| Shampoo Basics |
| Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright - All
Rights Reserved |
| Date: 10/12/08 - Original
Publication Date: 10/2/2000 |
Introduction
When shampoo was originally invented it was designed to cleanse the hair. Over the years
many hair care companies have amped up their basic formulas to focus
on special hair needs.
The needs addressed by special shampoos ranged from dandruff to
oily hair and scalp. As shampoo products designed for special
hair and scalp needs became popular, other shampoo categories
emerged including products created specifically to cleanse dry,
damaged or chemically treated strands.
As the special shampoo categories continued to thrive, new brands
were born designed to address sensitive scalps, colored strands,
gray hair and fine or thin tresses.
Curly hair expert Ouidad was one of the first to offer a shampoo
specifically to address naturally curly strands. From a
few shampoo offerings addressing curly hair grew an entire industry
of cleansing products for natural curls. Shampoo lines have
also been introduced for long hair care as well as other hair
textures and types.
Following on the heels of all the different shampoo offerings
were the natural and organic lines with Aubrey Organics being an
early innovator.
When trying to figure out what shampoo is best for your hair
type, texture, condition and special needs it is important to remember that all formulas are not created the
same. It is also significant to remember that a shampoo that works
well for one hair consumer
may not work for others.
Finally, shampoo for all hair types, textures, color, condition
and challenges can be purchased for a wide range of prices from top
of the line to bargain basement. In these current economic
times when saving money is helpful, consider new cleansing options
to fit your budget. Shampooing The first step to fantastic hair is choosing the right shampoo
for your hair type (fine, medium, thick or combination), texture
(straight, naturally wavy, curly, kinky or combo) and condition
(normal, oily, dry, extremely dry, damaged).
It is important to select a product that will be mild enough to
use without striping your hair of its natural oils while ensuring
that you achieve the proper cleansing for your hair.
Listed below are a wide range of categories for different hair
types, textures, conditions and special needs with suggested brands.
While there are literally thousands of different shampoos available
in the world today, these brands are based on my experience over the
past 15 years trying a vast number of brands.
Not all brands or offerings within those brands will work for all
hair types. Choose carefully and once you have found a brand
that works best for you, give it time to work. Sometimes it
can take weeks for your hair and scalp to adjust to new formulas.
Normal hair
Some shampoo products advertise they are designed to address
normal hair needs. What exactly is normal hair? It
depends who you ask but generally speaking normal hair would be
considered to be either virgin hair that has never been chemically
treated or hair that is straight, medium in thickness and without
any significant issues such as dandruff.
Normal hair is sometimes defined as problem-free hair.
Shampoo products designed for normal hair tends to focus on
maintaining a healthy, glossy shine and may or may not be defined as
gentle. Normal hair may also be the type of hair that is
cleansed on a daily basis.
For some hair types, textures and conditions, daily cleansing can
be extremely damaging. Normal hair can usually withstand daily
cleansing with less damage although studies have shown that the
majority of normal hair does best when cleansing is not done on a
daily basis.
Some brands to try (in no particular order) designed for normal hair include the
following:
Frequent Shampoo Use
Some hair consumers feel the need to shampoo their
hair every single day. Others may shampoo more
than once a day due to the fact that they work out in
the health club or work in a bar, restaurant or other
occupation that results in the need to shampoo
constantly. If daily cleansing leaves your hair dry or
crunchy, continue your regular shampoo routine but consider diluting
the shampoo formula with water or use a more moisturizing
formulation. Shampoo products created for frequent
shampoo use include (in no particular order):
Clarifying Shampoo Use
Clarifying shampoo lines used to be extremely
popular. The goal of a clarifying shampoo was to
remove styling product build-up. In the past few
years as hairstyles have migrated away from heavy layers
of gels, sprays and related styling tools, the mention
of clarifying cleansing products have faded.
A new philosophy about clarifying the hair has also developed.
With a clarifying product, a little goes a very long way.
Overuse of clarifying cleansers can leave tresses stripped of
precious oils. They can also accelerate hair color fading.
Which is probably why you might see less advertising for
clarifying formulas when you wander the vast aisles of your
neighborhood beauty supply store. If you partake of excessive
amounts of daily styling products, you might still want to use a
clarifying shampoo on an infrequent basis. If you do, consider
these options (in no particular order):
Oily hair
Oily hair is a common problem for certain age groups. When hair is greasy and lank it needs
more cleansing from a shampoo product
designed to address the ongoing oil production. The key
to selecting a shampoo for oily, greasy strands is to
find one which addresses and control the oil without
striping the hair's natural oils. Once you begin
to strip your strands, the oil-producing sebaceous
glands will go into overtime to compensate and the
problems may actually worsen. Some brands to try
designed for normal hair include the following (in no particular
order):
Anti-Dandruff hair
Dandruff is not limited to dry flakes. Dandruff can also be
oily or greasy.
One of the earliest shampoo lines created for special cleansing
needs was created to address dandruff.
Some hair experts believe that it is important to use a shampoo
designed specifically to treat dandruff. Other experts believe
the dandruff can be addressed by non-specific formulas:
Some dandruff related shampoos to try, which also help with
general itchy scalps include (in no particular order):
Dry hair
It is agreed by most hair experts that dry hair needs a rich
moisturizing product to give the tresses a smooth and shiny finish
without leaving strands coated or weighed down. Dry hair which
is either genetic in origin, or the result of improper care, does
well when cleansed with a diluted formula of shampoo and water.
Dry hair also does best when cleansed once or twice a week. An
infrequent washing schedule will prevent ongoing wear and tear to
dry hair.
Dry hair is not usually as severe as extra dry hair which often
results from chemically damaged tresses.
To add moisture to dry strands without leaving a
heavy film consider the following options (in no
particular order):
Very Dry & Damaged hair
Damaged hair may or may not be damaged from chemicals such as
hair color, relaxing, chemical straightening or related treatments.
While chemical damage is the leading culprit, hair which is
defined as damaged can also occur from excessive use of hot styling
tools as well as overuse of harsh shampoo lines. Damage hair
is often categorizes as either damaged or extra dry hair.
Damaged hair needs helps, regardless of the reasons. This
type of hair often responds well to pre-shampoo conditioning
treatments along with a diluted formula of 1 part shampoo to 3 parts
water. A popular practice is to cleanse damaged or extremely
dry hair with rinse out Conditioner Only, which is known as CO
cleansing.
Hair with damage issues often responds best to a shampoo schedule
of only once or twice a week. For hair
that really needs help - whether from too much heated styling or
chemical processing - consider the following shampoo products
designed to help hair recover (in no particular order):
Extremely Damaged & Brittle Hair
Hair that is extremely damaged and overprocessed will often
become brittle which makes it extremely prone to breakage.
Some shampoo formulas are specifically designed to address brittle
hair. Some options include (in no particular order):
Long & Dry hair
Long or extremely long hair is often more prone to dryness than
other lengths or hair. This is because the longer the hair
grows, the harder it becomes for the natural scalp oils to migrate
towards the ends of the strands. In a lot of cases long hair
is much drier towards the ends than towards the roots.
Long hair wearers are often very savvy about proper cleansing
routines to pamper their long strands. Their routines often
include Conditioning Only (CO) washing, pre and post-shampoo deep
conditioning treatments as well as dilution of shampoo formulas.
Some companies have created shampoo formulas designed
specifically for long and dry hair. A few of these formulas
include (in no particular order):
Fine Or Thin Hair That Requires Volume &
Fullness Fine hair
requires a delicate balance of shampoo which is rich enough to prevent frizziness but light enough not to weigh it down.
Fine of thin tresses are less likely to sustain damage from daily
cleansing and to ultimately benefit since constant washing keeps
strands fluffed up, giving the illusion of more hair. Volumizing or thickening
formulas are advertised to boost fine or thin strands to help create
fullness. Can a shampoo product which is ultimately rinsed out
of the hair actually help plump up the strands? The
controversy wages. However, some hair consumers swear that
volumizing shampoo products do indeed help plump up their strands.
Some brands to try designed for fine or thin hair include the
following (in no particular order):
Colored hair Colored tresses need
cleansing formulas which are gentle enough to remove
dirt and debris without stripping any of the color.
Colored hair benefits from less frequent shampoo sessions.
This type of hair thrives with added nourishment which smoothes
dryness. Some well-known brands such as
Phyto's Phytocitrus - Vital Radience Shampoo has developed a
cult following over the years.
Other brands such as the John Frieda Sheer Blonde line have been
developed solely to address a specific hair color type. Some formulas to try include:
Blonde Hair
Some shampoo formulas are designed specifically to enhance
natural or chemically induced blonde hues. Although some hair
experts argue over the true benefit of color focused shampoos,
others believe it can definitely enrich hair color.
When a shampoo formula is used to assist in amping up blonde
hues, be sure to follow with a rinse out and/or leave-in
conditioning program that is also designed to pump up color.
One of the hottest temporary color enhancers is from Celebrity
Hairdresser Ken Paves. His new
Healthy Hair™
Boost Up
Color Drops™ available in six
shades (platinum, beige, honey, black, brown and red) can be used both in rinse-out or leave-in conditioners to
deepen hair color. The Color Drops™
can also be combined with styling products for a maximum color oomp.
Some shampoo products to try include:
Consider adding the following to rinse-out or
leave-in conditioners:
Brunette Hair
Some shampoo formulas are designed specifically to enhance
natural or chemically induced brunette hues. Although some hair
experts argue over the true benefit of color focused shampoos,
others believe it can definitely enrich hair color.
When a shampoo formula is used to assist in amping up chocolate
brown
hues, be sure to follow with a rinse out and/or leave-in
conditioning program that is also designed to pump up color.
Consider adding the following to rinse-out or leave-in
conditioners:
Red Hair
Some shampoo formulas are designed specifically to enhance
natural or chemically induced red hues. Although some hair
experts argue over the true benefit of color focused shampoos,
others believe it can definitely enrich hair color.
When a shampoo formula is used to assist in amping up ruby red
hues, be sure to follow with a rinse out and/or leave-in
conditioning program that is also designed to pump up color.
Consider adding the following to rinse-out or leave-in
conditioners:
Ken
Paves Healthy Hair - Boost Up Color Drops - Red
Gray or White Hair
Hair that has turned white, silver or gray has unique needs.
One challenge with these colors is the development of tinges of
yellow. As a result, special shampoo products have been
developed to help brighten these unique hues.
Some shampoo products to try include:
Considering adding the following to rinse-out or leave-in
conditioners:
Dry shampoo Some hair consumers prefer to
cleanse inbetween wet washings with dry shampoo products. It
is important to either use a product designed as a dry shampoo or a
mixture of cornstarch. Never use talc or baby powders which
may contain talc which can be potentially harmful when inhaled.
Curly hair Curly hair often
shares the same characteristics as dry or damaged strands, whether
or not it has been chemically treated. This is due to the
shape of the curls. Naturally curly hair contains cuticles
shaped like corkscrews which never completely close, leaving the
strands vulnerable to assault from the environment.
Naturally
curly hair is often fragile and requires the addition of moisture to
leave curls soft, glossy and well-conditioned. Some shampoo
products to try include:
Shampoo For 360 Waves
For men and women who develop and train wave patterns:
Shampoo For Dreadlocks & Braids
For men and women who develop and wear dreadlock or braids:
Coarse Unruly hair
Hair that is naturally coarse and wiry may also be naturally
difficult to manage. Unruly hair may feel crunchy and requires
extra moisture and smoothing formulas. For hair that
feels crunchy or is naturally coarse and unruly try:
Baby hair Some hair experts
promote utilizing a special cleansing product for babies to protect
their delicate strands. Other experts believe that any type of
cleansing formula can be used as long as it is first diluted with
water. Products to try include the following:
Anti-Aging hair
In some respects the shampoo world follows the skin care and
cosmetic world. When a popular treatment program is developed
for skin, hair is usually right in step. Recently there has
been a big push in the beauty arena to address anti-aging with
proper skin care and treatment programs. This movement has
since moved into the hair care market with some of the higher end
brands providing shampoo products designed for anti-aging of the
hair.
Some products to try include:
Men's hair The men's shampoo and
hair care category have been growing into prominence over the past
few years. Whether it is necessary to use cleansing products
just for men is a matter of personal preference. Some men's
shampoo products to try include:
Thinning hair An issue that
causes concern for both men and women, thinning hair is considered a
special need and thus shampoos are available to cleanse delicate
strands that are prone to falling out. Some options include:
Sun And Swimming Shampoo Products
Special shampoos were designed to help remove the damaging
effects of pool chemicals as well as to neutralize the impact of
swimming in the ocean.
Some products to try include:
Summary
Shampoo was originally invented to cleanse the hair. Over
the years many hair care companies have amped up their basic
formulas to focus on special hair needs which covers a dizzying
array of categories. When it comes to selecting a shampoo
product for your hair, start with the basics. Consider your
hair's natural type, texture and current condition and select
formulas designed for those factors.
Of course if your budget is tight, it's perfectly acceptable to
select a low cost shampoo for all hair types and modify the use of
the product appropriate to your hair's type, texture and condition.
It is also important to remember that shampoo formulas that work
for one hair consumer may not work for others. Do your
homework and select products that you believe will work best for
you. |