How to Choose Shampoo for your Hair?

Overview

We all have different types of hair and to cater to the different types, there are different products. The first step of haircare starts with the right shampoo

Using an appropriate shampoo for your hair will show instant results. Selecting a hair shampoo is not rocket science and with the help of these guidelines, it’s even more easy!

Hair Type and Texture

• Thin or Fine Hair – For fine or thin hair, it is recommended to use a volumizing or thickening formula that will add texture and plump up the hair, while reinforcing and strengthening hair. Lavender, rosemary and lemongrass, all are known to stimulate hair growth, balance and maintain the scalp and hence preventing hair loss. Look out for Nettle root extract as an ingredient, as it helps improve scalp circulation and reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone known for causing hair loss.
• Normal/Medium Hair – If you are lucky to have normal or balanced hair, then all you got to do it maintains its moisture level, shine and softness. Use a shampoo that doesn’t strip your hair of its natural bounce and shine. Ingredients like white tea, wheat protein and vitamins A, C and E, all help in preserving the integrity of the hair. It is recommended that investing in both conditioning and clarifying shampoo, every alternate.
• Curly or Wavy Hair –Curly hair needs extra hydration because the natural oils from your scalp don’t wind down the twists and turns of your hair shaft. That’s why, sufficient amount of hydration helps tame frizz, soften strands and maintain curl shape and elasticity. Avoid products with silicone, as it coats the hair shaft and deters the absorption of moisture. Opt for nourishing ingredients like olive oil, glycerine, jojoba oil and shea butter. These natural smoothers help keep hair hydrated to increase curl retention and boost shine.
• Coarse or Kinky Hair – This type of hair requires special care to stay strong and shiny. Look for products inclusive of moisturising ingredients such as glycerine, shea butter or panthenol that will help hair be hydrated with a natural lustre.
• Thick Hair – Thick hair can become frizzy, unruly and look full at wrong places. You need to maintain the moisture level for such hair. For taming those heavy strands, look for smoothing ingredients like avocado, macadamia nut oil and soy protein that seals the cuticle, hydrates and control unwanted volume.

Hair Needs

• Oily Hair – Contrary to what you expect, oily hair is the result of the dry scalp as your scalp overcompensates for dryness by producing more oil that eventually sits on your root. For this, use a mild shampoo, designed to balance the scalp, mostly consisting of tea tree oil. It is recommended that to avoid scrubbing of the scalp while washing hair as it can accentuate the oil-producing sebaceous glands.
• Dry, Damaged or Chemically Treated Hair – Hair that is weak, damaged or dry, needs extra moisture to replenish those quenched strands and same it with chemically treated hairs. It is wise to avoid daily hair wash and let your scalp get a chance to produce natural oils. Look for nourishing and softening formulas that will hydrate, detangle and smoothes the cuticle while cleansing. If you have had your hair permanently straightened, then opt for the shampoo that will enhance your treatment and simultaneously enrich your locks.
• Colour-treated – Colour-treated or highlighted hair needs to be washed with a gentle shampoo that is designed for colour-treated hair. Choose sulfate-free shampoo intended for coloured hair that avoids the dreaded “wash-out”. Sulfate-free shampoo may not create sudsy lather, and you might be thinking if its right, but trust us, that it is doing its job. If you would like to boost your hair colour, then choose a product that is intended for that specific hair colour, which will deposit the colour onto the strand to maintain vivacity.
• Flaky Scalp – The best way to deal with flaky scalp is to use medicated shampoo designed to treat scalp condition. Most often, the flakes fall due to dandruff, so search for a shampoo that is intended to clarify your scalp and prevent forming of flakes.

Hair Loss

If hair loss is your issue and you are worried that experimenting with different products will make it only worse, you are right. You need to look for hair loss shampoo formulated products, which stimulates the scalp and hair follicle. You need to look for fortifying formulas, as shampoo alone is not enough, as they can thicken strands and promote new growth.

Anti-aging

Hair, too, age with time and their needs change, so it is important to adapt according to your hair locks to include a shampoo that will keep your strands as vibrant as your personality. Anti-aging shampoos range from greying hair care to nurturing shampoos while protecting your locks from environmental factors.

Sun and Swim Protection

If you need to travel every day and the sun is your constant partner, or just so you believe in swimming for fitness, then make sure to protect your strands from environmental damage that can cause dryness, colour fade out or overall damage. Make sure to pick shampoo with UV filters, and ingredients like vitamins B-5, C and E.