 10 minutes under heat cap with even more deep conditioner and finally add an oil.

Do you deep condition and recondition?
	Yes and I love it or like it
	No, but I want to try
	I've tried it and didn't like it
	I'm not interested