What is a hair mask?

You’ve probably heard of, or perhaps tried, a face mask. Just as a face mask works to nourish and hydrate your skin, a hair mask works in a similar way to boost the condition and health of your hair.

Hair mask may also be referred to as deep conditioning treatments or intensive hair conditioners.

What makes them different to instant conditioners is that the ingredients are usually more concentrated, and the mask is left on your hair for longer — anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours.

Many types of hair masks can be made at home from ingredients you may already have in your kitchen, like bananas, honey, or even egg yolk. Or, if you don’t want to fuss with making one yourself, there are many types of pre-made hair masks you can buy at the store.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of hair masks, how to use them, and the types of masks that may work best for your hair type.

What are the benefits of a hair mask?
There are many benefits to using a hair mask, and the advantages vary depending on the ingredients and your hair type. Generally speaking, the benefits of using a hair mask include:

shinier, softer hair
added moisture
reduced hair breakage and damage
less frizz
a healthier scalp
stronger hair
less environmental and product damage