How Often Should You Get a Hair Treatment? Expert Advice

How Often Should You Get a Hair Treatment? Expert Advice

Hair treatments are essential for maintaining healthy, strong, and beautiful hair, but how often should you get them? Over-treating your hair can cause buildup and damage, while under-treating it may leave your hair dry, brittle, or frizzy. The right frequency depends on your hair type, condition, and the treatment being used.

In this guide, we’ll break down different hair treatments, how often you should get them, and expert tips for maintaining healthy hair.


Why Are Hair Treatments Important?

Regular hair treatments provide numerous benefits, including:

Repairing Damage – Helps fix split ends, dryness, and heat damage.
Hydrating Hair – Restores moisture to keep hair soft and smooth.
Strengthening Strands – Reinforces hair structure to prevent breakage.
Enhancing Shine & Smoothness – Keeps hair looking healthy and vibrant.
Protecting Hair from Environmental Damage – Shields hair from pollution, UV rays, and styling damage.

However, using treatments too often can cause product buildup, protein overload, or weigh hair down, so it’s important to find the right balance.


How Often Should You Get Different Hair Treatments?

1. Deep Conditioning Treatment

Best for: Dry, frizzy, and brittle hair
Frequency: Once a week or every 10 days

Deep conditioning treatments are essential for keeping hair hydrated and smooth. They penetrate the hair shaft to restore moisture, strengthen strands, and prevent breakage.

How to Use:

  • Apply to damp hair after shampooing.
  • Leave on for 15-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
  • Use a deep conditioner with ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or coconut oil.

💡 Tip: If your hair is fine, use a lightweight deep conditioner to avoid weighing it down.


2. Protein Treatment

Best for: Weak, brittle, or over-processed hair
Frequency: Every 4-6 weeks

Protein treatments strengthen hair by replenishing lost keratin. However, too much protein can make hair stiff or brittle, so it’s important to space out treatments.

How to Use:

  • Apply to damp hair and leave on for 15-20 minutes.
  • Look for ingredients like keratin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, or silk proteins.

💡 Tip: If your hair feels stiff or dry after a protein treatment, follow up with a moisturizing mask to balance hydration.


3. Scalp Treatment

Best for: Dandruff, oily scalp, or hair thinning
Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks

Scalp treatments help cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth. They’re essential for removing excess oil, product buildup, and dandruff.

How to Use:

  • Choose a scalp scrub or mask based on your needs (tea tree oil for dandruff, clay for oil control, or hyaluronic acid for hydration).
  • Massage into the scalp and rinse thoroughly.

💡 Tip: Regular scalp massages with rosemary or peppermint oil can stimulate hair growth.


4. Olaplex or Bond-Building Treatment

Best for: Color-treated, bleached, or damaged hair
Frequency: Every 2-4 weeks

Olaplex and similar bond-building treatments repair broken hair bonds caused by heat and chemical treatments. They restore strength, reduce breakage, and improve hair texture.

How to Use:

  • Apply to damp, towel-dried hair before shampooing.
  • Leave on for 10-30 minutes before washing out.

💡 Tip: For severely damaged hair, use it once a week for intense repair.


5. Hair Mask Treatment

Best for: Hydration, frizz control, and shine
Frequency: Once a week or every 10-14 days

Hair masks provide intense moisture and nourishment, improving hair texture and elasticity.

How to Use:

  • Apply to damp hair and leave on for 20-30 minutes.
  • Choose a mask based on your needs (hydrating masks for dry hair, strengthening masks for weak hair).

💡 Tip: If your hair is color-treated, use a color-protecting mask to extend vibrancy.


6. Keratin Treatment

Best for: Frizzy, unmanageable hair
Frequency: Every 3-6 months (Salon) or weekly (at-home maintenance masks)

Keratin treatments smooth and strengthen hair, making it more resistant to humidity and frizz. Salon keratin treatments last several months, while at-home keratin masks provide temporary results.

How to Use:

  • Salon keratin treatments require professional application.
  • At-home keratin masks can be used weekly for maintenance.

💡 Tip: Avoid sulfates in shampoo after a keratin treatment to extend results.


7. Hot Oil Treatment

Best for: Dry, brittle, or color-treated hair
Frequency: Once a week or every 2 weeks

Hot oil treatments deeply nourish hair, restoring shine and softness. They help reduce split ends and prevent breakage.

How to Use:

  • Heat natural oils (coconut, argan, castor, or olive oil) and apply to hair.
  • Leave on for 30 minutes to an hour, then wash out with shampoo.

💡 Tip: For best results, use a warm towel to help oils penetrate the hair shaft.


8. Hair Botox Treatment

Best for: Dry, frizzy, and damaged hair
Frequency: Every 2-4 months

Hair Botox is a deep conditioning treatment that fills in damaged hair fibers, making hair smoother and shinier. It doesn’t straighten hair like keratin but improves texture and hydration.

How to Use:

  • Best done at a salon, though some at-home kits are available.
  • Requires no harsh chemicals or formaldehyde.

💡 Tip: Use sulfate-free products after Hair Botox to prolong the effects.


How to Determine Your Hair Treatment Schedule

Daily Hair Care

✔ Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type.
✔ Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum for extra hydration.

Weekly Hair Care

✔ Deep condition or use a hair mask once a week.
✔ Exfoliate your scalp if needed.

Monthly Hair Care

✔ Use protein treatments and Olaplex every 4-6 weeks.
✔ Get a trim to remove split ends and prevent damage.

Seasonal Hair Care

✔ Adjust your routine in winter or summer (more hydration in winter, UV protection in summer).
✔ Get a professional treatment (Keratin, Hair Botox, or Scalp Detox) every 3-6 months.


Conclusion

The frequency of hair treatments depends on your hair type, condition, and goals. Overusing treatments can lead to buildup, while neglecting them can cause dryness and breakage. Finding the right balance ensures strong, healthy, and beautiful hair year-round.

Kelly Oriental Aesthetic Clinic