I did a survey a while ago to determine how people choose their shampoo. The choices were based on: scent, packaging, cost or your current hair condition/concern. Unsurprisingly, scent and packaging won over cost and hair condition.
The marketing departments of these shampoo companies usually do a superb job of ensuring that their products are eye-catching to consumers. Additionally, their ads usually evoke a specific emotion that triggers you to purchase their product. These two things coupled with the calming, fresh or fruity fragranced shampoo can cause you to choose one shampoo over all of the others on the shelf. This method of choosing a shampoo can aid in giving us the spa-like washday experience we envision, but can do little to tackle our hair issues.
There are many different types of shampoos on the market and choosing the one that's right for your hair is important. A good shampoo is the foundation of a solid hair care regimen and should be chosen with care.
Here's a quick guide on how to choose the right shampoo for your hair.
Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoos are used to remove dirt and buildup. This shampoo also helps to remove any excess product buildup on the hair strand making it easier for moisture to enter the hair strand.
This type of shampoo should ideally be used at the beginning of the shampoo process.
This shampoo is recommended to be used after taking out a protective style like braids to ensure that any and all product buildup and dirt is thoroughly removed from your hair.
Moisturizing or Conditioning Shampoo
These shampoos are specifically formulated to moisturize dry hair. Curly hair can be naturally dry, so this shampoo is highly recommended for the natural hair girls with curls.
They are usually rich and creamy formulas that are emollient rich and help to lock moisture into your hair.
To maximize the benefits of this type of shampoo, a clarifying shampoo should be used prior to prep the hair to receive moisture. Heavy butters and oil residue can coat the hair strand essentially blocking moisture from entering the hair.
This type of shampoo is recommended for curly/coily hair, since it is generally drier than straighter hair types.
Strengthening Shampoo
Strengthening shampoos as the name suggests fortifies the hair to help protect it from breakage. These shampoos usually contain protein that helps to repair and revive hair that is weak and brittle hair strands.
This type of shampoo is perfect for persons with chemically treated hair such as: colour treated, bleached, relaxed/texturized or permed hair. Hair that has been chemically treated tends to be weaker due to the breaking of bonds in the hair during these processes, strengthening shampoos help to maintain the integrity of the hair fiber.
Medicated Shampoo
Persons that suffer from a scalp conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis can help control their itchy and flaky scalp by using medicated shampoos.
These shampoos are formulated with ingredients such as zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide or ketoconazole. These active ingredients help to suppress the yeast production on the scalp controlling the production flakes on the scalp.
Unfortunately, these shampoos can be drying to the hair itself, so it is recommended that you follow up with a moisturizing shampoo to help combat the dryness.
Medicated shampoos can help control scalp conditions but ideally, you should schedule a visit with a dermatologist if your condition worsens over time.
Dry Shampoo
This shampoo is a temporary measure to prevent the hair from becoming too oily in between washes. It is usually an oil absorbing powder that is applied to the root of the hair.
Persons with straight hair have more need for a dry shampoo since the natural oils produced by their scalp easily runs down the shaft of their hair. This can cause their hair especially at the roots to become greasy and limp.
Colour Enhancing Shampoo
Colour enhancing shampoos are specifically formulated for colour treated hair. It is similar to a temporary colour rinse and contains colour enhancing pigments.
These shampoos can be used to either enhance the vibrancy of a colour or to neutralize brassy or unwanted tones in your hair. Most colour enhancing shampoos contain moisturizing or reparative properties to either moisturize or strengthen your hair while enhancing your colour. This shampoo is usually left on the hair for a few minutes for it to work effectively.
Please note that this shampoo will not add colour to your hair if it was not previously coloured.
Most shampoos have a complementary conditioner that you should use after shampooing your hair. Are you currently using the right shampoo or was this post helpful in helping you to identify the correct shampoo for your hair?