How Often Should You Do A Hair Mask

You want healthy hair, but your locks can be damaged by outside factors. Ultraviolet rays from the sun and other environmental toxins can make hair thin or brittle. Your hair texture changes as you age. Even the way to color or style your hair can leave it weak and vulnerable to damage.

A hair mask can give your hair the extra care it needs. 

What is a Hair Mask? 

A hair mask is a deep conditioning treatment that nourishes and hydrates hair. It differs from regular conditioner because the ingredients are more concentrated and are left in longer, which allows for deeper penetration. Ingredients can include oils, proteins, vitamins, and minerals that can help maintain healthy hair.¹

Importance of Hair Masks in Your Routine

While a hair mask isn’t necessary, it can help if you have specific concerns about your hair’s health or manageability. 

The purpose of any conditioner is to decrease friction and minimize frizz by hydrating and moisturizing hair strands, making them easier to manage and maintain.² The results from a deep conditioning hair mask can be dramatic, including shinier, stronger hair that resists breakage and damage.

Additionally, regular hair mask use can give you a healthier scalp and protect your hair against damage caused by environmental toxins, chemical treatments, or harsh styling products.³

Another hair care tool, Foundation Skincare’s Hair Serum, is used topically to give your hair an extra boost by nourishing hair follicles. It encourages new hair growth resulting in fuller, thicker hair. Its benefits complement those of a hair mask and the two can be used together.

Hair Types and Hair Mask Frequency

How often you use a hair mask depends on the type of hair you have and what problems you encounter.⁵

Dry or Damaged Hair

Hair masks work best for people with dry or damaged hair, including hair that is chemically treated or colored. Use a hair mask 2-3 times a week for best results. 

Oily or Fine Hair

If your hair is oily or fine, you may need to deep condition once a week or less. Using it more often can leave hair looking weighed down or dull.

Curly or Textured Hair

Curly or textured hair benefits most when a hair mask is used only 1-2 times a week. It helps cut down on frizz and makes your curls more manageable.

Pay attention to how your hair reacts to the hair mask and adjust how often you use it based on your individual results.

How to Properly Apply and Maximize Benefits of Hair Masks

Before using a hair mask, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and skip your normal conditioner. Use warm water to improve penetration of the mask’s ingredients.

After washing your hair, towel dry until it is damp. Don’t apply a hair mask to dry hair. 

Start with a small amount of the mask and apply it to your hair, concentrating on the length and the ends. Avoid applying the mask directly on your scalp as it could clog your follicles.

Leave the mask in your hair for the required amount of time – usually 20 minutes. 

Rinse off the mask with lukewarm or cool water to seal in the benefits. Don’t use hot water, which can strip away natural oils and dry out your hair.6

Read the label of any product you use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to maximize the benefits.

Supercharge your hair’s health by pairing your hair mask with Foundation Skincare’s Untangled Hair Supplement. Full of micro-nutrients that nourish follicles and revitalize hair, Untangled Hair Supplement helps nourish your hair follicles from the inside to maximize hair health and growth. 

Risks of Using Hair Masks Too Often

While regular use of a hair mask can leave you with shinier, stronger, more manageable hair, be careful not to over use it or leave it in too long.

If you overuse a hair mask, you risk clogging your hair follicles and causing breakage and hair loss. Additionally overuse can cause build up on your hair, leaving it dull and lifeless.3

Pay attention to what your hair is telling you. If it is dry, frizzy, or unmanageable, try a hair mask to see if it improves. Make sure the ingredients are right for your hair. Pair your hair mask with other hair treatments to make sure you are feeding your hair the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

---

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-hair-mask

2. https://journals.lww.com/ijot/fulltext/2015/07010/hair_cosmetics__an_overview.2.aspx

3. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2022/03/18/hair-masks-worth-hydration-repair-experts-share-advice/7060867001/

4. https://journals.lww.com/ijd/fulltext/2015/60030/shampoo_and_conditioners__what_a_dermatologist.5.aspx

5. https://www.livingproof.com/hair-101/how-often-should-i-use-a-hair-mask.html 

6. https://colorwowhair.com/blogs/all/how-to-use-hair-masks