Hair Treatments 101: How To Indulge In The Ultimate Hair Self-Care

Hair treatments are the ultimate way to indulge in self-care for your hair. Available in many different forms, these deep conditioning hair masks, lightweight leave-in conditioners and nourishing hair oils are designed to provide the extra care that hair needs as a result of daily heat styling and the environment. They can strengthen weak, fragile strands, help seal split ends, quench dry, dehydrated hair and more.

Use them on a regular basis to maintain glossy, healthy hair. But how do you choose which one to use? Start with your hair type.

image of a model applying a hair treatment

THE BEST HAIR TREATMENT FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE

Using the right formula for your specific needs can lead to significant improvement in the appearance and health of your hair. While fine or oily hair types should limit the use of hair treatments to once a week, dry, damaged or coarse hair can handle a mask as often as every shampoo.

COLOR-TREATED HAIR

Anyone with color-treated hair can greatly benefit from hair treatments, but it's important to select one that contains ingredients that won't strip hair color. Sunflower extract, found in Paul Mitchell® Color Protect® Treatment, is ideal for color-treated hair because it helps protect hair from sun damage and helps color last longer.

COARSE HAIR

Coarse hair has the largest diameter of all of the hair types, making it prone to frizz and dryness. A daily moisturizing oil, like Tea Tree Lavender Mint Nourishing Oil, helps to fight frizz and humidity while sealing split ends. The fast-absorbing formula nourishes strands with a concentration of monoi, pequi and jojoba oils that soften and smooth hair.

FINE HAIR

Thin hair is easily weighed down by heavy masks, but that doesn't mean that hair treatments are totally off limits. Lightweight oils like dry-touch, quick-absorbing Awapuhi Wild Ginger® Styling Treatment Oil® or nutrient-rich Tea Tree Hemp Replenishing Hair & Body Oil are both excellent choices for fine hair that needs extra hydration. Remember, a little goes a long way.

CURLY HAIR

Because curly hair tends to be naturally drier than straighter hair types, opt for a treatment that's specifically formulated for curls like Paul Mitchell® Full Circle Leave-In Treatment®. Its creamy formula smoothes, detangles and replenishes every curl without weighing hair down.

DRY HAIR

Anyone with dry, dehydrated hair should look for an ultra-rich, deep conditioning hair mask that delivers an intense dose of moisture like Paul Mitchell® Super-Charged Treatment. It provides hydration and protection with panthenol, soy proteins and vitamin E.

OILY HAIR

Using a heavy conditioner on oily hair is a guaranteed way to make hair even greasier, which is why oilier types should try a leave-in conditioning spray instead. Paul Mitchell® Awapuhi Moisture Mist® is a lightweight formula that balances moisture for hair that’s soft, hydrated and silky-smooth.

HOW & WHEN TO USE HAIR TREATMENTS

  • Start application of the treatment at the ends where hair is older and more prone to damage.
  • Use a wide tooth comb such as a Pro Tools™ Detangler Comb to evenly distribute the product, ensuring that every single strand benefits from the treatment.
  • After you’ve applied the hair treatment, wrap hair in a warm towel or apply heat, allowing active ingredients to easily penetrate the outer hair shaft.
  • How often you apply depends on your hair type, texture and condition. While extremely dry or damaged hair may require more frequent applications, most hair types respond best to weekly treatments.

HAIR TREATMENTS FOR EVERY PROBLEM

There is a solution for every hair problem using the right deep conditioner, mask or oil.

Problem: Itchy, Flaky Scalp

Solution: Because dandruff is more likely to form under dry scalp conditions, it's important to keep your scalp moisturized with a hydrating hair mask. Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment® contains soy protein, panthenol and shea butter to recondition and repair hair while moisturizing strands and soothing the scalp.

Problem: Dull, Lackluster Hair

Solution: The keratin fibers in color-treated or chemically processed hair can easily break, making hair's surface uneven and unable to reflect light. Awapuhi Wild Ginger® Keratin Treatment features KeraTriplex® keratin protein technology to rebuild, repair and transform lackluster hair, while sustainably harvested awapuhi extract from our farm in Hawaii replenishes every strand with intense moisture and shine.

Problem: Heat-Damaged Hair

Solution: If you regularly blow-dry or flat iron your hair, you need a weekly hydrating mask to replace some of the moisture that's lost from daily heat styling. Neuro™ Repair HeatCTRL® Treatment repairs and protects heat-damaged strands with a rich, moisture-restoring formula that leaves hair smooth and conditioned with brilliant shine.

Problem: Frizz

Solution: Frizz occurs when hair is dehydrated and the outermost layer (the cuticle) opens up and lets moisture from the air into it. This causes the hair to swell and creates a frizzy effect. The best way to keep hair from frizzing up is to use a rich leave-in conditioning cream, like award-winning Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty Anti-Frizz Leave-In Treatment. Enriched with organic, cold-pressed almond oil and hyaluronic acid, it helps to smooth hair, prevents frizz and protects against humidity.

Problem: Split Ends

Solution: The best way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. If you're in between appointments, you can temporarily "seal" them with a leave-in treatment. One to try: Paul Mitchell® Super Strong® Liquid Treatment, which contains a Super Strong® Complex, marine extracts and vegetable proteins to replace lost minerals while replenishing every strand. Be sure to thoroughly work treatment into the ends of hair.

Problem: Thinning Hair

Solution: Use a leave-on scalp treatment like Tea Tree Scalp Care Regeniplex Tonic. This twice-daily spray is infused with the exclusive Regeniplex botanical blend, which stimulates the scalp and helps encourage healthy hair growth.

In need of some extra care? Experience a professional in-salon treatment. Find a salon near you.