Among the wide range of hair care products, there are basic elements that you just can not do without. These include shampoo in combination with balm or conditioner. With the first, everything is clear - his task is to clean the hair and scalp, performing along the way some additional functions voiced by the manufacturer. But how to understand what to choose: conditioner or balm in addition to a cleanser? The criteria are quite simple and will not require serious analysis, but the difference is worth knowing. This will make care as effective as possible. Someone will voice the idea that balm and hair conditioner are the same thing, but there is a difference, and it is she who dictates the rules for the use of funds.
Hair balm
It differs from the conditioner in the way it affects the hair, the duration of application, as well as the presence of not only caring, but also nutrients in the composition. The primary task of the balm is to improve the condition of the strands not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Nutrients, vitamins, phytocomplexes in the composition saturate the hair and restore their structure. Another plus - it glues keratin flakes on the surface, providing a smooth surface of the strands.
Varieties of balms
There are several types of this tool. These include balm without additives, conditioner and conditioner. Each has both similar and different impact factors. Balm without additives evens the surface of the strands and cares for the hair follicles. In its composition, zinc, phytoestrogens and fatty acids are most often indicated. Conditioner balm has an antistatic effect. It protects the strands from excessive drying when exposed to high temperatures. For those who are looking for an answer to the question of how the balm differs from a hair conditioner, we explain: the above version of the product has a double effect. It nourishes and protects hair at the same time.
Conditioner contains citric, lactic or acetic acid. Due to this, it gives the hair a beautiful shine, restores the pH balance, neutralizes the shampoo residues and covers the surface by gluing structural flakes. It is also used to fix color after staining.
Hair conditioner
Unlike balm, it has a more cosmetic effect during care. The first task of a hair conditioner is to facilitate combing and protect the strands from the effects of environmental factors. It also has a fairly pronounced antistatic effect, which is important for hot styling with a hairdryer, as well as in the winter season, while wearing hats. The hair conditioner protects against exposure to heat during drying. It covers the curls with an invisible film, covers keratin scales and thus retains moisture and structural substances in the hair. For those who need to understand how the balm differs from a hair conditioner, we will consider all the points. This will make the best choice in favor of a particular tool.
Balm and hair conditioner: differences
- Antistatic effect. It is absent in the balm and is an advantage of the conditioner.
- Protection and nutrition. Conditioner protects hair from external influences, and balm nourishes them from the inside, improving the condition.
- Application Method. Balm can, and sometimes needs to be applied to the roots and scalp. The conditioner is applied only in length to maintain volume.
- Features of exposure. This is how balm differs from hair conditioner. After washing the hair, you can apply both the first and second remedies, depending on the primary goals. Food - balm, protection - air conditioning. In this case, both the first and the second agent stick together the surface keratin hair flakes and retain moisture inside. The strands are protected from drying out during installation.
Rules for applying balm
It all depends on the initial condition of the hair. If they are not badly damaged, then the product is applied to a clean hair after washing and left to act for a couple of minutes. Then the hair is washed, as usual, and styled with a hairdryer. If the strands are badly damaged and the healing and nutritional effect of the balm is needed, then the product is applied for 10-15 minutes. It can be considered as an alternative to a light mask. For severely damaged hair, there are special nourishing and regenerating balms that are applied under a plastic cap and left for half an hour with a warming effect. Then the balm is washed off, as usual. The conditioner is applied along the length of the strands. Balm can also be distributed on the roots. The procedure is performed with light massage movements. This is what distinguishes the balm from the hair conditioner in the method of application. The difference is small, but it should be taken into account to get the maximum final result.
Rules for using the air conditioner
The tool is not recommended to be applied to the roots. Otherwise, they quickly become contaminated, and the hair becomes greasy. The styling volume also suffers significantly. The conditioner is applied to clean, washed hair for a few minutes. Then washed off with plenty of water. It envelops locks, facilitates combing and gives a beautiful shine.
There are varieties of indelible conditioners. Most often they are presented in the form of sprays. This is another more convenient alternative. To the question of how balm differs from hair conditioner, there is another simple answer - this is the duration of exposure after application. An exception is the indelible option. In general, the air conditioner takes 1-2 minutes, and the balm acts 3-5 minutes to obtain the expected result from the application.
2 in 1 Tools
Separately, it is worth noting the fairly common 2 in 1 complexes, where the shampoo is combined with either balm or conditioner. Despite the apparent savings and practicality of this option, it is not so effective. Shampoo and balm (or conditioner) have opposite effects. As a result, the effect of each agent is reduced. The shampoo does not cleanse as effectively, and the balm or conditioner in the composition unreliably glues surface flakes. The effect of dryness remains. To the question of how the balm differs from the conditioner in type 2 in 1 products, the answer is obvious: shampoo with balm works better, and with the conditioner both products lose their properties, especially in the root application area.
Balm Benefits
The softness, silkiness and light texture of the hair are provided by the action of the balm. A clear advantage is the nutrition and restoration of the strands, but do not replace them with medical masks in the case of severely damaged hair. Compared with air conditioning, the balm has more regenerating substances. They provide texture restoration. Balm is recommended to be applied 1-2 times a week, and the conditioner can be used after each wash. This is dictated by the cumulative effect of substances in the product. And this is another factor that answers the question of how balm differs from hair conditioner.
Air conditioning benefits
Smoothness, healthy shine, easy to comb and anti-static effect are huge advantages when using the product. Do not forget that this is only an external impact. The conditioner does not solve the hair problem, but only disguises it. When using the balm, the hair becomes soft and fluffy. Air conditioning gives straight, smooth and slightly weighted strands. Greatly facilitates styling. Both balm and hair conditioner (what is the difference, we have already decided) give the same protective effect - they seal surface keratin flakes and prevent moisture loss.
The choice of one or another remedy depends on the initial state of the curls. It is worth evaluating whether they need food and recovery or just protection when laying. Each of the funds must be periodically supplemented with therapeutic masks, especially in the case of dyed and curled hair.