How Often You Should Actually Do A Hair Mask, According To Experts

If you prioritize hair care, you've likely thought about adding a regular hair mask to your repertoire. These products work to hydrate hair, increase shine, smooth texture, and support overall hair health—and you can easily find a formula tailored to your strand pattern, lifestyle, and specific hair goals. 

And if you're wondering whether hair masks are right for you, the answer is probably yes. As Hill continues, "Hair masks work for any person that heat styles, performs any chemical service, has curly to tightly coiled hair, or generally feels that their hair is depleted as a result of health, genetics, age, or lifestyle factors."

Unfortunately, hair masks are not a one-size-fits-all venture. In fact, how often you should use them varies greatly depending on the health of your hair and what specific hair mask you're using. 

"Hair mask use can vary based on hair type, texture, hair condition, and frequency of shampooing," Hill says. For bimonthly color-painted hair, masks can be used monthly, she says, whereas tightly coiled, dry hair could benefit from weekly masks.

In terms of formulas, there are a few standout ingredients you'll want to look for: Hill recommends hunting down a product that has, "fatty acids, such as shea, avocado, coconut, and glycerin hydrolyzed protein." Additionally, she says, "certain clay-based masks are excellent and are filled with additional minerals and vitamins that are beneficial to healthy hair and scalp." You'll likely find clays in clarifying options, which come with their own schedule. 

Now you want to be sure that you aren't overwhelming your hair with too many protein-rich products as that can lead to dry, brittle strands (it's a delicate balance; read up on protein overload here), so be sure to check your other products before adding a protein hair mask—if you see buzzwords like keratin, biotin, hydrolyzed quinoa, amino acids, bond-building, or silk protein on your hair care labels, that's a pretty good sign you're dealing with a protein treatment. 

If you're looking to add some next-level hair care products to your routine, hair masks are a great way to elevate your lineup. Bonus points if you put on a shower cap and let the heat from the shower steam open up the hair cuticles—this makes it easier for the mask's moisturizing ingredients to seep in.