Let’s talk about shampoo and conditioner.
If you have hair, then this blog topic is for you!
There are so many types of shampoos and conditioners on the market, it seems like one would be as good as the next, so how do you go about choosing the ones that are right for your hair?
sulfate free shampoo
One of the most typical things you hear from hair pros. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are a huge MUST when you are looking to buy home products for your hair. Why, though?
Some companies put sulfates in shampoos as the means to strip oil and dirt from the hair. One of the reasons hair stylists tell you to avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfates is that sulfates are acidic salts that can cause hair to become dry and brittle by depleting the hair of its natural moisture. Another reason hairdressers recommend sulfate-free shampoo and conditioners is because sulfates aide in causing artificial hair color molecules to be extracted from the hair, and that is a huge disappointment and frustration to color clients, who spent a lot of their time and money to achieve a desired look.
chelating service
What stylists are known to recommend sometimes before a cutting or chemical service is called a chelating service. This service is done with a type of shampoo that contains certain salts and acids that clarify your hair. During the process, the cortex layer of the hair shaft is opened and alleviated from 98% of its impurities, including build-up of natural oils or hair products, hard water and well water minerals, chlorine, heavy metals, pollutants, and any discoloring deposits, to elevate your salon service results. This service should only be done as an in-salon service by a hair professional, and should be followed by a moisturizing deep conditioning service, such as Lanza Moi Moi Mask.
toning your hair color with purple shampoo
If you are receiving a full head of highlights in the salon, and have light blonde hair, you might consider using a purple toning shampoo at home. It’s important to understand that this shampoo is created to neutralize unwanted yellow tones. The color theory is this; if there are any orange undertones (think dirty-blonde, it has a yellow-orange undertone) in the hair, the yellow in the hair’s undertone will neutralize from using this product and the orange will intensify! You should really only use this product if you are a very light yellow or grey/silver tone, and only after you have washed your hair a few times with a good color shampoo and conditioner to really let the color molecules settle into place and stay a while first. If there are no more yellow tones to neutralize, the hair may start to reflect a purple (artificial silver) tone from overusing the shampoo. You can avoid that by mixing the purple shampoo with color-safe shampoo, or alternating uses.
There is a science behind purple shampoo that is different than that of color safe shampoos. Purple shampoos are made with a higher pH to open the cuticle and tone the hair, but the pH varies by brand, and the brands don’t tell you how high the pH is. This is one of the reasons some purple shampoos make your hair feel dry! On a molecular level, we want to use a purple shampoo that is close to the higher pH of where hair lives (3.5-4.5), so that it keeps the hair healthier. You can follow up with a toning conditioner, or I recommend to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner.
moisture shampoo & conditioner
Moisture shampoos and conditioners are excellent for home use. Hair that doesn’t hold curl well can be lacking in elasticity, and that problem can typically be corrected by adding a moisture shampoo and conditioner or leave in into your hair washing routine. One problem that can occur with moisture products is that the hair can become weighed down, and might appear oily, so it is good to replace moisture shampooing with a clarifying shampoo periodically, like after every 8-10 shampoos, one time to gently balance your hair and scalp, and then follow with a moisturizing conditioner.
protein shampoo
If hair seems brittle, it might not be lacking in moisture, but in need of a good protein shampoo and conditioner, such as Lanza Healing brand or Joico K-Pak, to strengthen your hair and help hair to grow long. It’s still a good idea to follow up this regimen with a clarifying shampoo routine and moisturizing conditioner to keep the hair from getting too much protein, which could make the hair feel stiff and “dry”. Ultimately, hair needs a good balance of moisture and protein to be its healthiest.
volumizing shampoo
For hair that is thin from genetics (thanks, mom and dad!) or seems to be thinning and not feeling like it “used to”, sometimes the “problem” is just shhhhh…. aging**** (whispers quietly). A good volumizing or thickening shampoo and conditioner might be a solution to the problem.
Aging happens to everyone, faster than anticipated, and sometimes it isn’t as kind to some heads as others. However, if thin hair is the result of an internal problem, such as postpartum, hormonal changes, or a thyroid problem, seeking help from a medical professional is the only solution that can possibly reverse or resolve the problem internally, but there are a few shampoos such as Nioxin shampoo, or Evolis,
They might help topically, working in collaboration with internal regulation.
For thick hair, the solution is to buy your shampoo and conditioner by the gallon! Haha, just kidding, but if you need the liter size, ask us and we might be able to help!
what if my current shampoo isn't helping?
Shampoo and conditioner brands make their products to be paired with one another. That isn’t to say you can’t intermingle two brands, but just know the benefit that is offered through a line isn’t a guarantee if you don’t use the products together. Ultimately, you decide what works best for your hair by trying different shampoos and conditioners, but if hair starts to feel weighed down and less manageable, I highly recommend trying a clarifying shampoo first, to use periodically between washes, instead of completely switching shampoos, to see if that solves the problem.
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