Deciding on the right shampoo for you can be quite confusing. There are a variety of shampoos in the market - moisturising, strengthening, volumising, smoothing - how do you choose?
It becomes easier if you know what you are looking for in a shampoo.
A shampoo cleanses not only your hair but also your scalp and hair roots. Hence, you should know your scalp type and your hair type before deciding on a shampoo.
Scalp types and shampoos:
Normal scalp:If you have normal scalp that is neither dry nor oily, you can choose your shampoo based on your hair type
Oily scalp:
If your scalp is oily and hair greasy,
1.Avoid creamy moisturising/hydrating shampoos that add moisture to your already oily scalp.
2.Go for clear shampoos that clean the excess oil from your scalp
If your scalp is oily and your hair dry, you can try a clear shampoo for your scalp followed by a creamy moisturising or hydrating shampoo for your hair to get the best results.
Dry scalp:
If your scalp is dry, itchy or flaky
1.Use creamy moisturising/hydrating /smoothing shampoos
2.Avoid clear/clarifying shampoos that strip the much needed moisture from your scalp
3.Use sulfate free shampoos that are gentle on the scalp
4.Always use a shampoo when you wash your hair as water has a higher pH than scalp and may damage it when used alone to wash.
Hair types and shampoos :
1.Oily or greasy hair :Go for clear shampoos. Clarifying shampoos can be used occasionally for deep cleansing. Shampoos containing panthenol,wheat protein cleanses the oil from your scalp and prevents clogging of follicles.
2.Dry, rough hair: Use creamy hydrating/ moisturising shampoos and conditioners.Sulfate free shampoos with oils like coconut oil, olive oil or shea butter lock the moisture in your hair and keep it soft.
3.Thin, limp hair : Here, the hair becomes easily oily. Use volumizing shampoos that increase the hair diameter and makes hair look bulkier. Avoid heavy moisturising shampoos and products containing silicone that weighs your hair down.
4.Damaged hair/brittle hair: Here repair is needed in addition to cleansing. Go for strengthening /repair /fortified shampoos with extra protein that protect the hair by coating it thus preventing it from further damage.
5.Curly and frizzy hair:Use sulfate free shampoos and conditioners with silicone and proteins to hydrate the hair and reduce frizziness.
6.Coloured hair:needs a shampoo that prevents colour from fading.Look for shampoos with soy extract,wheat extract and sulfate free shampoos that are gentler on hair.
7.Treated hair( Straightened/ Smoothened hair): Go for smoothing/straight hair shampoos which have extra moisturisers and smoothing agents which help to seal the moisture in the cuticle.Shampoos containing keratin smoothes down the cells in the cuticle of hair resulting in smoother ,softer ,less frizzy hair.
Sulphate free shampoos:
Sulphates are cleansing agents found in shampoos that are responsible for the lather.Since they are strong cleansers,they can cause skin irritation and dryness by stripping the hair of essential oils.Sulphate free shampoos are supposedly gentler on the hair and well tolerated by all hair types.
In conclusion,shampoos do play an important role in maintaining clean, healthy scalp and hair if chosen correctly based on the hair type and concern.
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