Discover the amazing benefits of steam treatments for hair, from better moisture retention to a healthier scalp. Learn about professional treatments and how to steam your hair at home using Davines products.

If your hair lacks moisture or has difficulty absorbing products, it's time to try an old school beauty trick for a healthier scalp and strands. We’re diving deep into the benefits of steaming hair ahead.

Hair steaming is an old school beauty trick for keeping the scalp and hair hydrated and healthy. A steam treatment for hair uses steam to decongest the scalp, add hydration and enhance the efficiency of your products. Steaming hair is especially beneficial for curly and coily strands susceptible to dryness and breakage, but all textures can benefit from a steam treatment for hair. Steaming treatments used to be reserved for trips to the salon, but we’re telling you how to do it in your shower. Here’s everything to know about this tried and true beauty trick- including the best products and tips to try hair steaming at home.

The purpose of a steam treatment for hair is to deep clean and open the pores on the scalp and cuticles on the hair shaft. Once open and free of buildup, nutrients can enter better. These are the benefits of steaming hair

Steaming helps your hair retain moisture, which is why it’s especially beneficial for dry and curly types. When you steam, the moist heat opens the cuticle, allowing moisture and nourishing oils to deeply penetrate your hair. The cuticles close again after the treatment and the hair cools, with the moisture sealed inside.

Steaming hair helps your products to work better too. The same way an open cuticle will absorb water, it will do the same with your shampoos, conditioners, treatments and styling products. An open cuticle means your products can easily enter the hair’s cortex to deliver maximum results. If you’ve got very dry or damaged hair, steaming is a great way to get the most out of your hydrating and repairing products.

Another benefit of steaming hair is that it helps improve hair elasticity, making it easier to style and manage. Steam treatments provide the scalp with a deep clean to decongest any build-up that can be weighing your hair down, making it hard to manage. If your hair has become limp, dull and hard to style, it’s time for a steam.

The final and maybe most important benefit of hair steaming is that it detoxifies the scalp, promoting a healthier environment for hair growth. Steaming the hair and scalp opens and unclog the pores of the scalp, ridding toxins and removing impurities and product build-up. Steaming the scalp also increases collagen production and blood flow, which can stimulate growth.

Steaming hair at home is simple. Plus it’s a way to pamper yourself, while repairing your hair. And in today’s busy world, who doesn’t appreciate getting two things done at once?! This is how to perform a steam treatment at home, a step-by-step guide.

Steaming works best on clean hair, so wash your hair before your steam treatment.

Shampoo your strands as you normally would with a moisturizing formula like MOMO Shampoo, designed to gently cleanse dry hair. Rinse the cleanser out thoroughly, before converting your hair completely in a conditioning product like OI Hair ButterOI Hair Butter, an antioxidant-rich, nourishing formula with a sensory scent for a spa-worthy steam experience.

If you have long hair, tie it or clip it up under a shower cap and tuck any in any stray hairs. Wet a face cloth and wring it out before microwaving for 2 minutes. This heats the water in the cloth tol help to steam your hair. Use a potholder to remove the cloth and place it on top of the shower cap. Put another shower cap over the face cloth and leave your hair to steam for 30 minutes.

Post-steam, it’s important to lock in all the good you just did with another conditioning product. Start by removing the shower caps and face cloth and letting your hair down, if necessary. Use cold water to rinse the conditioner out thoroughly, while rubbing your fingers through your scalp to wash away any buildup released by the steam. Finish by with a deep conditioner like Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Mask to seal in nutrients and deeply moisturize the hair, making it soft, easy to comb and reinforcing the structure.

These are some of the most frequently asked questions, with answers, about steam treatments for hair.     

All hair types and textures can benefit from steaming hair, but they’re especially beneficial for curly and coily hair types prone to dryness. Steam treatments are also especially good for promoting moisture in low porosity hair, color treated hair and hair that’s transitioning from being chemically relaxed to natural.

How long you steam your hair depends on its condition. You want to allow enough time for the cuticles to open and the nourishing product to penetrate the hair shaft. For relatively healthy hair this should take around 15-20 minutes. If your hair is dry or damaged, it can take up to 40 minutes. But don’t steam your hair any longer than that; excessive heat can cause damage to your strands.

How often you steam also depends on the overall condition of it. If your hair is healthy, steaming once a month is enough to reap the benefits. If your hair is very thirsty, steam weekly for improved elasticity and moisture retention. 

Steaming hair is an old school beauty trick for nourishing the scalp and strands. Steaming opens the pores and follicles, allowing for deeper hydration and product penetration All hair types and textures can benefit, but anyone with severe scalp concerns, psoriasis, eczema or dermatitis should avoid a steam treatment for hair. Follow our guide when you steam and use only quality conditioning products like the ones from Davines. Our formulas for dry hair make the perfect companion for an at-home steam treatment experience.

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor