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You’ve been shampooing your hair your entire life. And conditioning almost as long. You can do it with your eyes closed. With one arm tied behind your back – right? Still, at Salon Ishi we get asked for shampoo and conditioning advice every day. It makes sense actually, since clean hair and scalp are directly related to healthy hair. So, since you asked, here are some shampoo and condition FAQs.
Q: Does the shampoo and conditioner I use really make a difference?
A: Yes. It’s in your own best interest to consider your own hair type and condition when choosing products. Is your hair fine? Colored? Dry? Oily? Pay attention to your hair’s needs and give it some assistance with products that target what you need. If your hair is on the finer side and you color treat your hair, go with Caretrico Type S Shampoo and Caretrico Privy Treatment Moist Sleek conditioner. If you hair is thick, dry and/or color treated, Caretrico Type H Shampoo and Caretrico Privy Treatment Slim Through is the way to go.
Q: Are expensive products really better?
A: Yes, in general. Generic, drugstore brands are serving the broadest possible audience at the lowest possible cost and in order to do so are more likely to use harsher cleansers and fillers. Salon products are developed with hair health in mind by companies whose very existence is devoted to hair care. Their focus, product offerings and ingredients reflect it.
Q: How often do I need to shampoo and condition?
A: In all likelihood a lot less than you’re currently doing it. Shampooing hair too often can cause conditions that seem to require more products (dryness, oiliness, brittleness, etc.). Cleanse less often and allow your hair’s natural oils to hold in moisture. As a general rule, we say shampoo once or twice a week. It may take your hair a few weeks to adjust to this new regimen but it’s worth it in the long run. And if you’re shampooing less often, you can afford to get the highest quality shampoo and conditioner.
Q: But what if I exercise every day?
A: Consider simply rinsing your hair with water and applying a little conditioner just to the mid-lengths and ends. Or, try using conditioner as the cleanser: work it in and rinse it out well.
Q: Do I always need to use conditioner after I shampoo? I feel like conditioner just makes my hair oily.
A: Yes, you should be conditioning after every shampoo. If your conditioner is making your hair oily then apply only to the mid-length and ends, switch to a different conditioner, rinse better (a likely culprit), or see the above two questions and wash less often.
Q: I’m trying a new brand and it’s making my hair _______________ (brittle, break off, oily, gummy, etc.). What do I do?
A: Stop using it! Strawberries are healthy but some people are allergic to them. Similarly, not every product works the same way for every person. Experiment with different products and you’ll become a discerning consumer.
Q: Do those “2-in-1” products work? (the shampoo and conditioner in one)
A: Not effectively for most people. The fact is, shampooing is primarily for cleaning the scalp and to a lesser degree the hair. Conditioners are primarily for the hair that’s been around longer – the midshaft and ends – that need attention. So there’s a very good reason you have 2 separate steps for cleansing the hair.
Shampooing and conditioning are important for healthy, great looking hair. This is one of those areas where we all think we know everything since we’ve been doing it so long. But there’s always room to learn and improve. And sometimes small changes make a big difference. At our salon, we have used the Caretrico shampoos and treatments (conditioners) for many years with great results and many of our regular customers will make a special trip to the salon if they run out. We highly recommend them.
Have other questions? Please ask them in the comments section and I’ll get back to you just as soon as I can.