Hair masks: how long should I leave them in for?

We could sing the praises of hair masks all day long. Yet, there still remains one grey area: how long should you leave a mask in for? Overnight, for an hour or a minute? Jean Louis David sets the record straight.

You have without doubt heard that the longer you leave your hair mask to soak in, the better the results. Certain traditional application methods advise that you leave the product in overnight. However, several experts are convinced that beyond 30 minutes, the hair will be saturated and will no longer absorb the treatment. In fact, it is the hair's condition that determines how long you should leave your mask in for, whatever its properties.

Normal, healthy hair: leave it to soak in for 5 to 10 minutes

If your hair is full of vitality, it is pointless leaving the product in for a long time. In fact, the mask's main active ingredients quickly penetrate the hair fibres which have few needs to be met. Once the mask has been applied to the mid-lengths and the tips, leave it to soak in for between 5 and 10 minutes and then rinse it out.

Dry damaged hair: leave it to soak in for 20 to 30 minutes

Is your hair dull, rough and brittle? For you, applying masks is a whole different ball game. You should opt for ultra-nourishing masks , such as the mask from Jean Louis David's Go Repair range , and wait so that the nutritive elements can quench your hair's thirst. Plan to leave it in for between 20 and 30 minutes, the time it takes for the hair fibres' gaps to be saturated with the product.