Steam Treatments and Deep conditioning

The final installment of the deep conditioning panel is here. The questions



1. What do you think about steam treatments

2. Do you deep condition your hair, if so how?

Panel member	Steam Treatment	Deep Condition Own Hair?
Monique	Since water is a great moisturizer, steam has moisturizing affects, and the addition of heat lifts the follicle, thus helps with penetration. As for steam as a DC, using steam alone does cause you to miss out on other awesome benefits from DC with other products.	Yes. I deep condition my hair weekly, when I wash my hair. I deep condition with Aubrey Organic's Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner. I apply it to my dry hair before I wash it and leave it in for 15 minutes. I proceed to wash and condition again after that. This is the only conditioner that I have found smoothes my hair cuticle.
Laquita	I've been very curious about this. I read steam experiences from several bloggers who have had great results. I would think it would be similar to sitting under a bonnet dryer while wearing a plastic cap with conditoiner in and/or wearing a plastic cap in a hot shower, but I would like to try it.	I deep condition my hair about once or twice a month. I think I have blurred the lines of regular versus deep conditioning because I leave conditoner on my hair 30 mins or more every time I wash, and in doing so this has become a part of my regular wash/condition/style routine. I don't have a 'staple' conditioner. I pretty much grab anything from under the counter - which right now consists of Suave, Herbal Essence, Giovanni, Darcy's Botanicals, Cantu Shea-butter and my own. - I always mix oil (olive, almond, or castor) with my conditioner as well.
Noire	Steam...well, I would say that when I used to used heat on my hair years ago for straightening (or pressing), sometimes a plastic cap in the shower didn't help, because the steam would overcome the "press." I guess it could work at some point.	I deep condition once every couple months, sometimes once a month if I'm not too busy. I don't use any heat really, except I use relatively hot water to soften honey so it will mix with the olive oil (expeller pressed, extra virgin) and coconut oil (organic, cold-pressed, unrefined). I'll have this mixture on my hair for about 30-40 minutes and then I'll start to detangle with fingers mostly, and then a little with wide-tooth comb (usually to cut some bad ends). I (recently) rarely use product conditioner, and if I do, I currently use Giovanni Tea Tree Conditioner with the mixture. After detangling, I'll rinse out with cool water to seal in the "moisture."
Ktani	I think steam heat can be great but that depends on whether it is dry or wet and how it is used. Steam can scald too. Dry and wet steam.	I deep condition every time after I wash my hair with conventional shampoo. I deep condition my hair with catnip (Nepeta cataria) tea, which also stains my grey white hair a light blonde, applied to wet hair with the extra water gently squeezed out of it, and then I cover my hair with a plastic bag for an hour in total time. Catnip contains some oils, carbohydrates, protein, and other phenolics.It works best with body heat and time for me. I have found that it prevents split ends used this way.
Jc	Water gets into hair much faster than steam, I think that steam treatments are hype	No I don't deep condition intentionally. I do end up with conditioner for a prolonged time once a month when I detangle my hair (1-2 hours). I have a pretty large head and it takes time but I think I will try Laquita's oil mix with conditioner to see if I can make it go faster. I do not like how my hair feels after the prolonged time with conditioner. It feels unusually soft for upto 3 days after. I know some people may like this but I personally see it as weaker hair.

Catnip source: (http://www.liberherbarum.com/pn0450.HTM)

Wet and dry steam source:(http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99656.htm.)



I would like to thank all the panel members for taking part in this series. I truly appreciate the time and effort you took to provide detailed answers!For everyone reading and commenting, thanks too for following the series, I hope that you will find some food for thought, I know I did!