Determine the Perfect Shampoo and Conditioner
With so many different options out there for choosing shampoos and conditioners, its hard to know which ones are right for your hair. Here are a few steps from a licensed professional on how to tackle your search.
Contents
Steps
- Start by choosing a place from which to purchase your hair products. The best places to buy hair products are reputable salons.
- Determine what you hope to achieve with your hair. More volume? Shine? Repairing damage? Going into your search with a clear picture of what you hope to accomplish will speed the process along.
- Determine if you have specialized issues that need to be addressed such as dandruff, artificial coloring, permanent waves, ethnic hair, natural curls or thinning hair. You may not always be able to achieve your desired results when you have these factors.
- Always check labels! Check for allergens or drug facts on the bottles. Sometimes shampoos and conditioners may contain natural or artificial ingredients which may irritate your skin. They may also contain ingredients you may not wish to put into your hair such as alcohols and sulfates.
- Determine the salon or store’s return policy. It may take a few attempts at finding your ideal hair products and if the particular salon or store does not have a suitable return policy you may want to change locales. The last thing you want is to be stuck with lots of products you will never use.
- Ask about any samples the salon or store may have available. Salons that are concerned with customer service generally will give the samples to you at little to no cost. Most stores do not usually practice this.
- Ask if there is a professional that you can talk to even if you have found a product you may want to try. The professional may be able to look at or feel your hair to determine if the product you have chosen is suitable for your hair type. They may also be able to determine if you have specialized needs that should be addressed.
- Find a stylist with hair similar to yours and ask them what they use in their hair. This may better help you determine the results of a product before you buy.
- When you get the product home, use it at least three times or for at least three days. The results are sometimes not what you expect on the first wash because the new products can remove the residues of the old products. This may cause dullness or roughness in the hair until all the buildup is removed.
- If after three days the product is unsatisfactory, return it to the salon or store and tell a professional working there what problems you were having. The professional may be able to direct you to something better.
Tips
- Be sure the products have the proper pH balance to maintain healthy hair and scalp. The pH of the human body is found in a range of 4.5-5.5 and the hair products we use should also be in the same range. As a general rule, most salon-purchased products are in this range, but consult with a licensed professional to be certain.
- Do not be overly concerned with price. If you limit yourself with a budget, you may not get the proper product your hair needs to stay healthy. There are many products out there that will meet your needs for a manageable price. If you have found a product that you like but the price is a little steep, ask a licensed professional for a recommendation of a similar product.
- Ask your stylist about any products you liked that they may have used on your hair. Quite possibly, the perfect product for you has been used every time you’ve gotten your hair cut!
- ALWAYS consult a licensed professional. They may have inside knowledge about products that you will want to know!
- Remember it this way: professional products are like a nutrient filled salad and non-professional products are like a bag of potato chips, both of which satisfy your hunger. Although the salad is more expensive, it is better for you in the long run.
- Shampoos containing sulfates (look for the ingredients ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate) strip artificial hair color. Even if the shampoo bottles claim to be “color safe”, if they include any of these ingredients your hair color is not protected. Be sure to read labels and consult a professional if you have questions.
- For the health of your hair, it is recommended that you only buy professional products at a licensed salon or barbershop. Most drugstore or mega-mart products contain high amounts of sulfates and alcohols that will dry your hair and strip hair color. Some products may even leave waxes on the hair that give the appearance of healthy hair, but in reality they are damaging the hair.
Warnings
- Use sparingly! Most professional products are much more concentrated than store-sold brands. This means that you do not have to use as much product. Ask a professional for amount suggestions so you may get more for your money.
- drugstore/mega-mart products are cheap and it can seem like quite a deal for your money, but beware. Those products are mostly water and you will have to use twice as much. They may also be drying your hair and scalp and can lead to embarrassing dry flaky scalp, acne and other conditions. These products may have a pH that is higher than that of your scalp. This may cause your scalp to become dry and be unhealthy which in turn may inhibit the growth of hair.
- If the ingredient label contains sulfates and alcohols, it may not be suitable for your hair type.
- When in doubt, get a second opinion! Sad to say, but there are some professionals out there that may be looking for a quick sell. If you are armed with knowledge before hand and ready to be patient when it comes to purchasing products, you will be better prepared to ward off those who are not concerned with your well being.
- If you get your products at a drugstore or mega-mart, be prepared for the results! You may be unknowingly damaging your hair or stripping your hair color.
- It is not recommended to buy a product without consulting a licensed professional. There is no magical product designed for all hair types, otherwise it would be printed here. Your best bet is to get advice and be willing to sample products until you find one that matches your unique chemistry.
