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your head covered with a plastic bag for 20 minutes. Unless you've been advised by a professional, who knows what product is right. It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out!

The function of a conditioner is to "finalize" your hair cleansing regimen by coating the hair shaft with a product that will protect and smooth the outer layer of the hair. If you were to look at a hair shaft under a magnifying lens, you'd see that the outer layers of the hair follicle are much like scales, overlapping each other. When those scales are dried out, they do not lie down smoothly and create what we call split ends that give the hair a dry, dull and even brittle appearance. Whether your hair is short or long, it is a good idea to condition after a shampoo, for optimum results.

There is one important factor to keep in mind, and I share this with you from my personal experience and 30 year background in hairdressing. As good as any product may be for you and your hair; the hair will build up a residue over time with continued use to that product. This is not just "hype" from the hairdresser wanting to sell you products! Researchers have done studies on prolonged usage of a product and no matter how hard you try, those hair scales we talked about earlier, seem to retain the product and over time, are not as effective. It is recommended that you change your products on a regular basis. This isn't to say that when you run out of products in a month's time for instance, that you should go buy new brands. I would suggest that at least every four to six months, buy an alternate shampoo and conditioner. You will be amazed to see how your hair will respond to the change of products.

Now that you have a little more insight into shampoos and conditioners, remember that your hair won't reflect light to make it shine regardless of how good the shampoo and conditioner is. I know you've probably heard it a million times before, but there is an element of truth in that old expression, "You are what you eat." Your hair is a reflection of your general inner health. Even if you think it is corny to say, take good care of yourself. Good health is your crowning glory!

Learn more about this author, Carole Hill.
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