Deep conditioning gets blamed for a lot — mostly because it gets asked to do the impossible. A mask can't "fix" years of heat or bleach in one rinse. What it can do is flood dry hair with slip and softness so you lose less hair to tangles, frizz and snapping.

The basic rule: give it time

A deep conditioner needs time. Most are meant to sit 10 to 30 minutes, not the 60-second rinse that regular conditioner gets. That longer contact is why hair often feels instantly smoother and detangling starts to "melt."

Match your method to your porosity

How often depends on porosity — basically how easily your hair lets water in and how fast it loses it.

Low porosity

Low porosity hair tends to resist products, so lighter, moisture-friendly ingredients like honey, aloe vera or glycerin usually behave better. Try thinning your mask with a little water so it spreads and absorbs. Gentle heat can help here too — a common method is a plastic cap and 20 to 30 minutes under a hooded dryer.

High porosity

High porosity hair is the leaky bucket. It usually needs moisture and structure, so look for keratin or hydrolyzed protein paired with richer sealers like shea butter or castor oil.

How often?

• Low porosity: at least once weekly
• Medium porosity: every two weeks or as needed
• High porosity: weekly, adjusting based on feel

Common myths

Overnight masks are always better — leaving a mask on overnight can cause hygral fatigue (too much swelling weakens bonds).

Deep conditioner fixes split ends — only a trim fixes split ends. Conditioner smooths and prevents further splitting.