Overnight Conditioning - Your Questions

I have read many comments regarding this previous post where I described what can penetrate into hair. Some of you were not clear on the time required for penetration and thought that I had said that overnight conditioning is best for protein penetration.

The statement was:

'Hydrolysed Wheat Protein (J Cosmet Sci pp 193-203, 2000)

Time required for penetration: 30 minutes at  35°C for initial detection, 16 hours (overnight simulation) for maximum detection'

Let me clarify:

Science Lesson: Quantity and Quality

In science there are two key observations that you have to pay attention to

Quantity - This is where you can measure an amount reliably. For example, with hair conditioning and deep conditioning, you can reliably find that after 20-30 minutes, hair simply does not deposit anything further onto its surface and after 20-30 minutes no further penetration is taking place either. This is a measured result where you can quantify how much of the conditioner is stuck on to the surface of hair firmly enough not to be washed off. Equally no more conditioner is being taken up by the hair.

Quality -  This is not a measurable quantity. It is purely an observation. For example with protein conditioning, after 30 minutes you find most of the protein on the surface. At 16 hours, it is distributed further into the hair shaft. Now this does not mean more time allows more conditioner to penetrate. This is not supported by the previous quantifiable result. It is more likely meaning that the conditioner gets redistributed and penetrates further depending on how damaged the hair is (more pores, more entry).

Protein conditioning and time : Note that there is no more uptake after 30 min, just a redistribution

For budding scientists, look up quantitative and qualitative results. Coming up Next  - What goes in must come out.


  1. Great explanation and breakdown, Jc!

  2. I love your website and your willingness to explain all of this information so completely; even though I don't have ethnic hair, the knowledge I am able to absorb from your site is absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much! This is excellent for anyone who is interested in the science of hair and it has become an invaluable resource for me. :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    1. Thank you so much and have a great Christmas too!

  3. forgive me if you have been asked this a number of times
    I bet its annoying when u get asked the same questions over and over again
    anwyay...........What are your thoughts on terminal hair length?
    Do you believe the theory?

    1. Yes there is a terminal hair length often quoted as 3-5 years. This is not actually a studied time length though, more of a scientific guess. Another school of thought actually says 12-15 years based on observations at US theme parks. In either case, hair will stop growing for most people, some people do have extraordinarily long growth phases. So yes a terminal length does exist.



    *So this Dec. 17, 2012 post reffers to protein based conditioners?

    *Penetration into the cortex represents a span of time where overconditioning is the 'next phase'?

    *Over conditioning must then represent a hair state/texture (not just a length of time)? And overconditioning must only be possible based on a mix of present variables like ingredients used, porosity, time, ect, right? I am just asking the 3rd question because of these sentences here: "There are many naturals who will condition their hair for hours at a time because they like the softness that it develops. If you are in this group, you are someone who likes over-conditioned hair."

    :) Thank you in advance for the clarity! I think writing my questions also helped me a little bit, but I still want to make sure I understand overconditioning, expecially cortex penetration. As always, I love your blog mand consider the time you spend with us a blessing. :)

    ETA after a reread of my post: I also think I understand overconditioning now that I can recall times where after a DC I would think to myself 'I need more protein' or 'more moisture'; I had over conditioned using one of those materials. I still want to post this for you to reroute my thinking on this if need be and in case in helps anyone else. :) Thank you again in advance.

    1. - The post is referring to any water based conditioner that stays liquid when covered with a plastic cap. This conditioner can naturally include protein or have protein added into it

      - Over conditioned hair to me represents a both a time point and a change in texture/softness/state of hair protein. The change in hair texture only happens when the water based hair conditioner has been in contact with the hair for a sufficiently long time in a liquid form.

      I hope this helps :)

    2. That does help, thank you bundles :)


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