What is the difference between balm and conditioner for hair? What to choose?

Among a wide range of hair care products, there are basic elements, without which simply can not do. 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 fairly simple and do not require serious analysis, but the difference is worth knowing. This will make caring as efficient as possible. Someone will sound the idea that balm and hair conditioner are the same, but there is a difference, and it is she who dictates the rules for using the means.

Hair Balm

From the conditioner it is distinguished by the way of influence on the hair, the duration of application, and also the presence of not only caring, but also nutrients in the composition. The first 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 the keratin scales on the surface, providing a smooth surface of the strands.

Varieties of balsams

There are several types of this tool. These include balm without additives, balm-conditioner and balm-conditioner. Everyone has both similar and different factors of influence. Balm without additives smooths the surface of the strands and cares for the hair follicles. In its composition, zinc, phytoestrogens and fatty acids are most often indicated. Balm conditioner is 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 about what balm differs from the conditioner for hair, we will explain: the above variant of the drug has a double effect. He nourishes and protects the hair at the same time.

Balm rinse contains lemon, lactic or acetic acid. Thanks to this, it gives the hair a beautiful sheen, restores the pH-balance, neutralizes the shampoo residues and closes the surface, gluing structural scales. It is also used to fix the color after staining.

Hair conditioner

In contrast to balm, it has more cosmetic effect during the care. The first task of the conditioner for hair consists in facilitating combing and protecting strands from the influence of environmental factors. It also has a sufficiently pronounced antistatic effect, which is important when hot-styling the hair dryer, and also during the winter season, while wearing headgear. The hair conditioner protects from the effects of heat during drying. He covers curls imperceptibly with a film, closes keratin scales and thus retains moisture and structural substances in the hair. For those who need to understand, what distinguishes balm from the conditioner for hair, we will consider all under points. This will make it possible to make the best choice in favor of one or another means.

Balm and hair conditioner: differences

1. Antistatic effect. It is absent in balsam and is an advantage of the conditioner.
2. Protection and nutrition. The conditioner protects hair from external influence, and balm nourishes them from within, improving a condition.
3. Method of application. Balm can, and sometimes needs to be applied to the roots and scalp. The air conditioner is applied only along the length to maintain the volume.
4. Features of the impact. This is what balm differs from conditioner for hair. After washing the head, it is possible to apply both the first and second means, depending on the primary purposes. Food - balm, protection - air conditioning. In this case, both the first and second means glue the surface keratinous scales of hair and keep the moisture inside. Strands are protected from drying during laying.

Rules of application of balm

Everything depends on the initial state of the hair. If they are not severely damaged, then the product is applied to clean hair after washing and left to act for a couple of minutes. Then the hair is washed, as usual, and packed with a hairdryer. If the strands are badly damaged and the healing and nutritional effect of the balm is needed, then the remedy is applied for 10-15 minutes. It can be considered as an alternative to a light mask. For severely damaged hair, there are special nutritional and restorative balms that are applied under a polyethylene cap and left for half an hour with a warming effect. Then the balm is washed off, as usual. The air conditioner is applied along the length of the strands. Balm can also be distributed on the roots. The procedure is performed by gentle massage movements. This is what distinguishes balm from the conditioner for hair in the way of application. The difference is small, but it should be taken into account to get the maximum final result.

Rules for the use of air conditioning

It is not recommended to apply the product on the roots. Otherwise, they quickly become dirty, and the hair becomes greasy. Also significantly affects the amount of styling. The conditioner is applied to clean washed hair for a few minutes. Then it is washed off with a lot of water. It envelops strands, facilitates combing and gives a beautiful shine.

There are varieties of indelible air conditioners. Most often they are presented in the form of sprays. This is another more convenient alternative. On the question of what balm differs from conditioner for hair, there is another simple answer - the duration of the effect after application. An exception is an indelible option. In general, the conditioner takes 1-2 minutes, and the balm acts 3-5 minutes to get the expected result from the application.

Tools 2 in 1

Separately it is worth noting quite common complexes 2 in 1, where the shampoo is combined with either balm, or with air conditioning. Despite the apparent economy 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 clean so effectively, and the balm or conditioner in the composition unrelatively glues the surface scales. There remains the effect of dryness. On the question of what balm differs from conditioner in means of type 2 in 1, the answer is obvious: the shampoo with balm is better combined, and with the conditioner both means lose their properties, especially in the radical zone of application.

Advantages of balm

Softness, silky and light texture of hair are provided by the action of balm. A clear advantage is the nutrition and restoration of the strands, but do not replace them with therapeutic masks in the case of severely damaged hair. In comparison with the conditioner in balm there are more regenerating substances. They provide the restoration of the texture. Balm is recommended 1-2 times a week, and the conditioner can be used after each wash. This is dictated by the accumulative effect of substances in the agent. And this is another factor that gives an answer to the question of what balm differs from conditioner for hair.

Advantages of air conditioning

Smoothness, healthy shine, lightness in combing and antistatic effect are huge pluses when using the product. Do not forget that this is only an external effect. The conditioner does not solve a problem of hair, and only masks it. When using balm, the hair becomes soft and fluffy. The conditioner gives equal, smooth and slightly weighted strands. Much easier to lay. And balm, and conditioner for hair (what's the difference, we have already decided) give the same protective effect - they seal the surface keratin scales and prevent the loss of moisture.

The choice of this or that remedy depends on the initial state of the ringlets. It is worth to assess whether they need food and recovery or just protection when stowing. Each of the means must be periodically supplemented with therapeutic masks, especially in the case of colored and curled hair.