Choosing the Best Shampoo for Your Hair Type
Choosing a shampoo to buy can be a big conundrum. Strengthening, smoothing, color-safe, thickening, hydrating — how do you maximize all of these in just one bottle? What a confusing endeavor! That being said, looking for the right one can put an end to your quandary, making you feel like you just hit a jackpot of essential hair care!
According to dermatologists and trichologists, choosing the right shampoo for your hair type starts with an effortless step of knowing what scalp you have.
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Here are what experts have shared in choosing the right shampoo for your hair type to make your hair look its best:
Define Your Scalp Type
"What's the ideal shampoo for me?" is a question that all beauty enthusiasts ponder (after all, healthy hair starts with the first thing you put on it). You may perceive shampoo strictly as a hair cleansing agent, it is equally important to consider your scalp when choosing a shampoo. Shampoos have different cleansing capacities; therefore, it is advisable to consider identifying your scalp type before choosing one. Shampoo is meant to cleanse your hair roots more than anything, so if you have oily roots, you may need to choose less moisturizing and deeper cleansing shampoo; and if you have dry and tighter scalp, you need to choose something that is more moisturizing.
Dry scalp feels tight after washing and by just itself. Itchiness with or without flakes are also signs of dry scalp. Oily scalp on the other hand is shinier where dandruff can have flakes that appear clumped together. And then there’s a scalp that’s neither dry nor oily (also known as combination scalp). If your scalp becomes oily two or three days after shampooing rather than the next day, you have a combination scalp.
(Consider yourself blessed if that happens to you).
Always keep in mind that shampoo is for your scalp and roots, and conditioner works for the ends of your hair. If your scalp is oily and your ends are dry (a typical combination), choose a shampoo best suited for oily scalp and leave the moisturizing job to your conditioner, which should only be applied to your dried ends.
Shampoos for Oily Scalps
If your scalp is oily or greasy, you've probably tried dozens of shampoos without improvement. To regulate excess oil and sebum production, you've tried everything from washing everyday (even twice daily) to waiting days between shampoos. When it comes to choosing a shampoo for an oily scalp, here's what to look for and what to avoid:
- Shampoos that are hydrating, moisturizing, smoothing, or helpful for curly hair should be avoided. These tend to provide an excessive amount of moisture to an already greasy scalp.
- Look for words like volumizing, strengthening, or balancing on the label. These products do not moisturize and are more effective in removing excess oil.
- For super-oily scalp problems, a clarifying shampoo can be a major benefit, but don't overdo it and dry your scalp out. Dry skin stimulates the production of more oil and sebum.
- Double-shampooing is a good idea. A double shampoo is similar to double-cleansing your face in that it involves washing your hair twice with two different shampoos to address distinct needs. Wash your oily scalp with one formula, then wash underneath your roots with a another formula.
- Extra time should be spent massaging the shampoo into your scalp to break up oil, and your scalp should be thoroughly rinsed.
- Avoid massaging your conditioner into your scalp after shampooing. Instead, concentrate on your hair's mid-shaft and ends. Rinse well.
Shampoos for Dry Scalps
When your scalp is rough, dry, itchy, or flaky, the best shampoo might be your first line of defense against the unpleasant and sometimes unsightly symptoms that can occur. When you have a dry scalp, it's necessary to seek a shampoo that doesn't exacerbate the problem. Consider the following suggestions:
- Shampoos that are strengthening, thickening, or volumizing should be avoided. These products might dehydrate your scalp and cause it to dry out.
- Opt for shampoo labels that promote moisture, hydration, smoothing, or curls if your scalp is only somewhat dry with little to no itching or flaking. These products help to keep moisture in your hair and scalp, which can be advantageous if you have a dry scalp.
- Sulfate-containing shampoos are extremely damaging to the hair and scalp therefore should be avoided.
- Even though your scalp is dry, it's necessary to shampoo your hair properly for the optimal results.
Shampoos Based on Hair Type
- Fine Hair: Look for volumizing shampoos that will enhance volume to your hair without weighing it down.
- Thick Hair: Shampoos that are hydrating or moisturizing are perfect for bringing moisture, gloss, and smoothness to thick, dry hair.
- Straight Hair: Smoothing or straight hair shampoos are often abundant in additional moisturizers and smoothing ingredients, which promote seal the cuticle and give straight and smooth styles a fine start.
- Wavy Hair: Balancing shampoos are a perfect middle choice. They're not overly hydrating, but they won't dry out your hair.
- Curly Hair: Look for shampoos that are rich in moisture and contain components that help to decrease frizz without weighing down your curls.
- Damaged/Colored/Brittle Hair: Strengthening or thickening shampoos are beneficial for damaged, over-processed, highlighted, weakened, or fragile hair since they typically contain additional protein to improve hair condition.
Other Factors to Consider
Shine and bounce are indicators of healthy hair, and elasticity is the source of bouncy hair. If your hair loses bounce, it's most likely due to a lack of moisture. Heavy creams or moisturizers must not weigh the hair down to be bouncy and elastic. Instead, use moisturizing agents like glycerin to help bring in moisture, ideal for dry scalp. Mango seed oil, like argan oil, is a hydrating and lightweight component to keep an eye out for. Sunflower seed oil components like ceramides and fatty acids can also help restore, moisturize, and restore elasticity to hair.
Having a hard time dealing with dandruff? In most cases, dandruff is a side effect of an oily, flaky scalp caused by irregular shampooing, gentle cleansing shampoos, or, in some cases, a poor diet. Suppose someone is having an imbalance scalp and they haven't changed their environment, products, diet, or shampoo frequency. In that case, they should have a health professional examine their overall health to ensure that the imbalance isn't an indication of something within.