The most important function of all shampoo products
is to remove sebum, dirt, debris, oil and other toxins
that have attached themselves to the outer surface of
the hair shaft.
The word shampoo is derived from the Hindu word champo which
means simply to massage or to knead, which is one of the principle
techniques used when cleansing the hair.
The first commercial shampoos were introduced in the 1930s and
consist primarily of water combined with various detergents and/or
surfactants.
Although shampoo is designed to cleanse the hair, as hair
marketing gurus discovered hair consumer concerns, they have built
additional promises into basic shampoo formulas. Those
promises include everything from plumping up wimpy strands to adding
color or eradicating dandruff or itchy scalps.
Do all those shampoo additives really work? Like everything
else in the hair world, it all depends on whom you talk to. In
some cases extensive testing has verified claims made to extended
shampoo formulations. In other cases, claims have never fully
been verified.
As hair consumers, it is up to you to determine for yourself what
works for you and your type, texture or current condition of your
hair. Meanwhile, I have laid out the different shampoo
formulas that are available and their claim to differentiation.
The different types of shampoo formulas have been organized
alphabetically.
| Type Of Shampoo |
Differentiation |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Baby Shampoo |
Gentle on eyes - no tear
formulas are common. |
Designed for babies, small kids
& folks w/sensitive eyes |
Many formulas that fall under the "baby
shampoo" title still contain various chemicals. Baby
formulas may no be strong enough for adults. May not
contain conditioning properties. |
| Clarifying or Detox Shampoo |
Does not usually contain conditioning agents. |
Designed to help remove product build-up,
detox tresses or good for oily strands. |
Must be used with care and on an irregular basis or else
these types of shampoo products are strong enough to strip
away natural hair oils. Too harsh for colored hair.
No conditioning properties. |
| Color Shampoo |
Contains various forms of color to enhance
existing colors. |
May deepen, enrich or prolong current
color-treated hair. In some cases may add back color. |
A temporary color additive, some experts believe that
these type of color shampoos have very limited benefit since
a lot of the color may be washed down the drain during the
rinse cycle. In some cases color shampoos may stain
porous strands. |
| Dandruff/Itchy Scalp Shampoos |
To fall into this category must contain FDA
regulated ingredients proven to relieve dandruff. |
Helps to contain, control or greatly
minimize itching from dandruff or related itchy scalp
conditions. |
Dandruff shampoo products are infused with ingredients
which may be quite harsh on the hair and may be very drying.
The aroma of dandruff products can have an unpleasant
odor. Should not be used by consumers with delicately
colored hair. |
| Dry Shampoo |
A powder based product that cleans w/out
water. |
Cleanses the hair instantly without water.
Preserves existing style. |
Dry shampoos work well as a bridge between wet shampoo
sessions. Dry shampoos may be messy to use depending
on the type of dry shampoo. |
| Fast Drying Shampoo |
Designed to clean while adding ingredients
that replenish hair's moisture. |
Excellent for hair that is naturally dry,
chemically damaged or processed. |
Should never be used on hair that is fine or thin since
the added moisturizing ingredients can cause tresses to
stick together and lay flat or limp. Not a great
choice for hair that is naturally oily. |
| Gray Hair Shampoo |
Also known as blue shampoo because it
contains blue or violet pigments which are made for gray
hair. |
Designed to counteract the yellow cast that
may develop on gray hair. |
Similar to color shampoos these type of products can
strip away needed oils.
It may be too harsh for daily use by most hair types. |
| Moisturizing Shampoo |
Designed to clean while adding ingredients
that replenish hair's moisture. |
Excellent for hair that is naturally dry,
chemically damaged or processed. |
Should never be used on hair that is fine or thin since
the added moisturizing ingredients can cause tresses to
stick together and lay flat or limp. Not a great
choice for hair that is naturally oily. |
| Moisturizing Shampoo |
Designed to clean while adding ingredients
that replenish hair's moisture. |
Excellent for hair that is naturally dry,
chemically damaged or processed. |
Should never be used on hair that is fine or thin since
the added moisturizing ingredients can cause tresses to
stick together and lay flat or limp. Not a great
choice for hair that is naturally oily. |
| Normal Shampoo |
Is a basic shampoo with no special
properties. |
Is a basic shampoo with no special
properties. |
Does not provide any conditioning properties. |
| Oily Shampoo |
Formulated specifically for oily hair and to
help dry excess oil. |
Helps to remove oil from the scalp and roots
to give hair a fluffier appearance. |
Since the goal is to remove oil, it can leave some hair
types dry. |
| Silver Hair Shampoo |
Also known as whitening shampoo because it
contains white pigments which are made for silver hair. |
Designed to counteract the yellow cast that
may develop on silver hair. |
Similar to color shampoos these type of products can
strip away needed oils.
It may be too harsh for daily use by most hair types. |
| Two In One Shampoo |
Shampoo that also contains conditioners in
the formula. |
Good for anyone that doesn't want to bother
with both shampoo and conditioner. |
Does not provide the full benefits of either shampoo or
conditioner. Shampoo may not be strong enough to
remove deep dirt and debris. Conditioner may not
moisturize hair the way an independent conditioner will do. |
| Volumizing Shampoo |
Few or no conditioning properties.
Contains water-attracting ingredients to swell the hair
shaft. |
Increases thickness of the hair but does not
weigh down hair. |
May or may not provide more volume than a thickening
styling product when used with a hair dryer. |
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As hair consumers, it is up to you to determine for yourself what
works for you and your type, texture or current condition of your
hair. Meanwhile, I have laid out the different shampoo
formulas that are available and their claim to differentiation.
