Showing posts with label Shampoos - conditioners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shampoos - conditioners. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Before You Shampoo & Conditioner

There are literally 100s of shampoos & conditioners on the market. So how to pick the best ones for you? Here we break down the key points to consider....before you buy.

Expensive vs. Inexpensive
Is there really a difference between a $2 shampoo and a $20 bottle from your salon? Well yes, and no. Some cheap shampoos contain foaming agents which can dry out the hair. This is good for oily, limp hair. If your hair is sun-damaged, chlorine-damaged or color-damaged then you should invest in a more expensive shampoo. You really should see if the inexpensive shampoos & conditioners work for you and if they don't, or if your hair still appears limp or damaged, you should try a salon product.

The Right Ingredients
The many names of ingredients on bottles can be confusing. But it's true the right ingredients make all the difference. Rather than pay attention to the names on the bottles, pay more attention to the ingredients. Does the shampoo include a mild cleanser like sodium laureth sulfate or a stronger one like ammonium lauryl sulfate? See this article for exactly what to look for in your products.

Children's Shampoos

Forget the cute bottles and pretty colors. That is the last thing that should concern you. Instead, look at the product. You want it as free as possible from coloring and fragrance. Those ingredients are not necessary. And just because a product claims to be mild, does not make it so. Look at the ingredients.

Dandruff Shampoo
The best remedy for dandruff is to rotate three over-the-counter dandruff shampoos -- one containing salicylic acid (to exfoliate), one containing selenium sulfide (to soothe) and a third containing pyrithione zinc (an anti-inflammatory) interspersing them with regular shampoo. A trio of treatments is most effects because if you use only one the fungus could adapt and become immune to it.
Colored Hair
If your hair is colored, you really should consider a shampoo that is specially designed for colored hair. This is because the shampoos are made to be more gentle on your hair & will contain ingredients to preserve color.

source about.com

Does It Really Matter What Shampoo You Use?

We get this question a lot and we've read a variety of answers. Some experts say don't waste your money on a fancy bottle of shampoo when you can get Pantene at the grocery store. Others plug their favorites (and we have ours, as well). But you have to wonder if these 'experts' have some ties to the beauty industry and get some sort of kick backs. Some advice we do buy:

1. Watch the ingredients You want the most gentle shampoo possible, therefore you can't go wrong with a basic baby shampoo. Prefer a regular shampoo? Check bottle labels to see if shampoo contains the lathering agent sodium laureth sulfate. According to the April, 2006, issue of 'Ladies Home Journal,' this product is incredibly drying and will leech moisture from your hair. While you can't tell how much is in the bottle, your best option is to buy shampoos without any of it, or others billed as 'gentle cleansers.'

2. Don't bother with shampoos for colored hair We've read these shampoos can actually strip hair of color because of the harsh ingredients. Again, you're better off opting for a shampoo and conditioner touted as 'gentle'.

3. Supposedly the description on the bottle matters While we're skeptical that shampoos that promise to reduce breakage, boost shine or add body, actually deliver, the experts overwhelmingly insist they do. So we bow to the majority and say abide by the descriptions. If a shampoo bottle says it's moisturizing, volumizing frizz-reducing or shine-enhancing, assume it is. We'll alert you the minute we hear otherwise.

4. If in doubt, go with what you like. If you like a shampoo and the way your hair feels then something must be working. Hold on to it. If your hair is limp, frizzy or dried out like hay, chances are you need a haircut, a deep conditioning or new products that will combat the frizz. Shampoo may not be the culprit.

source about.com