Hair Hygiene 101...Shampoo Not Soap Suds (Part One)

Hey! Hey!! Hey!!!

Guess who’s back from a leave of absence AGAIN??? Yeah I know this is a second time in a row I have been M.I.A and I sincerely do apologize for leaving my dolls hanging for this long…had to go battle a bout of malaria and food poisoning…DON’T ASK!!! Lol…Thank God I’m back now tho and good to go….

 

Now where were we? Aha…we were meant to talk about “Shampoos and Shampooing” innit? 

Taking care of your hair is one of the most important parts of your beauty routine and choosing the correct shampoo for your hair type can make the difference between great hair and “not-so”-great hair. 

Wikipedia defines a shampoo as a hair care product used for the removal of oils, dirt, skin particles, dandruff, environmental pollutants and other contaminant particles that gradually build up in hair.

Shampoos contain detergents, which remove dirt and grease from hair and can be rinsed off with water. If you are using the right shampoo then you can wash your hair daily without damaging it. Harsh shampoos will strip your hair off natural oils, so use mild ones with low percentage of detergent.

The goal of shampooing is to remove the unwanted oil or grease build-up without stripping out so much oil as to make hair unmanageable. Also, washing your hair with the right shampoo can prevent hair loss. Proper cleansing clears the hair follicles of unwanted debris of dead cells and washes away excess oil from hair and scalp.

Having the right shampoo and conditioner formulation to match your hair type and its state at every point in time will help make the most of your natural hair texture. I say this because there are dozens of different brands to choose from and even more types within those brands and as I’ve always said with regards to your hair products, when you find what works for you no matter how cheap or expensive based on what your hair needs and budget is-stick with it! My personal advice will be that you also use the same brand of conditioner as well, since most products that have been properly researched are manufactured within specific, safe Ph levels.

Today, I shall attempt to categorize the types of shampoos based on hair types and shampoo functions. However since there are tons of shampoo products out there that differ in functions this topic will be broken into two separate posts so some of us don't start snoring before we get to read about the shampoo for our peculiar hair needs...lol

Coarse, Curly Hair

Coarse hair is the driest of hair types so it would be best to use super hydrating and creamy shampoos for your thirsty strands. Look for labels that say hydrating, moisturizing, or other synonyms. Coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, shea butter, wheat germ oil as well as almond oils are great ingredients in your shampoos that will coat the hair shaft and trap the water inside. They also help in softening hair and minimizing frizz.

Coarse hair is usually curly or wavy. Each hair strand is thicker so therefore feels coarser. Coarse, curly hair need to be constantly hydrated due to the fact that their strand patterns make it tougher for natural hair oils (sebum) to travel from the hair follicles up the shaft thereby making these hair types drier than others. Basically, hydrating shampoos and conditioners are your best friend. These shampoos are not going to give you perfect hair, but it’s a great foundation. They will give you more shine and manageability. Most people in this category can get away with shampooing their hair a couple times a week.

Shampoos that are labeled as “straightening shampoo” are also great.  Most contain ingredients that will replenish the moisture in your hair. Just ensure they are not high in wax, paraffin or silicon.

   

Extra tip: Curly hair should not be washed every day. You'll only dehydrate hair and make it more frizzy and unmanageable. Another alternative to shampoo washings is to rinse the hair with water and then follow with a conditioner. Also, lay off the blow dryer (they tend to dry out hair even more) and let curls dry naturally.

Recommendations for Coarse Hair

Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo, Miss Jessie's Super Sweet-back Treatment, Philip Kingsley Moisture Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner.

Recommendations for Curly Hair

Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo, Aveda Be Curly Shampoo And Conditioner.

Fine, Oily or Limp Hair

Fine hair is most susceptible to looking 'oily' and can get this way after only one day. Opt for clear shampoos and stay away from the creamy ones that are made for our curlier sisters. You will need a gentle shampoo marked for daily or frequent washing. The secret of the fine hair shampoo lies in a body-building ingredient called "panthenol". Hair experts swear that panthenol penetrates the hair cuticle making each strand thicker.

Another tip: Use a dry shampoo or talcum powder between washings. Not only will the powder soak up oils, but it adds body as well.

 A more general name for the shampoo type appropriate for limp, fine hair is… Volumizing Shampoo. Sometimes it may say “Bodifying” or other synonyms referring to volume. Although these shampoos and conditioners are not going to give you instant volume, (styling products actually give you the extra volume) they are a good foundation to start with. Volumizing Shampoo will not be too heavy for fine hair. If you use this shampoo, you will find that your hair is less “greasy” and weighed down.

Extra tip: Unless your hair is extra-oily, there's no need to 'rinse and repeat.' One shampoo will do. You don't have to lather twice as the more you lather and massage,  the more oil your scalp produces thereby placing you right back where you started-with an oily scalp.

Recommendations

Baby shampoo, Bumble & Bumble Seaweed Shampoo, Body Shop Rainforest Radiance Detangling Spray, Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo.

Medium Hair

Medium hair can be straight or curly. If your hair is straight, you may still feel like it is flat, but you will not feel like you have thin hair.  If you do not think your hair is thin and it doesn’t feel coarse… then this is your hair type.

If your hair doesn’t feel dry or frizzy but tends to be oilier, then “Volumizing Shampoo” will work great for you. Although, like I said before, volumizing shampoos and conditioners will not give you volume (styling products actually do), this shampoo and conditioner will be a great foundation for your hair. Your hair should feel like it has more life and isn’t weighed down.

 

Colored or Chemically-Treated Hair

Hair can be damaged by chemicals used to color or perm it. Hair treated with chemicals often become dry, brittle and very difficult to manage. Color care shampoos and conditioners maintain the chemical balance of the hair and prevent the color from fading.

If your hair has gone through highlighting, radical color changes , over-processing or constant straightening your goal will be to reinforce weak areas in the hair shaft. The shampoo for you is the “Reconstructive Shampoo”.  It may also be labeled Repairing Shampoo.  Reconstructive Shampoos contain vitamins and proteins. They also provide the much needed moisture. It is also a good idea to get your hair trimmed at least every six weeks until the damaged parts of your hair are gone.

Reconstructive Shampoos should have a Ph factor similar to that of your skin and hair, which lie between 4.5 and 5.5.

If you want to still retain your hair coloring use “Color-Protecting Shampoos” which will contain fewer harsh cleansers and prevent fading. The moisturizers in the shampoo will help restore hair shine and moisture. Look for protein-based shampoos with ingredients such as wheat and soy extracts or silk amino acids.

Unfortunately, overly processed hair can suffer from oily roots but dry shaft and ends. Therefore, washing processed hair can be tricky business. You want to cleanse the roots while moisturizing the ends. I suggest washing hair every other day with a shampoo made for normal hair. Concentrate on cleaning the scalp. Here are other shampoo tips for the following processed hair types:

• Colored. You can use color-protection shampoos since they tend to contain gentle cleansers and ingredients that preserve color.  Alternatively you can use a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo instead of the pricey specialized shampoos. Like I always say “Whatever works for you. Don't mind paying for the fancy stuff? Then do it. If you like it, then stick with it.”  Dozens of products on shelves must mean they work for somebody.
• Permed or relaxed. Any moisturizing shampoo will work for your hair type but apply it only to the roots and rub it in well. Then apply a quick burst of water. While the water is running down the hair shaft, massage hair to remove any dirt and grime. Rinse well. You don't want to skip the conditioner. Make sure to keep conditioner from the roots.

Recommendations

Biolage Delicate Care Shampoo, L'Oreal Ever-Pure UV-Protect Spray.

Extra tip for processed hair: Wash your hair only every few days to prevent drying out. You can use a dry shampoo; or if you're blond, a talcum powder, in between washings.

Like I said earlier this post has been split into parts one and two so if we haven't touched your hair type yet do not fret as we will continue with "Shampoo and Shampooing" next week...join us.

As always feel free to drop your questions and comments or send us an email (divashairstory@gmail.com). You can also follow us on twitter (@Diva_Twitts) for tips and tricks and hot gists on what some of our favorite celebrities are up to with their hair.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend...here's sending you lots of hugs, love and kisses.

xoxo

Diva